Friday, 17 January 2025
ESBA Combined Medical Practice - new eConsult web address
Please be aware that the eConsult Web address has changed from dhekeliamedical.webgp.com to esbamedical.webgp.com
If you google esba eConsult it will pick up the old Web address because of your search history.
If you would like to access eConsult, please type the new web address esbamedical.webgp.com directly onto the address bar or click on the link below.
BFC Community Learning Programme is back and open for registration!
Kick start 2025 with a new skill via one of the many courses on offer with BFC's Community Learning Programme!
Available to all BFC personnel and UKFM.
Online registration is now open and closes midday 27 Jan 25.
New Defence survey for those in a Long Term Relationship
If you’re in a Long Term Relationship (LTR) with a Service person, Defence would like to hear your views and experiences about Service family life.
Defence has launched a pilot survey to better understand the experiences of Long Term Relationship partners, including dual-serving partners, of serving personnel. This survey is anonymous and closes on Monday 3 February 2025.
Please note that this survey is open to the entire LTR population, and is separate to the LTR Overseas pilot scheme survey that is also currently ongoing.
What do you like about Service life? What can be improved?
Your feedback will help Defence to deliver the UK Armed Forces Families Strategy (2022-32), which drives policy and initiatives in areas such as family healthcare, education and accommodation.
Your feedback will also help Defence to develop eligibility for support, allowances, and accommodation to those in couple relationships.
How to complete the survey
This survey can be completed using a Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge web browser: https://www.tools.mod.uk/surveys-ltr/.
To access the survey, please enter your partner’s Service number as the ‘token’ or 'access code'. Please be assured that Service numbers are not linked to responses and is only needed as a security precaution. Dual serving couples will also need to enter their partner's Service number.
This survey will take approximately 10 – 15 minutes to complete.
Every response counts
We want to hear from as many of you as possible, so we can make informed decisions that will have the most benefit for you, and the wider LTR community. Your responses will also be used to inform how we communicate with you in the future.
Rail sale offers up to half price discounts on over 2 million tickets
Back and bigger than ever rail sale.
From 14 to 20 January 2025, selected advance and off-peak fares will go on sale at up to 50% off for travel between 17 January and 31 March 2025.
As part of this year’s rail sale, thousands of popular routes across almost all UK train operators, including Transport for Wales and ScotRail, will be offering discounted tickets with journeys spreading the length and breadth of Great Britain.
Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys made between 17 January and 31 March 2025 across Great Britain.
The sale is now live with tickets available through the Rail Delivery Group’s microsite or through individual train operators until 20 January.
For further information: Back and bigger than ever: rail sale offers up to half price discounts on over 2 million tickets - GOV.UK
National Transition Event, Silverstone, 24 Feb 25
Register for the National Transition Event, the largest Armed Forces community event of this kind, with over 200 exhibitors and Mission Motorsport’s Troops’ Track Day on the GP Circuit. To register for free, hit this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-national-transition-event-2025-tickets-1086959307549?aff=oddtdtcreator
#NTE25
Thursday, 16 January 2025
Wednesday, 15 January 2025
MOD Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP)
The Ministry of Defence Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP) is a partnership between the MOD and 19 English local authorities that have committed to work together to improve the experience and outcomes of children of UK Armed Forces families. The local authority membership of MODLAP represent those authority areas with the highest numbers of service children in England.
Full information can be found HERE
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
Never Such Innocence: Month of the Military Child - April 2025
Never Such Innocence will be offering a wide variety of activities for Month of the Military Child in April. Whether you are joining the 'Purple Up' day on 25 April, entering the poetry and art competition or singing Dandelions - there is something for everyone! Please visit their website to learn more or access their range of activities. www.neversuchinnocence.com/month-of-the-military-child
Friday, 10 January 2025
Victory Services Club - Club Life Newsletter December Issue
For more information on the VSC, please visit their website https://www.vsc.co.uk/
Soldiers Arts Academy - free online workshops
The Soldiers' Arts Academy aims to provide a platform through which serving and veteran military personnel and their families can participate in the creative arts. Using their skills and experiences to create and engage audiences worldwide, the SAA strives to encourage excellence, engagement and inspiration in its members, as well as building a supportive and strong community.
