FamCAS 25: Have you shared your views on Service family life? Time’s running out!

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) 2025 closes in 1 week! Don’t miss your opportunity to tell us what you think about Service family life.

Each year, Defence invites a random sample of Service partners to complete the Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS). This survey is your chance to tell us about your experiences and views in relation to various aspects of Service family life.

You can see if you are in this year’s sample, and can access the survey, by using the online tool. The survey closes on Monday 7 April 2025 at 23:59.

Why complete the survey?
Your feedback will help us to understand what Service life is like for your family, which will help us to make informed decisions on what changes to prioritise and develop policies to address your family’s challenges and needs. Whether it’s with childcare and children’s education, housing, deployment, or employment.

Who can complete the survey, and how?
To find out if you can take part in FamCAS 2025, please use the online eligibility tool. You will be asked to enter a token/access code, which is your partner’s Service number. This is needed for security reasons only. Please be assured that all survey responses are anonymous.
If eligible, the tool will direct you to the survey. We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

If you have any questions about this year's FamCAS, please email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk.

Information and support
Check out our new Families Hub, which signposts to support, guidance and organisations to help you navigate Service family life.

Visit Discover My Benefits to find out about the range of benefits, opportunities, and support for you and your family.

Serve & Protect Credit Union: April Update

Free financial webinars this April from Serve and Protect - don't miss out!

Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money

• Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
• Credit Score 101: Boost Your Score
• The Road to Financial Resilience
• Before You Borrow: Things to Know

Register here: https://sandpcu.co.uk/webinars

NEW Fixed Cash ISA

Recruit for Spouses: March Newsletter

The March newsletter from Recruit for Spouses is out now. To read this on line, please go to: recruit4spouses.cmail19.com/t/r-e-thfluid-nhlmhutrr-m/

SaluteMyJob: Pathways programme to enhance cyber leadership opportunities for veterans

SaluteMyJob expands their innovative pathways programme with exciting partnership with Ofsted-skills provider to enhance cyber leadership opportunities for veterans and police officers.

For a decade, social enterprise SaluteMyJob has been helping ex-military personnel upskill into areas with a notable cybersecurity skills gap, with many candidates going on to make their mark in multi-national companies. And now, an exciting partnership is set to fast-track more veterans and police officers into a career in cybersecurity with their Accelerated Cyber Leadership Pathway.

VE Day 80 – Hold a Brew and Bake for Combat Stress

This year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and Combat Stress would very much appreciate your help celebrating it with a Brew and Bake Coffee Morning - a great way to bring people together over coffee and cake while raising funds for veterans’ mental health.

The official Brew and Bake day is Thursday 8 May 2025 – VE Day, but events can be held on any date that suits. Every pound raised will help Combat Stress provide their life-changing mental health treatment to veterans today.

Find out more and sign up here to get sent a Fundraising Pack: https://events.combatstress.org.uk/event/brewandbake/home

CEP have published a new patient healthcare guide and video

Central European Practice (CEP) have published a new patient healthcare guide and video.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b6fd660495029f3e1c6a4a/Global_Support_Organisation_overseas_guides_Healthcare_Central_European_Practice.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vikFqkI5Ns

Please note one of the changes is to do with children’s vaccinations

Visa Fee Increase – 9th April 2025

Some Visa fees will be increasing from 9th April 2025; a full list of the increases can be found here.

A summary of the increases that may affect our Service Community are in the image below.

Aurora New Dawn: Armed Forces Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Stalking Helpline launches on 31 Mar

On 31st March 2025 @09:00 Aurora New Dawn are delighted to be launching the first helpline for Royal Naval, British Army, and Royal Air Force personnel and their family members who are victims and survivors of:

• Domestic abuse
• Sexual violence
• Stalking

Coverage is available for all UK forces personnel and their families including those deployed abroad. The service is independent, confidential, and free - with phone and WhatsApp functionality available.

