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December 20, 2024

Financial recognition and other restorative measures for LGBT veterans

 

For further information, please see the following links:
  • LGBT veterans: Support and next steps – This GOV.UK page has centralised information and signposting for pre-2000 LGBT veterans and pre-1967 LGBT veterans. It also contains support services for veterans and families.
  • Financial Recognition Scheme: GOV.UK page with information on how to apply, eligibility, scheme rules and FAQs.
  • New GOV.UK page about the Qualification of Administration Discharge and Rank Restoration, including FAQs, guidance about eligibility and applications, and public policy.
  • ​Pre-1967 veterans: GOV.UK page about restorative measures and FAQs.

December 19, 2024

Gloucestershire: Fix My Street

 

Please click here to visit the website

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Dorset: Kingston Maurward - Latest Job vacancies, education courses & free animal park/gardens



Click HERE for details of all latest vacancies and to apply.

Kingston Maurward is more than just a college. It is a college, a country estate, a dairy farm, a wedding venue, a conference centre, an arable farm, a tourist destination, a residential provider, the birthplace of Thomas Hardy and, most crucially, the only provider of land-based studies for 60 miles in any direction.

FREE admission to the animal park and gardens. Click HERE for more information. 

To find out about short courses, further education courses, higher education courses and apprenticeships at the college click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Dorset: South West Train services


For Train information, timetables, rail disruptions, planning your journey and purchasing tickets click HERE

For all UK Train Services and timetables click National Rail
Please check for updates prior travelling.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Buckie: Salvation Army Christmas Day dinner

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Christmas Day can be difficult for many different reasons - Buckie and Findochty Salvation Army are holding a community day. 

Come together in a safe, warm environment.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Northern Ireland: New Veterans Commissioner Announced

 
Information provided by Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioners Office

Information provided by HIVE NI

Scotland: Do something inspirational in 2025, do the Kiltwalk


Do something inspirational in 2025, do the Kiltwalk!

Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee & Edinburgh... what are you waiting for?
👉 buff.ly/3423r47

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

December 18, 2024

Lyneham: Tea & Toast for 8TrgBn Serving Personnel - Tuesdays 1000-1045, re-starting Tue 7 Jan

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Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Lyneham: Charity bingo nights at MOD Lyneham Community Centre - Jan-Apr '25


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Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant - 2024 annual report


The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report has been published today (18 Dec) and is available to read on Gov.uk at this link: Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2024 - GOV.UK​​

The annual reports set out major achievements of the armed forces covenant and highlight remaining challenges and new commitments.

Leuchars: Reporting Police Matters For Non-Serving Personnel


NOTICE from Leuchars Station

If a civil matter arises that requires a Police presence, please contact Police Scotland (999 in an emergency/101 for other related incidents). The Royal Military Police (RMP) have no jurisdiction to deal with any matters that relate to non-service personnel and as of Mar 25, the RMP will have no footprint at Leuchars Station, calls currently made to the RMP at Leuchars Station are forwarded to their HQ in Catterick who will continue to provide advice and support reference any concerns/queries you have.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Hereford: Wessington Wildcats Indoor Football for Girls


 Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Money & Pensions Advice Service guidance: Making the Most of your Money

Taking the time to manage your money can make a real difference.

Whatever stage of life you’re at – whether you’re saving into a pension for the first time, buying or renting a home, starting a family or planning to retire – there are always ways of making your money go further.

Find out more on the Money and Pensions Advice Service's Money Helper website at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en​ and you can download the leaflet HERE.

Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download.

Families First newsletter - issue 22

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Click to read this issue of Families First Newsletter (Issue 22) and previous issues: ​Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK​

December 17, 2024

Vale of Glamorgan: Childcare Offer for Wales


Are you the parent or carer of a pre-school child aged 3-4? Are you working or studying, and looking for help with your childcare costs?

If you are you may be eligible for the Childcare Offer, which provides eligible parents with up to 30 hours of funded early education and childcare per week.

Parents in receipt of certain benefits such as carers allowance, or those relating to incapacity for work may also be eligible*

Additional funding may also be available for children who require additional support to access their childcare setting**

For more information please contact the team on 03000 628628 or email childcareoffer@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

*terms and conditions apply
**subject to referral and eligibility assessment

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 17 Dec


Earlier today, a Written Ministerial Statement was published, announcing that the MOD has reached a formal agreement with Annington Property Ltd to repurchase more than 36,000 Service Family homes in England and Wales.  

This means that the homes that were previously privately owned will return to public ownership. This deal not only delivers long term value for money for the taxpayer but also means future improvements to the SFA estate will benefit Service families directly.

