DIO: Action Plan to tackle damp and mould

Investment and Action Plan to tackle damp and mould in Service Family Accommodation

Providing Service personnel and their families with safe, warm, dry, and compliant homes that are free of damp and mould is a critical priority for DIO. We fully acknowledge that not enough has been done in the past to ensure all homes are free of damp and mould and we are working hard to ensure all homes are to a standard that befits the many sacrifices Service personnel and their families make on behalf of the nation.

Over the years we have been working hard to improve homes. Last year we invested £123m to improve the quality of our homes in the UK and this year we are investing a further £143m. This will see significant improvements to around 45% of our homes, benefitting around 22,000 Service families.

However, we realise more needs to be done. DIO is therefore planning to invest £73m this year on replacement windows, doors, roofs and upgrades to thermal efficiency and ventilation to reduce the occurrence of damp and mould in homes.

We are also improving our process, through a Damp and Mould Action Plan, to provide a more proactive approach through earlier intervention and prevention. From April, there will be a dedicated hotline for families to report issues with damp and mould in their homes and we will communicate this new number to families as it goes live.

Together, these initiatives will make a big difference for thousands of military families.

Read more about the DIO Damp and Mould Action Plan here.

Blackpool: Free Event - Park run in Stanley Park - every Sunday

What is Blackpool parkrun?
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

When is it?
Every Saturday at 9:00am.

Where is it?
The event takes place at Stanley Park, West Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 9HQ. See Course page for more details.

What does it cost to join in?
Nothing - it's free! but please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time.

How fast do I have to be?
We all take part for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!

Blackpool parkrun needs you!
It is entirely organised by volunteers - email blackpool@parkrun.com to help.

We're friendly!
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Art Deco Café, Stanley Park - please come and join us!

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Preston: Free Event - Park run at Avenham and Miller Parks - Every Sunday

What is Preston parkrun?
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

When is it?
Every Saturday at 9:00am.

Where is it?
The event takes place at Avenham and Miller Parks. See Course page for more details.

What does it cost to join in?
Nothing - it's free! but please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time.

How fast do I have to be?
We all take part for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!

Preston parkrun needs you!
It is entirely organised by volunteers - email preston@parkrun.com to help.

We're friendly!
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at the Riverside Cafe - please come and join us.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Action For Happiness Calendars

 click image to enlarge

View website for Information: Action For Happiness

Wimbish: ESS Recruiting

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Northumberland: Mental Health Resources

 

Cheshire: Snowdrop Walks at Rode Hall, Congleton 5 Feb - 6 Mar

Rode Hall Gardens are the setting of one of the most spectacular displays of Snowdrops in the North West of England and Rode’s Snowdrop Walks have a strong and well respected reputation throughout the UK. With over seventy different varieties of snowdrops to be seen in the magnificent setting of Rode’s Humphry Repton landscape, this mile-long walk (approximately) is a perfect morning or afternoon stroll out in the fresh air for nature-lovers of all ages. The swathes of cascading white flowers at Rode are a sight to behold and one of Cheshire’s little known natural treasures.

Further details HERE

Domestic Abuse support: Aurora New Dawn

To visit the website please click here

Wimbish: Weekly Schedule

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Chester: Adult and Family Cycle Training for Cheshire West & Chester Residents

 

Get out and about on your bike to boost your mood and play your part to tackle the climate emergency, our Road Safety team has adult and family cycle training available to residents, more details here: http://cwac.co/36f0g

Blackpool: Free Event - Junior parkrun every Sunday in Anchorsholme Park

Anchorsholme Park, Anchorsholme Lane West

THORNTON-CLEVELEYS,Lancashire, FY5 1LY

 

Blackpool junior parkrun (no capitals) is held every Sunday at Anchorsholme Park and is a totally free event for runners aged between 4 and 14.
Parents or guardians are allowed to run with their children.

Anchorsholme Park is one of the first Parks in the world to build it's footpaths with parkrun in mind so the course has great undulation and the two laps starting and finishing in the ampitheatre measure a perfect junior parkrun course of 2KM's.

Children and their families are asked to arrive for around 8.50am in the Parks ampitheatre in the centre of the Park for a run briefing and warm up event. The run will start at 9am

All abilities are welcome, everyone wins in parkrun!

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Gloucestershire: Wellbeing support

With all the uncertainty around COVID-19, it is completely normal to feel worried about how it could affect your life. You are not alone in how you are feeling.

