Families First newsletter - issue 20

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This and previous issues can also be found online at Families First - Issue 20

Elgin: Moray Council Libraries and Information Services Silent Book Walk Wednesdays

Our Silent Book Group is back!

Come to the library on Wednesday 23rd October from 10:00am and chat with Living Streets about how 'A Wee Walk Works Wonders' - learn how short walks in our beautiful local community can be so beneficial for our mental & physical health and our environment, and how you can get started!

Then meet us outside Elgin Library at 11:00am for our popular Silent Book Group. We go for a walk while all individually listening to the same audiobook. We stop for coffee and cake halfway through at Grampian Furnishings, and talk about what we have heard so far. Then we will walk back along the River Lossie to finish, hopefully around 1:30-2:00pm, and see how many of us will continue listening!

For more information 👉 Silent Book Walk from Elgin Library | Moray Libraries

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Moray: Starting Friday 1st November - Moray Wellbeing Hub Weekly drop-in every Friday 12 noon to 2pm

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A new weekly, drop-in space for anyone looking for support with their wellbeing EVERY FRIDAY from 12 noon until 2pm at Foggies Bar in Elgin.

No need to book, just drop by and a Champion from Moray Wellbeing Hub will be there for support. 

We can look at specific things together or just listen to you, whatever feels right in that moment. 

We can also support with digital tools for wellbeing.

There will be free tea and coffee and a cosy space to connect with another human!

We'll be set up in the booths and the address of Foggies is Munro Pl, Elgin IV30 4LL

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

NHS Step into Health: Internship Vacancy now open for Service Leavers and Veterans

NHS Step into Health are pleased to announce that recruitment for their Programme Assistant Internship is now open. To be eligible to apply for the internship you must be in the process of being or have been medically discharged from UK Armed Forces regular service within the last 5 years.

Location: Leeds with agile working (home based will be considered)

Role: Fixed term (12 weeks). Full time, flexible working patterns considered.

Salary: £22,837 (pro rata)

Closing Date: 23:59 17th November 2024

The post-holder will join the Step into Health team and will gain valuable experiences and skills which will be beneficial and transferable into other NHS roles. The full job description can be found via this link, and is also attached here. Although SitH cannot guarantee employment when the internship comes to an end, they are able to support individuals to apply for other roles within the NHS.

To apply, please use the link on the vacancy page.

For more information on how the Step into Health programme can assist Service leavers and veterans into an NHS career, please go to https://www.militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk/.

Wiltshire: Recycling news

Please click here to read this latest newsletter online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Richmondshire: Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Stem cell donation - sign up to save a life!

 

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Stem cell transplants are used to treat blood cancers like leukaemia, aplastic anaemia as well as other diseases of the immune system. Chemotherapy can help in some cases, but for many people a stem cell transplant is the only chance of a cure.

30,000 new donors are needed in the UK each year to find matches for the steadily rising number of stem cell transplants taking place in the UK every year. Stem cells are found in the bone marrow – a soft, spongy tissue at the centre of certain bones – and can produce all essential blood cells, including red and white cells and platelets (which stop bleeding).

Give blood and save a life

Sign up today

Supporting each other – give blood and save a life

AWS Community Support annual report 2024

 

The Army Welfare service is proud to present the AWS Community Support Annual Report for 2024.

This Report outlines some of the key achievements delivered and challenges faced by our team over the past year. It provides an overview of key areas of work, statistical information and also looks forward to the year ahead. It demonstrates the breadth and depth of the impact that the Community Support team have.​

Please click the image above to read this report online.

Hullavington: Free Yogalates at Buckley Barracks Community Centre - starting Wed 6 Nov

 

With thanks to VIVO for some generous funding, the 9 Regt RLC Welfare department are now taking bookings for the first YOGALATES session that will take place on Wednesday 6th November 1000-1100.

All sessions will be completely free of charge!

Soft play and the café will be open for the usual coffee morning as well. This is open to all serving families living on the patch.

Interested? You need to register at 9regtwelfare@gmail.com who will book you in for either one session or a few!

Instructor Debbie says ‘the class is a combination of basic yoga and mat-based Pilate moves, designed to improve mobility, flexibility and build body strength. The class is suitable for all ages and abilities, shapes and sizes.'

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Forces in Mind Trust post-Service employment research policy & practice summaries

New research and policy summaries focused on post-Service employment among ex-Service personnel and their partners.

These summaries form part of our commitment to ensuring evidence is at the heart of decision making for the benefit of ex-Service personnel and their families.

The summaries provide easy digestible access to up to date research evidence and an overview of current policy and service provision focused on post-Service employment among ex-Service personnel and their partners.

A robust methodology has been used to create these summaries meaning they are an accurate and trustworthy source of information which can used to inform and transform policy, practice, and future research priorities.

