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

Defence launches the Families Hub – an information portal to help navigate Service family life

The Families Hub – which signposts to information, support and organisations to help navigate all stages of Service family life – has launched.

For the first time, Armed Forces families will be able to access a “one stop shop” digital platform – which signposts to a wealth of information, support and organisations – to help you navigate Service family life.

The Families Hub is for all Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) families and personnel – from the moment of entering the Forces, through to leaving.

Visit the Families Hub today and explore a range of topics, including partner support, housing, health and wellbeing, childcare and finance.

Families Hub – empowering you to make informed choices about Service life

Headspace App – Five FREE family & friends subscriptions available for Army Personnel and Army Civil Servants

Army personnel and Army civil servants are eligible to sign up to Headspace for free, and also to extend this free subscription offer to five friends and family.

To sign up, please go to https://work.headspace.com/britisharmy/member-enroll

Please use your @mod.gov.uk, @armymail.gov.uk or @csmail.mod.uk email address to verify your account when prompted.

Headspace says, “We make mental health support accessible to everyone, no matter their background or experience. Through our flagship Headspace app, we provide mindfulness tools for everyday life, including meditations, sleepcasts, mindful movement and focus exercises. Our enterprise offerings combine this experience with a human-centered model of care, with coaching, therapy, psychiatry and EAP services under one roof. Our team of experts ranges from mental health clinicians, to Emmy award-winning producers and data scientists, working together as one to help millions of people around the world be healthier and more productive.”

Service Leavers' Guide - latest edition

T​he updated version of the Service Leavers' Guide has now been published on Gov.UK.

Please click the link to read this edition online: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66eabc22ba4b4b3f9450167f/Service_Leavers_Guide_Sep_24.pdf

A Guide To Pre and Postnatal Care and Procedures JFCBS

A big thank-you to Nic Davies for creating a very helpful Pre and Postnatal guide. The guide covers Early pregnancy, allowances and registering children for the National Vaccination Programme.

View the Pre and Postnatal guide here.

Brunssum: Local Accommodation at The General Eisenhower Hotel

The General Eisenhower Hotel

Looking for accommodations for your new delegation members or visiting family? Look no further!

Welcome to The General Eisenhower Hotel, nestled within the JFC Conference Center. Our reasonably priced 20-room operation offers convenient access to both the JFC HQ and Brunssum City Center, all within walking distance.

Set in the picturesque Brunssumer Heide area of the Netherlands, our hotel is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Take leisurely walks, invigorating runs, or scenic bike rides right from our doorstep.

Experience comfort, convenience, and the beauty of nature all in one place at The General Eisenhower Hotel.

View more detail and book your stay here.

Defence Discount Service: Oakwood Solicitors

Oakwood Solicitors, in collaboration with FrontFoot.Life, is proud to provide expert legal support tailored to the Armed Forces community.

Offering a free initial consultation, their services include Will writing, Lasting Power of Attorney, employment law advice, and assistance with military injury and medical negligence claims.

Universal Credit for armed forces personnel posted overseas

Serving personnel and families are entitled to claim Universal Credit, regardless of their location. This means families stationed overseas can submit claims in the same way as those in the UK.

See Universal Credit for armed forces personnel posted overseas - GOV.UK for details.

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas launched 6th Jan 2025

Are you ready to register?

Great news for Service families assigned to locations within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision. WAC Overseas is now available to eligible families in these areas from today (6 January 2025).

What is Wraparound Childcare funding?

Financial Recognition and other restorative measures for LGBT veterans

Infomographic on admin discharge and rank restoration

Infographic on Financial Recognition scheme

For further information, please see the following links:

LGBT veterans: Support and next steps – This GOV.UK page has centralised information and signposting for pre-2000 LGBT veterans and pre-1967 LGBT veterans. It also contains support services for veterans and families.

Financial Recognition Scheme: GOV.UK page with information on how to apply, eligibility, scheme rules and FAQs.

New GOV.UK page about the Qualification of Administration Discharge and Rank Restoration, including FAQs, guidance about eligibility and applications, and public policy.
​Pre-1967 veterans: GOV.UK page about restorative measures and FAQs.