Office For Veterans' Affairs have launched Op FORTITUDE for homeless Veterans

 

From today, vulnerable Veterans across the country will have access to Op FORTITUDE, a new dedicated referral pathway for homeless Veterans, including those sleeping on the streets.​

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and the organisations working with them are encouraged to contact the Op FORTITUDE hotline on 0800 952 0774 or through a secure web portal at riv.org.uk/opfortitude.​

Find out more HERE

Grantham: Lincolnshire Mental Health Adviser Helpline

www.lpft.nhs.uk

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

People given even more time to pay National Insurance contributions towards their State Pension

 

The Government has extended the voluntary National Insurance (NI) contributions deadline to 5 April 2025, to give people even more time to fill gaps in their NI record and help increase the amount they receive in State Pension when they retire. The deadline was previously July 2023.

Extending the voluntary NI contributions deadline for another two years also means people have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them.

As part of the transition to the new State Pension, people have been able to pay these contributions to make up any incomplete years between April 2006 and April 2016. Some of the people likely to be affected include those who may have been unemployed during this period, off work because of caring responsibilities or living abroad*.

Further information and guidance are available on GOV.UK.

*This includes those posted overseas; Service spouses can apply for NI credits for periods 1975 onwards where they accompanied their serving partner overseas. For full details and the application forms please see National Insurance credits for partners of armed forces personnel overseas - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Armed Forces access to Jobcentre Plus services - update

 

As part of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiatives that help current and former armed forces personnel and your families access Jobcentre Plus services.

This includes having an armed forces champion in every Jobcentre Plus district who ensures that we provide support that meets your needs.

This page explains the role of the armed forces champion and the way you and your families can access our services.​

CLICK HERE​ to read the guidance

Defence Domestic Abuse Survivor Community & Awareness Network - for anyone employed by MOD

 

The Survivor Community is for women that are survivors of domestic abuse, providing peer support and signposting support and resources and has a safe, private group where survivors can interact. The wider network highlights and informs policy around domestic abuse in Defence, to help improve policies and practices and encourages engagement with wider Defence, promoting the need for survivors’ voices to be heard.

Read Defnet article

Read Welcome letter from Lt Col Elisabeth Roberts

Click HERE to view information flyer

Chester: Upton Library - Regular Activities

Tuesday

Rhymetime: 2.15 - 2.45pm,weekly (term time only)

Wednesday

Scrabble Club: 10am - 12pm, fortnightly (alternates with Rummikub)
Rummikub: 10am - 12pm, fortnightly (alternates with Scrabble)
Not a Reading Group: 2.15pm - 3.15pm, last Wednesday in the month

Thursday

Knit and Natter: 10.30am - 11.30am, weekly
Poetry sharing: 2.15pm - 3.15pm, first Thursday of the month. No prior reading necessary. All welcome.

Friday

Storytime: 2.15 - 2.45pm, weekly (term time only)
A Cache of Crocheters: 5.45pm - 6.45pm, weekly. New crochet club. All welcome.

Saturday

Lego and mega bloks club: 10am - 12pm, fortnightly 
Children's board games: 10am - 12pm, fortnightly

Further information can be found HERE

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Update for Tax Free Childcare for Non-UK National Personnel and Families

 

For more information, visit the Defence Childcare portal ​(on MODnet), Discover My Benefits or dial in to one of the Wrap Around Childcare Webinars.

To view/listen to the update, please CLICK HERE

Op RESTORE - The new name for the Veterans trauma network

Op RESTORE is the new name for the Veterans Trauma Network.

CLICK HERE​ for full details

HM Prison & Probation Service ‘Advance Into Justice’ Armed Forces recruitment – now open for applications

 

Whether you're in the process of leaving the Armed Forces, a veteran or a Spouse or Legal Partner of a Serving Person or Veteran; Advance into Justice is the opportunity for you. Advance into Justice allows you to take up a rewarding second career within HM Prison & Probation Service, access great resettlement packages, employment benefits, training and progression opportunities. Join us and you'll continue to use your transferrable skills to protect the public and play a vital role in the criminal justice system.

Advance into Justice offers a wide range of roles within both prison and probation environments across England and Wales.

Visit their website HERE

Further information is contained in their booklet HERE​

Lyneham: Bouncy castle for hire from 5Bn Welfare team

 

To book please scan the QR code or email vanessa.armand100@mod.gov.uk

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE