Generic and local information for the UK Military community in Cyprus including Serving Personnel, Families, Veterans, and MOD Civilians.
This is best viewed through a personal device because the MODnet firewall may prevent access to some links.
Weekly blog email updates: please note that this service has had to be temporarily suspended with effect from the week beginning 29th Jan 2024 whilst we move to a new system. The update will still be provided here on the blog and will re-start by email as soon as possible.
If you’re not already on our subscriber list and would like to receive a weekly summary of the main blog posts for your location (or as many locations as you wish across the HIVE’s worldwide network) please sign up using this link
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Monday 29 January 2024
The British Army's Got Talent 2024 Event - Aldershot, 27 Apr
Where/When? Aldershot Princes Hall Theatre, Sat 27 Apr 2024: Doors open @1830hrs, show commences @1930hrs. Expect some celebrities and a few surprises along the way.
Who? Acts can come from across both the Regular & Reserve (all welcome) – sign up via the QR code by NLT 01 Mar 24.
Audience? This is a family event, all ages are welcome. PLEASE come and support, sign up and grab your seat early via the Aldershot Theatre QR code on the poster, or this LINK.
Armed Forces Covenant Spouse Development Course - applications now open
The course is funded and developed for spouses, civil or long term partners of Serving Personnel in recognition of the barriers they can face in job, career and business opportunities.
Please note you do not need to live in Warwickshire to apply for this programme. Please click here to visit the website.
NHS England: Help us to ensure veterans receive the very best healthcare support in 2024
To help encourage more practices to sign up, the Royal College of General Practitioners, NHS England and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs are working together to increase awareness of veterans’ healthcare needs and any challenges that prevent people who’ve served in the Armed Forces from seeking help from their GP.
Friday 26 January 2024
Families' Activity Breaks (FAB): FAB Camps Volunteer Applications Now Open
More support for service leavers transitioning to civilian life
Personnel leaving the military are to receive more support for finding jobs in civilian life thanks to a new contract between the Ministry of Defence and Reed.
Military Coworking Network - Hub Expansion
Centrica - Multiple Customer Service Advisor Roles
Soldiering On Awards 2024: Nominations Now Open
The Soldiering On Awards recognise, honour and celebrate outstanding achievements of individuals and groups in the Armed Forces community. Nominations are now open, and close on 2 April 24.
Finalists in each category will be announced in Jun 24, followed by a Celebration Reception at the House of Lords in July and an Awards Night in Oct 24.
For further information and to nominate, please go to Soldiering On Awards 2024 Awards Categories - Soldiering On Awards
Launch of Tri-Service Reserves Continuous Attitude Survey, ResCAS 2024: Take Part Now!
The 2024 Reserves Continuous Attitudes Survey (ResCAS24) is now open for completion until Tuesday April 2nd 2024.
Reservists continue to make an impressive contribution to Defence outputs. Last year, ResCAS results revealed that:
* 75% of Volunteer Reserves were satisfied with life in the Reserves in general
* 92% felt proud to be in the Reserves
* 83% would recommend joining the Reserves to others
What is RESCAS?
ResCAS is MOD’s annual survey asking for Reservists’ views of life in the Reserves. The survey is used by the Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence People to gain an insight into Volunteer Reservists’ opinions of service and influence areas of change and focus.
Who should complete it?
If you have been selected to participate in this year’s ResCAS, you will have received a paper copy of the questionnaire, an email invitation, or a postcard giving you a link to the online version.
Why complete it?
The results of the survey are used by the MOD to understand how you, as a Reservists, feel about your experiences, and to help shape the policies that support and enable your service. This includes providing improved support and training. This year we are also seeking views on how change is managed by your team, unit and Service.
Your views as a Reservist matter to us and we will work to focus effort on areas of concern you identify in the survey. While some of the changes will take time to resolve, we remain committed to improve the service and make the Reserves an excellent survey. If you are invited to complete ResCAS 2024, please do take time out to tell us how things look from where you are – it really does make a difference to what we do!
Please take the time to provide feedback and tell us how things look from where you are. The more responses we have, the clearer the picture MOD has of your experience.
Army Reserves
ResCAS is open to selected volunteer Reservists who should have already received or will be receiving a paper copy of the survey and an email with a link to the online version. Participants can also access the survey online at Army RESCAS 2024 (Your access code/token ID is your SERVICE NUMBER) (mod.uk)
Your token is your Service number and is case sensitive. Personnel should use the Google Chrome web browser to complete the survey.
