Blue Light Card: Spring Saver Weekend Reminder

 

Get ready to unlock incredible savings at Blue Light Card’s Spring Saver Weekend from March 28th to 31st! Think Black Friday but in the spring!

 

For four days, enjoy exclusive discounts from top brands across fashion, home, beauty, and more.

https://www.bluelightcard.co.uk/spring-saver?utm_source=Organisations&utm_medium=Organisations&utm_campaign=Springsaverweekend

 

Give Us Time: Spring & Summer Respite Breaks

 

For Further info please visit: www.giveustime.org.uk

FamCAS 25: Have you shared your views on Service family life? Time’s running out!

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) 2025 closes in 1 week! Don’t miss your opportunity to tell us what you think about Service family life.

Each year, Defence invites a random sample of Service partners to complete the Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS). This survey is your chance to tell us about your experiences and views in relation to various aspects of Service family life.

You can see if you are in this year’s sample, and can access the survey, by using the online tool. The survey closes on Monday 7 April 2025 at 23:59.

Why complete the survey?

Your feedback will help us to understand what Service life is like for your family, which will help us to make informed decisions on what changes to prioritise and develop policies to address your family’s challenges and needs. Whether it’s with childcare and children’s education, housing, deployment, or employment.

Who can complete the survey, and how?

To find out if you can take part in FamCAS 2025, please use the online eligibility tool. You will be asked to enter a token/access code, which is your partner’s Service number. This is needed for security reasons only. Please be assured that all survey responses are anonymous.

If eligible, the tool will direct you to the survey. We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

If you have any questions about this year's FamCAS, please email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk.

Information and support

Check out our new Families Hub, which signposts to support, guidance and organisations to help you navigate Service family life.

Visit Discover My Benefits to find out about the range of benefits, opportunities, and support for you and your family.

SaluteMyJob: Pathways programme to enhance cyber leadership opportunities for veterans

 

SaluteMyJob expands their innovative pathways programme with exciting partnership with Ofsted-skills provider to enhance cyber leadership opportunities for veterans and police officers

For a decade, social enterprise SaluteMyJob has been helping ex-military personnel upskill into areas with a notable cybersecurity skills gap, with many candidates going on to make their mark in multi-national companies. And now, an exciting partnership is set to fast-track more veterans and police officers into a career in cybersecurity with their Accelerated Cyber Leadership Pathway.

 SALUTEMYJOB is delighted to announce their new partnership with althaus to further up-skill veterans and police officers aspiring to become leaders within the cybersecurity industry. 

 The fully-funded althaus x SMJ Accelerated Cyber Leadership Pathway into Cybersecurity Management, offers practical training, industry-recognised certifications, and direct links to employers looking to hire from the military and police talent pool.

 A study by Security Brief UK revealed that 71% of organisations have been impacted by the cybersecurity skills shortage, with most of these shortages being mid-level or more senior roles. Veteran and police officers, with their sharp decision-making skills, security mindsets and leadership and crisis management experience, are well-suited to fill roles in this burgeoning field of cybersecurity and help close the widening skills gap.

 Managing Director, Andrew Jackson, said: “We are delighted to partner with althaus to further develop our successful pathway programme. In doing so, we hope to give ex-military leaders, and retired and current police officers, a chance to showcase their skills and make their mark within the cybersecurity world in civvy street.”

 The partnership also offers a Higher Apprenticeship in Cybersecurity, which combines practical learning with full-time employment, so veterans will gain commercial experience, earn a salary and professional qualifications.

AYN Welfare and Pastoral team visit to RAF Akrotiri

Unit Welfare Officer, Welfare Assistant, UAO Clerk and Padre will be visit Akrotiri HIVE monthly.  

 

Akrotiri Market!

 

The next Aki market is taking place on Sat 5th Apr 09.00 - 13.00! Pop into Akrotiri HIVE to book your table for 5 Euros. Traders and car booters welcome. Charity tables FREE.

Sounding Retreat

 

Visa Fee Increase – 9th April 2025

Some Visa fees will be increasing from 9th April 2025; a full list of the increases can be found here.

A summary of the increases that may affect our Service Community are in the image.

Department for Work & Pensions (DWP): Don't miss out on your State Pension entitlement

The 5 April 2025 deadline for paying voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill any gaps in your record between 2006 and 2018 is approaching. To support anyone wishing to check their records, or make a payment, there is now a DWP video and an online form to request a callback.

Watch the DWP video How to check your State Pension and pay for gaps in your National Insurance record on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_8GkTNgyXqs

DWP’s online form is available to request a call back at: https://ow.ly/oGbl50VarlC

Blue Light Card: Spring Saver Weekend 28–31 Mar

We’re excited to share that Blue Light Card is bringing you the Spring Saver Weekend – think Black Friday, but in the spring! Don’t miss out during this event we are bringing you some special Spring discounts!

