Veterans Gateway Website to retire 30 September

The Veterans Gateway website will retire on 30 September.

Find guidance for veterans and their families: www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-support-for-veterans-and-their-families

Search for veteran support services: www.gov.uk/support-for-veterans

Non-UK Nationals: Settlement fees waived for bereaved partners facing destitution

A news article was published recently on Gov.uk, highlighting that people dealing with the death of their partner and facing financial hardship will soon be able to apply to have the application fee for settlement waived.​ The implementation date in the article is 9 Oct 24.

This update applies equally to the Armed Forces community including veterans: "Bereaved partners of members of HM Armed Forces, Gurkhas or Hong Kong military unit veterans (discharged before 1 July 1997) may also benefit from this fee waiver.​"

To read the article in full, please go to: Settlement fees waived for bereaved partners facing destitution - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Army HIVE's Non-UK National team can be contacted for further information via this email address: rc-pers-hive-nonuknat-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New Trust funding programme dedicated to supporting specific communities of Veterans

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are proud to introduce the Fulfilling Futures Programme, part of our ongoing rollout of Covenant Fund programme launches.

Based on feedback from the Trust’s consultation findings, this programme has been designed to fund projects to improve the quality of life for Veterans who have experienced significant, negative impact which is evidenced to be related to their experience during Service.

What is the Fulfilling Futures programme all about?

MWA Vacancy: Pool Life Guard Positions

JFCBS Swimming Pool Life Guard Vacancy Notification.

As a JFC Pool Lifeguard, you will enjoy flexible hours, free certification training and access to MWA activities.

Please see the Morale and Welfare Activites (MWA) website for more information on the role and how you can apply.

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.

AGAI 50 and and the Guide for Non-UK Nationals and Unit Support - Updated and Re-published

Both AGAI 50 and the Guide for Non-UK Nationals and Unit Support have been republished. The AGAI may be found here, while the Guide is available on both the Personal Services SharePoint site and Defence Connect. The SharePoint site also contains copies of the unit letters featured in the AGAI and Guide and a version of the PowerPoint presentation for annual briefings. Click here to view the poster.

​Please note that these links are only accessible via MODnet/Defence Gateway. Please contact HIVE if assistance is required.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: News Update

Please see the link below for new updates on how you can catch up on the recent Covenant Fund Webinar if you missed it, and also their launch of three new Covenant Fund programmes - read the full details here on Supporting Serving Families Overseas, Family Focus and Fulfilling Futures.

Visa and Immigration changes for non-UK nationals

Visa and Immigration changes for non-UK nationals

If you or your family hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) which expires on 31 December 2024, you will need to replace it by registering for a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

UKVI will be contacting customers by email to advise them to register for a UKVI account, but you do not need to wait to be contacted to take action. If you or family members have changed your email address since your last application for leave, or used someone else’s email address, you may not receive this email, but you can still register for an account.

What is a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)?

Help your child’s school to access Service Pupil Premium funding

 

Help your child’s school to qualify for the Service Pupil Premium by informing them of your Service status by 3 October 2024.

State schools, academies and free schools in England, which have children of Service families in the school years from Reception to Year 11, can receive Service Pupil Premium (SPP) funding.

The Department for Education (DfE) provides extra funding – £340 per pupil – to help schools to support Service children. It is for the school to decide how the money is spent, but support is often provided through pastoral support and can help to mitigate the impact of family mobility or parental deployment. The funding can be used for individual pupils or added to larger support projects.

Service parents are encouraged to inform schools of their Service status ahead of the autumn census deadline of 3 October 2024. You can do this by talking to the headteacher or school administration staff. Without this information, schools will miss out on this additional funding.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - new Trust funding programme to support family members of Serving Personnel and Veterans who are wounded, sick or injured

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are proud to introduce the Family Focus Programme, part of our ongoing rollout of Covenant Fund programme launches.

Based on feedback from the Trust’s consultation findings, this programme has been designed to fund projects that explore and pilot solutions for family members-both collectively and as individuals- of wounded, injured, and sick, serving personnel and Veterans.

What is the Family Focus programme all about?
The Trust ran a public consultation in 2023, which identified that one of the key areas to focus on was ‘supporting those in need of special consideration.’ This programme is dedicated to supporting family members who care for serving personnel and Veterans who are wounded, injured or sick. It aims to address their needs beyond their roles as carers and consider the wellbeing of the whole family unit, enhancing quality of life. The consultation findings are available to read on The Trust website.

The Business Launch Accelerator Course from the Milspo® Network: Empowering Military Spouses to Thrive

The life of a military spouse and partner is full of unique challenges – from frequent moves to deployments and unpredictable schedules. But amidst these challenges, a desire to build a business and pursue financial independence often burns brightly. The Milspo® Network recognises this and has created the solution: The Business Launch Accelerator Course.

This comprehensive 8-week online programme is specifically designed for military spouses, partners, and other-halves eager to start and grow a business.

Why choose The Business Launch Accelerator Course?

World Suicide Prevention Day - 10 Sep - Army Resources

We all have a role to play in suicide prevention.

​If someone you care about doesn't seem like themselves, check in and let them know you are there to support.

Starting a conversation can mean so much and that conversation can start 'with a brew'.

Army - ask for help webpage

Always time for a brew QR code

Zero Suicide Alliance 20 minute training aims to teach the skills and confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation.

Understanding the impact of Government school fees policy for SP with children using private schools

 

In light of the introduction of a governmental policy which will charge VAT on private and independent schools in the UK from 1 January 2025, the Army Personnel Policy team are keen to understand the impact of this change on Service Personnel and their families. 

The British Army recognises the unique circumstances faced by our serving personnel and that frequent mobility can disrupt children’s education. The Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) helps by providing the children of serving personnel with a stable education that wouldn’t otherwise be available in the state-maintained school sector. The Army are working closely with the Army Families Federation (AFF) to better understand the full impact of the removal of the VAT exemption on independent schools from 1 January 2025.

Co-ordinated School Admissions (England)

What is co-ordinated admissions?
This advice applies if you have a child starting primary school (Yr R) or secondary school (Yr 7) in England for the first time (please note some LAs have a middle school point of entry also).

Applications for school places at these points are run on a national co-ordinated scheme. All admission authorities work to the same dates and timescales which are set in the School Admissions Code.

You can find all the information here.

the Supporting Serving Families Overseas programme

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has launched Supporting Serving Families Overseas Programme under the Covenant Fund exciting three-year Funding Framework.

The Supporting Serving Families Overseas programme is now open for applications for grants of between £3,000 and £20,000, for projects that aim to assist serving families stationed at overseas bases and defence locations, focusing on addressing and recognising wellbeing issues faced by partners, children and young people during overseas posting.

What is the Supporting Serving Families Overseas programme all about?

NHS Step into Health: Upcoming Webinars

 

Through Step into Health, members of the Armed Forces community can connect to NHS organisations to set up training opportunities, clinical and general work placements, insight days and receive application support. The programme provides a dedicated pathway into a career in the NHS. To find out more about Step into Health, please visit: https://www.militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk/

Chaplaincy updates

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

Togetherall: Behind the Smile

Free mental health support for the British Military, Veterans & Family.

Togetherall is a 24/7 community of ordinary people, moderated by clinical professionals, where people can get (or give) the mental health support they need.

Find out more about Togetherall