Families First newsletter - issue 20

Please click the images to enlarge

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

Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - Keyless Car Theft Advice

If you have a vehicle with keyless entry, please check the attached document for some advice about keeping your vehicle secure.

Please see link below
 

https://members.staffordshiresmartalert.co.uk/AlertMessage/Attachment/B36F4BE440160B739C4D68A27FE38383

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

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

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) - Latest Civil Service job vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

 

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 404 - Service Delivery Officer, Bedford, Cosham and Luton
Job Description
Closing date: 29 Oct

Closing date of below vacancy now extended to Fri 08 Nov 2024

GFIE- 405 - Service Delivery Officer, Matlock and Glossop
Job Description
Closing date: 29 Oct, now extended to Fri 08 Nov 24

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

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

Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - Rural priorities in focus of new dedicated proactive team

A new dedicated team who specialise in tackling the most important priorities facing rural communities has been launched in Staffordshire today (Monday 21 October).

Around 80 per cent of our force area is considered rural. Staffordshire is home to a number of people, businesses and livelihoods that have different demands to those in urban areas.

We’re really proud of our rural footprint and we completely recognise the need for specialist resources in this area, which is why we’ve set up a new dedicated proactive team.

From today, the county proactive and rural team (CPART) will be working proactively to service these demands on a dedicated scale.

What does this change mean for rural communities?

Specialist officers with local experience in tackling crime which impacts those living within rural areas will be working proactively each and every day across Staffordshire to stop offenders and prevent crime

We’ll have a better understanding on the needs of rural communities, including agriculture, equine, wildlife and heritage, meaning a better police service across Staffordshire

Officers can spend more time engaging with rural communities and working with partners to tackle their top priorities, including neighbouring police forces

Lots of officers outside of the dedicated team have also been given additional training in responding to rural crime, allowing us to respond to these issues more effectively

Chief Superintendent Emily Clarke, strategic lead for rural crime, said: “Delivering an outstanding police service to communities in Staffordshire will never be a one glove fits all approach. It’s vital that we adapt what we do to ensure we understand the diverse needs of the people we proudly serve on a daily basis, and our rural communities are no different.

“Rural crime has increased by 8.9 per cent this year, and with it, a cost of more than £1.8-million in stolen items. We know that for many farmers and members of the rural community, their business is also their home, so these types of crimes can have a significant effect on people and families.

“We’ve put a lot of specialist resources and personnel into this new team because we recognise the importance of understanding people’s priorities, and how we can work more effectively to deliver them.”

“This week also marks the first day of the national rural wildlife crime unit’s week of action. Similar enforcement and community engagement will be taking place locally this week, giving the new team a solid base to begin building and making a real difference to rural communities in Staffordshire.”

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams said: “Staffordshire is a largely rural county, and crimes in these areas will always be a priority for me as they can have a significant impact on communities who may already feel isolated.

“Because of this, the experience for victims of rural crime can be different, and the nature of the crimes themselves may also require a different approach. That’s why I’m delighted that Staffordshire Police have introduced the new county proactive and rural team to offer that specialist level of support to victims.

“Rural crime is a core part of local policing work, and our rural communities should expect the same levels of service and engagement from officers as those in our towns and cities. I’m looking forward to seeing all of the proactive work officers are now able to do in those communities as the team develops.”

If you have any questions or concerns about rural crime in your area, you can ask the team during their online chat on Thursday 24 October: https://app.sli.do/event/ryRhpktLdbtB3XXqsiY1vn

They'll be online from 5pm - 6pm to answer your questions. If you can't make it, don't worry as you can submit your questions in advance and they'll be answered on the night.

Information provided by Stafford 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

Army HQ Welfare Matters newsletter - families edition

 

Army HQ publishes the Welfare Matters newsletter quarterly, and this is shared internally with MOD staff and Army units.

A new families version of the newsletter is now available, as it is recognised that Service family members may also be interested in the latest news updates, and will find the newsletter informative.

Please click here to view the newsletter online

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

Staffordshire: Friary Grange Leisure Centre - Family Swim Sessions

 Friary Leisure Centre are offering FREE family swim sessions on Sundays if you have a Lichfield Family Hub Pass

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

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