Wraparound Childcare (WAC) in the UK - further information

The UK roll-out of Wraparound Childcare (WAC) funding is great news for Service families with children!

See the latest article about it at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/military-families-to-benefit-from-3000-of-childcare-support

Service families can visit https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2022/07/wraparound-childcare-to-be-rolled-out.html to see important steps to take now before funding becomes available.

Personnel can also read the WAC DIN (2022DIN01-079) on internal channels for more information.

CILOCT (Contribution in Lieu of Council Tax) rebate - update

 

  Please click here for further information

NHS dental care updates

 

Patients across the country will soon benefit from improved access to dental care under changes recently announced by NHS England. New reforms include more dental therapists who will be able to accept patients for NHS treatments, freeing up dentists' time for urgent and complex cases. Further details can be found on the NHS England website.

In the meantime, the Forces Families Federations have a list of recommendations to help you find an NHS dentist.

You may also be able to find new local options on the Dental Choices website.

Wimbish: Mountfitchet Castle

Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village of 1066 

Mountfitchet Castle is a unique open-air museum experience where the visitor can travel back in time over 900 years and truly witness life in a medieval Motte and Bailey castle. 

Explore the Castle and roam through the Norman village hidden behind the castle walls, wander in and out of the many houses and view the scenes, smell the log fires burning and feel the ambience of a bygone lifestyle. 

Meet and hand feed the tame Fallow deer and other rescued animals that roam freely throughout the 10 acre site. 

Visit the only medieval Castle and Norman Village reconstructed on its original site to exist in the world. 

An all-weather, all-in-one heritage entertainment complex where prehistory, history and nostalgia combine to make one great full exciting day out for the whole family. 

A fantastic family day out for all ages.

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Colchester: Frinton Golf Club offering 50% Armed Forces discount

A valid MOD 90 ID Card must be shown to obtain the 50% discount.

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

Colchester: Colchester for Free

A list of great free events, activities and attractions in Colchester.

To find out more visit www.visitcolchester.com

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

Wimbish: Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service

More information can be found at their website essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Chester: One-to-one support to help people stop smoking in Cheshire West and Chester

Cheshire West and Chester Council and partner Brio Leisure have launched a stop smoking service open to anyone in the borough who needs support.

Further information can be found HERE

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Little Troopers - do you know all the things that we do to support you and your child?

 

Please click here for further information

Togetherall: Accessing a safe place to talk

 

It can be hard opening up about our mental health, especially with those closest to us. Togetherall offers an anonymous community of like-minded individuals where you can get (or give) support. This asset can be used to remind the UK military audience that Togetherall is available to them.​

​https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

Togetherall: Setting yourself up for Success

Sometimes we can all feel stuck, down or demotivated. Whether it's work, relationships or just everyday life itself, Togetherall have suggested some helpful techniques to manage these feelings and become more productive, motivated and happy. These assets showcase Togetherall's journaling and goal setting tool, as well as the self-help course: 'Improving your sleep'. 

https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

Service Families Accommodation: Updates on the accommodation contracts

 

For updates on the Accommodation contracts, please go to Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You can also subscribe to the page to see email updates.

Chester: The Sunday Badminton Group - The Cheshire Sports Club - Sunday Night 7-9pm

The Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas Newton Lane, Upton, Chester, CH2 1PR.

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Chester: Manchester Airport Runway Visitor Park

A great day out for all the family, the Runway Visitor Park is one of the North West's most popular outdoor attractions. Adjacent to the busy runways of Manchester Airport, the park’s raised viewing area means you can stand literally just a few metres away from the planes as they go past.

For further information or to book, please click HERE

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Colchester: Colchester Garrison Contact Houses

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

Wraparound childcare (WAC) to be rolled out across the UK

Great news for UK Service families with children!

Eligible personnel with children 4 to 11 years old can claim Wraparound Childcare funding from Autumn 2022. This includes up to 20 hours per week of before & after school care in the UK.

To read more click here.

Young Minds

Do you have a young person that struggles with mental health? Do you want to support them but unsure how? Young Minds is there for you, providing practical support and information together with a a helpline and web chat.  https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/#main-content

Wiltshire: Library activities in North Wiltshire

 

You can find details of locations, opening times, etc. on the Wiltshire Council website.

Details of the various groups can be found on the following Facebook pages (examples of groups included below) and please note that some are running through the Summer holidays:

Calne
Rhyme Time
RAF Association drop-in

Chippenham
Lego Club
Saturday Storytime
Craft & Chat

Corsham
Rhyme Time
Poetry, Tea & Chat

Malmesbury

Rhyme Time
Poetry, Tea & Chat

Royal Wootton Bassett
Rhyme Time
Reading groups

Wiltshire Council also run a mobile library service which visits many of the villages in the county, including Colerne, Neston, Hullavington & Stanton St Quintin.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Wattisham: Bulky items collection

Find out what bulky waste includes, how to get it collected by your local waste collection authority or find out how to re-use and recycle bulky items.

Bulky waste includes items such as discarded furniture, large appliances and plumbing fixtures.

 Bulky waste - Suffolk Recycling

Information provided by Wattisham HIVE

Wattisham: Scouts Needham Market

Are you looking for a space for your child at Beavers/Cubs/Scouts locally? 

