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Wednesday, 20 November 2024

GamCare: Way Forward Programme - online support for women affected by harmful gambling


Way Forward is GamCare's support group for all women affected by someone else’s gambling harm. Groups aim to provide a safe, supportive and confidential space for women to share their experiences, find comfort and empower one another.

Way Forward online sessions are semi-structured, running for 1.5 hours over six weeks. Groups are led by trained facilitators specialising in supporting women who are affected by gambling-related harms.

Each week will focus on the impact of different areas of gambling harm:

Session 1 – Getting to know each other.
Session 2 – Understanding gambling harm.
Session 3 – Taking care of yourself.
Session 4 – Dealing with guilt and shame / enabling behaviours.
Session 5 – Dealing with anger and resentment.
Session 6 – Having difficult conversations / expectations / acceptance.

If you’re interested in registering or want to know more, please email womenspathwaysupport@gamcare.org.uk

This group is for women based in England and Wales. We also have a Way Forward group in Scotland and to register your interest in future sessions, please contact scotland@gamcare.org.uk.

If you need support now, the National Gambling Helpline gives confidential advice and support to anyone affected by gambling in England, Scotland and Wales. You can speak to us for free, 24/7 on 0808 8020 133, or online.​

Army Families Federation – Childcare Survey


AFF want to know about your experience of early years childcare.

“We want to understand how issues such as availability and cost affect your family, and how your experience varies by location, so we've launched a short survey that runs until 6 December".

Army Families' Experiences of 0-5 Childcare Survey

Army Families Federation (AFF) Immigration Survey



AFF would like to know more about the unique challenges non-UK Service personnel, veterans and their families face when it comes to immigration. Who did you contact for information and advice and why? Did you get everything you needed straight away, or did you find it difficult?

Following a project funded by the Royal British Legion and working in partnership with the Naval Families Federation (NFF) and the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF), AFF have designed a survey to find out who people turn to when they need immigration information or advice.

If you are not British by birth and you or a family member are serving or have previously served in the UK Armed Forces, we would love to hear from you! British Service personnel with non-UK family members can also fill in the survey. It should take less than five minutes to complete.

Please go to surveymonkey.com/r/Non-UK_Questionnaire

Veterans Access to Healthcare Research Briefing




To access the full report, click here.​

Get ready for a Wraparound Childcare (WAC) expansion to some overseas locations. Coming spring term 2025


Are you assigned to a location within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision? WAC Overseas will be available to eligible families in these areas from 6 January 2025.

Friday, 15 November 2024

BFPO Latest Christmas Posting Dates - 2024

Outbound UK to BFPOs Worldwide

Type of BFPO Location Latest Posting Date from UK Latest Arrival at BFPO Comments
Static Firm Base/PJOBs 22 Nov 24 02 Dec 24. 
These dates are recommended to maximise item delivery in time for Christmas. Those locations in receipt of surface services (BSAI) are to ensure all items are posted to BFPO by mid Oct 24.

Operations 15 Nov 24 22 Nov 24 Operations receiving mail via FCDO should add additional transit time into initial posting activity to maximise item delivery in time for Christmas.
HM Ships 15 Nov 24 22 Nov 24 HM Ships activity and Operational programmes will dictate mail delivery opportunities and customers are advised to post as early as possible to maximise item delivery in time for Christmas.

Inbound UK from BFPOs Worldwide ​ ​ ​
All locations, including HM Ships are to note that the deadline for return of mail to meet delivery of items in UK should be targeted at Wednesday 18 Dec 24 for all class of items. This will allow BFPO enough time to transfer private mail items into the UK civil mail system in time for Christmas or for items to be processed through Royal Mail's Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre.

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/bfpo​

Civvy Street - Nov 2024 Edition


Click here to view the full magazine - Civvy Street November Edition

Easy Resettlement Magazine - Autumn 2024 Edition


 Click here to view the full magazine - Resettlement Magazine

NHS England: 2024 Autumn/ Winter Armed Forces health stakeholder brief

To download the full brief, please click HERE -NHS England: 2024 Autumn/ Winter Armed Forces health stakeholder brief

The Impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance

Episkopi: Santa Run

Episkopi: Panto

*EXCITING NEWS*

The Cyprus Panto is back at the Episkopi Cinema Club on the 10th of December with two family showings at 1700 @ 1900 hours

Free entrance to everyone - first come first served!

Episkopi: Christmas Fair

Episkopi: St. John's School Christmas Celebration

Episkopi: Reindeer Express

Episkopi: Cake Competition

Request to all Cake and Biscuit Makers

SSAFA Episkopi & Troodos Service Committee will have a stall on Dodge on the 5th December to raise funds but we need your help.

Please could you donate a cake, biscuits, anything tasty we could sell to raise funds

There is also a cake competition for best look and taste so you could win a prize

Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Akrotiri: Astra Cinema Schedules

Akrotiri: Christmas fair


If anyone would like to book at stall for the Christmas fair, please pop into Akrotiri HIVE to reserve your table. The cost is 10 euros for businesses and free for charities and station tables.

Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Families First newsletter - issue 20


To read this issue (and previous issues) online: Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Little Troopers announces Christmas Smiles plans for December

Get ready for Defence Discount Service’s biggest Black Friday sale! 🖤

DDS are thrilled to announce that Defence Discount Service's Black Friday sale is here, and it's bigger than ever! With early access deals, exclusive daily offers, and discounts from over 150+ top brands, this is the perfect chance to save on everything you love – and just in time for Christmas!

Early offers:Early access offers: running through the main event! Members can start shopping these deals before the Black Friday main sale rush
Exclusive daily deals: starting November 22, members can access 24-hour exclusive offers that change daily

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New awards to build sustainable and resilient support networks for Veterans

Quest Magazine November Edition


Dhekelia: Key Cinema Programme

Friday, 8 November 2024

BFC Cyber Survey

Please take the 5 minutes to complete the BFC Cyber Awareness Survey. It is completely anonymous and really valuable for the team.


Click here: BFC Cyber Survey

Wednesday, 6 November 2024

Akrotiri: Volleyball


Please do check out the Volleyball club at Akrotiri station gym on Wednesday nights at 19.30 - 20.30.

WSBA Gym to Gym

The date has been set for the next Gym to Gym event. The half marathon can be walked, jogged or ran! Get your place booked early.

Akrotiri: Poppy Day and fireworks


Here is an updated list of times for the Akrotiri Poppy Day Event. Seating will be provided but we recommend bringing picnic chairs if required.

Friday, 1 November 2024

Akrotiri: Current employment opportunities

SSAFA Swimathon - Ayios Nikolaos




Love swimming and want to help raise money for SSAFA?

The Ayios Nikolaos 12 hour swimathon is on Saturday 9th November, from 0700 until 1900. 

You can enter a team or as an individual swimmer (where you will swim for the SSAFA Friends and Family Team). Please contact SSgt Michaelson-Yeates at Ay Nik Gym or the Ay Nik HIVE for more information. 

All entrants will need to hold station passes.