You can access the full summaries and two-page infographics here:

Research summary: Research | FiMT Research Centre (fimt-rc.org)

Policy summary: Policy Practice | FiMT Research Centre (fimt-rc.org)

Kinloss: BookBug - songs,rhymes and stories for babies and toddlers

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Please contact Margaret.duncan115@mod.gov.uk for further details.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Fife: Bookbug Sessions, free, fun and friendly

Bookbug sessions are free, fun and friendly events for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families to enjoy together. 

Coming along to sessions is a great way to spend some quality time with your little one and gives you the opportunity to share stories, songs and rhymes with other parents/carers and their children.

Bookbug is Scottish Book Trust’s national Early Years programme. 

As a national charity, Scottish Book Trust delivers the Bookbug programme locally by working in partnership with local library and education services, the health service and third sector organisations. 

To support local delivery of the Bookbug programme, Scottish Book Trust provides its partners with training, advice and Bookbug bags of books.

Sessions held in Cupar, St Andrews, Rosyth and Dunfermline to find your nearest Bookbug session or more information 👉 https://www.onfife.com/libraries-archives/bookbug-sessions

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Armed Forces in Policing - online recruitment events

Northamptonshire Police​ have planned the 2025 series of events called National Joining Forces – these are police recruitment events for all police organisations in England and Wales. They are designed to provide insight and understanding into police careers; the recruitment process and the structures in place to support candidates through the process. In particular the events highlights the qualities and skills veterans possess which are transferable into British policing.

​The events are advertised on Eventbrite and are as follows:

Tuesday 14th January 2025 from 1800 x 1900

Tuesday 15th April 2025 from 1800 x 1900

Tuesday 15th July 2025 from 1800 x 1900

​Friday 14th November 2025 from 1800 x 1900

These events are being hosted by Northamptonshire Police as a national recruitment event - regardless of the police area you live in or may be interested in joining.

North Wiltshire & Gloucestershire: Bin collection calendars

 

Please choose your area from the following list to find out your rubbish and recycling collection calendars:

• Wiltshire (Colerne, Corsham, Hullavington, Lyneham, Neston)

• Innsworth/Ashchurch/Tewkesbury/Twigworth

• South Cerney

• Shrivenham/Watchfield

• Swindon/Wroughton/Highworth

Details for all other areas can be found at https://www.gov.uk/rubbish-collection-day

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Wiltshire: 'Recycle Week' – highlighting everyday items that can be recycled

 

This week Wiltshire Council were delighted to join this year’s Recycle Week, which is organised by Recycle Now and is now in its twenty-first year.

This year’s theme, Rescue Me, aims to empower people to look out for the five items missed most often in recycling collections because they are placed in the household waste bin. This is also a key theme of the Council's ongoing 'Recycling: Let’s Sort It' campaign.

These items include:

• Empty aerosols
• Yoghurt pots
• Toilet roll tubes
• Cleaning spray bottles
• Cans

All of the above items can be recycled in your blue-lidded bin or bag.

To help Wiltshire Council achieve our goal of recycling more, please make sure you are recycling more of the right things, more often. Materials collected for recycling are sent to re-processors to be turned into new products or raw materials to go back into the manufacturing process.

Wiltshire Council have been spotlighting commonly missed items on their social media channels this week, so make sure you’re following them on Facebook and X.

Find out more about what you can recycle at home in Wiltshire

What happens to waste and recycling in Wiltshire

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

'Travel to Refuge' scheme - free travel for those fleeing domestic abuse

 

Travel to Refuge is an umbrella scheme in which travel companies cover the cost of train or coach tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse travelling to refuge accommodation. It’s made up of two schemes:

• Rail to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and the Rail Delivery Group, set up in April 2020, providing free rail travel for survivors of abuse.

• Road to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and National Express, set up in 2023, providing free coach travel for survivors of abuse.

For more infomation please visit: Travel to Refuge

Portessie: Step by Step -FREE weekly groups for families with babies and toddlers under the age of 3

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Reminder - set up your eVisa Account

 

You can now set up your eVisa account. An eVisa is an online record of a your immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply. It can be viewed by logging into the online ‘View and prove your immigration status’ service using your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

For more information on getting an eVisa, visit: ​​​www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa​

Scotland: Military Matters supporting members of the Armed Forces Community for Housing in Scotland

Military Matters service supports anyone who is a member of the Armed Forces Community.

With excellent connections with veterans housing and services across the country and support people who have served at any stage in their life.

Get in touch 👉 https://ow.ly/xSBo50TqT7q

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Flooding - DIO and Pinnacle have provided some handy information around flood proofing

 

Pinnacle - flood preparedness

A reminder about electric heater safety in the home from DIO/Pinnacle

Staffordshire: Lichfield Families Health & Wellbeing Service - 0-19 Parent Podcast

 

Did you know Health Visitors and School Nurses from our service have launched a podcast series with the aim of sharing health advice and information to parents, carers and young people?

Take a look at what subjects we have already covered by clicking this link https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/.../staffo.../what-we-offer/podcasts

You can listen for free and subscribe using your favourite podcast software through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts and Radio Public

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

RAND Europe Research - Meeting the Needs of the RAF and RN/RM Family

 

RAND Europe is currently undertaking research to support the Royal Air Force (RAF) Benevolent Fund and Greenwich Hospital in understanding the current and future size, demographics and support needs of RAF and Royal Navy/Royal Marines (RN/RM) Service People, Veterans and Families.

We are recruiting participants!

As part of our research, we want to better understand the experiences of current and former RAF, RN and RM serving personnel and their families. We are intending to do this through interviews and surveys, focusing on:

• RAF, RN and RM families' experiences of military life, military-to-civilian transition and post-Service life.
• Issues/challenges former and current Service personnel and their families may be experiencing in relation to day-to-day living, health and wellbeing (including mental and emotional), education, housing, finance and employment.
• Experiences with accessing support and perspectives on how support to RAF, RN and RM families could be improved.

​Who is eligible to participate?

Introductory Flight Scholarship (IFS) and Junior Rank and Officer Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JROPSS) 2025 - applications invited from RAF Personnel

 

The following opportunity may be of interest to RAF staff within Tri-Service locations both UK-wide and worldwide.

Applications from RAF Junior Ranks (JR) and Junior Officers (JO) are now invited for the IFS and JROPSS 2025. Generously funded by the RAF Charitable Trust (RAFCT), and delivered through selected RAF Flying Schools, the JROPSS is open to JR (Cpl and below) JO (Flt Lt and below) from the RAF Regular and RAF Reserve Services.

​Further details can be found here​

Full eligibility requirements and terms can be found at www.RAFSA.co.uk

Lancashire Armed Forces Covenant Guide 2024/25

To view the latest Lancashire Armed Forces Covenant Guide, click HERE.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

It is estimated that up to 880,000 households are missing out on Pension Credit, and it is worth, on average, £3,900 per year, providing additional benefits such as help with Council Tax and Housing Benefit and a free TV licence for those over 75.

In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Payment and other support like help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.

Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to 3 months, (ticking the backdating box on the claim form). This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for Winter Fuel Payment is 21st December 2024.

To note, Pension Credit can also provide extra support for heating costs such as The Warm Home Discount Scheme and Cold Weather Payments​.

Checking entitlement is easy with this on-line calculator: Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Elgin: DYW - Are you looking to start a new career, perhaps in the healthcare industry?

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Why not come along to the Pathway to Professional Healthcare Careers event to hear about the different courses and care professions from NHS Grampian, Robert Gordon University and UHI Moray - before a Q&A with a panel of former students !! 

Join us on Tuesday 12th of November in the AGBC Conference at the UHI Moray Street Campus from 6pm - 8pm. 

Get your FREE tickets now at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../pathway-to-professional...

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Lyneham: Lyneham Banks update

 

Please click here for an update from Wiltshire Council and Octavius on the B4069 Lyneham Banks project, due to be completed in 2025.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Staffordshire: MPFT Families Health & Wellbeing Service - Virtual Group Programmes

The virtual groups are open to parents and carers living in Staffordshire. Each session is facilitated by Health Visitors who share evidence based information and aim to answer any questions you may have in a friendly and informal session.

 Please book 👉HERE.

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Staffordshire Emergency Dental Service

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Veterans ID Card accepted as Polling ID

The government has backed the armed forces community by allowing HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to be used as Voter ID in forthcoming elections.

More information can be found here.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £380K awarded to enhance Early Years provision for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £380,000 to a further 12 fantastic projects supporting Service children in the latest round of the Early Years programme!

These projects are set to help enhance early childhood education and childcare to better support the unique needs and challenges of young children from Armed Forces families.

Dedicated resources for Service children across the UK 

Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Early Years programme supports initiatives that help Armed Forces families access good quality early childhood education and childcare provision. This will enhance capacity, allowing more Service children to enrol, create improved learning environments, and offer suitable training for staff development to address the unique challenges faced by Service children.

Wiltshire: Support to help quit smoking

 

When you stop smoking, you'll see improvements to your health straight away. If you’ve Quit Smoking for Stoptober, your longer-term risks of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke will significantly reduce.

Free, expert stop smoking support is available across Wiltshire:

• Call 0300 003 4566 (Select Option 1)
• Email health.coaches@wiltshire.gov.uk
• Or contact your GP Surgery

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education support to Service families

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

Letter for families

Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ

EAT(UK) leaflet

OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

St Andrews: The R&A World Museum Little Niblicks FREE multi-sensory play for 0-5 yrs

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

Click on the picture for full guide

Dishforth: Come along and experience the Military Wives Choirs!

