Domestic Abuse: MOD Guidance on Where to Find Help

Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) compensation schemes

When things go wrong​

Pinnacle administer the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) compensation schemes. You may be entitled to compensation under one of DIO’s compensation schemes if you have experienced;

​Missed appointments

Incorrect Tradesperson

Failed move in

Total loss of heating/cooking facilities

Hotel subsistence

Claims must be submitted within 28 days of the date the issue occurred.

​More information is available HERE

Tickets for Troops: Fundraising Prize Draw for Bruce Springsteen Concert Cardiff May 25

Tickets for Troops are organizing a special prize draw, where the prize is a pair of front pitch standing tickets to see the legendary Bruce Springsteen in concert at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on May 5th 2024. All funds raised in the draw will go towards building a new Tickets For Troops website. To enter the prize draw please go to this LINK

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.

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

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

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​.

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"

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

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

 

International HIVE (iHIVE): Now Included in the Overseas Location Compatibility Checklist

Did you know that contacting iHIVE is now listed in the 'key actions to be taken' on the Overseas Location Compatibility Checklist?

For Service personnel and families moving overseas, the Overseas Location Compatibility Checklist provides an initial list of personal and domestic factors to be considered pre-application for an overseas assignment, to determine the suitability of the overseas location, for the Service person and their immediate/close family.​​

For more information on this, or for any questions you may have on any location worldwide, contact iHIVE via RC-Pers-HIVE-iHIVE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk or +44 (0)7976 69 8527. 

You can also find ​the iHIVE Blog at: https://internationalhive.blogspot.com/

SSAFA Community Connection Champions

Forces Employment Charity: Career Change & Apprenticeships Event - Andover, 21 Nov

FACEBOOK
The Forces Employment Charity is hosting a transformative career change and apprenticeship event that's tailor-made for the entire military family 👪
They will be bringing employers from tech to nursing and everything in between all under one roof to discuss the exciting apprenticeship and career change opportunities in their area.

Come along and network, explore possibilities and demystify your future 🔎

Brought to by @Forces Employment Charity, Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Leisure Centre.

Find out more 👉  https://loom.ly/7Bk8LFo

📅 21.11.2023
⏰ 10:00 - 14:00
📍 Andover Leisure Centre, West Street, Andover, SP10 1QP

#MilitaryFamily #MilitaryChild #MilitarySpouse #Veterans #Apprenticeships #CareerChange

INSTAGRAM
The Forces Employment Charity is hosting a transformative career change and apprenticeship event that's tailor-made for the entire military family 👪
They will be bringing employers from tech to nursing and everything in between all under one roof to discuss the exciting apprenticeship and career change opportunities in their area.

Come along and network, explore possibilities and demystify your future 🔎

Brought to by @Forces Employment Charity, Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Leisure Centre.

Find out more 👉  forcesemploymentcharity.org.uk

📅 21.11.2023

⏰ 10:00 - 14:00

📍 Andover Leisure Centre, West Street, Andover, SP10 1QP

#MilitaryFamily #MilitaryChild #MilitarySpouse #Veterans #Apprenticeships #CareerChange

TWITTER
@ForcesEmployment is hosting a transformative #CareerChange and #apprenticeship event that's tailor-made for the entire #MilitaryFamily 👪

Come along and network, explore possibilities and demystify your future 🔎

Find out more 👉 https://loom.ly/7Bk8LFo

Museum of Army Flying: Free Admission Offers

For further information please go to: https://armyflying.com/

Historic Royal Palaces -£1 tickets for those o Universal Credit or other named benefits

From 21 October 2023, £1 tickets for a day visit to the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace will be available to anyone in receipt of the following:​​

• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance

You can claim £1 tickets for up to six people per household. Only one person per household needs to show supporting documents.

https://www.hrp.org.uk/one-pound-tickets/#gs.74u117

Pinnacle Group SFA Winter Tips: Going Away for October Half Term

If you're going away over half term, why not leave a key with a trusted friend or neighbour so they can check on your home to reduce the risk of something going wrong?

​If any issues do arise, contact the Helpdesk on 0800 031 8628 or visit https://www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/​​

MOD Accommodation Team Furniture Research - Register interest

Updated HIVE locations map: UK + all Overseas Blogs

​                                                 Our map has been updated.

Forces Family Support: Are You Affected by A Loved One’s Harmful Use of Alcohol, Drugs or Gambling?

Education Advisory Team (UK) (EAT (UK)): Information on School Admissions for Service Families

The Education Advisory Team (UK) (EAT (UK)) is part of the MOD’s Defence Children Services. We are a tri-service organisation that provides information, advice and guidance on all educational matters in the UK.
We are providing advice to parents of children in Year 6 about how and when to apply for secondary school places for September 2024 in the UK.

