MoneyHelper Information: AI and Financial Decisions

 

AI & financial decisions – what you need to know

Introduction

Research surveys suggest AI can boost confidence, but that confidence doesn’t always translate into improved financial decision making or outcomes. A study reported by Fortune found that while many millennials and Gen Z users reported felling more confident after using AI for financial advice, over 50% of them also said it had led them to make at least one poor financial decision. Feeling more confident doesn’t always mean the information is accurate.

Here’s what you need to know before relying on AI for budgeting, saving or investing.

What AI can do

Ask an AI tool to explain a confusing financial term, and it’ll do it in seconds. Want help drafting a letter to your energy provider? No problem. Need a simple budget? It can build one in minutes. AI tools may be able to:

• explain financial terms in simple language
• summarise long documents, like terms and conditions
• help you compare options based on the criteria you give it
• create budgets or savings plans tailored to your goals
• help you role‑play tricky conversations, like negotiating a bill or asking for a refund.

Sandhurst: Military Co-Working Book Your Desk

 

Working from home is amazing, until you realise you've not actually left the house in 3 days and might have forgotten how to speak to real life people rather than those inside your computer...

Our coworking hubs are fantastic for helping to break this cycle, get you out of the house, making connections with other local military partners and spouses and giving you a good separation between work and home. 

And for just £30 per YEAR, the value is fantastic!

So if you're already a member, book that desk for this week and come join us in your Sandhurst Military Coworking Hub, and if you're not a member yet - why not? 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Wiltshire: Extreme heat red warning - hot weather advice from Wiltshire Council

 

The Met Office has issued a Red extreme heat alert for Wiltshire on Wednesday and Thursday this week, with temperatures potentially reaching 39C.

Wiltshire Council's advice is:

• Regularly check the Met Office website for the latest updates
• Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated, particularly older and more vulnerable people
• Stay cool indoors and close curtains on rooms directly in the sunlight
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
• Never leave anyone or any pets in a closed, parked vehicle, particularly older people, infants, young children or any animals
• Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest
• Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, if you have to go out in the heat
• Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
• Avoid walking dogs in the heat of the day - walk them either very early in the morning or late at night, or don't walk them at all for a few days
• If you need to travel by road or rail please prepare for the journey by bringing plenty of water - there could be disruption to travel networks
• If you decide to cool off in open water please take care and follow local safety advice
• If you need any non-emergency health advice, please call NHS 111 or speak to your local pharmacy

For more advice and updates regarding Council services, Schools and the county's roads, please click here

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Wiltshire, Dorset, Bath & Somerset: Wessex Water community drop-in sessions

 

If you want advice or have a question about Wessex Water's services, you can speak to staff in person at one of the upcoming Community Drop-In sessions.

Please note you do not have to book – just show up on the day. If you would like to arrange a dedicated time slot, please email community@wessexwater.co.uk.

To find out more online, please visit https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/community-drop-ins

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Army Health and Wellbeing Campaign - #SupportIsStrength

Your life matters. Help is here. Real people, real support, anytime.

If you are struggling or are worried about a mate, reach out to get help or get them to talk to someone.

Support is always available!

Where to get help is in the AID booklet, available on the Army website at https://www.army.mod.uk/media/v4nn31fj/20260119-suicide-aid-booklet-ac64672.pdf Also available on Defence Connect via these links: AID Suicide Prevention Booklet , AID Suicide Prevention Poster or:

Armed Forces Support Line 24/7 - Call 0800 323 4444

Samaritans 24/7 - Call 116 123

Text SHOUT to 85258 –Text messaging service, available 24/7

You can also speak to your family and friends who know you best, your Unit Medical Officer, Chain of Command, Unit Welfare Team or Padre.

Other information and resources to support can be found at: British Army - Ask For Help,  Army Health and Wellbeing Defence Connect.

#SupportIsStrength #BritishArmy #AskForHelp

North Yorkshire: Team Squirrels Needs You!

 

Team Squirrels Needs You! 

We’re growing our team to help deliver exciting, playful, and confidence-boosting adventures for our youngest Scouts — the amazing 4–6 year olds in Squirrel Scouts!

Vacancy for a friendly face

Vacancy for someone with an hour to spare each week

Could it be... YOU?!

Team Squirrels is all about magical moments, big smiles, and little learners discovering the world around them.

Could you be part of the team? Let’s make memories together!
Message us, speak to a leader, or visit bacsascouts.org.uk to find out more — no pressure, just a chat!

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

SafeLives: Service community domestic abuse - Welfare staff interviews request

SafeLives are also keen to speak with Army Welfare Officers and Unit Welfare Officers who have experience of supporting victim/survivors of domestic abuse. They want to understand your experiences of providing welfare support, and hear your views on the barriers victim/survivors from military families and relationships may face when trying to access help.

If you are interested in taking part in an interview, please scan the QR code on the poster to find out more.

Alternatively click on this link: Army Personnel ABF

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Support for families serving overseas

Support for families serving overseas

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has awarded over £600,000 to support families serving overseas.