Dishforth Military Wives Choir, is part of a network of choirs uniting over 2000 women nationwide, in 72 choirs across the military community. The choir welcomes all women whose lives are currently impacted by their military connection; our network supports each other and forms life-changing friendships that lead to new and uplifting experiences through singing

The Dishforth Military Wives Choir currently has 35 members across North Yorkshire and meets weekly at 6 Regt RLC in Dishforth. With no auditions and no pressure to perform, the Military Wives Choirs places welfare at the core, giving its members the opportunity to spend time with women that truly understand the challenges associated with military life. 

The choir is always looking for new members

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Forres: Family Hub after school supper club

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

West Midlands: AWS CS Donnington Little Munchkins - MOD Donnington Community Centre

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub
 

Fylde Memorial Arboretum - Bispham - First UK Fiji Memorial Bench unveiled

The first UK memorial to Fijians serving in the armed forces, veterans, families and those who have died in the call of duty has been unveiled in the Flyde Memorial Arboretum in Bispham during a service on 3 October 2024.

A beautiful bench, decorated with the Fiji National Coat of Arms and motto, was dedicated at a special ceremony attended by civic dignataries, serving soldiers, families and members of the public.

The man behind the memorial, Fleetwood town councillor and veterans champion, Fijian Jimi Kuruvakadua, said: "We have have one thing in common which is always to remember and reflect on the lives of our brothers and sisters, our communites, our individual groups and associations we are involved in.

"I am grateful to you for your support, donations and to the veterans who prepared for today.
This bench is the first memorial in the UK dedicated to the Fijian Community and we appreciate it being situated here.
Comrades are always remembered in our hearts.
Today we remember them, honour them and keep them always in our hearts."

Manager of the arboretum, Paul Binns, welcomed guests and said how proud they were to have this special memorial situated in the arboretum and said that all connected with the Fijian community would be welcome there.

Other speeches welcoming the memorial and its importance were made by Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Brigadier (Rtd) Peter Rafferty; Blackpool Mayor Peter Hunter and Ilimo Torau, founder of the Commonwealth Veterans and Families Support Group.

A posy of poppies was laid by Councillor Kuruvakadua's daughter, Vasanai.

Two poems, written specially, were read by poet Anne Margaret Ward.

The dedication service, with choir of Fijian soldiers, was led by Methodist Minister the Rev Jimione Kaci, who is chaplain to Fijians serving in the British Army.

Visit the Memorial Bench at Fylde Memorial Arboretum, Moor Park Avenue, Bispham, FY2 0LZ. 

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Launch of new British Forces Cyprus community website

 

HQBFC are pleased to announce the formal launch of the new British Forces Cyprus Website:

Welcome to British Forces Cyprus - The central point for all information on living and working in British Forces Cyprus.

​This open source website will provide a one-stop shop for service personnel, UK based civilians and their families to access useful information about being assigned to Cyprus alongside key information for living in Cyprus. HIVE and the HIVE location guides for BFC are to be added soon.

It is an iterative project that will continue to develop and improve over time and will seek to replace what is a high volume of individual unit SharePoint sites, unofficial social media groups and old fashioned paper arrival packs.

The website will significantly improve the information available to personnel and their families, accessible in a way that modern communications demands, enabling the whole family to understand what they need to know to consider an assignment in Cyprus or what they practically need to do once assigned here.

You will find the link within the BFC Sites list on the BFC SharePoint Home page and under BFC Key Information.

Stage 2, through the Autumn Term, will be continuing to develop the generic information such as what information is needed for when families depart Cyprus and working with the Stations to enhance their information pages.

If you have any specific questions or wish to propose content please email our British Forces Cyprus Community Information Website email: BFC-HQ-CmntyWebManager@mod.gov.uk

Gloucestershire: Library locations and regular events

 

Gloucestershire Libraries are located across the County, including in the following areas:

• Cirencester
• Fairford
• Lechlade
• Churchdown
• Longlevens
• Gloucester
• Cheltenham
• Tewkesbury

As well as books and digital resources, regular events include:

• Baby bounce & rhyme
• Lego club
• Story time
• Knit & natter
• Author talks
• Nature club
• 'The library of things'

Click here to find your nearest library and the available activities

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Wiltshire: 'Get Out Get Active' community activities

 

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Activities will be held across Wiltshire, including in Chippenham, Calne and Melksham.

Click here to find out more!

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Swindon: Interested in joining an American Football Women's Team? 'Swindon Storm' are recruiting players!

 

The 'Swindon Storm' American Football team is recruiting for their Women’s team who compete in the National League.

All equipment is supplied, and no experience is needed.

Click here to visit the website

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs