Forces Help to Buy Scheme - here to stay from 1st January 2023

 

Health and Justice - Lived Experience Network – Independent Patient and Public Voice (PPV) Members required for the National Health & Justice team, NHS England

 To view the full document please CLICK HERE

Forces Help to Buy Scheme - extended

 

Forces Help to Buy Scheme - extended

From 1 January 2023, The Forces Help to Buy Scheme will become an enduring policy, ensuring its availability to all service personnel now and in the future.

For more information please click here​

Look around - Is everyone ok

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Universal Credit

For information regarding Universal Credit GOV.UK have released easy read guides, you can find them in the link below.

Easy read: Universal Credit - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

GOV.UK - Dealing with debt

Please visit the below link for help and advice on dealing with debt.

Options for dealing with your debts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Defence fire and rescue - Cyprus - Christmas fire safety

 

Pinnacle Service Families - Customer Contact

Instead of emailing hello@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk customers can now go directly to the department they need to contact. Please direct families to the relevant email address or to the website. 

Click on the image to make the links live. 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence

 

Forces Employment Charity

 

​

Nick is our new Dependant and Veteran caseworker at Forces Employment Charity for the EM3 programme. He'll be at Aldershot Health and Wellbeing event on Tuesday 29th Nov, come along and find out how Nick help your child with their career choices!

​If you can't make it head to www.forcesemployment.org.uk/EM3 for info about the programme and how you and your child can sign up.

The New Armed Forces Covenant Duty

 

The Covenant Duty will come into force on 22 November 2022. The Duty is supported by Statutory Guidance to help in-scope bodies understand what is required of them under the new Covenant Duty.

https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/the-new-armed-forces-covenant-duty-what-organisations-in-scope-will-need-to-know/

NSPCC Resources

 

Please click HERE to view a list of available resources from NSPCC

Reserves - Did you know?

 

The UK-wide Veterans' Survey

The government wants the UK to be the best place for veterans to live in the world. They have launched the Veterans' Survey to gather views from the UK veteran community on how to shape future services. UK veterans can complete the survey online.

Armed Forces Covenant Duty Statutory Guidance

Armed Forces Covenant Duty Statutory Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Talkback

 

Loneliness and the Armed Forces Webinar - Tue 15th Nov

 

Loneliness and the Armed Forces webinar NS041122.docx

Education Advisory Team

Supporting Partners: Innovation Grants, under the Armed Forces Families Fund

Supporting Partners: Innovation Grants : Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

Royal Collection Trust

All valid MOD90 and Defence Discount Service (DDS) card holders are entitled to complimentary admission to Windsor Castle, on production of their card. Further details about Windsor Castle can be found here.

Cardholders are entitled to a complimentary ticket for themselves and up to four other guests, after 12:00 noon at Royal Collection Trust venues. Please note admission is subject to availability and at sites where we operate a timed-admission system you will be offered admission for the next available time slot.

Tickets are available to be booked in advance by calling our Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)303 123 7304, please note all telephone bookings are subject to a £2.00 booking fee.  You will need to present your MOD90/DDS card at the ticket desk on arrival to collect your tickets.

DDS cardholders will also need to bring supporting photographic identification such as a passport, driving licence or MOD90 card.

For further admission information please visit the website www.rct.uk or telephone the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)303 123 7304.

Forces Employment Charity

The Forces Employment Charity was formed from two of the UK’s largest and most respected military charities; RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity (RFEA) and Officers’ Association (OA).

Founded in 1885 and 1920 respectively, they came together in May 2022 to begin an exciting new chapter for ex-Forces employment support. Their mission is to enable individuals to secure employment and progress to roles at every level, to ensure they achieve their potential beyond military service.

To find out more visit the Forces Employment Charity website​.

Keeping your children safe this Halloween

 

Halloween can be an exciting time of year for children, dressing up and going out after dark. But, whilst Halloween is supposed to be spooky there are some horrors that families will want to avoid.