According to UK defence personnel statistics up to April 2024, around 5,700 armed forces personnel were stationed overseas. While the majority (66%) were posted within Europe, other key regions included North America, North Africa and the Middle East, and Asia.

Following the Trust’s own research and consultation, they launched the Supporting Serving Families Overseas Programme. Now, they have awarded nine projects a share of £127,642, with funding making its way to Spain, the Middle East, Cyprus, Belgium, Italy and more!

The projects funded in this round represent a range of support for the whole family. From support for those who have experienced, or are at risk of, domestic violence, to emotional health support for adults and children to help strengthen relationships while overseas.

Overseas, overstretched

A new posting can bring with it the usual upheaval: packing and moving all your belongings (drowning in moving boxes!), changing schools, changing job, leaving the dentist it took you 12 months to find. But add to that a language barrier, not being allowed to work for the next 2-3 years, having to pay for storage for all the things you can’t take with you, not to mention having to rebuy things you’ll need that won’t work in other countries, and you’ve got yourself an overseas posting!

The projects the Trust has supported seek to provide targeted support for families in-location to improve wellbeing and make the transition abroad easier.

Parli Italiano?

They awarded the Home Away Support Initiative Italy £8,500 to enhance available welfare for families, foster a sense of community in this quite isolated destination and help integrate those living there with Italian life.

Staff Sergeant David Skill, Head of locations for North of Italy, said: “When people see its Italy, or Spain or wherever, they make some real assumptions in terms of what you’re going to do and what life’s going to be like. People get this picturesque view that you’re going to live in a villa and be by the pool every day! There is a little bit of that in there, but that is not the day-to-day living experience (…) It’s about managing that expectation.”

One of the activities they plan to offer to the families they support is Italian lessons. Emily Golding, Head of locations for Northeast Italy, adds: “It’s not a very touristy place to live, so when you go out for dinners and stuff, you do have to speak Italian. It’s just a normal human thing to be able to go to the supermarket or a restaurant and have a conversation. People are keen to develop their language skills but also, it’s a chance to get people together.”

But support doesn’t stop there

The Trust has also awarded £500,000 to the Army Families Federation to work in partnership with the Naval and RAF Family Federations to implement an evidence-based portfolio of support that incorporates the whole cycle of an overseas posting: from initial contact prior to relocation, to support on arrival and ongoing support during the posting, moving to support with reintegration back to the UK (or another overseas posting), and finally including post assignment learning and feedback.

Following an initial externally run discovery phase to engage with families, statutory organisation, other charities and chain of command, the Family Federations will launch a range of support work including early engagement briefings; an overseas employment information hub; a tri-service digital engagement platform to provide families with key posting information and improving communication; and more.

The Chief Executives from the Families Federations have released a joint comment: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this four-year grant (…) by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. During this period, we will be launching a series of projects and a research study that will help us inform and support serving personnel and families from all three Services who are going through the cycle of contemplating, serving on, or returning from an overseas assignment. This is a really exciting time for all three Families Federations, and we look forward to working closely with the Trust and the single services on this unique, transformative programme.”

Find out more

A full list of awards made in this latest round are available on the Trust’s website here.

Are you on the mailing list?

Did you know the Trust have a newsletter? Get the latest updates and news straight to your inbox. Sign up via their website www.covenantfund.org.uk

Wiltshire: Families Out Loud - supporting families of drug and alcohol users in Wiltshire

 

Families Out Loud is a Wiltshire charity working with families challenged by someone else’s drug and alcohol dependency.

Their purpose is to support families to bravely build a better life. Their vision is to reach every family impacted by drug and alcohol use, so they can speak out, free from stigma, and receive the support care and help they need. Their values are to listen, care, be practical and show determination.

Please click here to visit the website

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVEs

New guidance for schools and local authorities on supporting Service pupils

On 1 April 2025, the Ministry of Defence and Department for Education published non-statutory guidance to help state-funded schools and local authorities in England to understand and address the needs of Service pupils in schools (reception to year 11).

Speaking about the new guidance, Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said:

“Armed Forces families play a vital role in supporting our Service personnel to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad. Fittingly, this announcement coincides with the Month of the Military Child, which is a time to speak up for our Service children.

“Service children face many challenges due to the unique nature of Service life, but it’s important that they are able to benefit from their exceptional experiences.

“That’s why this joint guidance with the Department for Education, explains how we can break down barriers and help our Service children to thrive in education.”

Grantham: Healthwatch Lincolnshire

Who we are and what we do:

We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We’re here to make sure that those running services, put people at the heart of care.
Our sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf.
We focus on ensuring that people’s worries and concerns about current services are addressed.
We work to get services right for the future.

www.healthwatchlincolnshire.co.uk/advice-and-information

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Bro Pro UK, Step out, speak up and say just how you are really feeling

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Veterans' UK Unclaimed Medals Research - Can You Help Us Shape Our Services?

 

If you have previously served in the Armed Forces (or have a relative that has) with an unclaimed medal, the MOD & Veterans UK would like to speak with you.​​​​

Find out more HERE​