New Brunssum HIVE opening hours for 2025

 

From 1st January 2025 your Brunssum Hive office will have new opening hours. Which will be:

Monday - Thursday 09.00 - 14.00

NHS Better Health: Make 2025 the year you quit smoking

• Make 2025 the year you quit smoking for good. There’s lots of free support available to help you.
• Join thousands of other people preparing to quit smoking this New Year.
• Quitting smoking is best thing you can do for your health. Get ready to quit for good this New Year.
• You’re far more likely to quit smoking successfully with the right support. Discover what’s available at NHS Better Health and prepare to quit for good this New Year.
• Getting support from your local stop smoking service gives you the best chance of quitting smoking successfully. Visit NHS Better Health to find your nearest service and get ready to quit for good in 2025.
• It’s never too late to quit smoking and you will notice almost immediate improvements to your health when you stop. New Year is a great time to join others giving quitting a go.
• Did you know that the average smoker could save around £3000 per year by quitting? Track your savings with the free NHS quit smoking app.
• Want to quit smoking but not sure where to start? Get your free personal quit plan now.
• Want to know more about using a vape to quit smoking? There’s lots of information available on the NHS Better Health website.
• NHS Better Health has a range of content and tools to help smokers make a successful quit attempt, all of which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking

Armed Forces Covenant: 2024 annual report

The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report has been published today (18 Dec) and is available to read on Gov.uk at this link: Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2024 - GOV.UK​​

The annual reports set out major achievements of the armed forces covenant and highlight remaining challenges and new commitments.

Money & Pensions Advice Service guidance: Making the Most of your Money

Taking the time to manage your money can make a real difference

Whatever stage of life you’re at – whether you’re saving into a pension for the first time, buying or renting a home, starting a family or planning to retire – there are always ways of making your money go further.

Find out more on the Money and Pensions Advice Service's Money Helper website at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en​ or at https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ViewProduct.html?sp=Sengmakingthemostofyourmoney-400​​

Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download at: https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ArticleOverview.html?sp=Sguide​

Domestic Abuse - Help is at hand

The MOD’s Safeguarding Team have released a video providing advice for anyone in the Armed Forces community affected by domestic abuse.

See it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt6cvtmy6pY

You are not alone - there are many agencies who can help:

In an emergency call 999

At unit/establishment level:

• Your local military/civil police
• Unit Welfare Officer
• Padre or Medical Centre

Professional welfare service:

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £70K awarded to help mitigate the impact of separation for Service families

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £70,000 to five fantastic projects designed to mitigate the challenges posed by long or frequent involuntary separation on families, spouses, and serving personnel.

Supporting those most affected

Long-Term Relationship couples and families posted Overseas

The Armed Forces Accommodation Policy Team is thrilled with the feedback from more than 50 service members taking part in the Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot in Cyprus. Since its launch in January 2024, the pilot has provided valuable insights and personal stories showing just how life-changing this initiative has been for participants. Due to its success, the pilot has been extended until March 2027.

JFC Brunssum E-Learning Centre Update

JFC Brunssum E-Learning Centre Update

Due to the restructure of overseas learning support, the UK NSE is no longer funded to provide e-learning centre support. Please therefore note with immediate effect, the revised contact details for all Educationals & Resettlement enquiries. 

ARMY & NAVY RESETTLEMENT

ETSS-30AEC-Rstlmnt0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

RAF RESETTLEMENT

mandy.jones674@mod.gov.uk or visit the RAF Resettlement hub on Defence Connect

EDUCATIONAL QUERIES

Includes but not limited to Standard Learning Credits, Enhanced Learning Credits, MLAT, Functional skills

ETSS-30AECGp-LDO@mod.gov.uk

RAF ENHANCED LEARNING CREDITS

linda.roy242@mod.gov.uk

All other queries to be directed to Gavin.connolly331@mod.gov.uk

Are you planning to register for Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas funding in January 2025?

There are two actions that must be completed before you register.

What is Wraparound Childcare funding?
The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC.

Your Armed Forces Offer explained

The Defence Armed Forces Offer recognises the unique demands of Service life, and the vital work our people do to keep us safe at home and strong abroad.

