HIVE in action!

Grantham HIVE is feeling very proud to have recently participated in a successful Veterans & Families event, organised by Veterans Support Service CIC.

The engagement work on helping to set this up on our HISO (Cheryl’s) behalf, meant that attendees got to meet and gain advice from a wide range of support agencies. The DWP Armed Forces Champion was in attendance, as well as the local RBL and Women’s section contacts, plus also Connect to Support Lincolnshire.

Please get in touch with us if you would like any further info on the services provided by these agencies – Grantham HIVE’s email address is rc-pers-hive-grantham-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk or please visit our webpage on the Army website for other HIVE details at: www.army.mod.uk/hives

Wiltshire: Explore Wiltshire past and present via the new app

 

Now it’s summer, it’s a great time to get out and explore your local market town or city, and find out about Wiltshire’s hidden history along the way with our new ‘Explore Wiltshire’ app. It features trails that all the family and visitors can enjoy, and information about historical landmarks, cultural sites and significant events that have helped to shape Wiltshire’s landscape.

The free, easy to use location-aware app includes an introduction from Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology and a popular member of the former Channel 4 Time Team programme, with historic photos, engravings and information from the archives of the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.

So what are you waiting for - download and get exploring now!

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Catterick: ABF Catterick Race Day 8th Aug

Information provided by Catterick HIVE Hub

 

Chatham: Sensory & Messy Play Sessions at Nucleus Arts in Chatham High Street, every Thursday Morning

 

Book your FREE space at the Mini Nucleus sensory and messy play sessions with Nucleus Arts 

Mini Nucleus is every Thursday 10am-12pm at the Nucleus Arts Centre in Chatham.

This session is suitable for children 0-4 years.

To book onto a sesison please use this link: https://www.nucleusarts.com/store-2

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

Kent & Medway: Bird Flu Warning

 

Everyone should still remain vigilant of bird flu and report signs of the disease in captive birds or wild birds if you’re out and about in the countryside or coast.

kent.gov.uk/birdflu

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

Northern Ireland: Glenariff Nature Reserve & Waterfalls

From Glenariff Forest Park follow the way marked trail (Waterfall Walk) down the steps, along the boardwalks through Glenariff Nature Reserve. Walk through the river gorge and past spectacular waterfalls. Damp conditions ideal for ferns, mosses and liverworts with several rare species present. For more information on walks in NI please click here

Information provided by NI HIVE

Stafford: Girlguiding spaces available in units in the Coton District

 

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Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Stafford: Girlguiding needs volunteers

 

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Information Provided by Stafford HIVE

Stafford: Rainbows-Brownies-Girl Guides

 

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Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Colchester: Patient Access at Colchester Medical Centre is changing with the transition to Virtual Sick Parade: 31 July

Link to eConsult: colchestergroup.webgp.com/

Information provided by: Lichfield HIVE

 

Midlothian: Centrica Customer Service Advisor vacancy

Hybrid Working – Mixture of Home and Office.

Training - 6 weeks hybrid Home and Office based training (8.45am-5.00pm) Please make sure this fits in with any pre-booked time off you may have and your commute is manageable.

Hours - Monday to Friday, range of shifts between 8am - 6pm

Salary - £24,945 + up to 16% quarterly bonus & Benefits

British Gas Energy Team – Full Time Permanent

Start Date September 2023

You’ll be working as a Customer Resolution Agent British Gas Business Call Centre, supporting, and resolving customer enquiries who are running their businesses. Naturally you should and have fantastic communication skills both written and verbal. We use Voice, Chat and Text to communicate so you’ll need to be familiar with these. This department is fast paced, and at times can be high pressure. Your resilience, agility and ownership skills are key to this role.

For further information or to apply go to 👉 https://www.centrica.com/job

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Edinburgh: Centrica Customer Service Advisor vacancy

Customer Resolution Advisor This is a permanent full-time position (37 hours per week)

Location - We’re looking for people who can work from home and commute to the Edinburgh office when required. Currently, we ask you to come into the office a minimum of once a month, and your leader will let you know any additional occasions you’re required to come into the office which is likely to happen.

Start date - Various Start Dates Ending November 2023

Salary £24,945 per annum+ annual bonus of up to 16% (paid quarterly)

For further details and to apply go to 👉 https://www.centrica.com/job

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Grantham: Bransby Horses

Bransby Horses, free parking and entrance! A great day out for the family! Bransby Horses

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Grantham: South Kesteven District Council - information on operated car parks

What you need to know for car parking in the SKDC operated car parks, plus online car parking fees@ southkesteven.gov.uk parkopedia.co.uk

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Grantham: On camp 2 X AED'S to save lives. In the event of a heart attack/cardiac arrest

Can be accessed by untrained personnel as automated. Located at Guardroom & Gymnasium.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

The Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans

 

On 2 March 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) jointly commissioned an Independent Review of UK Government welfare services for veterans. The review was to investigate the role, scope and breadth of UK Government welfare provision for veterans, including by the MOD under the Veterans UK banner.​

The review can be read HERE​

Regional Command (HIVE & Family Support) Non-UK National Support

 

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Grantham: Grantham Library opening times

 For more information click here:

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) - Veterans' Adjustment Passports

 

New Adjustments Passports will support hundreds of sick and disabled Armed Forces leavers’ to start and stay in work, delivering on a key Government priority to remove barriers to the labour market and grow the economy.

The scheme, announced by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday 11 July, will help those leaving service with an injury, disability or health condition move more smoothly into employment.

