Certes IT Services - Support to Former Forces

Certes IT Services Solutions - Support to Armed Forces

Certes IT Services Solutions offer a free service seeking to create a community with knowledge and understanding that supports each other and champions ex-military personnel.

For more details on the offer to former​-forces please see the website below:
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Link to website: https://info.certes.co.uk/former-forces

National Transition Event - Silverstone - Including a new Families Zone

Still time to sign up to attend the National Transition Event on Monday 4h March at Silverstone.

And the event will also feature a dedicated Families Zone with a range of stands specifically for families of Serving personnel

 

Cycling in Zuid-Limburg

There is much to discover when you cycle through Zuid-Limburg. The network of cycling routes takes you through the forests, heaths and along the water. There may some challenging hills, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views all over the region.

For maps and useful information about popular routes, click here

Supporting the Unsung Hero - Free Online Business Start-up courses

Supporting the Unsung Hero business start up are pleased to announce that they are restarting​ their monthly Starting a Business Webinars which is free to the Armed Forces Community

For more information please visit the website or contact us at HIVE with any questions.

https://www.supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk/

 

Visit Hoensbroek Castle

Located less than 4 miles from Brunssum in the province of Zuid-Limburg, Hoensbroek Castle is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in The Netherlands.
Hoensbroek is a castle museum which offers adventure hunts for children, and for adults, collections featuring fashions and objects dating back centuries.

Other activities for children include workshops for perfume-making, fencing, birds of prey and falconry, shepherding, archery and clay pigeon shooting. Participate in all these activities dressed in typical castle attire!

Meet the Knights of the Lordship of Hoensbroek every first Sunday of the month - enjoy their sword fighting skills and practice archery with them. Next available date is 3rd March 2024.  

Discount on tickets if booked online.

For more information: https://www.kasteelhoensbroek.nl

The Ripple Pond - February Newsletter

To read the latest newsletter please click here

DWP Update: Marriage Allowance – couples can save up to £252 a year on their tax bill

Some couples can save up to £252 a year on their tax bill by claiming Marriage Allowance.

To benefit from Marriage Allowance, the following circumstances must apply:

• the couple are married or in a civil partnership
• one person does not pay Income Tax because any income they have is below their tax-free Personal Allowance (usually £12,570)
• their partner pays Income Tax at the basic rate

Do you know someone who could be eligible?

​They can find out more and apply for Marriage Allowance on GOV.UK and use the free online calculator to find out how much tax they could save.

Tri Service Spouses & Partners: Free Self-Employment Discovery 3-Day Course

 X Forces are excited to relaunch their popular 3-day Self-Employment Discovery Workshop designed exclusively for Tri-Service spouses and partners, looking to explore alternative employment options. This is an amazing opportunity to develop valuable enterprise skills, learn about the start-up landscape, and network with others going on a similar journey. ​

For more information: https://​x-forces.zoho​​backstage.com​​/TriServiceSpousesPartnersSelf-EmploymnetDiscovery3​-DayCourse3 ​

Army HIVE Non-UK National Support: New Email Address for Enquiries

Please click on poster to enlarge.

Army HIVE now has an email address specifically for Non-UK National enquiries. This is available to Service personnel, their families and their line managers/CoC who require support.

RC-Pers-HIVE-NonUKNat-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk​

New Accommodation Offer Important Update: Extension of SLA Waiver

The New Accommodation Offer has been changed in respect of the Dual Accommodation Expense element of the Offer. The waiver of SLA charges relating to PStatCat and age are being retained for now and extended to other cohorts who maintain a main home away from their assigned location. Please see this SWAY for more information.

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

The latest GFIE vacancies available specifically for Service Leavers, Veterans and Military Spouses/Partners are with DWP.

There are 4 positions available for Admin Officer - Service Delivery Support - DW

2 x vacancies in Leicester.
1 x vacancy in Rushden, Northamptonshire.
1 x vacancy in Northampton.

Anyone wishing to apply should complete an Expression of Interest form and email to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk with an up to date CV. The closing date is the 1st March.​

For more information about the GFiE scheme for veterans, Service leavers and partners/spouses, please go to this LINK​

DWP: Child Maintenance Service reformed to crack down on parents who refuse to pay

The government is reforming the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to crack down on parents who refuse to pay and ensure children get the support they deserve more quickly.

Link: Child Maintenance Service reformed to crack down on parents who refuse to pay - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

DWP: National Insurance - detailed information

Guidance for National Insurance. Including how to apply for a National Insurance number and check your record. As well as rates, paying, refunds, voluntary contributions, and pensions.

Link: National Insurance: detailed information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Headspace Support your loved ones

 

Please click the images to enlarge.