Online workshops include art, signing, guitar lessons and poetry. All are free for military personnel, veterans and military families. Find out more at www.soldiersartsacademy.org
Join the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Team for two free webinars
The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund are kicking off 2025 with two FREE webinars and they would love you to join them.
The first will focus on the Supporting Armed Forces in Acute Hospital Settings Programme, sharing key findings from the programme evaluation.
The second will provide an introduction to the Thrive Together programme, the next phase of the successful VPPP programme.
Join us on Tuesday 14 January, 1pm to 3pm to discover the insights and impact of the Supporting Armed Forces in Acute Hospital Settings Programme. Jointly funded by the Covenant Fund, NHS England and NHS Improvement, this programme supported pilot projects aimed at exploring better ways to support Veterans and their families when they are in an acute hospital setting https://covenantfund.org.uk/2024/12/11/from-data-to-impact-a-webinar-to-show-the-outcomes-of-the-supporting-armed-forces-in-acute-hospital-settings-programme/?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_3_24_2022_12_4_COPY_01)
Our second webinar of 2025 will provide an introduction to the Thrive Together Programme.
Building on the work of the successful Veterans’ People Places and Pathways Programme (VPPP), Thrive Together will step up support for vulnerable Veterans and their families across the UK, driving future sustainability. Want to learn more about Thrive Together? : Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
Thursday, 9 January 2025
Royal British Legion Poppy Hike, Epsom Surrey – 18th May 2025
The RBL Poppy Hike is taking place in the beautiful Surrey Hills on Sunday 18th May. By taking part, you'll be helping to raise vital funds and awareness so that RBL can continue to support serving & ex-serving personnel and their families, for as long as needed.
Starting and finishing at Epsom Racecourse, you'll hike through stunning landscapes in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You will also pass through a Centenary Wood which commemorates the sacrifices made in WW1.
For more information on this event, please go to: rbl.org.uk/eventhike or click here
To find more information on:Other RBL fundraising events and challenges, please visit: rbl.org.uk/eventbrochure
The RBL and how they support beneficiaries, please visit : Our Beneficiaries
How to be a volunteer, please visit: rbl.org.uk/event-volunteer
Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas launched 6 Jan 25
Are you ready to register?
Great news for Service families assigned to locations within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision. WAC Overseas is now available to eligible families in these areas from today (6 January 2025).
Have Your Say: Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship Overseas Pilot Survey opens on 8 Jan
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Reading Force: Celebrating 1,000 Members
Reading Force and Book Clubs
Reading Force has been encouraging Forces families to choose and share books for fun, and as a way of staying connected with deployed parents and their wider families for over 10 years.
Financial Recognition and other restorative measures for LGBT veterans
For further information, please see the following links:
LGBT veterans: Support and next steps – This GOV.UK page has centralised information and signposting for pre-2000 LGBT veterans and pre-1967 LGBT veterans. It also contains support services for veterans and families.
Financial Recognition Scheme: GOV.UK page with information on how to apply, eligibility, scheme rules and FAQs.
Financial Recognition Scheme: GOV.UK page with information on how to apply, eligibility, scheme rules and FAQs.
New GOV.UK page about the Qualification of Administration Discharge and Rank Restoration, including FAQs, guidance about eligibility and applications, and public policy.
Pre-1967 veterans: GOV.UK page about restorative measures and FAQs.
Armed Forces Covenant: 2024 annual report
The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report was published on 18 December and is available to read on Gov.uk at this link: Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2024 - GOV.UK
The annual reports set out major achievements of the armed forces covenant and highlight remaining challenges and new commitments.
Money & Pensions Advice Service guidance: Making the Most of your Money
Taking the time to manage your money can make a real difference.
Whatever stage of life you’re at – whether you’re saving into a pension for the first time, buying or renting a home, starting a family or planning to retire – there are always ways of making your money go further.
Find out more on the Money and Pensions Advice Service's Money Helper website at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en and you can download the leaflet at https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ViewProduct.html?sp=Sengmakingthemostofyourmoney-400
Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download at: https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ArticleOverview.html?sp=Sguide
Whatever stage of life you’re at – whether you’re saving into a pension for the first time, buying or renting a home, starting a family or planning to retire – there are always ways of making your money go further.
Find out more on the Money and Pensions Advice Service's Money Helper website at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en and you can download the leaflet at https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ViewProduct.html?sp=Sengmakingthemostofyourmoney-400
Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download at: https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ArticleOverview.html?sp=Sguide
Families First newsletter - issue 22
Please see here for the new issue. You can catch up with previous issues by going to Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK
GamCare: Spotting the signs of gambling harm
GamCare hears from people who have become isolated and lonely as a result of their gambling, and who haven’t spoken to anyone else about what they are going through. These feelings can worsen over the Christmas period, when people might encounter loneliness or pressure to seem as if everything is alright.
We recognise that gambling is known as the ‘hidden addiction’, and often the signs are not clear. From experience, we understand that these are the most common ways to identify if your own or someone else’s gambling has become harmful.
Some signs to consider about your own or someone else’s gambling:
· Preoccupation – Do you spend much of your day thinking about betting? Are you finding that your gambling is taking you out of the moment when you spend time with friends and family this Christmas? Often thinking about or planning to gamble can be one of the early warning signs that gambling could be harmful.
· Withdrawal – Removing yourself from social situations so that you can place a bet is another warning signal that your gambling might be going too far, and that the urges to gamble are potentially harming other areas of your life and the people around you. Withdrawal may be one of the early warning signs that someone’s gambling could be harmful this Christmas; such as wanting to stay at home more frequently or needing to check their phone constantly to check the latest results.
· Escape – Life – and the Christmas season in particular - can be overwhelming at times, and you might feel like you want to escape it for a while. Using gambling as a coping mechanism is a sign of harmful gambling and can lead to losing significant amounts of money.
· Chasing losses – Chasing losses is where your motive for gambling changes from winning money to getting back the money you have already lost. This can be dangerous and lead to significant losses. There might be more financial signs that a loved one is struggling with gambling, such as a need to borrow money or money missing from bank accounts.
· Changing mood – There could be noticeable changes to your mood and behaviour, including looking worried, agitated or upset for no apparent reason in the lead up Christmas.
· Lying – You may find yourself hiding how much you are spending or lying about the amount of time you are spending gambling, or perhaps asking for money to cover bills that you are spending. These are just some signs that gambling is harming your life and possibly risking your relationships with family and friends.
The National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 for free during the Christmas period. Contact our Advisers on Freephone 0808 80 20 133, via WhatsApp on 020 3031 8881, or via online chat at gamcare.org.uk.
DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update
Last month, a Written Ministerial Statement was published, announcing that the MOD has reached a formal agreement with Annington Property Ltd to repurchase more than 36,000 Service Family homes in England and Wales.
This means that the homes that were previously privately owned will return to public ownership. This deal not only delivers long term value for money for the taxpayer but also means future improvements to the SFA estate will benefit Service families directly.
We hope this will be welcome news as DIO will now have the freedom to embark on a substantial programme of redevelopment and improvement of the estate.
While it is too early to discuss the specifics of future works, we will continue to update you through our Families First newsletter and our continuing series of SFA Roadshows in 2025.
Full details of the announcement can be found here. We appreciate you may have questions and we will update you in due course with further information.
