Help for Households and Cost of Living Payments

 QR codes should be scanned from a personal non-MOD device only

For details visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Strategy & Action Plan

The Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan has been published today, demonstrating Defence's commitment to reduce suicide in the Armed Forces and provide support to those affected by it.

The Strategy establishes eight focus areas: Understand high risk groups within the Armed Forces
Educate the Armed Forces about suicide and its prevention

Enable individual resilience and support personal needs
Enable safe military environments
Enhance organisational management of those at risk
Enable access to support for those at risk
Develop accessible postvention support
Improve organisational learning

To read the full Strategy and Action Plan, please click HERE​

Defence Medical Services: SMS Medical and Dental Appointment Reminders

 An SMS text message reminder service has been launched for patients registered at Defence Medical Services medical and dental practices.  For more information please go to the My Healthcare Hub app on Defence Gateway​ 

Mankind: Acorn Recovery Programme for Male Survivors of Domestic Abuse

 

Personal Accident and Life Insurance Schemes for Personnel

Personal Accident and Life Insurance Schemes for Personnel

MOD is re-evaluating the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme and Life Insurance Scheme offer for personnel. A procurement exercise has been completed and we are pleased to announce that a new Broker, The Risk Factor, has been appointed. Initial discussions have taken place, and our priority is the continuation of appropriate cover for existing policyholders with as little disruption as possible.

As this is a new supplier, insurance products will no longer be branded as PAX. Existing PAX Personal Accident Insurance Scheme members should note that a replacement Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (providing similar benefits) will be introduced on 1 June 2023, for which they will need to apply if they wish to maintain Personal Accident Insurance cover. There will be no automatic transfer from PAX to the new provider.

There is no action for policyholders to take at this point. Once arrangements for how to join the new Insurance Scheme(s) have been finalised these details will be made available along with the new Scheme’s policy terms and conditions so individuals can make an informed choice based on their requirements (we expect this to be mid-May).

MOD personnel: please see 2023DIN01-023

New Service Pupil Support Programme - part of exciting new funding opportunity from the Armed Forces Families Fund

Exciting new funding opportunity from the Armed Forces Families Fund

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce the launch of the new Service Pupil Support Programme – an MOD funded programme, part of the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3).

Specifically supporting Service pupils aged 4-18 years, this programme will focus on those pupils from currently serving families and will support them along their educational pathways.

Who’s it for?

Schools, academies sixth form colleges, Further Education colleges and local authorities can apply. The Trust has set up a dedicated programme page on their website featuring full eligibility details.

Future Accommodation Model Social Media Re-branding to Defence Accommodation Policy

 

Major new grants now available to fund specialist care for homeless veterans

Up to £8m of funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is now available to tackle veterans’ homelessness head on.

* Organisations are able to bid for up to £1.5 million, over 2 years, to provide wraparound support services for issues such as mental health.

* Funding will address the complex issues faced by some homeless veterans while making sure they have access to accommodation.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce the launch of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme, which will award major grants to help veterans experiencing homelessness.

Playground Fort Willem, Maastricht

Looking for something fun to do with the kids for €2 per person? Fort Willem playground in Maastricht is suitable for children up to the age of 12. There are playgrounds, mini golf, a splash pool with slides, sandpits and shaded areas to sit.

Regular children's entertainment (see Facebook for updates)

Every first Wednesday of the month, from 14.00 - 15.00 read aloud in the playground, with a free book for each child.

Opening Times
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 12.00 - 18.00
All public holidays, and (NL) children's holidays from 12.00 - 18.00

Kastanjelaan 50
6217 SB Maastricht
info@speeltuinfortwillem.nl
Telephone: +31(0) 43 321 13 97

For more information please click here

Deutschland Ticket On Sale Now For Use From 1st May

                                     

The Germany ticket will be available on May 1, 2023

With your Deutschland-Ticket you can use all local and regional transport in Germany for 49 euros per month. The ticket is only available as a monthly subscription. Pre-order your subscription now and look forward to travelling.

For more information click here

Refuge Video: Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you're experiencing domestic abuse

Refuge, the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK, have produced a video to guide victims of domestic abuse on managing the Government's Emergency Alerts Test on Sun 23 Apr to ensure they stay safe:

Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you'r​​e experiencing domestic abuse - YouTube

National Mill Day 13th/14th May 2023

During National Mill Day, almost all of the windmills (and other mills) in the Netherlands will be turning, and more than 950 of them will open up to the public.

The event is typically accompanied by various activities, many organised by millers all around the country, such as pancake baking, children’s games, cycling routes, mill-themed fairs and parties.
Millers make a real effort to decorate their mills as beautifully as possible with flags and flowers.

For centuries, windmills have played an important role in reclaiming tracts of land, including in Kinderdijk. Go out and discover the icons of the Netherlands!
The Kinderdijk is one of the nine World Heritage monuments in the Netherlands.

Visit: https://www.kinderdijk.nl/ for information

Dutch Corner, JFC Brunssum

 The following message is on behalf of the Host Nation:

The Dutch Corner in building H-201 is the coffee break/living room for the Dutch delegations and NSE-members working on base. Everybody is more than welcome to join us for a (free) cup of coffee and company.

The Best Banks in the Netherlands for Internationals

 
There will be many factors that influence your decision when looking to open a Dutch bank account, from the bank’s accessibility in English to special features.

For information on what to consider when choosing a bank account; online accounts, traditional banks and pros and cons for each, visit:

https://dutchreview.com/expat/best-banks-expats-netherlands/

Publication of HIVE Comms Survey

Help HIVE to improve how we deliver the information that's important to you

 
Please complete this short survey to help us to improve the support we provide to you:
click here

Are you missing out on claiming Wraparound Childcare funding?

Think you can’t claim Wraparound Childcare (WAC)?

Is your partner in the Army / Navy / RAF ? Are you returning to work? You may be eligible to claim for up to 20 hours of before and after school care for eligible children aged 4 to 11 years old.

Check if you are eligible:

RN Families - wraparound childcare | Royal Navy | Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk) 

Army https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/army/army-families/families-wraparound-childcare] 

RAF Families - wraparound childcare | RAF | Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk)

Gambling in the spotlight - survey for Service Personnel

As part of MOD's work to better understand problem gambling across the Armed Forces, we have worked with Swansea University to develop a survey. A large number of respondents are required to make this a worthwhile source of evidence.

The confidential survey is open to any serving member of the Armed Forces and takes around 10 minutes to complete – it is also aimed at those Healthcare and welfare teams working within the Armed Forces to get a view of their experiences of dealing with problem-gambling.

Ideally responses need to be reflective of the AF community, so input from those in Basic and Initial Trade Training, across all types of Unit, including those deployed overseas and deployed on operations, and all types of Reservist. Responses will inform further research and work that the Health Priority Group will undertake. The survey will close on Mon 24 Apr.

​Please contact Brunssum HIVE to be given the survey link or see DefNet or Defence Connect.

Looking for advice on how to save money on your energy bills?

Click here to visit the website for further detail on how energy saving actions and more can add up to big savings

DIO - Service Family Accommodation Newsletter - Families First - Issue 5

Please click here to read issue 5 of DIO's Families First newsletter

Armed Forces special stakeholder brief

 
Armed Forces special stakeholder brief

April 2023

Welcome to this special issue of our Armed Forces stakeholder brief. On 1 April 2023, the revised service model for Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service went live and Op NOVA: Supporting Veterans in the Justice System launched.

This is an exciting time for the NHS England Armed Forces healthcare commissioning team and represents the culmination of significant engagement, procurement, mobilisation and coproduction activity. Many thanks to everyone who has supported in progressing this work to date, especially to members of our Patient and Public Voice (PPV) group and to those who took part in engagement.

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Op Courage - Specialist care for Service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families

 

Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you're experiencing domestic abuse

The government is rolling out a new Emergency Alerts system and a test alert will be sent out on Sunday 23rd April.

The alerts will be used to let you know about emergency situations (like severe flooding) through your mobile phone. However, the alert will be accompanied by a loud sound even if your phone is on silent. If you live with an abusive partner this could alert them to any secret or secondary phones that you may have. Here's how you can turn alerts off, both on Android phones and on iPhones: Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you're experiencing domestic abuse - YouTube

If you’re afraid of your partner call the free 24 hours a day National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, or live chat with them Monday-Friday, 3-10pm by going to nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

BFBS Appoints New CEO

Ben Chapman has been appointed as the new CEO of BFBS, the military charity and media organisation which provides TV, radio and other media services to the UK armed forces and defence sector.

He is a very experienced media executive, with a long career in audio and digital at the BBC before moving to Audible as Senior Director, Original Content. Among many senior roles, he was Head of Digital and Content Commissioning for BBC Sounds (BBC Radio and Music).

X Forces Enterprise: Innovative Social Enterprise Secures Extension to Government Contract

Innovative Social Enterprise Secures Extension to Government Contract

X-Forces Enterprise is proud to announce that as of 1st April 2023 the organisation has been confirmed as a Business Support Partner to British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

DIO: Update on FDIS performance

For updates on the action DIO is taking to improve the performance of the accommodation contracts, please read:

Update on FDIS

New Service Pupil Support Programme - part of exciting new funding opportunity from the Armed Forces Families Fund

Exciting new funding opportunity from the Armed Forces Families Fund

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce the launch of the new Service Pupil Support Programme – an MOD funded programme, part of the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3).

Specifically supporting Service pupils aged 4-18 years, this programme will focus on those pupils from currently serving families and will support them along their educational pathways.

Ripple Pond - March Newsletter

                                                 

To read the latest Ripple pond newsletter click here

Forces families to benefit as dedicated fund returns

Forces families to benefit as dedicated fund returns

Projects supporting military families can bid for a share of funding as the latest round of the Armed Forces Families Fund opens for applications.

The Fund, which is administered on the MOD’s behalf by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, is available to organisations who want to launch projects that have a positive impact on the lives of military communities.

Applications for the 2023 fund can be made from Monday 3 April, with full details of eligibility criteria and how to apply available on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s website.