There are lots of steps you can take to help look after your well-being and the well-being of people around you. Make sure you get further support if you feel you need it.

Speak to your GP.

Telephone NHS Direct: 0845 4647 (24 hours) | Visit the NHS website.

The Samaritans – Offers a 24-hour helpline for those in crisis | Telephone the Gloucester Branch: 01452 306333 | Telephone the District Branch: 08457 909090 | Visit the Samaritans website.

Let’s Talk – Gloucestershire’s 2gether NHS Foundation Trust Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT)Service | Telephone: 0800 073 2200 | Visit the Talk2gether website.

Disaster Action –support and guidance to those people who are affected by disasters | Telephone: 01483 799 066 | Visit the Disaster Action website.

Cruse – bereavement care, offers advice and support throughout the UK. | Gloucestershire Branch telephone: 01242 252 518 (Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm) | Visit Cruse website.

Information provided by Chepstow HIVE

Kinloss Military Wives Choir

Open to all women with a Military connection.

Kinloss Military Wives Choir meet every Wednesday, at 7pm, childcare included, contact us for more details.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Advance to Justice - HM Prison and Probation Service

​If you're a service leaver or armed force veteran, you have a wide range of transferable skills that are a good match for prison officer roles. Available across 50 prisons, 'Advance into justice' is a bespoke recruitment scheme that provides an opportunity to fast-track into a second career where you can continue to protect the public

​More Information at: Advance to Justice​

Wimbish: Visit Essex

www.visitessex.com

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

New plans to boost veterans employment launched

Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan launches, including more than 60 commitments to help veterans with employment and healthcare.

www.gov.uk/government/new-plans-to-boost-veterans-employment-launched

NHS Invictus Games Online Sessions

 

Click on the image above to access the links to register

Chester: Could You Join a Council Reserve Workforce to Help Care for People in an Emergency?

 

Could you join a Council team of reserves to help care for people in their homes in an emergency? 

Find out more at http://cwac.co/Jbh5U

Recruit for Spouses team up with Google for online mentoring

Recently RFS partnered up with GoogleUk to bring a wealth of courses/mentoring, to the spouses and veterans within our military communities. 

If you are a spouse that is self employed, running your own business or interested in anything in social media then this would be a great opportunity.

This 1-to-1 tailored mentoring is free and all done digitally and at your own pace.

You'll be able to choose support from a range of topics such as how to build a digital marketing strategy, building or optimising your website, how to sell your products online, Google Analytics and much more!

Choose from a range of digital experts offering their expertise on a one-to-one basis.

To sign up to the Google Digital garage got to 👉 https://bit.ly/MentoringRfS

Wimbish: Station Notice

Please note that the pavilion/sports pitch will be OOB until further notice. 

Be careful when using the airfield as there will be construction traffic.

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Wimbish: Station Weekly Groups

Click here for more details.

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Wimbish: Carver / Thaxted Scouts : Volunteers needed

We’re looking for new leaders, helpers and new members to join our group.

Let’s help our future generation by giving them skills for life!

If you would like to join the team or know anyone who might like to please get in contact with us at 1st Thaxted - Carver Scout Group.  View our website for further information at

https://www.Thaxtedscouts.org.uk

We also currently don’t have a waiting list either at Carver!

Come along and join in the adventures!

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

New Government resource to help keep children safe from sexual abuse

It's estimated that one in ten children in England and Wales will experience sexual abuse before they turn sixteen. That's equivalent to three in every classroom. 

Most children won't tell anyone at the time of their abuse. That's why it's important for everyone to know how to spot the potential signs of child sexual abuse and where to go for support if concerned. 

The Government's new Stop Abuse Together website can help you learn to spot the signs, and have regular conversations with your child which can help keep them safe, and know when it's right to reach out for more support. 

If you feel something's not right, you can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. No matter what's happened, there's always someone who will listen to you and take what you say seriously. 

All children have a right to be safe from sexual abuse, and we all have a role to play in keeping them safe. 

Let's stop abuse together.​

Army Transition Information Sheets

INDIVIDUAL PLANNING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Our aim is to ensure that service leavers are given all the relevant information needed to make an informed choice allowing a smooth transition into civilian life.

Transition Individual Planning and Personal Development (IPPD) is the offer of support, advice and education that will increase personal knowledge and awareness and supports soldiers' personal development and long-term planning. It should be undertaken throughout your military career in order to enhance your professional portfolio and career prospects as well as prepare you for your inevitable transition to civilian life.

