Togetherall: Armed Forces' support

https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

 

UK SFA Window Safety Restrictors

The safety of families living in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and Substitute Service Families Accommodation (SSFA) is a top priority. With warmer weather meaning more windows will be open in homes, we would like to remind families to check that all window safety catches/restrictors are working correctly.

If restrictors are not working or windows can be opened more than 100mm when restrictors are engaged, then please report the fault to the National Service Centre immediately on 0800 031 8628 to ensure a repair is carried out. If you live in SSFA, please contact Mears on 0800 032 4547.

Please note that window restrictors must not be disengaged for any reason where children or vulnerable members of your household are at risk from falling.

For more advice about preventing accidents in your home visit the Child Accident Prevention Trust website.​ 

Armed Forces Education Trust

The Armed Forces Education Trust provide educational grants so Service Children don't miss out, whether individually or as a collective within a school setting.

If parents or schools wish to get in touch with, or to enquire about a grant visit the website - www.armedforceseducation.org​ for more information​.

 

River Cruises in Maastricht

The Rederij Stiphout organizes many scheduled boat trips. The journeys are made according to a fixed timetable. These include cruises on the Meuse, the 4-lock tour (including a ride through the lock Ternaaien with a difference in height of 15 m), the famous day trip to Luik, a pancake, brunch and evening cruise .

For more information please click here.

 

Mosaqua

Our subtropical experience certainly deserves a place on your activity-to-do list. Splash in one of the indoor or outdoor pools. Take your relaxing moment in a whirlpool or experience shower. A game of beach volleyball on the sunbathing lawn. And the kids? They enthusiastically test one of the many slides, search for Captain Kid's treasure or venture into the white water course. Oh yes, there is also plenty of seating to stay connected during your swim break thanks to our free WIFI. 

For more information Click Here

 

NHS Feeling Lonely

www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/loneliness

 

KOOTH

For our young people feeling stressed about exams! 

Check out the online support available KOOTH

 

Defence Child Bereavement Network

 

Launch of the 2023 MOD Education Support Fund (ESF)

Armed Forces Families & Safeguarding (AFFS) is delighted to announce that the 2023 MOD Education Support Fund (ESF) bidding round is now open.

The fund has £3 million to award, and applications can be accepted from state schools, free schools and academies in the UK with Service pupils on roll. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of negative impact of mobility and/or separation and how the funding would help mitigate the effects.

The bidding round will remain open until Friday 30 September 2022. We kindly ask Service parents to share details of the ESF with their children's school.

For more details, please read the ESF application pack on Gov.uk.

Supporting Civilian Spouses and Partners into Employment

 

DWP changes to the Special Rules process for End of Life allowances

The Government has changed the Special Rules process for Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance. DWP will now consider a claimant to be terminally ill if due to their health condition or disability they have a life expectancy of less than 12 months (the current definition is 6 months life expectancy).

People can now make a claim under Special Rules for Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance in the final 12 months of their life. Special Rules allow people who have less than 12 months to live to make a fast-tracked claim to benefits without needing to have a medical assessment. In most cases, they will also get the highest rate of benefit. For more guidance see: Special Rules for End of Life factsheet.

​Similar changes are planned for Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

EM3 Armed Forces Veterans and Families Programme

 

DWP Bereavement Service helpline

From 11 April 2022, the way citizens contact Bereavement Services has changed. Citizens will now be able to access the following bereavement services through a single phone number 0800 151 2012:

• ​Report a death, provide information and find out what support is available following a bereavement
• Make a new or, manage an existing claim for Bereavement Benefit or Bereavement Support Payment
• Make a new or, manage an existing claim for Funeral Expenses Payments
• Request State Pension updates following the death of a spouse or civil partner

New Pension Credit campaign by DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new campaign calling on pensioners, and their friends and family, to check eligibility for Pension Credit.

The campaign begins with social and digital channels in April, with national/regional newspaper advertising to follow in the coming months.

Pension Credit gives pensioners extra financial support with living costs if they are on a low income. More than 1.4 million pensioners in Britain claim it but new figures show many more could be missing out. For further advice and guidance see the Pension Credit Toolkit. 

Two new programmes launched from the Covenant Fund

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is delighted to announce New Covenant Fund Programmes for 2022/23​:

• The popular Force for Change programme has now reopened for applications.
• The Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme has also now opened.

This programme will award grants of up to £100,000 over a period of up to three years.A further programme Transforming approaches to supporting unmet needs will launch in Summer 2022.

SCiP - Thriving Lives Schools Toolkit Launches

The Thriving Lives Toolkit interactive platform developed by the SCiP Alliance in partnership with the Office for Students Uni Connect Programme and The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust was launched this week.

The Thriving Lives Toolkit is a free evidence-based framework of seven principles to assess, develop and implement a support structure to best allow Service children to thrive.

Underpinned by rigorous research and thoroughly tested in school, the free Thriving Lives Toolkit provides schools with a framework of 7 principles through which to reflect on their practice in supporting Service children and a 3-tier set of CPD resources. The resources in the toolkit have been developed in collaboration with a range of partners across the UK and consist of an introductory animation; a detailed resource introducing the evidence base, what schools can do to support their Service children and who can help; and school case studies.

To find out more please click here.