Aurora New Dawn: Armed Forces Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Stalking Helpline launches on 31 March 2025

On 31st March 2025 @ 09:00 Aurora New Dawn are delighted to be launching the first helpline for Royal Naval, British Army, and Royal Air Force personnel and their family members who are victims and survivors of:

• Domestic abuse
• Sexual violence
• Stalking

Coverage is available for all UK forces personnel and their families including those deployed abroad. The service is independent, confidential, and free - with phone and WhatsApp functionality available.

Please note callers from outside of the UK may need to dial 00 44 333 091 2527

Akrotiri Endometriosis Meeting

 

Like cake? Then pop along to the Chaplaincy Centre to support Endometriosis UK!

57th Dhekelia Dash

SSAFA Veterans Breakfast Club

SSAFA Cyprus - Veterans - First Breakfast Club – Oroklini
Date: Tuesday, 15th April 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: The King's Cellar, Oroklini (Click here for directions and more information)
We’re excited to invite you to the very first SSAFA Breakfast Club in Oroklini! This trial event is a wonderful opportunity to come together, enjoy delicious food, and connect with others in the community.

For just 6 euros, you’ll enjoy:
A hearty small English breakfast
Freshly toasted bread
A choice of tea or coffee

While this event is open to all, we especially welcome Commonwealth military veterans and their families. It’s a relaxed setting where you can meet new faces, share stories, and start your day with great company.

Important: To help us plan accordingly, please confirm your attendance by Friday, 11th April by emailing Alison Penn at Alison.Penn@Cyprus.ssafa.org.uk.
Payment will be collected on the day or payment can be made to Alison.
Have questions? Feel free to reach out to Alison.Penn@Cyprus.ssafa.org.uk by email.

The SSAFA Cyprus - Veteran’s volunteer team look forward to seeing you there!
About SSAFA:
SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) is a UK-based charity that provides lifelong support to those who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as their families. Through a network of volunteers, SSAFA offers practical, emotional, and financial support, ensuring veterans and their loved ones are never left behind.

Akrotiri VE Day Celebrations

 

SAVE THE DATE

Akrotiri Community Group brings you...

VE Day 80 Celebration

Across RAF Akrotiri

BFC Dog Walking Group

Hi dog lovers! 

We've had such a fantastic time growing our group, and we're so excited to share that we're now opening it up to the entire BFC community!  This means we can have more local get-togethers, really make a difference for our local dog rescues, and share all our best tips for dog-friendly Cyprus, from walks to shops. 

Please help us welcome more friends by inviting anyone in the BFC who loves dogs! 

On Facebook look up 'Akrotiri Dog Walking and Socialisation Group'

Women in Defence Awards 2025 – Nominations now open, including new International category

 

The Women in Defence Awards 2025 are now open for nominations, until 2 May 25.

This year there is a new International category; the International Award is designed to recognise individual women or groups of women completing exceptional work in support of the defence of their own country. This award is open to individual women, groups or teams, as members of the Armed Forces, Civil or Public services, or those who work in Defence industries or associated bodies. Locally Employed Civilians (LECs) in overseas locations have been confirmed as eligible for this category.

Details of all categories and how to nominate can be found at: Women in Defence UK | Awards 2025 Criteria

Help for Heroes: Seeking Help and Recovery College Courses

Help for Heroes have a new leaflet to explain how they can support, and how to access this. To view the leaflet please click HERE

There is also a range of courses available through the Help for Heroes Recovery College. Information and the prospectus can be found on the Help for Heroes website: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/recovery-college/self-help-guides/

For further details on Help for Heroes services and how to get in touch, please go to: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Government partners with young people to help develop new national youth strategy

 

The government has launched its national listening exercise to let young people have their say on support services, facilities and opportunities they need outside the school gates. Through youth engagement charity My Life My Say and the #iwill Movement young people will be able to engage with Government both in-person and online. The Deliver You online survey is now open and will close on Wednesday 16 April, it is for young people aged 10 – 21 years old (aged 25 with SEND).

See Gov.uk article here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-partners-with-young-people-to-help-develop-new-national-youth-strategy

Click here to access the survey

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Service Women: Seen & Heard programme

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust recently announced over £700K to support projects that provide targeted support for serving women through their Service Women: Seen & Heard programme.

Find out how these projects will work to empower both regular and reserve service women, helping them to make informed decisions and access vital resources to improve health and wellbeing.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Watch recording of recent Lunch and Learn webinar about the Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme

Want to find out more about the Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme? Watch a recording of our recent Lunch & Learn webinar on our website now. 