​​Find out more about the range of benefits, opportunities, and support available to you: Discover My Benefits

Those with access to MODnet can also view the full article at:
Defnet: Your Armed Forces Offer explained (sharepoint.com)
Defence Connect: Your Armed Forces Offer explained | Defence Connect (mod.uk)

HM Government Money & Pensions Service - Money Helper: Credit unions and other alternatives to high-cost credit

This Money Helper (Money & Pensions Service) ​​guide is for you if you need access to credit but you can’t use a mainstream lender and you don’t want to use a payday loan or other forms of high-cost credit.

When you read it, you’ll know:

• how credit unions work and how they can help you
• how to join a credit union
• what other sources of fair and affordable credit might be available to you.​

Digital Veteran Card to make accessing support even easier for ex-service personnel

​New Digital Veteran Card (DVC) to make sure former service personnel can prove their Veteran status as easily as possible, enabling smoother access to often essential support.

Accommodation: Online e1132 password process change on 9th Dec 2024

​Online e1132 password process change

The password process for the online e1132 system is changing on Monday 9th December 2024.

To ensure your online details are kept as securely as possible, we are changing the way we record, store and provide users with their details (when requested).

All users of the online e1132 system will need to reset their own passwords the next time they login to the system.

Army's Guide for Care Leavers

The Directorate of Personnel in Army HQ have released a new Guide for Care Leavers, which will help both Care Leavers and their managers access the appropriate support.

You can find it on the Pers Pol Conditions Defence Connect page at https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk/docs/DOC-1150391

New Armed Forces Carer’s Passports are introduced

Carer’s passports are well established and widely used across many organisations throughout the UK, including the Civil Service, and have proven to be an invaluable resource for employees with caregiving responsibilities. They are now available for our Armed Forces.

It can be especially hard to balance a career in the Armed Forces alongside caring responsibilities, but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is dedicated to support those who do.

Introducing the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport

Get ready for a Wraparound Childcare (WAC) expansion to some overseas locations

Are you assigned to a location within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision? WAC Overseas will be available to eligible families in these areas from 6 January 2025.

View the poster details here.

What is Wraparound Childcare funding?
The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC.

Temporary registration and claims process for WAC Overseas.

The Impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance

 

In the Budget speech The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the government will remove the VAT exemption for private schools from 1 January 2025.
For families claiming the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) this is likely to increase private school fees.

To minimise the impact of this change, the Secretary of State has directed that the CEA rate cap will be uprated, to ensure it continues to pay up to 90% of school fees for eligible claimants.

What does this mean for CEA claimants?

Veterans ID Card accepted as Polling ID.

The government has backed the armed forces community by allowing HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to be used as Voter ID in forthcoming elections.

More information can be found here.

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

Please click here to view the 'An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness' leaflet

Headspace App: Free Enrolment for Army Personnel and MOD Civilian Staff

For more information see the poster here Please use your mod.gov.uk email address to sign up before downloading the App. Link to enroll: Headspace for Work

Welfare Team details update

The Global Support Organisation (GSO) Welfare Team contact details have been updated. Please click here to view some of the support they provide.

the full contact details are available on the Welfare Noticeboard outside the Hive Office in the National Support Element (NSE) Building on JFC Brunssum, or you can contact the Brunssum Hive directly to receive the full contact details for the GDO Welfare Team.

Chaplaincy updates

Our new Padre Mike Jenkinson has arrived at JFC Brunssum. For contact details and more information about the Chaplaincy updates, click here

New MOD booklet: Benefits and support for Reserve families

Today, Defence launches a new booklet for Reservists, and their families, on the benefits and support available. This includes financial discounts, healthcare, and career support.

Did you know that of the 190,170 total serving military personnel in the British Armed Forces, 18% of them are Reservists? This means that the Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of Armed Forces personnel.

Reservists make a critical contribution in the Armed Forces and are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas. Keep reading to find out more about what Reservists do, and how they make a positive impact in the Armed forces.

Do you know what support and benefits are available?