Callers from outside of the UK may need to dial 00 44 333 091 2527

Department for Work & Pensions (DWP): Don't miss out on your State Pension entitlement

The 5th April 2025 deadline for paying voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill any gaps in your record between 2006 and 2018 is approaching. To support anyone wishing to check their records, or make a payment, there is now a DWP video and an online form to request a callback.
Watch the DWP video How to check your State Pension and pay for gaps in your National Insurance record on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_8GkTNgyXqs

DWP’s online form is available to request a call back at: https://ow.ly/oGbl50VarlC

JFCBS Wargaming Club

JFCBS Wargaming Club: Game nights are offered every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month in building 401 R2.38 at 19:00. 

Anyone ages 12+ is welcome to join for a time of board games, strategy, and storytelling.

To see all upcoming events, you can view their Facebook page here.

Resilience as a Competitive Advantage - Virtual event

 

Women in Defence Awards 2025 – Nominations now open, including new International category

The Women in Defence Awards 2025 are now open for nominations, until 2nd May 2025.

This year there is a new International category; the International Award is designed to recognise individual women or groups of women completing exceptional work in support of the defence of their own country. This award is open to individual women, groups or teams, as members of the Armed Forces, Civil or Public services, or those who work in Defence industries or associated bodies. Locally Employed Civilians (LECs) in overseas locations have been confirmed as eligible for this category.

Details of all categories and how to nominate can be found at: Women in Defence UK | Awards 2025 Criteria

Aurora New Dawn - Armed Forces Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Stalking Helpline launches on Mon 31 Mar.

On 31st March 2025 @ 09:00 Aurora New Dawn are delighted to be launching the first helpline for Royal Naval, British Army, and Royal Air Force personnel and their family members who are victims and survivors of:
Domestic abuse
Sexual violence
Stalking

Coverage is available for all UK forces personnel and their families including those deployed abroad. The service is independent, confidential, and free - with phone and WhatsApp functionality available.

Please note callers from outside of the UK may need to dial 00 44 333 091 2527

National Memorial Arboretum - Talent in the Ranks Artist Development Programme 2025.

Please click image to enlarge

For more information please email: Rasmith@thenma.org.uk

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) communications update - 12 March 25

HCDC Update

Last month, the House of Commons Defence Committee (HCDC) published its report following an inquiry into Service accommodation that took place last year.  This outlined a number of recommendations made by the Committee that we have considered carefully.

HCDC has now published our response to the report which outlines the steps we are taking to improve our service to you.

DIO remains committed to improving the quality of housing for you and your families and we will continue to work closely with our suppliers to deliver against the actions outlined.


Radio Teleswitch (RTS) electricity meters

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Service Women: Seen & Heard programme

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust rece
ntly announced over £700K to support projects that provide targeted support for serving women through their Service Women: Seen & Heard programme.

Find out how these projects will work to empower both regular and reserve service women, helping them to make informed decisions and access vital resources to improve health and wellbeing.

From sailing to Service dogs - over £850,000 awarded to improve the quality of life for Veterans negatively impacted by their Service

 From sailing to service dogs: over £850,000 awarded to improve the quality of life for veterans negatively impacted by their service

Breaking down barriers; building bridges; addressing trauma. The Armed Forces Covenant Trust’s (the Trust) Fulfilling Futures programme has supported six outstanding projects totalling more than £850,000 to improve the lives of veterans negatively impacted by their service.

Support to lead fulfilling lives
Each project represents new, tailored work to support groups of veterans including those with physical injuries, those who have experienced military sexual trauma, those living with PTSD and other complex mental health issues, LGBT+ veterans and women veterans. Though each tackles a different cohort, each aims to mitigate the effects of the barriers preventing them from having a fulfilling life after service.

Reducing isolation and building connections
Working UK-wide, British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA) will use their award of £300,000 to deliver a new, three-year therapeutic wellness programme supporting limbless and injured veterans. They’ll offer activities and coaching/mentoring opportunities aimed at breaking down barriers and helping individuals progress positively through their recovery.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - watch recording of recent Lunch and Learn webinar about the Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme

 

Want to find out more about the Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme? Watch a recording of our recent Lunch & Learn webinar on our website now at https://covenantfund.org.uk/programme/empowering-bereaved-military-families-programme/#webinar-for-applicants

This programme offers a single portfolio grant of up to £1.8 million, to achieve long term, transformational change in the non-statutory support provided to bereaved military families.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 12 noon, 2 April 2025.