This programme offers a single portfolio grant of up to £1.8 million, to achieve long term, transformational change in the non-statutory support provided to bereaved military families.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 12 noon, 2 April 2025

Women in Defence Awards 2025 – Nominations now open, including new International category

This year there is a new International category; the International Award is designed to recognise individual women or groups of women completing exceptional work in support of the defence of their own country. This award is open to individual women, groups or teams, as members of the Armed Forces, Civil or Public services, or those who work in Defence industries or associated bodies. Locally Employed Civilians (LECs) in overseas locations have been confirmed as eligible for this category.

Details of all categories and how to nominate can be found at: Women in Defence UK | Awards 2025 Criteria

2025 Young Stars Awards

BFSWS Cyprus is thrilled to announce the opening of nominations for the 2025 Young Stars Awards. This event aims to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of our young individuals within British Forces Cyprus.

Nominations are now open for young individuals within the British Forces Cyprus community between the ages of 5 and 18 who have gone above and beyond to achieve for themselves, to help others, or to make a significant difference to the community they live in. We want to hear about children and young people who have defied the odds, made that extra effort, or made a difference.

Categories include community service, school achievement, sports and environmental sustainability.

A panel of judges will review nominations and winners will be announced at the Young Stars Award Ceremony in Episkopi in June 2025.

For more information and to submit a nomination, please visit www.forcessocialwork.com/cyprus and complete the nomination form. The deadline for nominations is 23 April 2025.

Akrotiri: Mini Movers with Home Start WSBA

Mini Movers are at Akrotiri Chaplaincy Centre every Thursday morning

Looking for a wake-up, shake-up to start your day, then Mini-Movers is the group for you and your child! 

Get ready to wind that bobbin up , shake those sillies out and play some musical instruments.

See you all tomorrow from 0900 at the Chaplaincy Centre, RAF Akrotiri.

Give Us Time & Walling2Recovery breaks

  www.giveustime.org.uk

Dept for Work & Pensions: Roundup of recent DWP announcements

 

Changes to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay

The Government has announced changes to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay which will benefit more than one million employees across the UK as part of efforts to grow the economy.

Through the Employment Rights Bill, Government is strengthening Statutory Sick pay by removing the Lower Earnings Limit so that the safety net of sick pay is available to those who need it most. We are also removing the Waiting Period so that Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day of sickness absence.

As part of the Government amendments to the Employment Rights Bill tabled this week, it was announced low earners who find themselves ill will either receive 80%of their normal weekly earnings or the flat rate of Statutory Sick Pay (which will be £118.75 per week from April) – whichever is lower.

This means some of the lowest earners will be up to £100 better off per week, compared to the current system and employees will be able to take the time off work that they need to recover, so they can get better and remain in work rather than risk quitting altogether.

This new percentage rate strikes the right balance between providing financial security for employees who fall ill, and the cost to businesses – all while retaining the incentives for people to return to work. 

More information about the change to Statutory Sick Pay is available on GOV.UK, as well as the Government’s response to the Statutory Sick Pay consultation.

 

Deadline to fill National Insurance gaps to increase State Pension

People have until 5 April 2025 to fill gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record dating back to 6 April 2006. After this date, payments can only be made for the previous six tax years.

The quickest and easiest way for people to check a State Pension forecast and find out if they can benefit from paying to fill NI gaps is by checking their NI record on GOV.UK or in the HMRC app. Guidance on how to download the HMRC app is on GOV.UK.

For anyone who is unable to get through on Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) phoneline ahead of the deadline, there is an online call back request form. This will enable people to request a call back about paying voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in State Pension entitlement between 2006 and 2018.

The form will be available on the Contact the Future Pension Centre page on GOV.UK. DWP will call back to discuss payment of voluntary National Insurance contributions. When a person submits a request, a message will appear on their screen to confirm that their request has been sent to the DWP Pension Centre. This will normally be within 8 weeks of submitting a request, there is no need to make further contact with DWP or HMRC.

 

Move to Universal Credit update 
 
Tax credits are closing on 5 April 2025, and customers must respond to their migration notices by their deadline date to continue to receive financial support from the Government. DWP continue to increase the number of migration notices being sent to customers receiving ESA, with all notices due to be sent by the end of 2025. 
  
The department recognises that some tax credit customers may wait until their deadline to claim Universal Credit. For those customers who have a deadline date close to the tax credit closure date, we want to ensure that we provide as much support as possible and are therefore opening our Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline on Saturday 5 April, to answer any customer questions, telephone: 0800 169 0328*.   
  
The end of March 2025 marks the closure of the Universal Credit Programme and its transition from delivering ‘Move to UC’ from a Programme-led approach to a ‘business as usual’ operation. 