For questions, contact: Army Occupational Psychology Team
ArmyPers-Strat-APRC-Survey@mod.gov.uk
01264 886044
RAF Reserves
The RAF ResCAS is open to RAF Reservists (including Volunteer, Regular and Sponsored Reserves). Participants can access the survey online at RAF Reserves Survey 2024 - Your Token is your Service Number (mod.uk)
Your token is your Service number and is case sensitive. Personnel should use the Google Chrome web browser to complete the survey.
For questions contact: HQ Air Occupational Psychology Team
Air-COSPers-PolPsychGrpMbox@mod.gov.uk
Skype: +443001565915
Maritime Reserves
ResCAS is open to all volunteer RNR and RMR personnel. Participants can access the survey online at Maritime Reserves Survey 2024 (mod.uk)
Your token is your Service number and is case sensitive. Personnel should use the Google Chrome web browser to complete the survey.
For questions, contact: Navy Research Psychology Team
NAVYNPS-RSCHMAILBOX@mod.gov.uk
Little Troopers wants you to host a celebrity cake sale this February half term
The charity is calling on the military community and local schools to organise a cake sale as part of the charity’s annual ‘Fundraise February’ campaign to raise crucial funds for Little Troopers to continue its work in 2024. Seven celebrities have shown their support for the charity by submitting their favourite recipes for the ‘Get Cakey’ pack, which can now be downloaded from the Little Troopers website.
The celebrity recipes include a delicious Chocolate Orange Cake from Dame Joanna Lumley, a healthy Vegan Trail Mix from Levison Wood, a recipe for Figgy Seeded Banana Bread from Dame Kelly Holmes and Magical Marshmallow Popcorn bites from Richard Jones. Harry Hill and Andy McNab have also submitted recipes for the Little Troopers pack.
Anyone and everyone is invited to take part and run a cake sale from school, work or even from home, with many families having run successful cake sales from their driveway in previous years, especially if they live on the patch.
Little Troopers is designating Friday 9th February as the days for schools to get involved ahead of the half term break, while families have from Saturday 10th to Sunday 25th February to ‘Get Cakey’.
On the Little Troopers website, budding bakers can download an organiser pack, bunting, menu page, recipes and a poster template. They can also order a Get Cakey pack to come in the post, which includes stickers, badges and chefs hats to decorate.
Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, says: “Every February we kick-start the year with a fundraising event and this year we want everyone to ‘Get Cakey’. I love baking and wanted to create a simple event that everyone can take part in to raise vital funds for our work. I’m thrilled that so many of our famous friends have leant us their support.
“Every single penny of money raised goes directly back into ensuring the support we provide to military children can continue. It funds vital projects and resources to support children throughout our British Armed Forces community, such as Little Troopers at School, our Little Troopers Gazette and the Little Troopers Therapy programme.”
To find out more about how Little Troopers supported thousands of military children during 2023, you can watch this video.
To find out more information and to sign-up to Fundraise February, visit https://www.littletroopers.net/fundraise-february/
New Accommodation Offer Update: Draft JSP Now Available
Whilst the New Accommodation Offer policy will not come into effect until 11 March 2024, the draft of the new JSP 464 'Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations' is being shared with Service personnel now so that they have access to detailed policy information to help inform any future accommodation decisions they may be making. The JSP will be re-issued as 'live' policy on 11 March 2024 to replace the current version of JSP 464.
Parts 1 to 8 of the draft JSP are available on Gov.uk. Parts 9 to 11 will cover Forces Help to Buy, the Combined Accommodation Assessment System for SFA and Four-Tier Grading for SLA – these are not being released now as the policy remains the same as under the current regulations. Part 12 will cover the complaints processes which will be published when the new policy comes into effect.
Link to Draft JSP: Draft tri-service accommodation regulations (TSARs) (JSP 464) - March 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Link to New Accommodation Offer SWAY: New Accommodation Offer Update release 19 Jan 2024 (cloud.microsoft)
Thursday 25 January 2024
Episkopi: Work From Hub
With 14 workspaces, available to book - it’s the perfect place to work from home, whilst getting out the house!
WFHub is located in the old WRVS building next to the Pool Bar and open 4 days a week.
Book your workspace using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/working-from-hub-tickets-802663186197
Mission Motorsport - The National Transition Event 2024, Silverstone on 4 Mar
Wednesday 24 January 2024
New Accommodation Offer: Tri-Service Roadshow *Change of Date*, RAF Wyton on 5 Mar
DWP Update: Third Cost of Living Payment – Help for Households
Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2024: Finalists Include Two HIVE Staff
Jo Ratubuli works in Cyprus and is a finalist in the 'Away From Home' category, and Emma Passant is a finalist in the 'Family Volunteer of the Year' category.
