Merry Christmas from Army HIVE & HIVE Christmas Closure Dates

The Army HIVE online media team are on Christmas leave after duties 20 Dec, so posts will be minimal over the next two weeks.

Emails can be sent to rc-pers-hivecomms-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk where the auto-reply will give urgent support contacts, and we will answer emails when we return on 6 Jan 25.

Army HIVE would like to wish our Service community worldwide a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and we look forward to continuing our information delivery and welfare signposting support to our customers in 2025.

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.

Coping at Christmas

Please click the links below for direct web access:

• MIND​
• Shout
• Samaritans
• Young Minds
• CALM
• PAPYRUS

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.

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​

GamCare: Spotting the signs of gambling harm at Christmas

GamCare hears from people who have become isolated and lonely as a result of their gambling, and who haven’t spoken to anyone else about what they are going through. These feelings can worsen over the Christmas period, when people might encounter loneliness or pressure to seem as if everything is alright.

We recognise that gambling is known as the ‘hidden addiction’, and often the signs are not clear. From experience, we understand that these are the most common ways to identify if your own or someone else’s gambling has become harmful.

Some signs to consider about your own or someone else’s gambling:

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.

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.

BFBS Update December 2024

 

BFBS Update December 2024 | About BFBS​

Two weeks to go until the 2025 Dry January® challenge

 

The New Year can also be a challenging time for many. Increasing peer pressure to celebrate by drinking at parties and, in some sectors, demanding workloads can contribute to people drinking more around this time of year.

There is also a growing realisation that alcohol can prevent us from achieving our best. From headaches, sleepless nights, and feeling ‘off’ the next day to long-term health issues like high blood pressure, anxiety and cancer, alcohol impacts us in so many ways.

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.

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.

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.

Please click here for further information

DWP news update, including Christmas arrangements for benefit payments and revised JobCentrePlus opening times

 

Information on DWP benefit payment dates over the festive period: How and when your benefits are paid - GOV.UK

Jobcentre festive opening times can be found here: Contact Jobcentre Plus: Christmas and New Year opening - GOV.UK

Further DWP news updates:

Top tips for jobseekers at risk of ‘fake DBS check’ recruitment scams
Press release: To coincide with the launch of the Home Office Stop! Think Fraud campaign, the Disclosure and Barring Service is providing support to job seekers for a safer employment search.

Connect to Work is the first programme under the Government’s new Get Britain Working Strategy. It is a work programme in England and Wales to help disabled people, those with health conditions and people with complex barriers to employment, to find sustainable work.

Connect to Work will be a voluntary, high-fidelity Supported Employment programme, connecting work, health and skills support across all of England and Wales: Connect to Work: Grant Guidance for England - GOV.UK

Tens of thousands more pensioners now in receipt of Pension Credit

Press release: New figures released on 28 November 2024 show an extra 42,500 households are now in receipt of Pension Credit, and therefore the Winter Fuel Payment, since the government launched its pension credit awareness campaign.

Employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme
Guidance: This document lists the employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme, and their status (committed, employer or leader) up to 30 November 2024.

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

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.

Click here for further information or to download the app

Breathing exercises for stress

This calming breathing technique for stress, anxiety and panic takes just a few minutes and can be done anywhere. You should get the most benefit if you do it regularly, as part of your daily routine.

Read more at www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/ways-relieve-stress/