The Families Hub – which signposts to information, support and organisations to help navigate all stages of Service family life – has launched.
For the first time, Armed Forces families will be able to access a “one stop shop” digital platform – which signposts to a wealth of information, support and organisations – to help you navigate Service family life.
The Families Hub is for all Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) families and personnel – from the moment of entering the Forces, through to leaving.
Visit the Families Hub today and explore a range of topics, including partner support, housing, health and wellbeing, childcare and finance.
Families Hub – empowering you to make informed choices about Service life
Armed Forces families are at the heart of the Defence community and play a crucial role in making sure that Defence is secure at home and strong abroad. Being in the Armed Forces community can be highly rewarding, but it can come with challenges, particularly in times of deployment and separation.
The Hub will direct you to a breadth of family friendly Defence policies and organisations that provide support, to help you face the unique demands of Service life.
See what help is available:
- Finance and money – pensions, careers and loans.
- Housing – Forces Help to Buy and Defence accommodation policy.
- Health and wellbeing – physical and mental health, carers, and additional needs.
- Childcare and education – Wraparound childcare, overseas schools, Special Educational Needs and Disability.
- Partner and family support – parental and partner support for all types of Service couple partners, and employment opportunities.
- Transition to civilian life – support when leaving the Armed Forces, Career Transition Partnership, and Forces Families Jobs.
Minister of Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said:
“I’m delighted to launch our new Families Hub and hope this will help families access the information they need to navigate Service life quickly and more efficiently.
“Our Service families are at the heart of Defence and play a crucial role in the Armed Forces community, protecting us at home and overseas, so it’s only right that we listen to their feedback.
“The Government is already taking steps to renew the contract with our nation’s Armed Forces personnel, with the aim of improving military life for all. We will continue to be guided by the voices of our Service families who sacrifice so much to keep us safe.”
Defence’s Head of Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding, Nick Pett, said:
“We are delivering the Families Hub as part of the MOD Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022 to 2032, which addresses challenges faced by Armed Forces families.
“One change that you, and your families, have consistently asked for – in surveys such as the Armed Forces Continuous Attitudes Survey, Families Continuous Attitude Survey and Overseas Families Survey – is to improve our communications with you. Our user research also showed that over 90% of Service family members would find it helpful to access information through a “one stop shop” platform. We hope the Families Hub offers you a simpler route to finding relevant information, whenever, and wherever you need it.
“We will continue to listen to you and improve the Families Hub as we go. Our thanks go to the Service families and organisations who helped develop this Hub. If you have suggestions on how to improve the Hub, please email us at People-AFFS-FamiliesHubFeedback@mod.gov.uk.”
The Government’s commitment to improving Service family life will be further boosted with the introduction of the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill. The Armed Forces Commissioner, who will be appointed once legislation is complete, will be the first ever independent champion for serving personnel and their families, and offer a direct pathway to raise issues impacting Service life, from equipment to housing and unacceptable behaviours.