On Tuesday 30th July, families from across HMNB Clyde came together for an unforgettable day of celebration and support – the 2025 Clyde Families Day.

Held in the Helensburgh and Lomond area and supported by a £3,000 grant from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) – including funding from The Submarine Family – the event was more than just a day of fun. It was a vital opportunity for reconnection in a community shaped by long separations, limited communication, and unique pressures.

For families in the Submarine Service, daily life can mean months without seeing loved ones and, in some cases, little or no contact at all during deployments. It’s a reality few outside the Silent Service fully understand – and one that can be both isolating and emotionally challenging.

That’s why events like Clyde’s Families Day carry such weight. They offer a rare window for families to be together, to relax, laugh, and make new memories in a supportive and welcoming environment. Whether it was children enjoying the bungee trampolines, families bonding over the petting zoo and climbing wall, or the crowd singing along to the Military Wives Choir, the entire day was about celebrating the people who hold it all together behind the scenes.

The event also brought together more than 25 naval and civilian charities and support organisations – from Forces Employment and Reading Force to the Naval Children’s Charity, Erskine, RNFPS, and The Royal British Legion. For many families, it was the first time discovering the breadth of support available to them.

Creating these face-to-face moments matters. When much of Submariner life is lived behind the wire or beneath the waves, it can be hard to know where to turn – or even who to ask – when support is needed. Events like Families Day break down those barriers, raise awareness, and help build lasting community links.

RNRMC, through both core funding and dedicated support from The Submarine Family, is proud to help make these moments possible. We know that family time isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential to morale, wellbeing, and resilience across the entire Naval community.

To every family who joined us, and to every partner organisation who helped make the day a success – thank you. In a Service defined by silence, you reminded us of the power of being seen, heard, and connected.