Apply for a Place – Needham Scouts

Information provided by Wattisham HIVE

For updates on the MOD accommodation contracts

For updates on the Accommodation contracts, please go to Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Wimbish: Messy Play at Carver Barracks Community Centre

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Children's Commissioner - Resources for children and young people, back into school resources

The Children's Commissioner has posted some resources to support children and young people, useful to take a look at.  Find them here.

British Cycling free family events

Click here to read more

Health and Wellbeing - Message from Army's Senior Health Advisor

 

As many of you look forward to some well-earned summer leave, I wanted to take this opportunity to signpost the mental health & well-being resources and support over this period. Of note, focusing specifically on suicide trends, in addition to a well-known winter rise (in line with Defence and wider society) there is growing evidence of a secondary rise in the summer which is specific to the Army; sadly recent events reinforce this. No one in the Army family should feel alone and, no matter what the problem is, there is a wide range of support available. To assist all, support and/or advice available is summarised in one communication below:

Please click here for support and advice

Op-ed: A message to veterans' and their families

An opinion piece by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, published in The Express

We have committed to making the United Kingdom the best country in the world to be a veteran by 2028. Click here to read for support and advice

Wimbish: Carver Barracks Driving Experiences

Carver Barracks Circuit in Essex is one of the most well-known driving experience venues in the UK, hosting supercar driving experiences and track days. You can drive supercars like the Ferrari California around Carver Barracks for as little as £39. Book a Carver Barracks driving experience day or buy someone a gift voucher. Our calendar includes the UK's biggest range of dates for experience days at Carver Barracks driving centre. You can enjoy a three-mile blast or six-mile thrill in each car you book and enjoy a high-speed passenger ride with a professional driver. The circuit is located in the South East of England and full address details and directions can be seen at the foot of the page. 

Carver Barracks is the track in Essex : So in the doorstep!

Driving Exp/erience are also offering a year round 30% discount to the military 

(not to be used in conjunction with any other offer) 

See HIVE for discount code 

www.drivingexperience.com/driving-experience/supercar

Information provided by Wimbish HIVE

Colchester: Special collections of unwanted large household items

We will collect and dispose of your unwanted, large household items.  Click here for further details

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

The Armed Forces Trust: Transformational Grants

 

Read more here

Information provided by Sandhurst HIVE

Wattisham: Children's and teenagers' virtual Reading Club

Information Provided by Wattisham HIVE

Colchester: Banana Moon Day Nursery

5% discount for all Armed Forces Personnel.  A virtual tour of our setting is available on our website, www.bananamoon-colchester.co.uk

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

SSAFA

We are SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

​​​​​We have been s​​upporting the Armed Forces family for more than 135 years - and not just during times of conflict. We help those currently serving, veterans and their families to retain their independence and dignity.

Our services are diverse, and so are the people we help. With your help we can get them the support they need, whether practical, emotional or financial.

More information can be found HERE​​​​​

 

Colchester: Colchester SSAFA in service needs volunteers

Colchester SSAFA needs you!

Colchester SSAFA In Service Committee (ISC) needs suitable volunteers to take on key roles IOT maintain a functioning committee and continue to support local soldiers and families.

For more information or to apply please contact: 

Michele.Turner-Everett@Essex.ssafa.org.uk

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

Join the University Officers' Training Corps

Studying at university from this September? Join the University Officers' Training Corps to gain new skills, make friends for life, and have adventures.

More information can be found HERE

 

Colchester: Book a beach hut short break for disabled children in Essex

To hire one of the Short Breaks beach huts there is a daily charge of £5. 

Visit shortbreaks.essex.gov.uk for further information. Short Breaks Brochure

Please note the double hut is not available to book during the two days of the Clacton air show. As this is a hugely popular date and to maximise the use of the three huts, families will only be able to book a single hut.

The following huts have wheelchair access:
'Sandy Shores' in Walton
'Kite Tails' and 'Sand Pails' in Clacton
'Rock & Chips' in Clacton
'Happy Days' in Clacton

The huts have easy access to the beach and are close to Changing Places facilities. You can also make use of a Landeez all-terrain wheelchair. We will send you instructions on how to collect the wheelchair when your booking is confirmed. 

To register click here for short breaks.

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

Colchester: Recycling and rubbish collection dates

Find out what to put out on what day.  www.colchester.gov.uk

Information provided by Colchester HIVE

National Highways advice

With Summer holidays on us, don't forget to check your tyre pressure and get to your destination safely.

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/tyre-checks/​

 

Armed Forces Covenant: Force for Change programme awards

 

The Force for Change programme awards grants of up to £10,000 for community projects that reduce isolation and promote integration, supporting post-Covid recovery in local Armed Forces communities affected by isolation. Projects will need to make a real difference to Armed Forces communities locally.
This can include funding for pilot projects; or to try new ways of offering local support. It can also include projects that build on earlier work that you have done.
There are two deadlines during 2022/23:

For a decision in late October 2022, you will need to submit your application by 8 August 2022.
For a decision in late February 2023 you will need to submit your application by 14 November 2022.

Further information at https://covenantfund.org.uk/programme/force-for-change/
For information about the hundreds of grants that have been awarded to date see https://covenantfund.org.uk/force-for-change-awarded-grants/

Contribution in Lieu of Council Tax - REBATE FAQs

 

Click on the document above to read the FAQ's