Major new grants now available to fund specialist care for homeless veterans

• Up to £8m of funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is now available to tackle veterans’ homelessness head on.

• Organisations are able to bid for up to £1.5 million, over 2 years, to provide wraparound support services for issues such as mental health.

• Funding will address the complex issues faced by some homeless veterans while making sure they have access to accommodation.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce the launch of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme, which will award major grants to help veterans experiencing homelessness.

Under this new programme, the Trust will award grants on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) to projects that will provide specialist care in veterans’ accommodation.

The funding being announced today is expected to provide services for over 900 supported housing places across the UK, supporting veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Organisations are able to bid for up to £1.5 million, over 2 years, to fund wraparound support for issues such as mental health and employment.

By providing specialised support services, we can help address the complex issues faced by some veterans while making sure they have access to accommodation, and give them a greater chance of leading a stable, healthy life so that they don’t return to being homeless in future.

FORCES EMPLOYMENT CHARITY LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE TO CELEBRATE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

The Forces Employment Charity will be marking the Month of the Military Child this April, with a brand new set of resources to help young people of those who Serve and have Served with their next career step.

The charity, which was founded in 1885, originally helped veterans find civilian employment and has since expanded its services to offer support to Military families. This has recently extended to offering employment support to Young people from military families, both serving and veteran within the M3 area, owing to its unique EM3 Armed Forces Veterans and Families Programme.

The team working in the EM3 Armed Forces Veterans and Families come from military families themselves and therefore understand the importance of supporting young people who face an ever-changing situation, from frequent moves, education gaps and separation from parents’ and social networks.

Through extra support in education, training and expanding the pool of employment choices and a caseworker, the programmes supports young people to plan a clearer future.
The charity also works with many young people from across the UK through its long-standing programme, Future Horizons. This programme helps early Service Leavers with the next stage of their civilian career, which often includes younger veterans aged between 16-25.

Future Accommodation Model Social Media Re-branding to Defence Accommodation Policy

New Service Pupil Support Programme - part of exciting new funding opportunity from the Armed Forces Families Fund

Join our Centrica Pathway

Scottish Veterans Residences vacancies in Edinburgh

Scottish Veterans Residences is a charity established in 1910 to support former members of the Armed Forces of all ages who are homeless, isolated or in need.

We provide high quality accommodation with dedicated support at our residences in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow. Each residence is a Registered Housing.

We currently have vacancies in Edinburgh.

Help for Households and Cost of Living Payments

Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Communicating Help for Households and Cost of Living Payments - Understanding Universal Credit​ Resources section.

Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Strategy & Action Plan

The Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan has been published today, demonstrating Defence's commitment to reduce suicide in the Armed Forces and provide support to those affected by it.

The Strategy establishes eight focus areas: Understand high risk groups within the Armed Forces
Educate the Armed Forces about suicide and its prevention

Enable individual resilience and support personal needs
Enable safe military environments
Enhance organisational management of those at risk
Enable access to support for those at risk
Develop accessible postvention support
Improve organisational learning

To read the full Strategy and Action Plan, please click HERE​

Annington: Families Day Funding Applications

Applications for Annington's Families Day funding closes on 5 May. Please contact your nearest HIVE for further information and an application form.

Personal Accident and Life Insurance Schemes for Personnel

Personal Accident and Life Insurance Schemes for Personnel

MOD is re-evaluating the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme and Life Insurance Scheme offer for personnel. A procurement exercise has been completed and we are pleased to announce that a new Broker, The Risk Factor, has been appointed. Initial discussions have taken place, and our priority is the continuation of appropriate cover for existing policyholders with as little disruption as possible.

As this is a new supplier, insurance products will no longer be branded as PAX. Existing PAX Personal Accident Insurance Scheme members should note that a replacement Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (providing similar benefits) will be introduced on 1 June 2023, for which they will need to apply if they wish to maintain Personal Accident Insurance cover. There will be no automatic transfer from PAX to the new provider.

There is no action for policyholders to take at this point. Once arrangements for how to join the new Insurance Scheme(s) have been finalised these details will be made available along with the new Scheme’s policy terms and conditions so individuals can make an informed choice based on their requirements (we expect this to be mid-May).

MOD personnel: please see 2023DIN01-023

Mankind: Acorn Recovery Programme for Male Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Defence Medical Services: SMS Medical and Dental Appointment Reminders

An SMS text message reminder service has been launched for patients registered at Defence Medical Services medical and dental practices. For more information please go to the My Healthcare Hub app on Defence Gateway​

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks

It’s almost impossible not to feel good when we’re walking outdoors – it’s a natural mood-booster! And the great news is we don’t need to walk far or fast to feel its effects on our health and wellbeing. Simply getting out is a tonic for our minds and bodies, and it can be sociable too.

