Building Heroes - 2024 courses available for booking

 

Building Heroes are offering fully training in multi trades for Veterans, Service Leavers, Family members, Reservists and select places for those over 19 with a desire to access the industry.

Learners will gain a C&G Level 1 in multi trades, C&G Level 1 Health & Safety and CSCS card.

We have academies in both Watford and Wembley . As well as the qualifications being gained learners will be able to gain onsite work experience, training alongside ex military, direct employment into associated supply chains to the employer, and access to fully funded level 2 courses upon completion through the training provider.

Upcoming dates @ Wembley/Watford Academy:

• 08/01/24-09/02/24 spaces still available!
• 26/02/24-28/03/24
• 22/04/24-25/05/24
• 03/06/24-05/07/24

Please apply online @ www.buildingheroes.org.uk.

Please email Danielle (Academy Manager) with any enquiries daniellen@buildingheroes.org.uk or contact on 07436337415.

Scotland: Scottish Child Payment applications are now open for children aged under 16

Scottish Child Payment applications are now open for children aged under 16. 

You can apply for the payment of £100 every 4 weeks if you - get Universal Credit, tax credits or other qualifying benefits - have a child or children aged under 16.

If you already get Scottish Child Payment for your child under 6 then you do not need to reapply.

If you’ve older children you can add them to your existing Scottish Child Payment.

Find out more about Scottish Child Payment and other benefits you may be entitled to at 

How to apply - mygov.scot

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Lichfield: Subscription opens for collection of your garden waste in 2024

Residents in Lichfield District are invited to sign up or renew subscriptions to have their garden waste removed next year.

The service will provide up to 23 fortnightly collections between the end of January 2024 and mid-December 2024.

The charge is £40 regardless of when subscription commences but by signing up before the end of January residents will benefit from the maximum number of collections.

Green waste includes:grass cuttings
plants and weeds
flowers
prunings
hedge clippings
leaves and bark
pot plants
pond plants

Payment can be made by debit/credit card or by direct debit and residents will be sent a garden waste sticker to put on their garden waste bin and present with the stickered side facing the road on collection day.

To sign up for garden waste collection please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/mygardenbin or call the Tamworth and Lichfield Joint Waste Service on 0345 002 0022.

Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

DIO Families First newsletter - issue 11

 

Click here to read this latest issue online

Wiltshire: New 'All Together' pages provide one stop shop of family help and advice in Wiltshire

 

Children, young people and families can have access to a wide range of information, advice and support as a new online platform goes live this week.

All Together is a new set of pages which provide a one stop shop of information from a range of key partners so that children, young people and families, as well as those working with them, can quickly and easily access information about things to do, places to go and who to talk to if they need support.

The pages are a precursor to the Family Hubs model which will be rolled out across Wiltshire in April 2024 ensuring support and advice is available from 0 – 18 years and 0 – 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.

The pages will enable access to information on a range of topics including:

• Support for parents and carers including parenting tips and advice and financial support

• Information for families on events and activities in their local area

• Advice for young people on emotional wellbeing

• Support for those with Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE's

East Midlands: Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa - Military Discount on your Wedding

 Information provided by Central HIVE Hub (Lichfield)

Cottesmore: Rutland Hall military Discount on weddings

 

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Chatham: Peer Support Group for People Aged 17-25 Years

 

livewellkent.org.uk/

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

Argyll and Bute: Welcoming our Armed Forces - Argyll and Bute Council Education Service

A booklet has been released by the Argyll and Bute Council Education Service, with more than 40 pages of great information for families of Serving Personnel and Veterans in the Helensburgh and Lomond Areas.

To read the booklet click on the image above 👆

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Civilian housing - an update on the MOD Referral Scheme service

 

Last year, the services provided by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) were transferred to the Defence Transition Service (DTS), part of Defence Business Services (DBS), to deliver. This followed a review as part of the MOD’s ‘Strategy for Our Veterans’ to bring efficiency to the co-ordination and delivery of housing services.

The MOD Referral Scheme provided advice and guidance on accessing social housing and has now become part of the existing services provided by DTS and Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). This has been done to simplify and widen access and eligibility across serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families.

To refer someone for support or self-refer go to - Help for service leavers, service personnel and families from Defence Transition Services - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What is DTS?

The Defence Transition Services (DTS) team is the MOD’s tri-service focal point to provide service personnel and their dependants with civilian housing information for those wishing to move to civilian accommodation at any time in their career, and for those leaving service who require extra support with the transition to civilian life.

DTS, together with colleagues in the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) can provide advice and guidance to help individuals make informed choices on their civilian housing options as they transition out of the forces. For further information please visit: Information and guidance on civilian housing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Monmouthshire: Free Numeracy Courses

Double click image to enlarge.

Multiply is a new government-funded programme to help adults improve their numeracy skills. If you’re aged 19 and over and don’t have maths GCSE at grade C (or equivalent), you can access free numeracy courses through Multiply to build your confidence with numbers and even gain a qualification.

For more information visit the website by clicking here or contact Melissa on 07971651469.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

West Midlands: Wolverhampton Veterans encouraged to declare service to unlock benefits

More information HERE

Information provided by: Lichfield HIVE

 

Grantham: Place 2 Bee For Men

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Scotland: Drive to improve awareness of veterans’ health needs goes nationwide - Scottish Government

Veterans and armed forces families are set to benefit from more tailored healthcare under a new GP scheme focused on the specific health challenges they may face following military service.

The General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme is now open to GP surgeries across Scotland following a successful pilot.

The scheme provides easy access training materials for GPs to help increase understanding of veterans’ needs and the range of healthcare support that can be provided. The specific issues faced by veterans and Armed Forces families will also set out in clinical case studies to help improve understanding among GPs.

For more information 👉 New scheme to improve healthcare for veterans - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

ManKind Initiative ACORN Recovery Programme for male survivors of domestic abuse

 

ManKind are now accepting referrals for their next Armed Forces ACORN Recovery Programme course due to start early 2024.

ACORN is a 9 week online course that is delivered via Zoom for 90 minutes each week for male survivors of domestic abuse. The course is designed to help men recover from their experiences, understand the impact upon their children and work towards healthy and respectful relationships in the future.

Each course can take ten men and is free for them to attend because it is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for men who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces or veterans.

If you think you might benefit from this course please self-refer using the forms below or contact ManKind for more information - click here to visit their website

• ACORN Armed Forces referral pathway
• Acorn referral form
• DASH & SOAG template - MKI version
• ManKind Armed Forces leaflet

Bovington: Garrison medical facility family registration notice

Bovington Garrison Medical Practice is no longer taking family registrations

Spouses,partners and children of Service personnel are required to register with local NHS practices. 

The Wellbridge Practice Surgery

Wool
BH20 6DR
01929 462376

(New patient registration forms can be collected from Bovington HIVE) 

Bere Regis Surgery
Manor Farm Road
Bere Regis
BH20 7HB
01929 471268

Information provided by Bovington HIVE 

Lyneham: Yoga & Mindfulness for kids at Lyneham Church Hall

Click on poser to enlarge

Please contact Sonia for more details 

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Moray: M Connect bus service

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

DWP Conversational Platform

 

Conversational Platform is a new technology being introduced onto the Universal Credit telephony channel. From early December 2023 when customers call Universal Credit, their call may be routed through the new technology, whereby the DWP Virtual Agent will ask the customer why they are calling and will then tailor the response based on what the customer says.

Please click the image above for further details.

Kinloss: Bumps, Babies Toddlers at Cumming Hall

click on image to enlarge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

FAQ - Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy

 

FAQ's for Service Personnel regarding ARAP persons living in SFA

Vale of Glamorgan: Cost of Living Hub

We have a host of useful information in our online Cost Of Living Hub to help alleviate financial pressures:

Grants and benefits

Housing and energy

Help with food

Support for families

Health and wellbeing

Help with employment

To access the Vale of Glamorgan Cost of Living support and further information please click here.

Information provided by St Athan HIVE

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund

The Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund.

More information is available HERE.

Wales: Free Swimming in Wales for the Armed Forces

On Armed Forces Day, the Welsh Government has announced the continuation of the armed forces free swimming scheme.

The scheme enables serving members of the armed forces and veterans to swim for free at participating leisure centres and pools, using their defence privilege card.

The armed forces free swimming scheme (AFFS) was first introduced in 2016 and represents the continued commitment to provide the armed forces community with access to services which meet their specific needs and recognise the service they have given to their country. For more information please click here.

Information provided by St Athan HIVE

MOD bullying, harassment and discrimination helpline

 

You can also access support by visiting the Workplace Wellbeing Platform at MOD | (workplacewellbeing.com)

Winter preparedness announcement for SFA

Earlier this week, Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps outlined the steps being taken to ensure DIO and our suppliers are prepared to provide the right level of service for families over the colder months, recognising the challenges we faced last winter.

Full details of the announcement can be found here

Accommodation provided by MOD for ARAP Afghan families

 

Please click the letters below for further details:

Accommodation provided by MOD for ARAP Afghan families

Attached ARAP letter for Service families March 2023

DIO - Families First Newsletter issue 10

Issue 10 of the Families First newsletter was published on 31 October. You can find it on Defence Connect or GOV.uk It includes:

• Performance update on accommodation contracts
• Tackling Damp and Mould Programme in SFA – an update
• Winter safety guide
• Key dates to note
• Useful links

Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - 'PREVENT' campaign advice message

Prevent Radicalisation and Extremism by Acting Early

It can be hard to know what to do if you’re worried someone close is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead to them harming themselves or others. Working with other organisations, the police protect vulnerable people from being exploited by extremists through a Home Office programme called Prevent.

Act early and tell us your concerns in confidence. You won’t be wasting our time and you won’t ruin lives, but you might save them.

If you’re worried about someone, call the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764, in confidence, to share your concerns with our specially trained officers.

This support line is available every day 9:00am – 5:00pm. Calls outside of these hours will be transferred to specialist Counter Terrorism officers.

For more information please visit: ACT Early | Prevent radicalisation

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Kent & Medway: Safeguarding Adults Board

 

Have you heard of the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board? The KMSAB is a statutory service which exists to make sure that all member agencies are working together to help keep Kent and Medway's adults safe from harm and protect their rights. 

It is a statutory multi-agency partnership which assures that adult safeguarding arrangements in Kent and Medway are in place, and are effective. . 

The KMSAB consists of the following statutory agencies:

Medway Council
Kent County Council
Kent Police
Integrated Care Board

Find out more - https://orlo.uk/z57ks

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

Staffordshire: Armed Forces Community Network - Veteran Coffee & Support mornings - Every Wednesday at Stafford Leisure Centre

Information provided by Lichfield HIVE

 

NHS Armed Forces Health podcast

 

Welcome to the NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast, a six part series aims to help you, the Armed Forces Community, access the NHS services available.

This podcast is released on YouTube every Wednesday.

AWS Community Support Annual Report Summary 2023

Please click on the image above to read the AWS Community Support Annual Report Summary 2023

Exploring the employment experiences of Spouses/Partners of British Armed Forces Personnel

 

More information is available here or click here​ to access the survey

Chepstow: 'Campfire' Men's Group

Calling All Men 'Campfire' Men's Group @Basecamp taking place at The Green Room, Chepstow. For more information, enquiries or to sign up, email: bmountfordcounselling@gmail.com or telephone: 07436 018644.

Information provided by St Athan HIVE

 

Cottesmore: return of the rural coffee connect service to Rutland.

 

Click on Image to Enlarge

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

West Midlands: The Veterans Contact Point - The King's Award for Voluntary Service

Information provided by Lichfield HIVE

Veterans’ Foundation reopens applications for 2024 projects across UK

 

The Veterans’ Foundation provides grants to eligible organisations that provide assistance to Serving and former members of the Armed Forces community, operational qualified Seafarers and their immediate families.

To find out more information click HERE

Grantham: AWS Volunteers Needed

Volunteers needed for the clubs at PWG Bks.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Grantham: B.Hive Community Financial Wellbeing

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Leuchars: Ultrafast Boadband in your accommodation

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Moray: Directory of Services for Children with Disabilities in Moray

To access the Directory of Services for Children with Disabilities, this document is updated regularly please click on the image above 👆

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Moray: Citizens Advice Bureau Empower Project, cost of living assistance

click on image to enlarge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Leuchars: Station announcement for SFA residents

Leuchars Station Announcement

To All SFA Residents. If you reside in SFA, reporting processes for any tenancy and/or anti-social behaviour issues/concerns are:

Tenancy Issues. Pinnacle: https://www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/contact-us/

Anti-Social Behaviour. Police Scotland: https://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/



Information provided by Leuchars HIVE