Mercury Theatre proudly presents "Cinderella"

 

National No Smoking Day 2025 – 12 March

 

• Take back your life this No Smoking Day – Wednesday 12th March 2025.
• Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.
• It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go this No Smoking Day.
• When you stop smoking, there are almost immediate improvements to your health.
• There’s no need to go it alone – it’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from.
• Getting free expert support from your local stop smoking service is proven to give you the best chance of quitting successfully. Some are now able to offer free vape starter kits too.
• NHS Better Health offers a range of free quitting support including the NHS Quit Smoking app, Personal Quit Plan, 28-day email programme, local stop smoking service look-up tool, as well as advice on stop smoking aids including information on how vaping can help you quit smoking.
• On average, you could save around £2,500 per year by quitting smoking.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme reopens for applications

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new round of funding under the Reducing Veteran Homelessness (RVH) Programme in a bid to deliver further sustainable, supported housing options for veterans in need.

The Trust is delivering this important programme on behalf of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in support of the government’s ambition to end veteran homelessness and ensure veterans have access to the support they need, including housing.

Current findings from the RVH programme

Following on from the initial awards made in July 2023, the Trust commissioned Alma Economics to consult with key stakeholders in the housing sector, including those awarded funds in the first round. Key recommendations from this consultation include:

·       A need for increased support for veterans with acute, complex or multiple support needs.

·       Promoting a needs-based approach to support provision.

·       Addressing bottlenecks across the lifecycle of support provision.

·       A focus on partnership working.

Both the RVH interim programme evaluation report and the summary of consultation findings are available to read on the Trust’s website.

Further funding available

Under this new round of the RVH programme, charities, local authorities and registered social housing providers can apply for up to £300,000 towards a project delivered for up to nine months.

There is also an opportunity for organisations to apply for an enhanced award of up to a further £200,000 where that work will fill a significant level of unmet need.

What applicants will need to show

Projects should improve the capacity of services in supported housing to better help veterans with a range of different needs. Full details of the programme priorities are mapped out in a Programme Guidance document available on the Trust’s website.

Op Fortitude

Funded projects will need to work with Op Fortitude, a UK wide referral pathway supporting homeless veterans or veterans at risk of homelessness, into housing.

Find out more

Want to know more about applying to the RVH programme? Full details are available at: www.covenantfund.org.uk

Application deadline is noon, 31 March 2025.

The Ripple Pond – Spring Newsletter

Link to read online

 

Akrotiri Festival is coming soon

This year marks 70 years since RAF Akrotiri was established and the bi-yearly festival falls in as a perfect opportunity to celebrate. Pop the date in your diary. More details to be confirmed soon.

Akrotiri: Car Booters and Traders please book your pitch!

There's still time to get yourself a stall at the Aki Market on Saturday 1st March! Please pop into Akrotiri HIVE with your five euros to book.

Akrotiri HIVE is open Mon 8.30 - 11.00. Tues, Wed and Thurs 8.30 - 13.30 and Friday 8.30 - 11.00.

Akrotiri. WSBA cultural day. Wednesday 26th February at 13.00 - 16.00.

 RAF Akrotiri presents WSBA Cultural Day, with food tastings, art display, face painting and much more. This event is free for all families and WSBA community. 

APEA Akrotiri Stadium. RAF v ARMY. Football.

 

On the 1st March go along to support Cyprus Inter-Service Football. RAF v ARMY at the APEA Akrotiri Stadium. Food drink and raffle on the day.

Service Police Confidential Crime Line, available 24/7 - you are not alone

 

Anyone (Service or Civil Servant) who has been the victim or witness of serious crime at any point of their Service in the MOD can call the Service Police Crime Bureau on 02392 285 170 or 02392 285 180, or the Service Police confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658, available 24/7. You will be listened to, there is support available for victims and all allegations are taken seriously.