Almost all of us can manage a stroll, and Ramblers Wellbeing Walks make it easier to start walking and stay active.​

​To find a local walk near you, please CLICK HERE​

Help HIVE to improve how we deliver the information that's important to you

To give your feedback please follow the link
https://forms.office.com/e/bBk43jTt7e

Are you missing out on claiming Wraparound Childcare funding?

Think you can’t claim Wraparound Childcare (WAC)?

Is your partner in the Army / Navy / RAF ? Are you returning to work? You may be eligible to claim for up to 20 hours of before and after school care for eligible children aged 4 to 11 years old.

Check if you are eligible: RN Families - wraparound childcare | Royal Navy | Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk) Army https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/army/army-families/families-wraparound-childcare] RAF Families - wraparound childcare | RAF | Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk)

Looking for advice on how to save money on your energy bills?

here to visit the website for further detail on how energy saving actions and more can add up to big savings​

DIO - Service Family Accommodation Newsletter - Families First - Issue 5

 Please CLICK HERE to read the newsletter. 

Armed Forces special stakeholder brief

 

Please CLICK HERE to read the full document. 

Op Courage - Specialist care for Service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families

 

Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you're experiencing domestic abuse

The government is rolling out a new Emergency Alerts system and a test alert will be sent out on Sunday 23rd April.

The alerts will be used to let you know about emergency situations (like severe flooding) through your mobile phone. However, the alert will be accompanied by a loud sound even if your phone is on silent. If you live with an abusive partner this could alert them to any secret or secondary phones that you may have. Here's how you can turn alerts off, both on Android phones and on iPhones: Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you're experiencing domestic abuse - YouTube



If you’re afraid of your partner call the free 24 hours a day National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, or live chat with them Monday-Friday, 3-10pm by going to nationaldahelpline.org.uk

BFBS Appoints New CEO

 

Ben Chapman has been appointed as the new CEO of BFBS, the military charity and media organisation which provides TV, radio and other media services to the UK armed forces and defence sector.

He is a very experienced media executive, with a long career in audio and digital at the BBC before moving to Audible as Senior Director, Original Content. Among many senior roles, he was Head of Digital and Content Commissioning for BBC Sounds (BBC Radio and Music).

As editorial lead on the project he was in charge of digital activity in the Radio and Music division, including social media, for all the BBC’s national radio stations.

Ben succeeds Simon Bucks who has decided to leave the organisation after nearly eight years in the role. BFBS has just had its contract with the Ministry of Defence extended until 2026. Ben said: “BFBS has a deep history of creative and technological innovation, delivering UK culture, values, and trusted information to military personnel around the world. Helping them connect with family, friends, the wider military community, and UK audiences is vital as we all face a changing political world. The work done over the last seven years sees it in fantastic shape and I am looking forward to leading this important charity during its next phase.”

Ben will take up his new position with BFBS at the beginning of the summer. Simon Bucks said: “It has been an enormous privilege to lead BFBS through a period of dramatic change, both in the media and military landscapes. During my period as CEO, we have confirmed our reputation as an innovative, forward-looking organisation.

“We have refreshed our branding, developed successful commercial arms, and made huge progress with digital transformation. All of this is thanks to our brilliant management and staff who are absolutely committed to serving the armed forces. I congratulate Ben on his appointment, and I am confident he will continue to build on the BFBS success story.”

The change of leadership comes as BFBS celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. General Chris Wilson, Chair of BFBS, added: “After almost eight highly successful years, I am delighted that Ben Chapman has accepted our invitation to take over from Simon Bucks as the next CEO of BFBS. He is a highly experienced media executive and ideally qualified to lead the organisation in a fast-moving media environment. I very much look forward to him joining our outstanding and highly dedicated team.”

Image: Ben Chapman, appointed new CEO of BFBS. Credit, Pennie Withers.

About BFBS

BFBS is a military charity and media organisation that entertains, informs, connects, and champions the UK Armed Forces.

We bring entertainment, news, sport and information services to the military, their families, and veterans worldwide. We spread happiness and keep people in touch, building morale among the military overseas – offering them a valuable connection to life back home, and a way to share experiences and build communities.

We are also the home of military content, championing the military by keeping their activities in the public eye on our Forces digital channels.

And our commercial services, which provide income for our charity, span training, digital and creative services and pioneering technology solutions that enable media and communication in the hardest to reach places.

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