To find out more about the Celebrating Forces Families awards, and to buy tickets for the Awards Night in April, please go to: https://www.celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk/
The NHS and Armed Forces virtual conference 2024: 12 Mar 24
Delegates will hear how organisations, from ICBs to trusts, are working with the Step into Health programme to reduce disadvantage for the Armed Forces community to support recruitment into a range of NHS roles.
They will learn how NHS trusts achieved the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition scheme bronze, silver or gold accreditation along with examples of how to publicly demonstrate and advocate support to members of the Armed Forces Community.
The event is free to attend and open to all. More information and register to attend at: The NHS and Armed Forces conference 2024: our shared purpose | NHS Employers
New Accommodation Offer explained by the 'Savvy Squaddie'
DIO: Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update
RFS Career Academy Online Course: Gaining Control of Your Finances, 29 Jan
Friday 19 January 2024
Episkopi: Sea Scout Group
57th Episkopi Sea Scout Group has an established Beaver colony, a re-launched Cub pack and newly formed Scout troop. They meet once a week at the Happy Valley Scout Hut.
- Beavers (children aged 6-8) meet Wednesdays 15:30-17:00
- Cubs (ages 8-10 years) and Scouts (10 - 14 years) both meet from 17-18:30 every Thursday
All inquiries/applications:
For Beavers, please contact Naveen:
57epibeavers@gmail.com
For Cubs, please contact Trucker:
epicubscouts@gmail.com
For Scouts, please contact Chris:
episkopiscouts@gmail.com
Try new things. Develop new skills. Make new friends.
Thursday 18 January 2024
Friday 12 January 2024
Episkopi: Number 33 Bus Route amendment
The number 33 route has been slightly effected by this and as a result the last journeys from Paramali and Marina are being terminated. What does this mean for the community?
The last bus from the Limassol Marina will be 1645hrs
The last bus from Paramali to Limassol Marina will be 1745hrs.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Your voice counts – AFCAS 2024
As we enter 2024, the opportunity to get involved in AFCAS is almost at its end. Don’t miss the chance to voice your thoughts.
Complete the annual survey to help Defence achieve its goal of improving the daily lives for members of the Armed Forces and their families. Every response counts.
Everyone can have their say, whether in the selected sample or not!
- If you have been selected to complete AFCAS, you will have been sent an email containing information on how to access the survey.
- If you aren’t in the sample, you can still make your voice heard by completing the shorter survey.
- Don’t miss your chance to tell Defence what is going well and where we can improve.
- The valuable feedback you provide will go a long way in supporting the lives of our serving personnel and their families.
- Completing the AFCAS Survey allows a safe space for you to share your thoughts and opinions on what you feel most positively about as well as what you feel needs changing.
New guidance for school governors and trustees on supporting Service children
The guidance:
* Outlines the education-related disadvantages that can arise for Service children and the potential impact of parental deployment, separation and family mobility.
* Explains the role of governing boards in allocating school funding to meet the needs of Service children and has questions for boards to ask and consider.
* References the Armed Forces Covenant Duty, and which education functions of a school are in scope. If you are a Service parent who sits on a school governing board or trust, read and share this new guidance with the board.
Point of contact: Armed Forces Families & Safeguarding - Education Policy Team People-affs-education-mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Thursday 11 January 2024
Armed Forces Covenant Trust Awards
The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) has awarded over £255K to six projects across the UK, under the Development Grants and Refurbishment Grants programmes, on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs Veterans' Capital Housing Fund.
The Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund supports projects that contribute to the wider aim of ending Veterans’ homelessness by providing affordable and viable homes for Veterans.
The six funded projects will help to refurbish homes to not only be warm, but energy efficient as well assisting in the early-stage development of new build projects.
Wednesday 10 January 2024
Episkopi: Co-working Spaces
Do you ever find yourself at work, staring out of the window and wishing you could be somewhere else? Well why not take advantage of one of the Co-working spaces that our community has on offer?!
We can't help with the job, but we can help with the view.
Episkopi: BoogieBeat
Same location at the youth centre.
I am looking forward to meeting new faces this term, feel free to join us as we enjoy all about the three little pigs.
First class is free just send me a message or if isn’t your first click on the link to book on. https://www.boogiebeat.co.uk/classes/Cyprus
NHS care for the Armed Forces community, January 2024 Update
Going Forward Into Employment (GFiE) - Roles in HMRC, closing date 31 Jan
Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) provides innovative approaches to recruitment which provides people from a wide range of backgrounds, who face barriers to employment, with Life Chance opportunities within the Civil Service.
In order to be able to apply for a GFiE opportunity, certain criteria must be met.
Veterans candidates must:
Strategic Exports & Sanctions Enforcement Investigation Officer - HMRC - Stratford, Croydon and Manchester
Expression of interest form