Dandelion Military Families - April & May bereavement support meeting dates

Please click here to visit Dandelion's website

DIO Families First newsletter - issue 15

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In this issue:

• A Message from DIO Director of Accommodation, Phil Riley
• Modernised Accommodation Offer survey
• Investment across the estate
• DIO SFA Townhall sessions

Families First newsletters can be viewed online at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-infrastructure-organisation-service-family-accommodation​

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) - two Vehicle Standards Assessor roles available in multiple locations for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

 

GFIE-302- Vehicle Standards Assessor - DVSA - Multiple Locations across the North and South of England

Closing Date 16 April 2024

This role includes an apprenticeship and entails training successful applicants to become a Vehicle Standards Assessor on HGVs. Job description can be found HERE

To apply, please submit a completed expression of interest form (found HERE) and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

This GFiE role is specifically for Veterans/Service Leavers and Military Spouses/Partners. For more information 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)

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - small grants worth over £450,000 create a big impact for Armed Forces Communities in the final round of Force for Change

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce grants totalling more than £450,000 have been awarded to 34 outstanding projects in the final round of their Force for Change programme. This small grant programme supports projects that reduce isolation and promote integration in local Armed Forces communities.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - new grants to support Early Years Service children

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) is delighted to announce 21 new, targeted projects worth £870,000, that will deliver real change for young Service children in the latest round of the Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years programme.

That’s a total of more than £2.1 million in grant awards since the programme launched in 2022!

Open University Disabled Veterans' Scholarships Fund

 

Open University Disabled Veterans' Scholarships Fund applications are now open!

​Last year, The Open University supported around 28,000 disabled students. And, since the Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund was established, more than 300 additional disabled students have been able to access higher education with us.

What is a Disabled Veterans' Scholarship?
If you’ve been injured or disabled in, or as a resu​​lt of, military service, you could be funded to complete a full Open University qualification.

We offer 50 scholarships annually. All undergraduate and postgraduate modules and qualifications are eligible. You’ll have your fees waived for up to 120 credits per seasonal academic year, up to a maximum of 360 credits, which is equivalent to a full honours degree.

Information and eligibility criteria can be found here: Disabled Veterans' Scholarships | How to Pay | Open University

Social Media Specialists - free BFBS social media training programme for military spouses plus Veterans and their spouses

 

The BFBS Academy has announced the launch of Social Media Specialists, a free course open to the broader military community offering the opportunity to upskill in social media marketing techniques.

Click here for further details

Join the RBL at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day - Thu 6 Jun

 

The Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on 6 June as RBL host WW2 veterans and their families, and commemorate the service and sacrifice of all those involved in the Normandy Campaign.

Members of the public can watch the D-Day 80 Service of Remembrance in the grounds, with seating available on a first come, first served basis.

Entry to the Arboretum is free, but booking your visit in advance is recommended to guarantee entry, and save on parking (£4 in advance, £6 on the day)

https://www.thenma.org.uk/.../d-day-80-remembrance-service

Defence Discount Service - Veterans Privilege card video

 

Defence Discount Service have introduced a new video to support Veterans with signing up for a Defence Discount Service Privilege card.

To watch the video, please go to this YouTube link: ​https://youtu.be/KMIHDeVl3Jo?si=WVF-WFCVde-oZIV6

National Adult Social Care recruitment campaign - Made with Care

 

23red is the partnerships agency working with DHSC on their national adult social care recruitment campaign Made with Care.

The campaign aims to highlight the amazing opportunities which the care sector can provide for a fulfilling career, showcasing the amazing difference you can make every day and demonstrating that it is easy for people without any previous experience to get started.

As part of their work DHSC have recognised that a career in care could work incredibly well for those leaving the armed services and the partners of those currently serving in the armed forces.

As such we have been working with Forces Employment Charity and the Career Transition Partnership to create a suite of resources which can help to showcase the benefits of a career in care and direct people to the national campaign site where they can find out more about the roles on offer and search for relevant jobs in their area.​

The resources, including posters, leaflets and social media assets, are free to download and will hopefully provide useful support for those currently looking for flexible careers or considering their next step.

Non-UK Nationals - lower minimum income requirement agreed for the Armed Forces

 

• On 4 December 2023, the Government announced that the MIR would be increased to align with the new minimum general salary threshold for skilled workers, which is currently £38,700, with an initial increase to £29,000 in Spring 2024. This will no longer include an additional income requirement where a child is included in the application.

• The Ministry of Defence has worked with the Home Office on options to mitigate the potential impact on recruitment and retention the increase may have, and it has been agreed that the MIR will be aligned with the salary threshold for Other Ranks on completion of training, which is currently £23,496. Officers earn £31,304 until completion of Initial Officer Training when their pay increases to £37,425. The MIR for HM Armed Forces will be reviewed in line with the annual pay award.

