Implementation of the settlement fee waiver

Following the joint announcement on 23 Feb by the Defence Secretary and the Home Secretary that the fee for Settlement (ILR/ILE) would be waived for eligible non-UK Service Personnel (SP) on discharge, the fee regulations have now been laid in Parliament and the waiver will come into effect on 6 April 2022.

To be eligible, non-UK SP applying on or after 6 Apr, must meet existing Home Office criteria and:
Have served for six years or more, or
Discharged with an illness or injury attributable to service – irrespective of length of service, or are a veteran currently living in the UK who has not regularised their immigration status following six years or more of service or were discharged with an illness or injury attributable to service.

A Defence Instruction or Notice (DIN) will follow.

SFA: Pinnacle Group working with DIO - here's how you can get in touch

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Scottish Veterans Commissioner's Third and Final Report

Commissioner calls for early implementation of the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan in his third and final report on getting transition right in Scotland

A report published by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner says that the healthcare needs of those transitioning from the armed forces must not be neglected as the NHS struggles to recover from the Pandemic. The report examines provision of healthcare for veterans in Scotland and makes four recommendations to enable a more seamless transition to the civilian world.

Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Col Charlie Wallace

'Today I launch the third and final report in my Positive Futures series, focused on getting health and wellbeing support right for Service leavers. 

Get more information including an overview of my findings and access to the report in full here: https://scottishveteranscommissioner

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Transport Secretary declares zero tolerance for phone use behind the wheel

​I​t is now illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving under virtually any circumstance including:
- Taking photos or videos
- Scrolling through stored apps or playlists
- Play stored mobile games

For more information, click here​.

Building Heroes: Looking for hard-working employees

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Building Heroes: Providing the blueprint for your career

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Be money-wise: Tips when considering using a property finding and purchase management company

The Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) Team has been made aware of a “Property Finding and Purchase Management” service on the market that can tie personnel into aggressive contracts, with the unfortunate consequence that some have fallen off the T&Cs. They’ve ended up paying out money they can’t afford for a “product/service” that ultimately isn’t delivered. Some terms are not compatible with Forces’ life, and more importantly sometimes the services just aren’t necessary in the UK.

Unfortunately, when an individual takes out a commercial agreement independently the MOD isn’t in a position to take on that person’s case and engage in contractual disputes, so it’s important that personnel are financially astute in order to avoid these situations in the first place. In particularly the vulnerable, such as the young and those for whom English is not the first language.

Key things to remember:

1. Read T&Cs and seek advice if unsure before signing: Anyone signing a commercial contract really needs to read and understand all the terms and conditions. Seek support/advice if the information is too difficult to understand and never feel pressed into signing – that’s usually a red flag.

2. Be informed: do you need this service? Is it regulated? Useful signposting can be found here for house-buying: https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/estate-agent.

And the Covenant Team signposts people to the impartial and useful MoneyHelper org: Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper

3. Check the credentials of a company: Pasting the AFC logo on a company’s website doesn’t automatically confer an alliance to the Armed Forces Community and its core values. Companies need to make profit at the end of the day, so be aware and do your checks on the community – don’t be sucked in by the marketing.

BFBS Audio - Accommodation News

The new FDIS Accommodation contracts will come into force on the 1st of April which will replace the current National Housing Prime (NHP) contract.

Improving the lived experience for Service Personnel and customer service are at the heart of the new FDIS Accommodation contracts.

Click on image below to listen to an audio of the radio trailer that is currently running until 4th April.

In addition, the link to the BFBS community info article is here: 

https://www.bfbs.com/community-info

Scottish Veterans Residences: Vacancies in Edinburgh and Dundee as of 28th March 2022

Scottish Veterans Residences is a charity formed in 1910 to support former members of the Armed Forces of all ages who are homeless, isolated or in need.

click on image above to read or print leaflet

Residences in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, click here for referral form.

Glasgow service is full and holding a waiting list

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Lichfield: Happy Feet - Buggy Walking Group in Lichfield

Information provided by Lichfield HIVE

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is delighted to announce three new funding programmes will open in Spring and Summer 2022.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is delighted to announce three new funding programmes which will open in Spring and Summer 2022.

All the three programmes have a focus on providing targeted support for veterans, Armed Forces families and serving personnel. This can be for new and additional support; or could build on work that organisations have already done.

https://covenantfund.org.uk/2022/03/21/new-funding-programmes-for-2022/​

 

Red Arrows Display 2022

Where will you watch the RAF Red Arrows display in 2022? A list of locations for this year’s UK shows by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team is now available here: ​​

https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/red-arrows/displays

 

Discover My Benefits

Discover My Benefits is an easy-to-use tool for those working in Defence, their families and anyone interested in joining. You can use it to find out what support and benefits are available to you as a service person or civil servant. Choose one of the options to start exploring your benefits.

Click HERE for more information

Brewers Fayre - 25% Discount

​Brewers Fayre are offering 25 % discount on food bills to emergency services crews, NHS workers, armed forces (serving and veterans) and social care worker. T&Cs aply. Link is www.brewersfayre.co.uk/en-gb/helping-our-heroes

Families First FDIS Commitment

 

Scottish Government: Is your home or business broadband speed less than 30 Megabits per second?

Is your home or business broadband speed less than 30 Megabits per second? You may be eligible for a £400 interim voucher to help meet the capital costs of a temporary solution.
The Scottish Government wants every home and business in Scotland - 100% (R100) to have access to superfast broadband - speeds of at least 30Mbps.
Check the status of your address in our online postcode checker.
Applications for Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) interim vouchers are being accepted until 31 March 2022. We strongly encourage anyone eligible, to apply as soon as possible.
You can apply for a single voucher (individual) or aggregate vouchers as a group (community).

Find out more at www.scotlandsuperfast.com

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Company Shop Group

 

Click HERE to find out more about free membership.

BFPO Stamp Price from 4 April 2022

 

For more information click HERE​

Edinburgh Garrison: The Page Turners, Wednesdays 7-8.30 pm

click on image to enlarge 

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

FDIS Accommodation Service

 

Chester: Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust - Do you Have a Child with Additional Needs?

 Information provided by Chester HIVE

Wraparound Childcare - Tax Free Childcare

Recent (2021) FAMCAS results show that 59% of Service families that use childcare do not make use of existing Government childcare initiatives that may help to save families money when accessing childcare.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have produced a document for Defence which explains one of these initiatives, Tax-Free Childcare (TFC). TFC accounts can be set up for your child and for every £8 that you place in the account HMRC will add an additional £2; this money has to be used on childcare. TFC accounts are necessary for participation in particular schemes and is encouraged for the Wraparound Childcare pilots.

The information pack contains all the useful information about TFC in one place, including links to their calculators to enable parents to work out whether they will be better off using a TFC account, and a handy myth buster section to answer some of the more frequently asked questions.

Do note though that it is not possible to have a TFC account and be part of a salary sacrifice scheme, so families currently using salary sacrifice schemes will need to carefully consider the benefits of both schemes before deciding which will be best for them. Once a salary sacrifice account has been closed it cannot be reopened and it is not possible to open a new salary sacrifice accounts.

Tax Free Childcare - How To Apply

Childcare for Service Children GOV.UK

Wimbish: Need Welfare? Please Ring First

In order to limit footfall, should you require your Welfare Department please telephone in the first instance.

Either Dept can help 

01223 203691 : 35 Engr Reg

01223 203698 : 33 Engr Reg

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust ‘Force For Change’ programme awards further £500k

 

The Trust is thrilled to announce the latest awards in the Trust’s Force for Change programme. Fifty-seven grants have been made, totalling just over £524,000. This means that the total awarded from the Covenant Fund, Force for Change programme, is a staggering £4million with a running total of 311 Force for Change grants awarded so far.

In this fifth round, grants were available of up to £10,000 for community projects. Each project had to show that they would reduce isolation and promote integration in local Armed Forces Communities. Programme applications were open to military units, charities, local authorities and schools. The overall aim of this funding, is to support post-Covid recovery in local Armed Forces communities.

