COMMUNITY SUPPORT SQUADRON (CSS)

The Community Support Squadron comprises: OC Community Support Squadron, Community Development Officer, Community Support Flight, Graphics, General Duties Flight, Central Registry, Reprographics, Officers' Mess, Sergeants' Mess, Junior Ranks' Mess, Airfield Feeders, Catering Headquarters and the Catering Office.

The Catering Headquarters
The Catering Headquarters is located in front of Barrack/Clothing Stores and behind the Grafton Club (Louis Bar)/Spar Shop. The role of the Catering Office is to order, receive and cost all food stuffs delivered to the three Messes, 5 high energy flying accounts and two Airfield Feeders. The office also manages the Station Messing Account and provides a full accountancy service for all catering departments.

Community Development Officer (CDO)
It is CDO's role to enhance the well-founded support that already exists within RAF Marham. The CDO can provide advice on issues such as Childcare Policy and legislation, youth work provision, policy and legislation. The CDO can be contacted on (01760) 337261 Ext 7884.

General Duties Flight
General Duties Flight (GD Flt) is responsible for the provision of registry, post room and duplicating services. RAF Marham boasts its own Ceremonial Squadron which is administered by the Station Warrant Officer and which participates in a large number of civic events throughout the County. Honours and Awards ceremonies are also the responsibility of this Flt. GD Flt is located in Building 22, Station Headquarters.

Accommodation Cell
Junior Ranks accommodation at RAF Marham is controlled by the Accommodation Cell.
training enquiries should be addressed in the first instance to Sgt Rod Hemming, Catering Trainer, on Ext 7657.

Community development asks the most fundamental question of all - What sort of community do we want?
Over the last 3 years, numerous questionnaires, surveys and focus groups have taken place in order for us to ensure that we have an individual, bespoke assessment of our community's needs, wants and aspirations, this assessment is key to the successful integration of RAF Marham within the local community.

As you can imagine, needs, wants and aspirations are many and varied; however there are always a few that come somewhere near the top.
Isolation, roads and transport
A lack of opportunities for young people
Communication

The role of the RAF Marham Community Support Squadron (CSS) and the Community Development Officer (CDO) - Frequently Asked Questions:
· What is Community Support Squadron?
· What is the purpose of the Community Support Squadron?
· What does the Community Support Squadron actually do?
· Can I get involved in the Community Support Squadron?

Q What is Community Support Squadron?
A For RAF personnel to be fully effective in their duties it is essential that their well-being and that of their dependents be properly cared for. It is the intention of Community Support Squadron at Marham to provide comprehensive community support to the Service and their dependant communities, especially those who's morale and well-being have a direct bearing on the effectiveness of Service personnel.

Q What is the purpose of Community Support Squadron?
A The purpose of Community Support is to provide enhanced support through forging closer links with local authorities and communities to the benefit of RAF Marham. This is important because it is recognised that communities do not exist in a vacuum and it is in our interest to build stronger ties with those around us. This is particularly true, for example of schooling and youth work. It is self-evident that the RAF cannot possibly provide every aspect of social support for a modern, diverse and widely dispersed community. However, it is our aim at Community Support Squadron to actively network on your behalf to ensure that we have access to all the support we are entitled to at local authority level and to ensure that functionally, at station level, we are operating in a way that complies with best practice, government guidelines and promotes a stronger sense of community and general well-being.

Q What does Community Support actually do?
A · Gathers information from the community.
A · Provides a link to all community activity including youth clubs, providing access to information and training.
A · Point of contact for CEAS (Children's Education Advisory Service).
A · Plans activities for children and young people during all the school holidays.
A · Point of contact for anyone interested in volunteering in any of the clubs. (CRB's etc)
A · Facilitates the setting up of new clubs and activities.
A · Assists the planning and implementation of the HIVE Information Deployment Pack.
A · Attends Local Authority and Parish Council Meetings, working on Marham Parish Plan.
A · Oversees the running of the Station Conservation Group.
A · Accesses all information regarding new equipment such as MUGA's (multi use games areas).
A · Apply for funding with regard to the above.
A · Liaise with local charitable and voluntary organisations to organise a Volunteer Fayre.
A · Network with local businesses to set-up community events.

Q How can I get involved?
A Contact us with your details and we will let you know of everything that we are involved in, you are sure to find something that will interest you.

Please read our news items and keep yourself up-to-date with what's going.
If you can't find anything of interest then let us know and we will help you set something up.

Community Development work is undertaken so people can participate in the activities, processes and networks that shape their communities and their lives. Community development is concerned with building communities that are strong, sustainable, open and fair.