* 0800 phone numbers are free to call from mobiles and landlines.

Army&You Magazine – Spring Edition Out Now!

 

 Please click the link to read Army&You magazine online - https://tinyurl.com/3e4vv2kb

Quest Magazine – March Edition Out Now!

 

Image with link to read online - Quest Magazine | Quest Online

To view the Quest newsletter please go to:  March Quest Magazine is Out Now.💂

 

Akrotiri Watering Hole. Speed quizzing.

 The Watering Hole invites you to come and take part in their Speed quizzing nights on Wednesdays at 19.30 - 22.00. 2 euros per player, maximum 6 players per team.

Akrotiri Crafting event for Mothers Day!

The ACG Mothers Day Craft Workshop.

The Akrotiri Community Group are putting on a free craft workshop, for all ages, the week before Mothers Day.

No sign up required. Come along to make something for all mothers, grandmothers or mother figures.

2pm - 4pm at Aki Rugby Club.

Akrotiri Ladies Formal Dinner and Dance. Open to all!

 Akrotiri WO's and Sgts Mess are hosting a formal dinner and dance open to all ladies with a station pass. Ticket information coming soon.

Akrotiri Beach Clean. Volunteers please!

 

WSBA Turtle watch are calling out for help please with their beach clean up event on Sunday 27th April. Meet at the yellow helicopter at 8.45am for guide to the coves. Clean up starts at the coves from 9.00am.

Please do help out if you can!

Op ASCEND – Careers After Service

Op ASCEND is a free, government-backed service to support veterans in growing their careers.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking employment or an employer looking to attract skilled veterans to your workforce, find out what signing up to the Op ASCEND service can do for you.

For more information visit: https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk

Give Us Time: New Motorhome Breaks Now Available

Give Us Time have had a new donation of breaks from the team at Sponsored Breaks. These are 3-day/2-night stays in their fully kitted out motorhome, which sleeps up to 4 people. The motorhome is based in Wolverhampton, so does need to be collected and dropped off back to site, and any drivers must be between 25 and 70 with 2 years’ experience of driving and less than 6 points on licence. Unfortunately no pets are allowed.

How to protect yourself from loan sharks

How to protect yourself from loan sharks

A loan shark – or illegal money lender - is someone who lends money illegally without proper authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

That means if you borrow from them, they don’t have to follow the rules – they can decide how much you pay back and when.
These criminals are not always easy to spot - they can be a friend, a fellow service member, even a senior officer.
Whoever they are, they will usually appear as a friendly face, offering you a favour. They may tell you that what they are offering is nothing more than peer-to-peer lending and their offer may seem hard to resist.
But very quickly the situation can spiral out of control, and you could find yourself having to pay back much more than you initially borrowed. You might even be subjected to threats, violence and intimidation if you struggle to make a payment.
There are some signs that you can look out for, which may indicate that an agreement has crossed the line from peer-to-peer lending into more sinister and dangerous territory.

Have Your Say: Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship Overseas Pilot Survey open until 14 Apr

To take part in the Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot Survey please click HERE (survey open from 08 Jan 25).

More information is available on Sway HERE.

BFBS Survey

The MOD has launched an online survey about the services provided by BFBS.

They’re keen to ask serving personnel and their families some questions including what you find useful, what you would miss most if the service changed, and what could be improved?

They’d like your opinion even if you don’t read, watch or listen to BFBS’s services.

You can do the survey on a mobile, laptop, or tablet and it takes about 10 minutes.

This feedback will help Defence improve BFBS’s services and ensure that the views of its users and potential audiences are considered.

Find the survey at bfbs.com/feedback.

Service Leavers' Guide - latest edition

T​he updated version of the Service Leavers' Guide has now been published on Gov.UK.

Please click the link to read this edition online: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66eabc22ba4b4b3f9450167f/Service_Leavers_Guide_Sep_24.pdf

Applications open for the Service Pupil Support Programme

 

Applications are now open for the Service Pupil Support Programme which is part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3). The programme will award grants between £5,000 and £150,000 to projects supporting service children along their educational pathway, and to reach their full potential. Deadline is midday on 30th April 2025. See the Press release for more detail and links.

Give Us Time: respite breaks for military families - 2025 dates are live!

The charity ‘Give Us Time’ offers accommodation for respite breaks for UK military families. No referral is required from Welfare for families to sign up. Please see the posters for more details and the current March dates, but more 2025 dates are available on the website: https://giveustime.org.uk/

Month of the Military Child – April 2025

To find out more about this year’s Month of the Military Child, please visit: www.neversuchinnocence.com

You can watch the Dandelions music video, a song written by the Armed Forces Children's Choir for Month of the Military Child, on YouTube: Dandelions Music Video