Quest Magazine – March Edition Out Now

To view the Quest newsletter please go to: March Quest Magazine is Out Now.

Army&You Magazine – Spring Edition Out Now!

Read Army&You magazine online here: https://tinyurl.com/3e4vv2kb

Dept for Work & Pensions: Roundup of recent DWP announcements

Changes to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay
The Government has announced changes to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay which will benefit more than one million employees across the UK as part of efforts to grow the economy.

Through the Employment Rights Bill, Government is strengthening Statutory Sick pay by removing the Lower Earnings Limit so that the safety net of sick pay is available to those who need it most. We are also removing the Waiting Period so that Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day of sickness absence.

AFF Independent School Fees Survey – closes 16 March

The Army Families Federation have deployed a survey which aims to measure the financial impact to families after the implementation of the policy introducing 20% VAT on independent school fees. If your family is utilising independent education, whether claiming CEA or not, they would very much appreciate you completing the survey at the link below.

Please note that the survey is due to close on 16 March 2025.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V3NQR3J

Op ASCEND – Careers After Service

Op ASCEND is a free, government-backed service to support veterans in growing their careers.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking employment or an employer looking to attract skilled veterans to your workforce, find out what signing up to the Op ASCEND service can do for you.

For more information visit: https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk

Welpen International - Dutch Girl Scouts

 

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Latest round of grants under The Armed Forces Families Fund - Early Years Programme

The Early Years programme is back for 2025 and we’re excited to share that applications are now open!

Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3), The Early Years Programme will award grants between £5,000 and £80,000 towards projects that enable early childhood education and childcare settings to meet specific needs of young service children.

What’s the programme all about?

Serve and Protect Credit Union - March update

 

Free financial webinars this March from Serve and Protect - don't miss out!

• Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money
• Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
• Credit Score 101: Boost Your Score
• Before You Borrow: Things to Know

Register here: https://sandpcu.co.uk/webinars

Mindfulness can be a simple and effective tool to live in the moment and reduce financial stress.

Discover how to navigate your financial journey with clarity in Episode 10 of the Smile and Save Podcast.

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 is open!

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 – which hears from Service spouses and civil partners about their views on Service family life – is now open!

Take part in this year’s tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) and help Defence to understand your experiences and thoughts across a broad range of areas. Your feedback will help Defence to make changes and develop policies to better meet your needs.

The survey invites a random sample of civil partners and spouses of regular serving personnel to take part. To see if you’ve been invited to complete the survey, and to access the survey, please check the online eligibility tool.

How to protect yourself from loan sharks

How to protect yourself from loan sharks
A loan shark – or illegal money lender - is someone who lends money illegally without proper authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

That means if you borrow from them, they don’t have to follow the rules – they can decide how much you pay back and when.

These criminals are not always easy to spot - they can be a friend, a fellow service member, even a senior officer.

Whoever they are, they will usually appear as a friendly face, offering you a favour. They may tell you that what they are offering is nothing more than peer-to-peer lending and their offer may seem hard to resist.

Swimming Lessons for kids at JFC Brunssum

Swimschool Aqua Zuyd is thrilled to announce exclusive swimming lessons for NATO children at the JFC Brunssum pool starting from 1st April 2025! Whether your little ones are new to the water or ready to perfect their strokes, this program is designed to make every splash count. 

Why Choose Swimschool Aqua Zuyd?

Expert instructors focused on building water confidence and respect. Lessons follow the esteemed Dutch swimming ABC, ensuring a structured and effective learning experience.

From water safety basics to advanced techniques, we start lessons for children at the age of 4.

Questions and Contact details

If you have any questions or want to register your child for swimming lessons then please email: info@swimschool-aquazuyd.com or visit the website: swimschool-aquazuyd.com.

Grab those goggles and join in for a summer of fun, learning, and confidence-building in the pool!