ICDL Courses available at eLearning Centre, JFC Brunssum

INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER DRIVING LICENCE COURSES available. You can do the coursework in your own time at home, or on shiny new laptops in the eLearning Centre.

Expansion of SSAFA’s eRedbook service with support of Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

Forces’ families recognise the value of the Digital Personal Child Health Record – commonly known as the eRedbook – launched in 2019 by the Cyprus-based Community Health Team of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The eRedbook is a parent-held health and development record which allows access to your child’s personal health and development records wherever the family is. It is a simple and convenient service for Forces’ families who may move often and need to securely store and access information on their child's health.

Now, with a grant – the funding is from the MOD Armed Forces Families Fund administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust – the eRedbook scheme can expand this service to more parents and more children wherever UK Armed Forces are stationed including Cyprus, Sennelager, BATUS (British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada), Gibraltar, Brunei, and BATUK (Kenya).

Street Jump Heerlen - Indoor Trampoline Park

Largest indoor trampoline park in Heerlen and the surrounding area. 40+ trampolines and 8 different areas.

It is mandatory to wear Jump socks, with extra grip to make jumping on the trampoline more fun and safer. Jump Socks (worth € 2.50) are included with your entrance ticket

You can choose to jump for 1, 1.5 or 2 hours.

You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the Jump session so that there is enough time to put on access wristbands, jump socks and receive instruction.

Price from 7 years

60 minutes        €12.50

90 minutes        €15.00

120 minutes      €18.00

Mini jump up to 6 years

60 minutes        €8.95

For more information visit: https://www.streetjumpheerlen.nl/

Discount available through Social Deal

More than £400,000 awarded to 42 Forces projects in the latest round of the Force for Change programme

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) is delighted to have awarded grants totalling more than £400,000 to 42 outstanding projects in the latest round of the popular Force for Change programme, which supports community projects that reduce isolation and promote integration in local Armed Forces communities.

Projects across the UK were supported in this latest round, ranging from gardening and woodworking projects, to sporting projects and community wellbeing projects offering opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community to come together and connect with others.

Delivery of the Annual Army Non-UK National Awareness Brief

 

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

If you have been bereaved or affected by suicide there is help and support available; please visit: https://uksobs.org/​

Veterans UK - Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Online Claim

A new online Armed Forces compensation service has gone live. Veterans UK, part of Defence Business Services (DBS), has launched a new online claim service to help people to access injury and illness compensation more easily. Veterans UK is responsible for administering compensation and pensions schemes for both serving personnel, veterans and their families. The new service is part of our commitment to modernising the services we provide to the Defence community and is the first step in the digitalisation of DBS’s Compensation Schemes. Before launching the service, the Veterans Modernisation Team had to successfully complete a Cabinet Office Beta Assessment and provide evidence to show they had met a 14-point service standard.

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS)

 

Separation and divorce guide for military personnel spouses and partners

Resources for those going through separation or divorce.
To view the Guide, please: click here​

New Documentary Hearts and Minds: A Very British Tactic Now on Forces News YouTube

                                 

New Documentary Hearts and Minds: A Very British Tactic Now on Forces News YouTube

In this new documentary, Forces News takes an in-depth look at the unique tactic of 'Hearts and Minds', 20 years after it was used by the British Army during the Iraq War.

British military commanders and soldiers on the ground in Iraq used the term when working with local people. Hearts and Minds: A Very British Tactic looks at the origin of the approach, how it was applied in Iraq and asks if it is still relevant today by talking to key military players.

In a rare TV interview, Lieutenant General Sir Graeme Lamb, the British commander in 2003, says hearts and minds “underpins everything I ever did in uniform".

MOD Domestic abuse: guidance and support for the armed forces community

This Domestic Abuse site​ is for members of the armed forces community who are:​

• male or female victims
• perpetrators looking to change their behaviour
• military or civilian practitioners
• chain of command
• concerned family and friends​

Armed Forces Families Fund grants improving lives for Service Families

 Armed Forces Families Fund grants improving lives for Service Families

Funding includes:

* £2 million awarded to 54 projects specifically for Service pupils across the UK to deliver real change for Armed Forces communities.

* £900K for 18 projects enhancing early years learning for Service children aged 0-5.

* £500K for 12 projects that will make a difference for the partners of our serving personnel, addressing their particular needs and challenges.

Further funding programmes to open from April 2023.

Over £3.4 million awarded to 38 Forces projects in the second round of the Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) is excited to announce the second round of awards under its Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme.

In this latest round, the Trust has supported 38 projects across the UK. In total, the programme has so far awarded over £6 million, across 65 diverse projects. Each project can last up to three years and will deliver significant changes and/or improvements in Armed Forces communities, where there are hidden or compelling needs.

Read more »

DIO - Service Family Accommodation Newsletter - Families First - Issue 4

DIO have published their Families First Newsletter - Issue 4

To read, please CLICK HERE​

Positive change on the horizon as Trust awards almost £3M to 10 transformational projects

Positive change on the horizon as Trust awards almost £3M to 10 transformational projects
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is delighted to have awarded more than £2.9 million to 10 inspiring projects across the UK in the first round of their Transformational Grants programme.

In what proved to be a competitive round of funding, each of the projects supported by this Covenant programme targets specific groups within the Armed Forces community to deliver systemic change long-beyond the initial work funded.

To read more, please follow this link.

Bounce Forward - Navigating Transitions With Military Families - Starting 25 April

 

Armed Forces families will face many times of transition throughout life. Change and uncertainty is something we can help you to navigate well.​

Find out more HERE​

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

It's two months today until the start of #MentalHealthAwaren​essWeek - when we all come together to talk about mental health, tackle stigma and create a world with good mental health for all. 

Find out more about the week and get involved: http://bit.ly/3YWMnmU

Army FAMCAS 2023

To take part in the survey click here.  The token is the Serving person’s Service number.

Improving Life Skills in the UK Armed Forces Community

We are looking for volunteers to take part in an online anonymous survey.

Volunteers: We are seeking currently serving personnel and the spouses/partners of currently serving personnel (aged 18 and over) to take part in an online anonymous survey about Life Skills.

Please find more information and the link to the survey here.

Have you ever served in the Womens Royal Army Corps (WRAC)

 

Domestic Abuse - Where to get help

 

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust announces Covenant Fund programmes for 2023/24

 The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) has announced the Covenant Fund programmes that will run in the 2023/24 financial year.

Following on from the success of their 2022/23 suite of funding programmes supporting the Armed Forces community, the Trust will be running the same Covenant funding programmes, albeit with some tweaks to bring things up-to-date and ensure funding is accessible and available for those who need it most.

Please click here for all the details

Inspirational Women in Defence - DDS - Nominations Open

Inspirational Women in Defence Award nominations are now open.

​Click here to read latest news

The Armed Forces Families Single Point of Contact

The Armed Forces Families Single Point of Contact is a pilot offering signposting support and guidance to Armed Forces families for navigating the NHS. 

NHS England are looking for families of serving personnel, veterans, and reservists to complete a survey to gather their thoughts on the future naming and branding of the service. The survey will be open until Friday 10th March and can be accessed via this link:

https://forms.office.com/e/qnj5BAjJtg. ​

X-Forces: Self Employment courses for families of current SP, Veterans and families of Veterans

 

Purple Pack Bereavement Guide For Families of Service Personnel

 This extended Purple Pack provides guidance, information and support to those who have a lost a loved one whilst still in service.

​​CLICK HERE​ to read​

Families magazine March/April 2023

Please click here to read this issue online

SFA family home condition assessment from DIO

A message from DIO:

While we continue to routinely collect information about the standard of Service Family Accommodation, it is important to us that we have the fullest possible picture of the condition of our Service family homes. This will help us to achieve maximum future investment in our SFA and ensure that spending can be targeted where most needed.

We would really welcome your view and experience of living in a Service family home. It is key to us gaining a more comprehensive understanding of our SFA. We would there appreciate if you would take the time to complete the following short survey - SFA family home condition assessment

DIO - Service Family Accommodation Newsletter - Families First - Issue 3

 To read issue 3 of the Families First Newsletter, please CLICK HERE​

DIO SFA Update

Update on FDIS performance

For updates on the action DIO is taking to improve the performance of the accommodation contracts, please go to Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) where you can subscribe for update notifications, or join the Service Family Accommodation group on Defence Connect.

‘Families First’ newsletter introduced

DIO has introduced a new SFA newsletter, Families First, to provide families with important information about their homes.

Families First includes updates on the measures DIO and its suppliers are taking to address contract performance and where DIO is investing money to improve the accommodation estate.

The newsletter is published fortnightly and hosted on gov.uk and Defence Connect.

SFA Defence Connect group launched

DIO has created a dedicated SFA group on Defence Connect to provide Service personnel with a platform to find useful information about their homes, engage with DIO, and ask & answer questions on all things accommodation.

The main features of the group include:

• Community support which lists answers to frequently asked questions and provides a place for Service personnel to ask their own questions and start new discussions.

• Latest updates and news including the new SFA newsletter

• Accommodation policy such as Defence-wide accommodation Joint Service Publications (JSPs) will be available to view and download.

• Helpful links to ensure Service personnel can find further information, support and necessary contact details quickly and easily.

Please join the group on Defence Connect here.

Support Services for Service Personnel and their Families - .Gov.UK

Defence and armed forces: Support services for military and defence personnel and their families - detailed information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Join over 4,600 Service families in claiming funding for up to 20 hours of before and after school care for eligible children aged 4 to 11 years old.

 

Nursing Mothers' Room at JFCBS

Comfortable room, offering privacy for breastfeeding/expressing milk. Baby changing facilities available.

Open during the hours of 0830 -1700hrs

Free online 'Parenting For Tomorrow' course for military families

Please click here for details of the Parenting For Tomorrow course, led by Maj Nicole Walker.

This course is FREE for military families.

Further contact info:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParentingForTomorrow
Email: info@parentingfortomorrow.org