Veterans Railcard

  

Don't forget, if you're heading out and about over the festive season, you can get 1/3 of rail travel with the Veterans Railcard. Get yours today. https://www.veterans-railcard.co.uk/

The Railcard can be used to get discounts on rail travel in England, Wales and Scotland.

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall becomes Patron of BFBS

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall becomes Patron of BFBS, the military charity and media organisation that entertains, informs, connects and champions the UK armed forces family.

The charity’s services are widely considered a “home-from-home” lifeline for members of the armed forces serving their country overseas.

Wattisham: Community Update

 

Information provided by Wattisham HIVE

SCiP Alliance announce the new Connected Forces Online Community for 16-19 year olds from military families

 

Are you 16-19 and have parents/carers who are Serving in the Armed Forces? You could join a new safe and supportive online community.

Please see the above poster for details or register your interest on the website here.

Have you been affected by crime? Sign up to My Support Space, the free online resource from Victim Support

My Support Space is an online resource designed by the independent charity Victim Support to help you manage the impact that crime has had on you.

You can work through a series of interactive guides which address your specific needs. The guides are designed to be completed in your own time and at your own pace. You can save your progress and revisit where you left off at any time.

There's also information about where and how you can access further support, and the opportunity to register with SilverCloud, an online therapy system.

My Support Space is also available for those supporting someone after they’ve experienced crime or trauma, for example friends, family members, colleagues or neighbours.

Building Resilience With Military Families - virtual programme from Bounce Forward

 

Building Resilience With Military Families has been designed to support armed forces families to develop the skills, knowledge and strategies drawn from the science of resilience. The programme of six 1-hour sessions is for parents to learn about the science behind emotional resilience.

The programme builds session on session to walk you through how to build you own resilience and help you raise resilient children. The programme is facilitated as a virtual on-line course and is fully funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

Visit the Bounce Forward website for details of available sessions.

Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Annual Report 2021

The Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Annual Report 2021 was laid before Parliament on Tuesday 15th December and published on the Gov.uk website.

The report sets out major achievements of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Strategy for our Veterans, and highlights remaining challenges and new commitments.

Op COURAGE - The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

 

For an interactive version of this map, or just to enlarge it, please click the image above

Scotland: Breathing Space

Mental wellbeing of people in Scotland

click on image to enlarge

Our advisors provide listening, information and advice for people in Scotland feeling low, stressed or anxious.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Domestic Abuse - Practical tips for survivor safety

Aurora New Dawn, who currently provide advocacy support to the Army, provide some tips in this document regarding things to consider as part of a 'safety plan'.

click on image to read document in full

Domestic abuse - Signposting to areas to seek further support

There are many organisations that specialise in supporting those who are or have been in an abusive relationship.

 Attached is a leaflet from ManKind who specialise in male support as well as links to other organisations that specialise in supporting those from specific communities; abuse is experienced differently by every individual survivor although some communities may experience very particular forms of abuse. 

Regardless of any personal characteristic – there are no excuses for domestic abuse.

click on image to download or read leaflet in full

Support services - Galop the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity - Galop

Ashiana Sheffield | Get Help and SupportAshiana Sheffield

Stay Safe East | Stay Safe East – Tel or SMS/Text: 07865 340 122 (staysafe-east.org.uk)

Overview - Nepali Domestic And Sexual Abuse Project - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Domestic Abuse - Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) info

Understanding different types of support available: SARCs can be accessed by anyone who is a victim/survivor of sexual assault or abuse.

However, the NHS notes that awareness that these services exist is still low and they are keen to increase that awareness across the population. 

This document contains information about what a SARC is, what you can expect when you attend a SARC, and links to further information.​

click on image above to read document and follow links

Domestic Abuse - Survivor Stories: Parenting and children

Supporting parents who have a child with an abusive partner: The 16 days of action campaign team have been supported by real survivors of domestic abuse from within Defence to help spread awareness that this is something that affects our people, and to champion their voices in sharing their experiences so that people can understand through this first-hand insight.

