DIO Families First newsletter - issue 11

Please follow Link for access to DIO Families First newsletter - Issue 11

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-infrastructure-organisation-service-family-accommodation 

DWP - Benefit Payment Dates December

DWP Benefit payment dates over Christmas are as follows:

Payments due 25-26 December will be paid on Friday 22 December.

Payments due 27 December: Universal Credit paid as normal, all other benefits paid on Friday 22 December.

Payments due 1 January will be paid on Friday 29 December.

New Video Games at Akrotiri Library

 

Recruit for Spouses Career Academy: ACCESS Programme online information sessions Dec & Jan

What can ACCESS do for you …..Come and meet some of the JPMorgan team keen to understand your employment challenges and to talk about a new programme they hope will overcome some of these. 

ACCESS will create a platform alongside other key partners to provide valuable insights, resources, and strategies enabling you to overcome unique challenges and achieve career success in whatever you choose. 

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and ask as many questions as you want to the team to understand the programme and make sure it's right for you.  The specific programme details will be shared at this meeting.  We are running 3 sessions so hope you can fit one in your schedule!

14^th December 12.00-13.00pm zoom link https://jpmchase.zoom.us/j/98918277514

                        20.00-21.00pm zoom link https://jpmchase.zoom.us/j/94689325754

11^th January    12.00-13.00pm zoom link https://jpmchase.zoom.us/j/91982944111

Serve & Protect Credit Union - Online Webinars

 

Serve and Protect Credit Union are hosting a range of free financial webinars during December 2023 and January 2024, covering topics such as:

 

• Budgeting & Spending
• Boosting Credit Score
• Managing the Cost of Living
• What Lenders are looking for
  
  

You can view and register for our webinars at - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/serve-and-protect-credit-union-53580404643

Places are limited and are on a first come first basis

 

ManKind Initiative ACORN Recovery Programme for male survivors of domestic abuse

Nitrous Oxide

Following a change to UK law, Nitrous Oxide (also known as laughing gas) has been classified as a Class C controlled drug. Further information is available at this link: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/.../media-fact-sheet.../

If you wish to report a crime, whether in the UK or overseas, you can contact the Service Police Crime Bureau on (+44) 02392 285 170 or 02392 285 180.

DWP Conversational Platform

Conversational Platform is a new technology being introduced onto the Universal Credit telephony channel. From early December 2023 when customers call Universal Credit, their call may be routed through the new technology, whereby the DWP Virtual Agent will ask the customer why they are calling and will then tailor the response based on what the customer says.

DWP Conversational Platform

Latest Going Forward Into Employment Vacancies

New roles for Veterans, Service Leavers and Military Spouses available within DWP in the following locations – Ilford in London and Kilmarnock in Scotland

Vacancy details and application form attached.

For more details see Visit the Blog to find out more about our work.​

Eol Form

Veterans - GFIE- 281_ PC Interventions Case

Cleanse Officer - DWP - Kilmarnock.docx

Veterans - GFIE- 280_ Intervention Administrative

Officer - DWP - Ilford.docx

Veterans Housing - Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund

New major funding programme to support Veterans’ housing needs

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) is delighted to announce a new, major grants programme supporting new builds and significant refurbishment, including extensions, of rental accommodation offering high quality support for Veterans with a housing need.
On behalf of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, the Trust will award grants of £75K to £500K under the Major Capital Grants programme, across four rounds of funding, to projects that contribute to the aims of the Government’s ambition to reduce Veteran homelessness and end rough sleeping.

Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund
The Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund. It is open to charities and registered social housing providers (registered social landlords in Scotland), with at least five years’ housing experience. To be eligible for this funding, you’ll need to show that most of your organisation’s work is with Veterans, or that you have extensive experience of working with Veterans.

FAQ - Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund

The Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund.

More information is available HERE

DIO - Families First Newsletter issue 10

Families First newsletter – issue: 10

Issue 10 of the Families First newsletter was published on 31 October. You can find it on Defence Connect or GOV.uk 

It includes:

• Performance update on accommodation contracts
• Tackling Damp and Mould Programme in SFA – an update
• Winter safety guide
• Key dates to note
• Useful links

Accommodation provided by MOD for ARAP Afghan Families

MOD bullying, harrassment and discrimination helpline

You can also access support by visiting the Workplace Wellbeing Platform at MOD | (workplacewellbeing.com)

AWS Community Support Annual Report Summary

NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast

Welcome to the NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast, a six part series aims to help you, the Armed Forces Community, access the NHS services available. Released every Wed on YouTube.

Exploring the Employment Experiences of Spouses/Partners of British Armed Forces Personnel

More information is available HERE​ or Click ​to access the Survey​.

Veterans’ Foundation Reopens Applications for 2024 Projects Across UK

To find out more information click HERE

2024 Civilian Housing Briefs from Defence Transition Services

Updated Tri-service accommodation regs (TSARs) JSP 464

The recently updated Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations, (JSP 464) are available on .Gov at the following Link:

Tri-service accommodation regulations (TSARs) (JSP 464) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Widening Accommodation Entitlement Limited Locations (WAE(LL))

The Widening Accommodation Entitlement Limited Locations (WAE(LL)) SWAY now includes information on NEW Allowances. If you are being posted to one of the limited locations click this link to find out more: Widening Accommodation Entitlement (Limited Locations) Including NEW Allowances (office.com)

​Socials (incl link to Sway as above):
X.com “Widening Accommodation Entitlement Limited Locations (WAE(LL)) now including NEW Allowances. Click the link below to find out more about WAE(LL)"
Facebook “Widening Accommodation Entitlement Limited Locations (WAE(LL)) now including NEW Allowances. If you are being posted to one of the limited locations click the link below to find out more"

Are you a veteran? Share your views now!

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) have launched a new consultation to gather evidence on the experience of Armed Forces Veterans.

If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran, visit GOV.UK​ for further information and details of how to respond to the survey before it closes on 4 January 2024.

Centrica - New Job Roles

Centrica currently have a huge drive for customer service vacancies, and state: “At Centrica we embrace diversity and actively seek to attract individuals with unique backgrounds and perspectives. To build a more sustainable future, we need the best team – a team with a diverse mix of people and skills, where everyone feels welcome and able to succeed. We are dedicated in helping to close the diversity gap and would love to see more females, people of colour and LGBTQ+ employees, as well as those from a variety of cultures and ethnicity to veterans and the differently abled. Supporting diversity and inclusion is a big part of who we are, we are not looking for people to fit into our culture but to add to it!”

New job roles being recruited include:

https://www.centrica.com/job/?jobreference=R0050191&t=2 Leicester

https://www.centrica.com/job/?jobreference=R0050521&t=2 Stockport

https://www.centrica.com/job/?jobreference=R0046093&t=2 Brighton​

To search all roles please go to: Careers | Centrica plc

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New fund to support Veterans’ and their families’ employability

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce the launch of the The Veterans’ Career Development Fund, supporting Veterans and their families to enter stable long-term employment, by delivering qualifications and training.

Under this new Fund, the Trust will award grants on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) towards projects that help Veterans, and their families achieve recognised qualifications, which help them access employment that matches their skills and interests.

It will do this by supporting experienced organisations which can create and promote opportunities for Veterans and their families looking to enter employment. This includes those already in employment who aspire to progress in their careers, to acquire, or work towards acquiring, supplementary qualifications, technical training and skills.

Victory Services Club: October Newsletter & Club Talk Magazine

The October Newsletter and Club Talk magazine for the Victory Services Club is now available here

Free Level 2 courses - RACPD

There are several providers who offer free Level 2 courses and RACPD are one of the companies offering these opportunities.

The courses are open to all and are completed online so could be beneficial for any member of your military family.

This is a great opportunity with no cost involved, just time. Each course is to be completed within 12 weeks, but they are a great starting point for anyone who has an interest in a particular topic which could lead them on to higher qualifications, whether they are at the starting point of learning, or considering a change in career…..

SSAFA Forcesline

 

Families First newsletter - issue 10

The latest edition of Families First newsletter is now available - please click here

Additional information about Service Family Accommodation can also be found on the gov.uk website - please click here