Secondary School Places in England for September 2024

If you require a secondary school place in England for September 2024, the deadline for secondary school applications is 31st October 2023.

We would advise that you follow your local authority’s application process: information will be available on their website. You can also contact your local authority’s admission team if you have any questions or require support. Contact details should be available on the local authority website.

Each local authority will send out offers for secondary school places on 1st March 2024.

Reading Force - Claim your free book

Domestic Abuse: MOD Guidance on Where to Find Help

Pinnacle Group: SFA Winter Tips

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

MOD Accommodation Team: We want your views on the provision of furniture in Service Family Accommodation (SFA)!

https://sway.office.com/tCdlmd6MQrY01LBZ?ref=email

The MOD Accommodation Team are reviewing what items of furniture (for example, beds, settees, bookcases etc.) are provided to you in SFA and how furniture provision could be improved for you and Defence.  

We want to find out: 

Your experience of furnishing SFA 

What furniture provision you may want and need in the future 

Your participation in our research provides a key opportunity for you to shape future furniture provision for the entire Armed Forces!  

New Consultation Launched: Child Maintenance - Accelerating Enforcement

A new consultation has launched this week seeking views on proposed legislative changes to speed up enforcement of child maintenance arrears, reducing the time it takes from almost six months to six to eight weeks.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will be able to use an administrative liability order to recover unpaid child maintenance instead of applying to the courts and facing a lengthy wait.

The CMS helps around 930,000 children get the financial support they are entitled to and between June 2022-2023 arranged £1.2 billion on their behalf. Overall, child maintenance payments help to keep 160,000 children out of poverty each year.

The consultation is open to voluntary and community sector organisations, as well as CMS customers and members of the public. It applies to England, Wales and Scotland, although comments are welcomed from across the United Kingdom.

The consultation closes at 11:45pm on 24 November.

​Find out more and access the consultation

Recruit for Spouses Job Vacancies

Office Based Roles: West Byfleet, Surrey

• Customer Delivery Manager: https://jobs.recruitforspouses.co.uk/job/customer-delivery-manager/
• Customer Escalation Coordinators: https://jobs.recruitforspouses.co.uk/job/customer-escalation-coordinators/
• Customer Delivery Coordinators: https://jobs.recruitforspouses.co.uk/job/customer-delivery-coordinators/
• Customer Data Coordinator: https://jobs.recruitforspouses.co.uk/job/customer-data-coordinator/

Help stop young people falling victims to loan sharks

Credit Union Grime Video - You Tube

Recent research has shown that a higher proportion of people in the 18 to 24 year old age bracket are at particular risk of being targeted by loan sharks in the current climate. More young people are having financial services or products refused by mainstream banks and many are being forced to borrow from friends and family to make ends meet.

With this in mind, Stop Loan Sharks want to highlight the services offered by credit unions, producing a new grime music video in conjunction with Find Your Credit Union and Nourish Social in the hope that it will appeal to young people and show them that other options that are available. Click the image above to watch the video online.

Service Personnel can also utilise the Joining Forces Credit Unions, supported by the MOD to make saving simple and loans more affordable to the Armed Forces community.

Charlie Charlie One - for Service Personnel and Veterans battling Cancer

Cancer is indiscriminate and does not differentiate; age, gender, ethnicity, background, and status are irrelevant. But those seeking our support, regardless of their rank, are united by military service, common values, and, of course, their cancer diagnosis. 

While established as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in August 2021, we seek to support individuals throughout the United Kingdom.

Visit the website at Charlie Charlie One - Cancer Support

Increase in Visa Fees from 4th October 2023

The Home Office have annouced an increase in Visa fees from 4th October 2023.

For more information, please contact your local HIVE.

Make yourself heard - 999 calls in the UK when you can't speak

If you’re in an emergency situation and need police help, but can’t speak, Make Yourself Heard and let the 999 operator know your call is genuine.​

Cost of Living Payment

 

On 20 September the Government announced that millions of UK households will shortly get a Cost of Living Payment of £300. The payment will be made to eligible customers between 31 October and 19 November.

​This is the second of three payments over the financial year totalling up to £900. Eligible pensioner households will also receive a further £300 payment later this year as an addition to the Winter Fuel payment.

Eligible tax credits-only customers who do not qualify for a payment from DWP will receive £300 from HMRC between 10 and 19 November.

Customers will receive the payments automatically. They do not need to contact DWP or do anything to receive the payment.

From 20 November, people who have become retrospectively entitled, or think they should have had a Cost of Living Payment but have not received one can report it via GOV.UK. If the person is not able to use the internet or they do not know someone who can help them, they can report a missing payment via their benefit telephony line.

Read more information about the Cost of Living Payments on GOV.UK.

For further information about the government's cost of living support package, please visit Help for Households on GOV.UK.