This story focuses on the issues that may occur post-separation and shines a light on the complexities that being a parent, together with an abusive partner, can add to an already complex situation. ​

click on image to read story in full

Wimbish: Wethersfield Drop-In Clinic

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Highland Council: Military Liaison Group (MLG) Armed Forces Quick Access

The Highland Council Military Liaison Group have produced a quick access form to help with the transition of schools/education for Armed Forces families moving into the Highlands.

To access the form and use the links, please click on the above image.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

The Army is becoming a Tobacco Free Working Environment (TFWE)

click on image above 👆 to read TFWE Q&A brief

By the end of 2022 the Army is becoming a Tobacco Free Working Environment (TFWE).

The first phase of the programme launched in Oct 21 and will see all 1* and above HQs become TFWE by the end of this year. The next phase will see the main body of the Army become TFWE Jan – Mar 22.

There are, of course, exemptions for married accommodation and SLA, but any family member going onto the Army estate will have to comply with this requirement.

Please see the Q&A by clicking on image above.

Domestic abuse - Understanding prevalence and trends

Domestic abuse affected an estimated 2.3 million people in the UK in the last 12 months. This is not an insignificant number or small issue, the statistics indicate that 21 in every 100 adults have experienced at least one form of domestic abuse since the age of 16 – that's 1 in 5.

The ONS publishes statistics every year on prevalence, why not take a moment to read some of the findings.

Often people don't even think that it is abuse that is happening to them; take a look at these statistics from the ONS regarding whether people perceived what was happening to them as domestic abuse or a crime.

Domestic Abuse - Understanding coercive and controlling behaviour

The 16 days of action campaign team have been supported by real survivors of domestic abuse from within Defence to help spread awareness that this is something that affects our people, and to champion their voices in sharing their experiences so that people can understand through this first-hand insight.

This story focuses on the non-physical side of abuse and captures much of what is meant by these less talked about, but no less serious, aspects of perpetrator behaviour.

Click on image to read story

Domestic Abuse - Understanding the warning signs of and abusive relationship

The 16 days of action campaign team have been supported by real survivors of domestic abuse from within Defence to help spread awareness that this is something that affects our people, and to champion their voices in sharing their experiences so that people can understand through this first-hand insight. 

This account focuses on some of the tell-tale signs of an abusive relationship and how a series of small little things, when added together, start to build a broader story of a ‘pattern’ of abusive behaviours.

Recognising the Signs of Domestic Abuse

* Jealousy

* Possessiveness

* Unpredictability

* A bad temper

* Cruelty to animals

* Verbal abuse

* Controlling behaviour

Scotland: Scottish Women's Aid

Women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse should be able to access specialist support wherever and whenever they want it.

Join our call for change here: http://change.org/SWASaferScotland

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Updated MOD policy on Safeguarding

The policy regarding Safeguarding within the MOD has recently been updated. The latest version of JSP 834 can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-jsp-834

Chester: Grosvenor Park Tree Trail

Grosvenor Park is home to 688 trees ranging from 5 years to 150 years old which together create the park’s natural beauty and tranquillity.

Navigate your way around the park, using our self-guided tree trail below, to discover key features and the origins and history of 15 of our most-loved ornamental specimens.

Download the trail map and activity map HERE

Wimbish: Breakfast Club at Debden Primary Academy

Breakfast club is now up and running! 

Please visit Neil O'Sullivan Sports to book your child in.

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Scotland: GALOP

Experiencing anti-LGBT+ hate in any form can have a huge impact, and we're proud to be able to support all LGBT+ people in having a safe space to talk and discuss your experiences.
We're stronger when we stand together in solidarity with each other, and we know that the difficulties of the past year in lockdown have made us all more aware of how important community and solidarity is.

Let's continue to empower each other and fight for a safe, just and fair world for all LGBT+ people.