We hope this will be welcome news as DIO will now have the freedom to embark on a substantial programme of redevelopment and improvement of the estate.

While it is too early to discuss the specifics of future works, we will continue to update you through our Families First newsletter and our continuing series of SFA Roadshows in 2025.

​Full details of the announcement can be found here. We appreciate you may have questions and we will update you in due course with further information.

NHS Better Health: Make 2025 the year you quit smoking


  • Make 2025 the year you quit smoking for good. There’s lots of free support available to help you.
  • Join thousands of other people preparing to quit smoking this New Year.
  • Quitting smoking is best thing you can do for your health. Get ready to quit for good this New Year.
  • You’re far more likely to quit smoking successfully with the right support. Discover what’s available at NHS Better Health and prepare to quit for good this New Year.
  • Getting support from your local stop smoking service gives you the best chance of quitting smoking successfully. Visit NHS Better Health to find your nearest service and get ready to quit for good in 2025.

December 16, 2024

Aldershot: Mum to be swim - Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre


 Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Aldershot: What's on in Wellesley Woods

 


What’s On at Wellesley Woodlands

Highlights include:

Health Walks: Join us for a gentle stroll every Friday morning from 10-11am starting from different points each week. Enjoy the beauty and diversity in our woodlands with a small friendly group. Children & dogs on leads welcome.

Wellesley Woodlands Sensory Trail: The basic route with suggested sensory stopping points is live on Sensory walks in nature | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk) Further enhancements such as audio recordings and signage will follow as the project develops.

As with nature, we are constantly evolving. If you have any suggestions for events or activities, or you would like to volunteer within Wellesley Woodlands, please do contact us at Wellesleywoodlands@tcv.org.uk .

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Hampshire County Council money worries


Please click on the link below to access the HCC website that provides vital information for families who may be struggling due to the cost of living crisis with lots of useful links.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Domestic Abuse - Help is at hand

 


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HIVE also has an information sheet on Domestic Abuse support, which can be downloaded from the Information Sheets section of the Army HIVE UK Blog.

Fife: Do you need help with debt?

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Leuchars: Scots DG PRI Minibus

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Monmouthshire: Finding it difficult to pay your mortgage?


Finding it hard to make your mortgage payments?

The Help to Stay scheme might be able to help.

Check if you’re eligible and find out more

Get help paying your mortgage with a Help to Stay shared equity loan | GOV.WALES

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - Crime prevention campaign re-launched





Today (16 December), we have re-launched our dedicated campaign that sees us continue to tackle serious acquisitive crime across Staffordshire.

Serious acquisitive crime includes burglary, robbery and theft and our campaign will see our officers continue their efforts to protect the public from the devastating impact this type of crime has in our communities.

The campaign comes as residential burglary in six areas of Staffordshire have seen increases in the last 12 months. The Stoke-on-Trent south area has seen an 9.7 per cent increase, while the Staffordshire Moorlands has seen 153 reported burglaries up from 100, Stafford has seen an increase from 237 to 303 and Tamworth has seen an increase from 206 to 248.

“Although we tend to see an increase in these crimes over the winter period, unfortunately they still occur all year round – so we want to encourage people to remain vigilant, report anything suspicious, keep an eye out for each other and if something doesn’t feel right, let us know.”

For more crime prevention advice, visit: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

December 13, 2024

Gloucestershire: Support for the Armed Forces Community

 

Please click the following link to find out more about how the Armed Forces Covenant is implemented in Gloucestershire, as well details of the support available for the Armed Forces Community: The Armed Forces Covenant | Gloucestershire County Council

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

East Riding of Yorkshire: Bus No.41 replaces 121

 Information provided by Leconfield HIVE

Wiltshire: How and where you can apply for support from Household Support Fund 6


Wiltshire Council has confirmed that it will continue to work in partnership with a number of local organisations and internal departments to distribute the £2.7 million Household Support Fund 6 from UK Government. Information on how and where to apply is available on the following page of the Wiltshire Council website:


Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

South West: Credit advice from the Money & Pensions Service SW team

 

Credit can help you manage your money - whether you're looking to cover planned expenses or need to meet unexpected costs. The vast majority of us will use some form of credit at various points in life, but it's really important to use it in the right way. There are many different channels of credit, and they all have a similar purpose.

