Tips to help navigate this blog:
- TOP: Blog posts by area; subject-specific information sheets; links to HIVE's Social Media, and a map of contact details for our worldwide information centres and their Location Guides.
- LEFT COLUMN: Use the search engine; sign up to receive our weekly email updates, or find information by subject.
- RIGHT COLUMN: Contact HIVE with your specific query.
- CENTRAL SECTION: All the latest posts in date order:

August 15, 2023

British Army 'Leader of the Year' Awards 2023

 

The Centre for Army Leadership are launching the first British Army Leader of the Year Awards.

This prestigious award recognises our outstanding personnel in exemplifying British Army leadership. The application process is now open for internal Army nominations only, whether Regular or Reserve (inc. UOTC).

Don't miss the chance to recognise those who demonstrate exceptional leadership. Submit your nomination using the QR code (from a non-MOD device)​ or via this link: https://shorturl.at/clIJU​ ​

North Yorkshire: Young People with SEND support with Drug and Alcohol use



Information provided by Catterick HIVE Hub

 

August 14, 2023

Armed Forces pay award - Non-UK National Personnel

 

Moray: Badminton at Moray Sports Centre

We are excited to announce our brand new partnership with Badminton Moray. The sessions will be coach led and start this week at MSC .
It is our goal to help promote and develop the sport of Badminton in the Moray area.
Please contact Angela Bell for more info at moraybmintonforum1@gmail.com


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

August 11, 2023

West Midlands: West Midland Safari Park - Defence Discount Service




Receive up to 36% discount* on general admission when booking online in advance with your unique Defence Discount Service discount code. Once you have requested your discount code, visit www.wmsp.co.uk, select your tickets and visit date, and enter your discount code at the online checkout. 

Please note the member must have their Defence Discount Service card with them on the day of the visit

Information provided by Lichfield HIVE  (updated: 11.8.23)

Shopshire: Cost of living help


This information has been brought together by Shropshire Council with its partners to support our residents at this challenging and worrying time.

Information provided by: Lichfield HIVE Hub

Telford & Wrekin: Veterans' Cafes - Drop in no need to book


Information provided by: Lichfield HIVE Hub

 

SSAFA Forces Additional Needs & Disability Newsletter - Biennial Conference Edition

 

The latest Newsletter from FANDF with a focus on the biennial conference is now available

For more details visit www.ssafa.org.uk/fandf or contact your nearest HIVE for details.

August 10, 2023

Dept for Work and Pensions weekly update


Information regarding the move from Tax Credits to Universal Credits (UC) is now available online.

Employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme

This document lists the employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme, and their status (committed, employer or leader) to end of July 2023.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is reminding bereaved parents to check their eligibility for financial support. In February 2023 the government extended eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance to cohabiting parents with dependent children. The benefits are designed to help with the financial impact of losing a partner.

Previously these benefits were only available to eligible bereaved parents who were married or in a civil partnership, but the law was changed to make it fairer to children.

When DWP extended eligibility in February 2023, it opened a 12-month window for cohabiting parents to backdate their claims. This means parents whose partner died before 9 February 2023 have until 8 February 2024 to claim. After this, it will not be possible to claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance and parents will not get their full entitlement to a backdated payment of Bereavement Support Payment

NHS England's Armed Forces Stakeholder Brief - