To get started visit:
Generic and local information for the UK Military community in Brunssum including Serving Personnel, Families, Veterans, and MOD Civilians.
This is best viewed through a personal device because the MODnet firewall may prevent access to some links.
Monday 18 December 2023
British Army - Headspace
To get started visit:
Friday 15 December 2023
DIO Families First newsletter - issue 12
A guide for Service families about applying for, maintaining, moving in and out of and living in UK Service Family Accommodation (SFA). Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
New Accommodation Offer: Updated Sway Now Available
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Armed Forces Families Fund supports 13 projects in latest round of awards
The Research Grants programme has awarded over £169,000 to three projects that will develop a stronger understanding of complex educational or welfare issues affecting Armed Forces families – and propose solutions.
Wednesday 13 December 2023
Friday 8 December 2023
Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) compensation schemes
- Missed appointments
- Incorrect Tradesperson
- Failed move in
- Total loss of heating/cooking facilities
- Hotel subsistence
Tuesday 5 December 2023
Blind Veterans UK - December newsletter
With the rising cost of living, the Government are offering parents and carers up to £1,248 a year to help with the cost of raising their first child – and up to £826.80 for any other children. This means that by the time a child is 16 years old, their child benefit claim could be worth almost £20,000.
Monday 4 December 2023
Defence People Communications: What support is there for Service families facing domestic abuse?
As part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign, Defence is encouraging anyone affected by domestic abuse to ask for help and to be aware of the different ways to get support.
Armed forces families play a crucial role in Defence and should feel safe and supported. When it comes to domestic abuse, there are many support services available to them – both within Defence and at a local and national level.
Togetherall: Mental Health Support for the Armed Forces
If you’re feeling lonely, stressed, worried or just not yourself, on Togetherall you can get support and start to feel better.
Service Family Accommodation
A guide for Service families about applying for, maintaining, moving in and out of and living in UK Service Family Accommodation (SFA).
For information, click here
Tuesday 28 November 2023
Civilian Housing: An update on the MOD Referral Scheme service
The MOD Referral Scheme provided advice and guidance on accessing social housing and has now become part of the existing services provided by DTS and Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). This has been done to simplify and widen access and eligibility across serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families.
To refer someone for support or self-refer go to - Help for service leavers, service personnel and families from Defence Transition Services - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) Newsletter
Monday 27 November 2023
ManKind Initiative ACORN Recovery Programme for male survivors of domestic abuse
ACORN is a 9 week online course that is delivered via Zoom for 90 minutes each week for male survivors of domestic abuse. The course is designed to help men recover from their experiences, understand the impact upon their children and work towards healthy and respectful relationships in the future.
Each course can take ten men and is free for them to attend because it is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for men who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces or veterans.
If you think you might benefit from this course please self-refer or contact ManKind for more information.
https://mankind.org.uk/
To see the ManKind initiative leaflet, please click here
QR CODES to HELP
Wednesday 22 November 2023
DWP Conversational Platform
For information on how this will work, please click here
Tuesday 21 November 2023
Military Wives Choirs Brunssum
No previous experience or audition required.
Brunssum@militarywiveschoirs.org
Veterans Housing - Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) is delighted to announce a new, major grants programme supporting new builds and significant refurbishment, including extensions, of rental accommodation offering high quality support for Veterans with a housing need.
On behalf of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, the Trust will award grants of £75K to £500K under the Major Capital Grants programme, across four rounds of funding, to projects that contribute to the aims of the Government’s ambition to reduce Veteran homelessness and end rough sleeping.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund
More information is available HERE
FAQ - Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy
Q. What is the ARAP scheme?
A. The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) is for Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government and British Armed Forces in Afghanistan in exposed or meaningful roles. It may include an offer of relocation to the UK for those deemed eligible by the Ministry of Defence and who are deemed suitable for relocation by the Home Office. It is an evidence-based scheme and is intended for a select group of Afghans who we worked with, or served alongside, during our military operations in Afghanistan, rather than for all who wish to relocate to the UK.
Afghan citizens who are eligible for relocation to the UK under ARAP may relocate with a partner, dependent children and additional family members who are deemed eligible by the Ministry of Defence, and suitable for relocation by the Home Office.
Accommodation provided by MOD for ARAP Afghan Families
Monday 20 November 2023
MOD bullying, harrassment and discrimination helpline
DIO - Families First Newsletter issue 10
Families First newsletter – issue: 10
Issue 10 of the Families First newsletter was published on 31 October. You can find it on Defence Connect or GOV.uk It includes:
- Performance update on accommodation contracts
- Tackling Damp and Mould Programme in SFA – an update
- Winter safety guide
- Key dates to note
- Useful links
Thursday 16 November 2023
NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast
Click here to listen to the Podcast.
Tuesday 14 November 2023
Veterans’ Foundation Reopens Applications for 2024 Projects Across UK
To find out more information click HERE
Monday 13 November 2023
Defence Home and Dry Christmas Campaign 2023
Widening Accommodation Entitlement Limited Locations (WAE(LL)) now including NEW Allowances
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)
Updated Tri-service Accommodation Regulations (TSARs) JSP 464
Tri-service accommodation regulations (TSARs) (JSP 464) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Wednesday 8 November 2023
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust 'Supporting Partners' programme reopens for applications
Supporting Partners programme reopens for applications
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is pleased to announce the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme has reopened for applications.
The Trust is working with the MOD to deliver funding to high quality projects that will have significant impacts for Armed Forces families through the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3). The Supporting Partners programme is the latest of the AF3 programmes to launch this year.
What’s available?
Grants of between £30,000 and £80,000 are available for projects which will improve support for Service partners and spouses to promote, enhance and utilise the skills and experiences they bring to the workplace.
Projects should clearly show how they will enable military partners and spouses to access employment support and opportunities.
Tuesday 7 November 2023
Friday 3 November 2023
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - new fund to support Veterans’ and their families’ employability.
Under this new Fund, the Trust will award grants on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) towards projects that help Veterans, and their families achieve recognised qualifications, which help them access employment that matches their skills and interests.
Thursday 2 November 2023
The Armed Forces Covenant Trust: Over £500,000 Awarded to Support Local Armed Forces Communities
The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) is delighted to have to have awarded more than £500,000 to 42 outstanding projects in the latest round of the popular Force for Change programme, which aims to reduce isolation and promote integration in local Armed Forces communities.
Tuesday 31 October 2023
Long Term Relationships to benefit from Widening Accommodation Entitlement
* RMB Norton Manor
* RNAS Yeovilton
* Leuchars Station
* JHC FS Aldergrove
* Palace Barracks Holywood
* Thiepval Barracks Lisburn
* RAF Cosford
* RAF Shawbury
This is a first step in meeting the commitment made in the Defence Accommodation Strategy (2022) to allocate accommodation to personnel in Established Long Term Relationships LTR(E) on the same basis as those who are cohabiting or married.
Monday 30 October 2023
International HIVE (iHIVE): Now Included in 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/
Monday 23 October 2023
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Thirty-one new awards made for targeted work supporting Armed Forces communities
The latest round of grants under this popular programme has supported 31 projects across the UK. Each project can last up to three years delivering significant changes and improvements in Armed Forces communities with hidden or compelling needs.
Friday 20 October 2023
Historic Royal Palaces -£1 tickets for those o Universal Credit or other named benefits
- 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.
Thursday 19 October 2023
Togetherall: How to manage feelings of loneliness and isolation
Check out this blog by @Togetherall's Chief Clinical Officer, Ben Locke, PHD., where he provides his tips for dealing with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Visit:
https://tinyurl.com/48m6m5pd
✅ Togetherall is FREE to anyone in the UK Military, Veterans & Family members aged 16+
MOD Accommodation Team Furniture Research - Register interest
The MOD Accommodation Team are reviewing what items of furniture 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!
Please email people-accommodation-research@mod.gov.uk by the 31st October 2023 if you would like to take part, or if you would like further information.
You can take part if you:
• Are over the age of 18
• Currently live in SFA, or have previously lived in SFA, within the UK
• Are in any Service and hold any rank
What will I be asked to do?
• You will be asked to take part in a 45-minute 1:1 research interview with an MOD Researcher
• The discussion will take place via MS Teams or over the telephone, at a time that suits you
• Your participation is entirely voluntary
We hope that you can take part. Thank you in advance for your help!