Here are some top tips for a safe Halloween that you can remember for all the right reasons.​

Reading Well for teens

 

A new 'Reading Well for teens' collection launched in public libraries in England and Wales on World Mental Health Day 2022.

The scheme supports the mental health and wellbeing of teenagers aged 13 to 19 years old, providing information, advice and support to help them better understand their feelings, handle difficult experiences and boost confidence in a post-pandemic context. Click the link below for details.​​


Reading well for teens

“ASK FOR HENRY” Heinz will be giving a helping hand this half term

 

“ASK FOR HENRY” Heinz will be giving a helping hand this half term, something their founder Henry Heinz was known for. From this week Wednesday 26th October 2022 until next week Sunday 6th November 2022 (inclusive) Morrison’s will be supporting the Heinz campaign by giving away a free jacket potato and beans for any customers who “Ask for Henry”.

Samaritans - Emotional Health & Wellbeing for Service Leavers and Veterans

 

To read the Samaritans Emotions Health and Wellbeing for Service Leavers and Veterans - Life after the Armed Forces​, please click HERE​

Credit Union difference

 

Cost saving suggestions for reducing energy bills

 

RBL - Cost of Living Energy Top Up Grants

 

Over the last 12 months we've seen a 20% increase in requests for support with food and basic living costs.

RBL have announced new emergency energy top up grants to help members of the Armed Forces community pay their fuel bills.
This will give those struggling to pay their bills up to £200 per month, depending on their financial circumstances.
Apply directly at rbl.org.uk/costofliving
Or call 0808 802 8080​

Reserve Forces & Cadet Association (RFCA) - Regional Employer Engagement Directors' Contact Details

Your regional Employer Engagement Director can offer you support and advice relating to defence personnel issues, including employment of reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and spouses/partners.

CLICK HERE for details​

Vivo hedge cutting in the South of England

 

Why do we avoid bird nesting season?  Please CLICK HERE to find out more information.

Who are HIVE

 

Service Pupil Premium The Department for Education (DfE) provides additional funding (£310 per pupil) for State Schools, Academies and Free Schools to support Service children in England. Service Pupil Premium (SPP) is there to provide mainly pastoral support

 

Service Pupil Premium

The Department for Education (DfE) provides additional funding (£310 per pupil) for State Schools, Academies and Free Schools to support Service children in England.  Service Pupil Premium (SPP) is there to provide mainly pastoral support in recognition of the challenges these children may face. Service parents, if they haven’t already done so, are encouraged to inform schools of their Service status before the Autumn school census deadline (6th October 2022). Without this information schools will miss out on this additional funding.​

Call for Evidence: The impact of the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces

 

Call for Evidence
This Call for Evidence is seeking testimony and views from individuals and organisations on the impact of the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces.​

For more information, visit: Call for Evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Call for Evidence: Hybrid & Distance Working

The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) is conducting a review on the emerging trends and tax implications of hybrid and distance working.

They are particularly interested in evidence relating to problems that have been exacerbated by the pandemic or caused changes in working practices, as well as issues that we think are unique to military families.

Click HERE for more information

Civilian Housing Options Briefs online in Oct

 

FDIS Accommodation contracts update and SFA Information for Families

Updates on Accommodation contracts

For updates on the Accommodation contracts, please go to Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)where you can subscribe for update notifications

Future Accommodation Model (FAM)

From 31 October 2023, aspects of the accommodation offer will change, and MOD will put the plans to improve and modernise accommodation options into action.


At this moment you do not need to take any action but those who are serving at or assigned to the FAM pilot sites can still take advantage of the FAM offer until the pilot ends on 31 March 2023.


Those expecting to be posted to the pilot sites (HMNB Clyde, Aldershot Garrison and RAF Wittering) must have a Report for Duty Date no later than 31 March 2023.


​You can find out more about FAM and how to apply on GOV.UK