To support this there are a variety of free Transition Information Sheets that are available on the Army website and cover everything from securing accommodation, pensions, health and wellbeing to immigration information and managing personal finances.

To find out more 👉 Transition to civilian life | The British Army (mod.uk)

MoneyHelper For clear money help that’s on your side and free to use - impartial and backed by the government.

MoneyHelper is here to make your money and pension choices clearer. 

Here to cut through the complexity, explain what you need to do and how you can do it. 

Here to put you in control with impartial guidance that’s backed by government and to recommend further, trusted support if you need it.

For clear money help that’s on your side and free to use, just search for MoneyHelper.

MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help.

MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers:

* the Money Advice Service

* the Pensions Advisory Service

* Pension Wise

Children's Mental Health Week 7th-13th February 2022.

Some Free Resources for Children's mental health week are available at:

Children's Mental Health Week (childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk)

Mental Health Resources For Children and Young People | YoungMinds​

DOWNLOADS | CAMHS Resources (camhs-resources.co.uk)

Scottish Government - fire alarms in the home **Reminder**

The law on fire alarms is changing.

By February 2022 every home in Scotland needs to have interlinked fire alarms.

Find out more about the changes and what you need to do 👉 www.mygov.scot/firealarms

Chester: Learn on Skate at Blacon High School Gymnasium - Thursdays

You can join the Blacon Skate Facebook group by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/218091487051521/?ref=share

Weeton: Tumble Tots Session within the Fylde area

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Contracts

In-Service Date of the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Contracts

A message from DIO’s Head of Accommodation, Air Commodore James Savage 

We are currently preparing for the introduction of the new Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Accommodation contracts that will replace the National Housing Prime (NHP) contract and will fulfil the Defence requirement for the delivery of effective and responsive accommodation services for Service personnel and their families. More information about FDIS and the new suppliers can be found here.

The new contracts are due to come into service on 1 March 2022 and DIO and its partners have been working towards this date. However, a risk has emerged that some of the key IT systems on which FDIS would depend might not be ready to deploy on 1 March 2022.

Although this risk is not high, DIO and our suppliers are committed to putting the interests of Service families first and it is crucial that we get this right, because improving the lived experience for families is at the heart of the new contracts. Therefore, we are seeking formal approval to change the in-service date by a month to 1 April 2022, in order to ensure the new systems are fully ready.

Although the approval process will take a little time, we have agreed with Amey and MOD Head Office that we should extend the current National Housing Prime Contract to 31 March 2022 to ensure that we can continue to deliver services in the meantime. An early decision was necessary to ensure Amey could give its supply chain adequate notice. The proposed change to the in-service date of FDIS should then allow time to ensure all of the key systems are fully tested and proved prior to going live. We will provide a further update once the approvals process has completed.

Accommodation is such an important part of family life for Service personnel, which is why we collaborated closely with representatives of our people and their families to develop these contracts and ensure that their needs are fully considered. These new contracts offer the opportunity to break decisively from the past and to build on the commitments made by all suppliers to innovate and deliver more responsive and flexible services to the Armed Forces and their families.

The new contracts will require suppliers to work differently, such as fixing faults on an initial visit to a property and undertaking simple preventative maintenance while attending properties to reduce disruption to families.

I look forward to continuing working with Pinnacle, Vivo and Amey to transition smoothly from the NHP to the new FDIS contracts, and to ensure delivery performance is maintained. More details will become available as we approach the in-service date, with comprehensive guides to the new contracts to be issued to all families in SFA in good time before the contracts go live in April. Please do keep checking Gov.uk as all the latest SFA FDIS guidance is there, and we will be updating those pages as appropriate.

Wimbish: Saffron Walden County High School

www.swchs.net

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Chester: Can You Make Local Maternity Services Better at Countess of Chester (Cestrian Ward 32) - Feedback on Experience

The link to give feedback is here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdFQUCejHeDEm.../viewform or you can scan the QR code above. 

The Facebook page is here for this: https://m.facebook.com/chestermaternityvoices/
 

Wimbish: Costcutter @ The Redwing Opening Hours

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Hadleigh: Catch Up, Coffee & Craft Fun for military families

 

Wimbish: Afterschool session for CBW pupils at Wimbish Primary School

Afterschool session for CBW pupils at Wimbish Primary School

Would you be interested in an afterschool weekly play session for CBW pupils of Wimbish Primary?  Beth is our CDW and would facilitate this, in collaboration with Wimbish Primary.

The weekly session will run at the school 3-4 pm.  Interested?  Contact Beth with your interest 

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Young Scot: do you know about the other services Young Scot offers besides a Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC)?

You might know us from your Young Scot National Entitlement Card (also known as a Young Scot NEC). But did you know about all the other services Young Scot offers besides your NEC?

The Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) is free of charge to 11-26-year-olds living in Scotland.

From volunteering opportunities, to Young Scot Membership, discounts, rewards and information services - swipe to find out more!

Visit young.scot for more information on Young Scot's services

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Poppy Scotland: Fitness challenges and fundraising opportunities

If you're interested in signing up for the Loch Ness Marathon on 2nd October, we're offering a handful of discounted charity places. Email FundraiseForUs@Poppyscotland.org.uk for more info.
See you on the start line in October 🏃 🎽 

If you're looking for a fitness challenge that's kind on your knees, join us for the Kiltwalk 2022.

Chester: Lache Tots, Lache Community Centre, Thursdays 9.30-11am

 

Moray Sports Centre: take back time for you

Now the kids are back at school why not dedicate a little time to yourself?

In our January class timetable we have tried to add a variety of classes to hopefully fit it with that school drop off time, so once you have seen to the children you focus on you!

Members and non-members welcome

Call 01343 610670 to book

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

BFBS Launches New Radio Station ‘BFBS Best of British’

BFBS Launches New Radio Station ‘BFBS Best of British’

Today, BFBS launches its new Radio Station ‘BFBS Best of British’, available worldwide online, on the BFBS iPhone and Android app, and on your smart speaker.

Back in October BFBS gave its listeners the chance to vote for a brand-new station from one of the following options: Best of British, Chilled, Country, Gold – 70’s, Kids or Soul, or even suggest one themselves. Today, BFBS is pleased to announce that Best of British took the majority vote and is available to listen to now.

The station plays great non-stop music, from the very best British music has to offer through the decades, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Simon Monk, BFBS Deputy Director Radio & Live Events says: “At BFBS we don’t just want to make sure that we are bringing our listeners the best music – we want to make sure it’s the music they want to listen to. That’s why we’re so pleased to launch ‘BFBS Best of British’, giving them access to a station with music from a genre they have chosen all day, every day - and help them feel even more connected to home.”

Within its portfolio of stations BFBS also has BFBS Beats (the hottest dance and R&B tracks), BFBS Edge (the best new and classic rock and indie) and BFBS Rewind (great music from years gone by).

Chester: NW Panthers Netball Club

 

Netball Club based in Chester for ages 8 year to adults. Now has Saturday morning training available. 

https://www.nwpanthersnetball.com/

TogetherAll: Setting achievable New Year goals

 

New Year Goals & Pressures

New year, new stress? There can be a lot of pressure surrounding the start of a new year.

However, setting achievable goals can be a valuable step towards positive mental health.

@togetherall have shared their tips for setting achievable goals for the year ahead.

Togetherall is an anonymous online community to support your mental health, join today for

FREE HERE

There can be a lot of pressure surrounding the start of a new year. However, setting achievable goals can be a valuable step towards positive #mentalhealth. @togetherallUK share their goal setting tips  

Join Togetherall today togetherall.com armed forces

Action for Happiness Calendars

 

Action for Happiness

Connected Forces

 

Chester: Chester FC Goalkeeping Academy - Wednesdays 5-6pm & 6-7pm Ellesmere Port Sports Village

 

Chester FC Goalkeeping Academy provides small group coaching for ages 7 - 15 years.

They run two sessions at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday evenings at 5pm and 6pm.

You can register here: https://form.jotform.com/202732120927347

Scotland: Free bus travel for under 22's

👉Free Bus Travel for Under 22s👈

From the 31st of January 2022, everyone in Scotland aged 21 and under will qualify for free bus travel.

To receive free travel, you must have a Young Scot National Entitlement Card which will be scanned each time you board a bus.

🚌 PLEASE NOT THAT AN EXISTING YOUNG SCOT CARD WILL NOT WORK, SO YOU MUST APPLY FOR A NEW ONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 🚌

Please visit getyournec.scot for further information and to apply for your new card. Parent/guardians must apply on behalf of under 16s.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE