Look who’s discovering Britain now

  • Published
  • By Natalie Benge
  • Community Relations Advisor
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Natalie Benge, and I am your new Community Relations Adviser here at RAF Lakenheath.

Thanks to everyone I have met so far for giving me such a warm welcome, but there are lots of people I still have to meet, so I hope to get out and about and see you all soon.

I live in Market Deeping, which is North-West of Peterborough, with my partner Paul, currently serving in the Royal Air Force, and our two dogs. Market Deeping is a beautiful market town split by the River Welland. The area is well known for its sites of archaeological history from the Neolithic to Norman times.

I come to RAF Lakenheath after working for the last three years in London for the Saudi Armed Forces Project. During my time there I was responsible for business management and the coordination of inward visits to the UK by Royal Saudi Air Force personnel. As part of this posting I enjoyed several trips to Saudi Arabia, which gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in another culture and respect the differences between two countries. This relates well for the Community Relations Adviser post as I understand the difficulties many of you may face in living, working and integrating into the local British community.

My door is always open to you, and I look forward to meeting you. The nature of my job means I am often out on site or at community meetings, so I would advise you to give me a call at 226- 3145 to make sure I'm here before you visit. I also look forward to learning more about your culture so I can better assist you with your queries to ensure you get the most out of your tour in the UK.

Each week I will write an article for the Jet 48. The articles will include a wide range of subjects from British traditions, places of interest, history and much more. If there is something that you would like addressed in these articles please do make me aware with any questions you might have about living in Britain. If I don't know the answer straight away, I will find out as quickly as possible.

Like many of you here, I am new to RAF Lakenheath and the United States Air Force in Europe environment, so please bear with me for the next few weeks. If you see me looking confused chances are I'm lost and need pointing in the right direction!

I would like to emphasize that I am here both for you and your families during your stay in the UK. I will assist you in anyway possible whether to advise you on the culture of the UK, the best places to visit, schools, transport, volunteering opportunities or just for a friendly chat if you are finding it hard adjusting to life in the UK.

So finally, where do you find me? My office is located in the wing head quarters building, Bldg. 1065. Come in, take two rights, and my office is second on the left through the protocol office. I look forward to assisting you during your posting at Lakenheath.

How can the Community Relations Adviser help me?

The Community Relations Adviser is here to give advice on a wide range of issues, to include:

- British schools
- Local organisations
- Utility companies
- Charitable organisations
- Volunteering opportunities
- Employment on the economy
- Leisure services
- Transport
- Tourist information
- Living in the community