Please click here for to read more information online.

Looking for your nearest NHS dentist? Dental Choices can help

 

Dental Choices is a website designed to make it easier for you to find and register with an NHS dentist.

Dental Choices aims to provide reliable information about dentistry to help you make informed decisions about your oral health and oral health care.

Search now to find an NHS dentist near you accepting new patients in England.

Leuchars: Have you ever wondered what's inside the Military Coworking Hub at Leuchars?

Ever wondered what the inside of one of our coworking hubs looks like? 

Then take a look at this short video filmed at Leuchars;

Leuchars Military Coworking Hub

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Wimbish: Cadets at Carver Barracks

If you want to aim higher, feel more confident and get a head start on your future join the Army Cadets. Every year thousands of young people and adult volunteers join the Army Cadets for fun, friendship, action and adventure.

If you're up for a challenge you'll go further with the Army Cadets.

The detachment, as well as Essex ACF as a whole is accepting new recruits from the ages of 12, as long as they are in year 8 at school and the upper age limit is 18.

Email Scott Melville Sergeant Instructor: 

Saffron Walden Detachment Commander

B (Essex Yeomanry) Company

Essex ACF

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Combat Stress self-help guides for Veterans

These self-help guides have been developed by the specialist mental health clinicians working at Combat Stress and in collaboration with Veterans.

The series has been specifically designed to provide guidance and support to former servicemen and women experiencing mental health issues. Simply visit the website and answer a few questions to enable Combat Stress to prioritise what self-help guides are best suited to your needs.

New arrangements to support SFA - Pinnacle website and social media now live

 

The National Accommodation Management Services (NAMS) contract will provide a single National Service Centre that families will use to access housing services, plus local Housing Officers who will supervise Move Ins and Move Outs and the management of individual patches.

This national contract has been awarded to Pinnacle, who are specialists in providing housing services to customers ranging from social housing to luxury flats. This is the first time the MOD has employed a housing specialist to deliver services to SFA.

Ahead of the contract start date on 1st April, the website went live last week and can be found at the following link: www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

Social media links are also now live:

Twitter @PinnacleSF
LinkedIn /Pinnacle-Service-Families
Facebook /PinnacleServiceFamilies

Children's Mental Health - Every Mind Matters

Looking after a child or young person's mental health
There are times when we all feel the strain.

As parents and carers, there are ways we can support children and young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy.​

​www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-health

Wimbish: Become a Volunteer Police Cadet

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Suffolk: Staying Safe Online

SSAFA Volunteer Roles

Local Armed Forces charity calls out for multiple volunteer rolesSSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is seeking dynamic and enthusiastic individuals to join their team and help support the local Armed Forces community.

SSAFA Gloucestershire is seeking volunteers to help provide vital support to members of the Armed Forces community by coordinating local services and events, as well as ensuring the overall smooth running of the branch.

These exciting volunteer roles include a Branch Secretary, Treasurer, and a Divisional Secretary who will be responsible for providing leadership to the branch and would suit people looking to make a difference in their local community. As well as having a willingness to learn, they must be aged over eighteen and be able to take ownership of their chosen roles.

These leadership roles ensure that the branch runs smoothly and adheres to SSAFA’s rules, regulations, and policies and, and that the branch is financially sound; equally they will be an ambassador for SSAFA. All backgrounds and experiences are welcomed, and a military background is not essential.

NHS COVID Armed Forces Update

Click on the image to read the latest NHS Covid Armed Forces Update

 

Re-importing goods to the UK (post EU Exit)

Pay less import duty and VAT when re-importing goods to the UK

You can claim a relief to pay less Customs Duty and VAT if you re-import goods to the UK.

Visit www.gov.uk/pay-less-import-duty-and-vat

Joining Forces Credit Union

 Click on the imge to view the full article.

To find out more visit www.joiningforcescu.co.uk/

Volunteer with SSAFA

 

To visit the SSAFA community volunteer website, click here