Armed Forces Charities benefit from over £270K contribution from Defence Discount Service

Defence Discount Service (DDS), the official MoD discount service, has contributed over £275,000 to military projects that support current and former members of the armed forces in the last 12 months. Since its launch in 2012, DDS has given a percentage of all revenue to charitable causes that support the wellbeing of the Armed Forces community, endeavouring to help those who’ve served our nation both at home and abroad.

 In the last year, DDS has donated funds to The Army Central Fund, RAF Central Fund, the Permanent Joint Headquarters Operations Welfare Fund and The Royal Navy. The funds will be used for a range of projects, including providing mobile workout stations to deployed RAF personnel, supporting physical activity, and addressing social isolation with children and young people. Money will also go towards the Defence Medical Welfare Service, which provides practical and emotional support to members of the Armed Forces community on a health treatment pathway; the Warrior Programme, which offers mental strength and resilience training to those affected by stress and anxiety; and the Army Welfare Service, which provides community support through various initiatives. 

DIO Families First Newsletter - Issue 7

Click here to read the latest DIO Families First Newsletter about:

Landlord Gas Safety Inspections (LGSIs)
Update on Damp & Mould taskforce
Investment across the SFA estate: New homes for Cyprus Service families
Investment across the SFA estate: New homes for UK Service families
Planning for Move-in, Move-out and Removals this Summer

Step Together 'Armed Forces Community Programme'

Step Together run an 'Armed Forces Community Programme' supporting Personnel on Recovery Duty (PRD), Veterans and their families across the UK to make significant change in their lives. This is through one-to-one support and active engagement in the local community as a part of their recovery and resettlement.

Click HERE for more information

Togetherall Military Group

If you need somewhere to share how you’re feeling, @Togetherall has a dedicated group for the military community to connect, share experiences and support each other. The military community has access to the Togetherall peer support community, wherever they are, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.​

Togetherall is FREE to anyone in the UK Military, Veterans & Family members aged 16+ visit togetherall.com to register.

Guidance on Service Pupil Premium - Updated 19 May

Updated guidance on the Service Pupil Premium is now on Gov.uk at this link: Service Pupil Premium: what you need to know - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Schutterspark, Brunssum

There is so much to do in Schutterspark - for little ones, there is a nature playground, a mini steam train to ride on, mini sailing boats, a petting zoo and barefoot walks.

At Adventure Park- The Plateau, there is climbing, treetop activities, archery, axe -throwing, and mountain biking.

There are good catering facilities: 

Brasserie Schuttershüske 

Alpine Hut 

The Barefoot

The Ice Hut is now open - providing traditional Italian ice cream, coffee, soft drinks, freshly baked bubble waffles and milkshakes. Even your four-legged friend can enjoy an ice cream especially for dogs. 

This Sunday 28th May from 09.00 - 16.00 an open-air flea market will be held in the wooded area of ​​the Schutterspark.

For information and opening times for all attractions and places to eat, visit:  https://schutterspark.nl/zienendoen/attracties/

Landlord Gas Safety Inspections (LGSIs) in Service Family Accommodation (SFA)

DIO and its suppliers are undertaking an important programme of works to carry out Landlord Gas Safety Inspections (LGSIs) across the SFA estate. This programme of works will commence on 22 May 2023 and is scheduled to complete by the end of June 2023.

You will be notified via letter if you are impacted. For families with short notice appointments during the week commencing 22 May 2023, you may also receive a telephone call and email from the suppliers.

It is vital that VIVO/Amey and their sub-contractors are allowed access to your home to carry out these inspections to ensure your family and neighbours remain safe. The Chain of Command across all three Services is supporting this programme and has agreed for Service personnel to make their SFA their place of duty on the day of appointment except where they are on essential duty elsewhere. DIO staff and unit staff have worked together to ensure that visits are planned around unit commitments wherever possible.

Civvy Street - May 2023 Edition

 The latest edition of Civvy Street magazine is available here.​

Tax Credits are ending and are being replaced by Universal Credit - claimants will be notified when they have to reclaim

Migration notices will be issued to all Tax Credit claimants over the next two years. Claimants will need to take action to ensure their benefits do not stop.

For further information please click here​

Service Community Information on Universal Credit and Other DWP Benefits

 

Young Minds: Support for Parents

We know parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow up, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work. It can feel especially hard if your child's mood and behaviour seem different and you're not sure why, or what you can do to help.

​We have lots of practical advice and tips on supporting your child​.

Click HERE​ for further information

May Edition of the Quest Magazine is now out

 May Edition of the Quest Magazine .

DIO Service Family Accommodation Newsletter : Families First Issue 6

                                        

Read the latest issue: DIO Service Family Accommodation Newsletter : Families First Issue 6

Further info on SFA - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-infrastructure-organisation-service-family-accommodation​

Armed Forces Pension Scheme: Retrospective Remedy Public Consultation

The MOD public consultation is open until 29th May 2023 and views are encouraged from affected* Serving Personnel and Veterans. The consultation can be found here.

The consultation provides an explanation of the remedy policies and the legislation which are required to be in place by 1 October 2023 to deliver the 2015 Remedy.

A recording of the consultation member briefings that took place throughout March 23 is available on YouTube and is complimented by an additional recording on Divorce and Dissolution of Civil Partnerships & Rejoiners also available via YouTube.

​For more information on the 2015 remedy, please visit Gov.uk or the 2015 Remedy on Defence Connect Page.

Defence Accommodation Policy Defence Connect Page to go External

Sign up to the Defence Accommodation Policy Defence Connect page to Join thousands of Service personnel and their families receiving the latest accommodation updates via your phone or laptop.

Sway Link - Defence Accommodation Policy External Defence Connect Page (office.com)

MS Form - Defence Accommodation Policy Defence Connect Page Application Form

Click the link on your confirmation email

The MOD Guide for Service Personnel 'Flexible Working and You

The MOD Guide for Service Personnel, 'Flexible Working and You' was updated on 28 Apr 23. Please click HERE​ to access the new version