Launch of new easier Wraparound Childcare registration and claims process

It's now even easier for Service families to register and claim for Wraparound Childcare (WAC).

Following your feedback, we have simplified the process to make it easier for you and your family. WAC is now fully integrated in JPA and brings registration, claims calculations, and claims all together in one place – in the 'My child allowances: WAC' section.

Could your family save £3,400 a year, per child?

Over 10,500 Service children's childcare is currently being supported by Wraparound Childcare funding.

If you have a child aged between 4 and 11 (4-16 if in receipt of disability benefits), on average, your family could save up to £3,400 per child, per year on before and after school care.

If you think your family may be eligible, find out more about WAC by visiting the Discover My Benefits Army, RAF, Navy or Marines webpage.

​

 

Youth Spring Soccer

 

Long Term Relationships - Pilot Scheme

Couples in long-term relationships are now entitled to a military house overseas just like those who are married or in civil partnerships under a pilot scheme that is running in Cyprus and the Falklands.

The trial was launched to give service personnel in established long-term relationships access to Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in the Falkland Islands and Sovereign Base Areas Cyprus – where over a third of personnel assigned overseas are based.

To see BFBS video in please click here

Orcas Swim Team

Scan the code for more information about Orcas swim team. Tryouts for new swimmers aged 6 - 19 years will take place before spring training.

Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) 2024 – now open!

Have your say in this year’s Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) – open until Monday 22 April. Don’t miss out – check if you’ve been invited to take part.

FamCAS is an annual, tri-Service survey, which invites a sample of Service spouses and civil partners to share what they like and dislike about Service family life.

This anonymous survey covers key issues that impact you, as Service families, and gives you the chance to share your views on aspects of day-to-day Service family life. This includes questions on employment, childcare, and healthcare.

DIO Families First newsletter - issue 13

 To read the lastest Families First newsletter click here

CTP 2024 Employment Fairs

 

Centrica - Newly qualified Gas Engineers and Apprenticeship roles

Exciting news; we have just begun a huge recruitment drive for newly qualified gas engineers and apprenticeship roles (Word Document attached).

NEWLY QUALIFIED ROUTE:

• You'll need current ACS accreditation (including CCN1, CENWAT or CEN1/WAT1, and CPA1)
• Must be able to demonstrate experience of working on your own doing servicing and/or repairing boilers
• A genuine passion for developing your trade, striving for a successful career & providing awesome customer service
• A full UK driving licence with 6 points or less
• Availability to attend training at our UK-wide academies, with provided accommodation and travel if needed.

NHS England: Talking Therapies Mental Health Support

Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help if you're struggling with things like feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS.

For more information click here

Army Benevolent Fund: Cateran Yomp - the Ultimate Charity Walk

 

                                          

For more information and to register for the walk, please visit:
https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/cateranyomp

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust are seeking a Project Coordinator

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is a grant making charity, which supports the Armed Forces Covenant by funding projects which address specific priorities. To find out more about our work and the organisation, please explore our website​

We’re seeking a Project Coordinator to support the strategic delivery of the successful Veterans’ Places, Pathways & People (VPPP) programme over the next 3 years.

To find out more click HERE

Applications should be submitted by 23 February 2024.

New Accommodation Offer Booklet - Version 2

Starting from 11 March 2024, the MOD will begin introducing a New Accommodation Offer for our Armed Forces. Some of the changes will happen immediately whilst others may only affect you when you are assigned to a new role or at the end of the three-year transition period.

The planned changes are intended to modernise accommodation entitlements, improve the standard of Single Living Accommodation, update the Overseas Accommodation Offer, increase support to homeowners and, overall, give you more of a say on how you choose to live.

To read the full booklet click here

Little Troopers free coastal adventure for military teens in May: Applications now open

The charity Little Troopers is hosting a free coastal adventure for up to 60 military teenagers from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May in Portland, Dorset.

Applications are now open for service families to apply for a place on the two-night residential weekend, which is open to teens aged 13-16 from all three services, including reservist families.

The weekend is an opportunity for the teens to turn their phones off, make new friends and get stuck into a jam-packed itinerary including scrambling, mackerel gutting, fire-building, kayaking, climbing, raft building, swimming and SUPing.

NHS England: Benefits of the NHS App

The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and information on your smartphone or tablet. Millions of people are already using the NHS App to manage their health the easy way from the comfort of their homes.

If you are over the age of 16 the NHS App enables you to view your GP health record to help you better understand and manage your condition, without having to phone your GP surgery. With the App you can access your consultation notes, letters and test results.

The NHS App also enables you to manage repeat prescriptions and easily change your nominated pharmacy, so you can send orders when it’s convenient for you. Each prescription ordered electronically saves GP practices three minutes of time and a patient 18 minutes, making it more convenient for people and freeing up frontline staff to do other important duties.

