Samaritans support for the military and Armed Forces Community

 

​Samaritans works with the Ministry of Defence and other charities to support Serving Personnel in the Armed Forces, Veterans and their families. This includes a Veterans app and an online chat facility for military community.

Find out more here

DIO Chief Executive Mike Green letter to Service Personnel and their families living in SFA

 

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Alternatively click here to view this letter as a PDF

Highlands: Winter ready quick guide

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Highlands: winter readiness briefing from the Highland Council

Click on image to read the briefing in full

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Scotland: Citizens Advice Bureau Money Map Tool

If you’re feeling lost about money in the run up to Christmas check our Money Map today 

https://moneymap.scot

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Colchester: Fenwick Colchester

10% discount offered off full price merchandise only.

Armed Forces with military ID, this may include MOD Personnel and Army Reserve showing valid ID.

It is recommended speaking with the concession in store to discuss before purchasing.

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

Health and Justice - Lived Experience Network – Independent Patient and Public Voice (PPV) members required for the National Health & Justice team, NHS England

 

We are looking to recruit individuals who have range of lived experience of the Criminal Justice System, for an exciting initiative.

We want to ensure that our independent network of specialist advisors, who inform the Health & Justice national team, on the different aspects of healthcare that make up our wide portfolio of services, is both diverse and inclusive.

The lived experience voice is key to everything we do, and we know that having a formal network of people dedicated to this collectively and individually will make a significant difference in enabling us to achieve our goals and improve services.

Please click here to find out more about this opportunity

NHS Armed Forces update

 

Please click here to read this latest update from NHS England

Millions encouraged to 'Get Around For £2' by bus from 1st January

 

Passengers are being encouraged to 'Get Around For £2' by bus from January to March next year, with bus operators launching a campaign to promote the government fare cap scheme today (19 December 2022).

The scheme will help families, commuters and other passengers save money this winter, backed by £60 million of government investment to cap single tickets at £2 from 1 January to 31 March 2023 across England, outside of London.

Update:  This discount has been extended to June 2023.

For further details of the scheme, including a list of operators taking part, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-encouraged-to-get-around-for-2-by-bus

Forces Help To Buy Scheme - here to stay from 1st January 2023

From 1 January 2023, The Forces Help To Buy Scheme will become an enduring policy, ensuring its availability to all Service Personnel now and in the future.

The scheme enables Service Personnel to borrow up to 50% of their salary, up to a maximum of £25,000 interest free towards the purchase of a property.

Click here to find out more about the scheme and how to apply

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence Myth #16

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Wraparound Childcare - Update

 

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Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence Myth #15

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EU Settlement Scheme Q&A

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Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence Myth #14

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Building Heroes: Update end 2022

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Asda extends its colleague discount and reinstates ‘Blue Light’ discount which includes Armed Forces

Asda has today confirmed it will waive the qualifying period for its colleague discount as well as reinstating its offer of 10% off in stores to Blue Light Card holders.

Following the announcement on Wednesday that UK inflation is now at 9%, Asda has taken further action to support its customers and colleagues in managing their household costs by offering extended discounts.

Click HERE for more information

FDIS update on SFA

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Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence Myth #13

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Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust ‘Force for Change Programme’ awards over £280,000 in latest round of awards

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Colchester: Find Your Active YouTube Weekly Timetable with Active Essex

Explore over 200 activities on our YouTube channel. It's all free, so why not give something new a try! Take a look at this weeks timetable where you will see the brand new videos!

www.activeessex.org/find-your-active/workout-channel 

Information provided by Colchester

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust awards over £2.5 million in first round of the Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme

 

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Wimbish: Discounted Gents Haircuts for MOD Personnel

Market Square, Saffron Walden

Information provided b y Wimbish HIVE

Wattisham: Suffolk Constabulary and Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse | Suffolk Constabulary

Information provided by Wattisham HIVE

Colchester: Veterans' weekly coffee morning every Thursday 10am - 12noon

To book your place contact Tim.Beighton@agewelleast.org.uk

Information provided by Colchester HIVE 

Colchester: Emergency Services discount at Braintree Outlet Village

Members of the UK military can enjoy additional discounts on their purchases at many brands at Braintree Village.

