Storybook Dad and the Armed Forces 2007 has seen the development of our work with the armed forces. We have delivered training which enables them to follow our model and set up recording and editing centres. This enables us to raise some funds for our charity and also help service people who are being deployed to places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Our scheme has proved to be invaluable to parents who are separated from their children because they are serving their country, just as it is for parents who are serving a prison sentence.

We have set up a “Storybook Alliance” with the staff from 10 Army Education Centre in Tidworth to help future army centres to follow the model as smoothly as possible. Storybook Dads delivers the technical training and 10 AEC advise on strategic development and operational matters.

We have delivered training to two army bases and an air force base. They now have editing suites up and running and are able to produce CDs for the children of service people. In 2008 we will be delivering training to the Navy. And so Storybook Soldiers, Storybook Squadrons and Storybook Sailors have been born!!

Feedback from our audio editing training at military bases:

• RAF Brize Norton
• “excellent—thoroughly enjoyable”
• “very friendly and helpful which made it very enjoyable two days”
• “friendly and approachable – plenty of info and additional learning tasks”
• “ trainers made the learning fun and punchy, maintaining interest throughout”
• “well paced… adjusted to suit the learners.
• “ I thought it would be hard, but even though it wasn’t easy , it was taught well and was enjoyable”
• 10 Army Education Centre
• “Expectations and needs were met and surpassed”
• “The level of training was excellent. There was so much to absorb in so little time but all of the editing applications, downloading stories, CD printing etc was covered comprehensively”
• “The trainers were very supportive and always gave time and information to solve problems”