• The Government introduced the MIR in July 2012 for partners and children of British and settled persons, and in December 2013 for a partner and child(ren) of HM Armed Forces, including the Brigade of Gurkhas, under Appendix HM Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules.

• The full Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules can be found at: HC 590 – Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (publishing.service.gov.uk)

• A Q&A document has been prepared and can be accessed at this link

Togetherall - Neurodiversity celebration week support

We all experience and interact with the world in a way that makes sense to us. Neurodiversity highlights the idea that there's no one right way to think, learn, behave or feel.

People think differently, which means we can also utilise different ways to feel better. With Togetherall, members can share their experiences and share community.​

Read more about Neurodiversity in @Togetherall's blog post: https://togetherall.com/en-gb/support-articles/what-is-neurodiversity

Defence Victim Witness Care Unit - we stand with victims

A year after its formation, we look at how the Defence Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) supports victims and witnesses of serious crime during their journey through the Service Justice System.

Here to support

Whether you’re in the Armed Forces or a civilian, the VWCU is here to support you. If you’ve been affected as a victim or witness of serious crime committed by Service personnel in the UK or abroad, we are here to help.

WATCH: Victim Witness Care Unit – who we are, what we do, and how to contact us

Independent from the Army, Navy, and RAF chains of command, the unit is made up of specially trained civilian Victim Liaison Officers (VLOs) who act as supportive guides throughout the Service Justice System – from reporting a crime, to the investigation, and any subsequent court martial and outcomes.

Each referral to the VWCU is allocated a VLO as their primary contact who will remain with them throughout the process, ensuring they are supported in accordance with the code of practice for victims of crime (JSP 839).

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - final round of 'Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme' brings total grant funding to over £11.8 million in two years

 

Final round of Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme brings total grant funding to over £11.8 million in two years
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) is delighted to announce that they have awarded over £2.8 million to 32 targeted projects that will deliver real change within Armed Forces communities in the final round of the Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme.

That’s a huge total of more than £11.8 million in grant awards since the programme launched in April 2022!

Visit your Pharmacy first!

 

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Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Service Pupil support with new round of funding

 

Great news for schools supporting Service children in the UK! The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme.

Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3), the Service Pupil Support Programme will award grants of £5,000 to £80,000 to projects supporting Service children along their educational pathway.

What’s the programme all about?

This year, the Service Pupil Support Programme will focus on supporting schools working in collaborative clusters of three or more to design projects that meet one of three themes.

• Closing the gap in attainment between Service and non-Service pupils.
• Addressing the needs of Service pupils with additional needs.
• Identifying and addressing the needs of small cohorts of Service pupils within educational settings.

In exceptional circumstances, schools can apply with a single bid, for instance if the number of your Service pupils is due to dramatically change.

Tell your GP practice if you've ever served in the UK Armed Forces

 

Tell your GP practice if you've ever served in the UK Armed Forces. It could be relevant to your health and means you'll get support that's right for you.

Find out more at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/veterans-service-leavers-non-mobilised-reservists

HIVE Contact House directory

 

Did you know that Army HIVE holds and maintains a directory of all Contact Housing available across the UK and Overseas?

For a copy, or for contact details for a location, do g​et in touch with any HIVE or drop us a message at rc-pers-hivecomms-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations (TSARs) JSP 464 updated to reflect Modernised Accommodation Offer

 

The following changes have been made to incorporate the elements of the Modernised Accommodation Offer (MAO) that are being implemented from 11th March:

JSP 464 Vol 1 Part 1 V 30

• Ch 12: Forces Help to Buy Scheme – Section XII Para 1251. Refund of Legal Expenses (New Buyers) policy

JSP 464 Vol 3 Pt 1 V24

• Ch 3: Single Living Accommodation and the Substitute Equivalents - Charges
• SLA Waivers 0303c. Amendment to Over 37 Provision.
• SLA Waivers 0303 y. Inclusion of the Dual Accommodation Waiver.

Details of the amendments are at this link and the full policy document can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-464-tri-service-accommodation-regulations-tsars

NHS 'Get Your Blood Pressure Checked' campaign launches today

The NHS ‘Get Your Blood Pressure Checked’ campaign launched today, and has the following primary messages: 

● High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. 

● You could be one of millions living with high blood pressure without knowing it. 

● An estimated 4.2 million adults in England currently have undiagnosed high blood pressure.

● Left untreated, high blood pressure can significantly increase your risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes 1 in 4 deaths in England - around one death every four minutes.

● The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get a blood pressure test. 

• It’s a free, simple and a non-invasive procedure conducted in privacy at your local pharmacy, and you don’t need to book in advance.  

● If you're aged 40 and over, you can get a free blood pressure check at a local pharmacy, unless you’ve already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or a doctor, nurse or pharmacist has checked your blood pressure in the past 6 months.