NHS Better Health: Make 2025 the year you quit smoking
* Make 2025 the year you quit smoking for good. There’s lots of free support available to help you.
* Join thousands of other people preparing to quit smoking this New Year.
* Quitting smoking is best thing you can do for your health. Get ready to quit for good this New Year.
* You’re far more likely to quit smoking successfully with the right support. Discover what’s available at NHS Better Health and prepare to quit for good this New Year.
* Getting support from your local stop smoking service gives you the best chance of quitting smoking successfully. Visit NHS Better Health to find your nearest service and get ready to quit for good in 2025.
* It’s never too late to quit smoking and you will notice almost immediate improvements to your health when you stop. New Year is a great time to join others giving quitting a go.
* Did you know that the average smoker could save around £3000 per year by quitting? Track your savings with the free NHS quit smoking app.
* Want to quit smoking but not sure where to start? Get your free personal quit plan now.
* Want to know more about using a vape to quit smoking? There’s lots of information available on the NHS Better Health website.
NHS Better Health has a range of content and tools to help smokers make a successful quit attempt, all of which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking .
Wednesday, 8 January 2025
Domestic Abuse - Help is at hand
2025 Dry January® challenge
The New Year can also be a challenging time for many. Increasing peer pressure to celebrate by drinking at parties and, in some sectors, demanding workloads can contribute to people drinking more around this time of year.
There is also a growing realisation that alcohol can prevent us from achieving our best. From headaches, sleepless nights, and feeling ‘off’ the next day to long-term health issues like high blood pressure, anxiety and cancer, alcohol impacts us in so many ways.
That’s where the Dry January® challenge comes in. With hundreds of thousands of people participating every year, the Dry January® challenge offers the perfect opportunity for a total reset and a chance to re-evaluate your relationship with alcohol. This refreshing challenge is always welcomed by people across the country as they turn towards a more health focused and goal orientated start of the year.
Evidence shows that those who take part in the Dry January® challenge using Alcohol Change UK’s tools and resources double their chance of having a completely alcohol-free month and have significantly improved wellbeing and lower alcohol health risks six months later.
For more information and to sign up, please visit: The Dry January® challenge | Alcohol Change UK
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £70K awarded to help mitigate the impact of separation for Service families
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £70,000 to five fantastic projects designed to mitigate the challenges posed by long or frequent involuntary separation on families, spouses, and serving personnel.
Long-Term Relationship couples and families posted Overseas
The Armed Forces Accommodation Policy Team is thrilled with the feedback from more than 50 service members taking part in the Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot in Cyprus. Since its launch in January 2024, the pilot has provided valuable insights and personal stories showing just how life-changing this initiative has been for participants. Due to its success, the pilot has been extended until March 2027.
To ensure families feel supported, a tailored allowance package is available for pilot participants. Since allowances depend on the assignment location and individual circumstances, service personnel are encouraged to check specifics for their country.
Updated Volumes 4 (Pilots) and 5 (Overseas Accommodation Policy) of JSP 464 (with country appendices and allowances) to clarify any queries will be published soon.
Furthermore, effective immediately the Pilot has been extended to BATUS and some GDN (Global Defence Network) sites.
For further information please contact people-accom-asc@mod.gov.uk
Tuesday, 7 January 2025
Episkopi: Housing and Community Support Office has relocated
As of January 6, 2025, the Housing and Community Support Office has relocated to new premises!
The new address is: Bedford street (Behind Early Years, Office no. 3).
Office hours:
Monday – Thursday: 08:00 – 13:00
Friday: 08:00 – 12:00
They can’t wait to welcome you to their new space!
Feel free to visit or contact them for any support you need!
The new address is: Bedford street (Behind Early Years, Office no. 3).
Office hours:
Monday – Thursday: 08:00 – 13:00
Friday: 08:00 – 12:00
They can’t wait to welcome you to their new space!
Feel free to visit or contact them for any support you need!
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