Click here to read more from the Money & Pensions Services South West team

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Wiltshire: Upcoming and ongoing free Multiply maths courses

 

Please click here to read this document in full online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE's

Wiltshire, Dorset & Somerset: Wessex Water community drop-in's

Please click here for further information including dates and timings

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - over £70K awarded to help mitigate the impact of separation for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £70,000 to five fantastic projects designed to mitigate the challenges posed by long or frequent involuntary separation on families, spouses, and serving personnel.

Lichfield: Subscription opens for collection of your garden waste in 2025



Garden waste collections will start back up again on your normal garden waste bin day after 27 January if you are subscribed to the service.

If you would like collections in 2025, please visit https://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/gardenwasteform

Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

Togetherall: New Year - resources and peer support


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Feeling uncertain about what’s ahead? You’re not alone. @Togetherall is here with free, anonymous peer support anytime you need it—24/7, all year round. There’s also a range of other self-help resources. Connect with others who understand at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces.

December 12, 2024

SSAFA Gurkha Services


SSAFA's Gurkha Services are available to all serving and veteran members of the Brigade of Gurkhas, and their families. They provide local SSAFA volunteers with up to date information, awareness and translation services, to ensure the Gurkha community have the same support opportunities as any other member of the Armed Forces community.

They work collaboratively with other Gurkha specific organizations such as the Gurkha Welfare Trust, the Gurkha Brigade Association, the Army Welfare Service, Gurkha communities and others.

Click here for further information

National Insurance Credits for Military Spouses during overseas postings


You may be able to get National Insurance credits if you’re married to or the civil partner of a member of the Armed Forces and you go with them on an overseas posting.

Credits can help to fill gaps in your National Insurance record, for example if you were not in work when you were with your partner on an overseas posting. Credits can make sure you qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension.

Fife: Our Fife help with the cost of living

If you’re feeling worried about debt or falling behind on bills, you are not alone. High costs of energy, food and fuel mean that many people are finding it impossible to keep up.

The Staying Safe and Keeping Well Booklet is designed to empower and educate, making it an invaluable tool for residents looking to enhance their wellbeing or who may need additional support over the festive period. Click on the image 👆 to read.

From emergency contacts to local community initiatives, take a moment to explore its pages and discover the wealth of resources available to support you
There’s lots of help available at our.fife.scot/gethelp/income, including a benefit checker to make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled too.

Citizens Advice & Rights Fife Money Advice team can also work with you to help you take control of your finances.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Scotland: Forces Children Scotland child friendly emotional cycle of deployment


Work started earlier this year with children and young people to co-create a child-friendly emotional cycle of deployment resource to explain the emotional cycle of deployment.

The children and young people have developed the visual of a rollercoaster to help explain their experiences of the different stages of the cycle.

The Deployment Rollercoaster can be accessed here:
https://forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/the-deployment-rollercoaster/

The Deployment Rollercoaster allows children, young people and adults to see that all emotions are valid and it ok to feel different emotions throughout the deployment cycle. The rollercoaster is supported by accessible resources for children, young people and parents to help support their child’s mental health and wellbeing at each stage of the ride.

We invite you to explore this online resource and let us know your thoughts and would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to talk or discuss opportunities to promote the use of this resource in your setting.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Long-Term Relationship couples and families posted Overseas

 

The Armed Forces Accommodation Policy Team is thrilled with the feedback from more than 50 service members taking part in the Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot in Cyprus. Since its launch in January 2024, the pilot has provided valuable insights and personal stories showing just how life-changing this initiative has been for participants. Due to its success, the pilot has been extended until March 2027.

To ensure families feel supported, a tailored allowance package is available for pilot participants. Since allowances depend on the assignment location and individual circumstances, service personnel are encouraged to check specifics for their country.

Updated Volumes 4 (Pilots) and 5 (Overseas Accommodation Policy) of JSP 464 (with country appendices and allowances) to clarify any queries will be published soon.

Furthermore, effective immediately the Pilot has been extended to BATUS and some GDN (Global Defence Network) sites.

For further information please contact people-accom-asc@mod.gov.uk

Salisbury Plain: Army Welfare Service community support team - QR Code


Scan the QR code to follow the Salisbury Plain Community Support team or click HERE  

PLEASE NOTE - QR codes should be scanned from non MOD personal devices only

Information provided by South West HIVE Hub

Tidworth: Home-Start North Wiltshire - Free Parent and Child Group - starts Friday 17th January to 11th April


Information provided by South West HIVE Hub 

December 11, 2024

Bet Blocker - block online gambling websites


BetBlocker is a free tool to help you control your gambling. Installation only takes two minutes and you can install it on as many devices as you like, enabling you to block over 86,300 gambling websites.