To redeem, present your physical ID at the till point in store. Terms and Conditions apply for each participating store, speak to staff for details.

For further info visit braintree-village.com/emergency-services-discounts

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

Fife: The Fife Council Armed Forces & Veterans Community Champion 1st Annual Report has been published

Fife Council Armed Forces & Veterans Community Champion 1st Annual Report can be read by clicking on the above image.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence Myth #12

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Chester: Warm Spaces - Chester

Here are some “Warm Spaces” locations in and around the Chester area where anyone can attend during these opening hours and will be offered a warm/welcoming and safe place this winter.

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Fife College, new prospectus for 2023/2024 out now!

Find everything you need to know about the extensive range of over 400 courses we have on offer to help you achieve your goals.

https://www.fife.ac.uk/fife-college-prospectus/

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Warm Welcome Spaces

There are over 3000 registered organisations that have opened or are opening up free, warm, welcoming spaces for the public over this winter across the UK.

Warm Welcome Spaces come in all different shapes and sizes, from a homework club in a local church on a Tuesday, to over an over 65s community centre drop-in on a Wednesday and library co-working desk open all weekend. People just need to enter their postcode and their requirements to find the right space for them.

 www.warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space

NHS Step-by-step guide for service leavers

Find information and support to help you move from military healthcare to civilian healthcare after leaving the armed forces.

Leaving the armed forces can be a daunting process to undertake. Understanding what options you have and what actions you can take will help make your transition from military healthcare to civilian healthcare as smooth as possible. 

Step-by-step guide for service leavers

Colchester: Heart2heart Balloons

Heart2heart Balloons Ltd Colchester are offering 10% discount to all military personnel and their families

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

Primary School Admissions 2023 - Overseas

The Education Advisory Team UK (EAT UK) is part of the MOD’s Defence Children Services (DCS). We are a tri-service organisation that provides information, advice and guidance on all educational matters in the UK.We are providing advice to parents about the admission process for applying for primary school places in the U.K for September 2023.

To read click here:

Chester: ForFutures - Homeless/Sleeping Rough

 

At forfutures, it’s our vision to help improve the lives of people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. To do this we support people into safe, secure housing and provide them with opportunities to build a more positive and sustainable future.

More information can be found HERE

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence Myth #8

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Primary School Admissions for 2023 - UK

The Education Advisory Team UK (EAT UK) is part of the MOD’s Defence Children Services (DCS). We are a tri-service organisation that provides information, advice and guidance on all educational matters in the UK.
We are providing advice to parents about the admission process for applying for primary school places in the U.K for September 2023.

To read more click here:

Chester: West Cheshire Foodbank

To find out more click: https://westcheshire.foodbank.org.uk/

Information provided by Chester HIVE

New stories added to Little Troopers Treasures: keeping forces families connected, even when miles apart

 

New stories added to Little Troopers Treasures: keeping forces families connected, even when miles apart.

Little Troopers Treasures

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence Myth #7

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Defence Accommodation Strategy Q&A Nov 22

DAS- Q&A Who does this apply to? The DAS applies to all Regular and Full Time Reserve Service (Full Commitment) personnel and their families and those undergoing training. The DAS will also be used by officials on how to allocate and utilise defence accommodation, and on the standards for that accommodation.

To read more:  DAS - Q&A 

Women's Aid: 16 Myths about Domestic Violence Myth #6

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Changes to Settlement fees for Non-UK Service Personnel

For more information click here ​or contact your local HIVE.

UK Government: Universal Credit easy read guides

These easy read guides explain what Universal Credit is and how you can apply for it 👉

Easy read: Universal Credit - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

UK Government - Dealing with Debt

Options for dealing with your debts

You’ll be asked questions about:how much you owe
your assets (such as property and possessions)
your income

If you need help managing your money you can get free debt advice or information from MoneyHelper.

Find out what options are available if you cannot pay your debts 👉https://www.gov.uk/pay-off-debts