BFBS Big Salute Mile-a-thon

From BFBS:
We are running our 2024 charity fundraising challenge for the BFBS Big Salute which supports military charities. We are excited to invite you to participate in our upcoming Mile-a-thon to virtually run, walk, cycle, row, swim or something unique to you, for as many or as few miles you can contribute to help us collectively reach 7,635 miles - the distance from BFBS Brunei to BFBS Canada.

From Thursday 26th September to Thursday 3rd October, we’re asking serving personnel, veterans, school children, friends, families and listeners of BFBS to get involved and clock up the miles for a great cause.

How You Can Help:

Toddler and Infant Time at The Hub

On Thursday 26th September 11:30am-12:30pm there is Toddler and Infant Time at The Hub, open to all those with access to The Hub.

Please see the poster for details

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)?

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

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE - 319 - DWP Work Coach, High Riggs JCP (Edinburgh). Job Description Closing date: 25 Sept 2024

GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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.

NAAFI On-Line Shopping 2024

 Click image to enlarge.

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?

Pizza Party in the Brit Bar

It’s Pizza Party time

Join us in the Brit Bar for a pizza & pint (and cheesy music) with the British community on Thursday 26th September 1600-1900.

We will be catering to all dietary requirements, but please contact the hosts (our CLOs) directly if you have any specific allergies or intolerances.

Open to British Community only. Free event.

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.

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

 

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE-310 DWP Work Coach, Barnsley. Job Description here
Closing date: 23 Sept 2024

GFIE-335 Operational Officer, Companies House, Cardiff. Job Description here

Closing date: 15 Sept 2024

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 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

The Ninth International Veterans Day in Brunssum

On Saturday 21 September the ninth International Veterans Day Brunssum will be celebrated! With this invitation the organization welcomes you during this festive day on the Lindeplein in Brunssum.

This day will once again be dedicated to giving all veterans, national and international, young and old, the appreciation and recognition they deserve.

Due to the success of the past Veterans Days with more than 300 participants in the parade and approximately 2000 visitors, the organization would like to cordially invite you to celebrate International Veterans Day in Brunssum again.

During the whole day you can enjoy the various stalls, music, food and drinks. There are also activities for children and an exhibition and much more.

Visit the veteranenbrunssum.nl website for more details.

Autumn Equinox Walk

Join others for a walk through the beautiful BloteVoetenPark in Brunssum, on the 21st September 2024, to celebrate the equinox, when the day and night is in equal balance. You will be guided by a certified stress relief trainer, where after the walk you can sit around the campfire to share a drink and chat.

For more information and booking, see blotevoetenpark.nl

Civvy Street - Sept 2024 Edition

The September edition of Civvy Street is now available. Click here to read it.

Stoptober 2024: Get ready to stop smoking this Stoptober

Get ready to stop smoking this Stoptober

• Stop smoking for the 28 days of Stoptober and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.

• Over 2.5 million people have quit smoking with Stoptober – join thousands of other smokers committing to quit this October.

Women in Energy Join our FREE Seminar

Please see the poster here for details.

Please use this link to register with Eventbrite Women In Centrica Tickets, Mon, Sep 23, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Wraparound Childcare – families Q&A session with the WAC team 17th Sept

Do you have a WAC question? Ask the WAC team.
Have you registered for WAC but still have questions? Are you eligible but haven’t yet registered? Are you unsure of the registration and claims process?

The WAC team are here to answer your questions.
Tuesday 17 September 13:00-14:00

Book your space now, complete the MS Form to receive a link to the Q&A session

Family Q&A with the Wraparound Childcare Team (office.com)