Civilian Housing: An update on the MOD Referral Scheme service

Last year, the services provided by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) were transferred to the Defence Transition Service (DTS), part of Defence Business Services (DBS), to deliver. This followed a review as part of the MOD’s ‘Strategy for Our Veterans’ to bring efficiency to the co-ordination and delivery of housing services.

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)

ManKind Initiative ACORN Recovery Programme for male survivors of domestic abuse

ManKind are now accepting referrals for their next Armed Forces ACORN Recovery Programme course due to start early next year.

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

There is no need to struggle alone, follow one of the QR Codes to access help from different charities and organisations. Support is also available through the chaplain, SHAPE Welfare Team and NSE Team.

Click here for codes.

DWP Conversational Platform

Conversational Platform is a new technology being introduced onto the Universal Credit telephony channel. From early December 2023 when customers call Universal Credit, their call may be routed through the new technology, whereby the DWP Virtual Agent will ask the customer why they are calling and will then tailor the response based on what the customer says.

For information on how this will work, please click here

Military Wives Choirs Brunssum

Military Wives Choirs Brunssum welcomes all ladies with a military connection. The choir already has over ten NATO nations represented but would love to welcome more! 

If you would like to join the weekly get together for singing, friendship, laughter and cake, come along to JFC Brunssum Chapel on Thursdays (AFNORTH term-time) from 19.00 - 21.00.
No previous experience or audition required.

For more information please contact:
Brunssum@militarywiveschoirs.org

Veterans Housing - Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund

New major funding programme to support Veterans’ housing needs

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

The Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund.

More information is available HERE

FAQ - Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy

FAQs for Service Personnel regarding ARAP persons living in SFA

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

Chief of Defence People, Vice Admiral Phil Hally - letter to Service Families regarding MOD support for relocation and resettlement of Afghan nationals, dated 2nd March 2023. To read, please click here

RT HON DR Andrew Murrison MP - letter to Service Families with an update regarding the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, dated 10th November 2023. To read, please click here

MOD bullying, harrassment and discrimination helpline

 

You can also access support by visiting the Workplace Wellbeing Platform at MOD | (workplacewellbeing.com)

NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast

Welcome to the NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast, a six part series aims to help you, the Armed Forces Community, access the NHS services available. Released every Wednesday on YouTube.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

AWS Community Support Annual Report Summary

 To read the full Army Welfare Service Community Support Annual Report Summary click here

Defence Home and Dry Christmas Campaign 2023

The Defence 'Home and Dry' Christmas Campaign 2023 was launched this week – the Key Message is: Get home safe this Christmas. Don’t drink and drive.

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)

Central European Practice Contact Details

Please click on image to enlarge.

Any amendments to office opening times will be advertised outside CEP office

Updated Tri-service Accommodation Regulations (TSARs) JSP 464

The recently updated Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations, (JSP 464) are available on .Gov at the following link:
Tri-service accommodation regulations (TSARs) (JSP 464) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Toegtherall: Holiday Season Support

This season can feel lonely, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Togetherall offers a safe, supportive, anonymous community—free and available 24/7.

There’s also a range of other helpful resources. Find connection whenever you need it, at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

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.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - new fund to support Veterans’ and their families’ employability.

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce the launch of the The Veterans’ Career Development Fund, supporting Veterans and their families to enter stable long-term employment, by delivering qualifications and training.

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.

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.  

From gardening to fishing, woodworking to art, and much more - these projects will make a huge difference to local Armed Forces communities across the UK. 

Families First newsletter - issue 10

 Read the newsletter here.

SSAFA Forcesline