Find out more HERE​

Grantham: Fairy Dell, free fun water splash activity

Check out Fairy Dell if in Skegness. A free fun activity for the children and water splash!

Chester: Mentell in Chester - Hoole Community Centre - Bi-weekly Monday 7-9pm

Mentell provide circles for men aged 18+ to talk in a safe and confidential space, free from advice and judgement, have a look at their website for more information: https://mentell.org.uk

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Grantham: Lincolnshire Rape Crisis

 

A specialist support group for survivor's of sexual violence: Lincolnshire Rape Crisis

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Gloji Energy - Want to find out more with One You Lincolnshire?

One You Lincolnshire are offering a FREE 12-week child and family programme. Providing the children with fun and engaging activities, discussing nutrition, movement, sleep and mind. Find out more at: oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Kidas: Domestic Abuse Support in Kent

 

Did you know, that domestic abuse isn't always physical? Online abuse is growing - learn more and how you can stay safe when reaching out for help >> https://bit.ly/36b3uaH

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

Stafford: volunteers urgently needed for community coffee morning in the MOD Community Centre

 

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Open University - opening access to higher education for the Armed Forces and Open Learn FREE courses for all

The Open University (OU) are proud of their relationship with the Armed Forces and more than 1,500 Service Personnel and their dependents are currently taking advantage of OU career and personal development opportunities available for the defence community.​

To find out more about this and the FREE learning ​(Open Learn) ​courses that are available for everyone, please CLICK HERE​

Wiltshire: Wiltshire Parent Carer Council

 

Founded in 2008, the WPCC is an independent organisation which is managed and run by parent carers, for parent carers. We strongly believe that our children and young people should have:

• The same opportunities as their brothers, sisters and peers
• Fair access to the support they need to live their lives
• Families who feel supported in their caring roles

We have a membership in excess of 3000 parent carers across Wiltshire whose children range in age (0-25yrs) and in the type of special educational needs and/or disabilities they have. These include mental health, physical, sensory, learning,communication, challenging behaviour, autistic spectrum disorders and health conditions that require complex care.

Highlights on their website include:

Interactive signposting chart (as seen above)

Summer 2023 activities in Bradford On Avon for children with SEN

Information about the new Special Educational Needs Disability Information Advice & Support Service in Wiltshire

Regular events for parents & carers as well as children & young people

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVE

Swindon: The Big Adventure Club - nursery, morning, after school and holiday care

The Big Adventure Club has been established for over thirty years and has a strong team of experienced, qualified childcare professionals that aim to provide a comprehensive and personalised provision for each and every child.

Click HERE for further information

Information provided by Lyneham & Colerne HIVE

Grantham: Free adult learning courses

grantham.ac.uk/adult-learning

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Grantham: Are you ready for a new challenge?

For more information and to apply online: apply-call-firefighter

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

North Yorkshire: Summer Reading Challenge 2023

Will you be taking part this year? Just visit one of our libraries from the 15th July to get signed up! 

As well as the reading challenge, we have a really exciting calendar of events running over the summer too! Keep your eyes peeled on our socials for more information, or head to our website for the full schedule of events. 

Information provided by Catterick HIVE Hub

Chester: SPACE Wellbeing Support App for SPACE Families - for Parents/Carers of Children with Additional Needs

SPACE have teamed up with REST EASY to bring you an App designed for parents and carers of children with additional needs, to support the whole families mental health. 

Sign up today using the QR Code below or by following this link: https://airtable.com/shroUmrPcFsCOXBzz.

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Chester: Cheshire West & Chester Council - Weekly Wellbeing Walks - FREE - All Welcome

Join a wellbeing walk taking place near you. 

To find out more visit  http://cwac.co/OiSFS

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Defence Children's Services - Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK)

 

Please click the image above to view this useful leaflet online

Alternatively please click here to visit the Defence Children's Services website

Lancashire: - Armed Forces Covenant Guide 2023/24

To view the electronic version of this guide please click HERE 

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Blind Veterans UK July update

 

Please click the image above to read this month's update

Office For Veterans' Affairs have launched Op FORTITUDE for homeless Veterans

 

From today, vulnerable Veterans across the country will have access to Op FORTITUDE, a new dedicated referral pathway for homeless Veterans, including those sleeping on the streets.​

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and the organisations working with them are encouraged to contact the Op FORTITUDE hotline on 0800 952 0774 or through a secure web portal at riv.org.uk/opfortitude.​

Find out more HERE

Grantham: Lincolnshire Children's Centres Best Start - Lincolnshire BME Inclusion Service

Working with BME families, supporting parents and their children's integration within the community and helping them in accessing local services. For more detailed information email:

pabced@pablanguages.co.uk

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Grantham: Lincolnshire Mental Health Adviser Helpline

www.lpft.nhs.uk

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

People given even more time to pay National Insurance contributions towards their State Pension

 

The Government has extended the voluntary National Insurance (NI) contributions deadline to 5 April 2025, to give people even more time to fill gaps in their NI record and help increase the amount they receive in State Pension when they retire. The deadline was previously July 2023.

Extending the voluntary NI contributions deadline for another two years also means people have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them.

As part of the transition to the new State Pension, people have been able to pay these contributions to make up any incomplete years between April 2006 and April 2016. Some of the people likely to be affected include those who may have been unemployed during this period, off work because of caring responsibilities or living abroad*.

Further information and guidance are available on GOV.UK.

*This includes those posted overseas; Service spouses can apply for NI credits for periods 1975 onwards where they accompanied their serving partner overseas. For full details and the application forms please see National Insurance credits for partners of armed forces personnel overseas - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)