The App makes it easy to access your appointment information and manage your hospital appointments. You can also find out your NHS number and access NHS 111 online to get instant advice or medical help near you.

New and innovative features will continue to be developed for the NHS App to help patients access convenient and high-quality care when and where they need it.

Start using the App today. For more information, including how to download the NHS App, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/.

Children's Mental Health Week - 5-11 Feb 2024

All military children age 11+ have free access to Kooth.
Please click here to visit kooth.com/mod

FamCAS 2024 is now open, and we want to hear from you!

Completing the survey provides senior policy makers with invaluable information that facilitates policy change, in areas that matter most to the families and partners of Serving Personnel, so your opinion matters.

To check whether you have been invited to take part, please click here to access the Survey checker and follow the onscreen instructions. This works best in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge! If you haven’t been invited to take part this time, you will have the opportunity to leave a comment instead.

Alternatively, you can go straight to the survey, by clicking on the below link or scanning the QR code below and enter your Serving Partner’s Service number to get started! The survey is online only this year!

Click here for the FamCAS Survey 24
The closing date for FamCAS is 22nd April 2024. Thank you!

Which? Scam Warning on Safer Internet Day

SCAM WARNING These quizzes might seem like harmless fun but they could put you at risk of identity theft. You could be handing over a treasure trove of personal information to fraudsters.
​#SaferInternetDay

Quest Magazine February 2024

 To read the latest issue of Quest magazine click here

Family Action - Job Opportunity Alert

UK remote & community based, part time, office hours, school hours, evenings, weekends - YOUR choice! 

Are you looking for a role that fits around your existing commitments?
Do you hold a Level 4 Certificate in Education or similar, experienced with group work?

We're growing our team of Facilitators and this is PERFECT if you're looking for extra hours, returning to work after a career break, looking to side step into a different area from teaching, health, social or child care.

To read more about this rewarding role and to apply (scroll down to Parenting Programme Facilitators) – HERE

National Apprenticeship Week 5th-11th February

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2024 is the 17th annual celebration of apprenticeships.

The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity that they bring.

Learn more about apprenticeships programmes here

Victory Services Club: January Newsletter

To read the latest newsletter click here

For more information about the Victory Services Club, please visit:
https://www.vsc.co.uk/

Open Studio Thursday at JFCBS Arts & Crafts

 

International HIVE (iHIVE) - Launch of additional Overseas Location Guides (OLGs).

Further Overseas Location Guides (OLGs) have been added to the iHIVE Blog. Existing guides have also been updated.

The iHIVE Blog hosts worldwide location information, to enable Service personnel and their families to find out more about a potential or current overseas assignment.

Overseas Location Guides offer location specific information to give a brief insight into a location, with the facility to fine out more from iHIVE from questions you may have.

Additional Oversea Location Guides added include:
· Canberra
· Oman
· Saudi Arabia
· Kuala Lumpur

Contact Sarah at our iHIVE with any questions, or visit the iHIVE Blog and view the guides and range of information provided to support Serving Personnel and families worldwide.

For more information please visit: https://internationalhive.blogspot.com/

Support for Households - Cost of Living Support

See what support is available to help with the cost of living and save money with our energy saving tips at: 

https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/

 

Race Equality Week starts 5th February

Mission: To remove barriers and provide the solutions to tackle race inequality.

For more information please visit https://www.raceequalitymatters.com/

2024 Civilian Housing Briefs from Defence Transition Services

For 2024 Civilian Housing Briefs, click here

To register and provide your details please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing

Click the registration link for the briefing date you wish to attend.

In addition to delivering civilian housing briefs, Defence Transition Services (DTS) exists to provide information and support for those Service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the armed forces and adjust to civilian life. 

For more information please visit: 

https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families

Coming soon reminder: Easier registration and claims process for Wraparound Childcare

From 19 February 2024 the way that personnel register and claim WAC funding is changing. The process will be fully integrated in JPA and will be much simpler to use.

• Personnel that are currently registered will receive an email from the WAC team explaining what this means for them.
• Personnel that haven't yet registered but may be eligible should note that there will be a freeze to the registration process from 31 January 2024 until the switch over on 19 February 2024.
• Personnel that register between 19 February and 31 March 2024 will be able to backdate their registration to 1 February 2024, subject to eligibility.

Where can you find further information?​​

• Read the FAQs or visit the Defence Childcare Information Page on defnet or Defence Connect.
• Visit the Discover My Benefits Army, RAF, Navy or Marines webpage or contact the HIVEs, RN FPS and Families Federations information sites.
• Look out for more updates, on defnet and Defence Connect.

If you have any further questions you can email the WAC team at PEOPLE-AFFS-WAC-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk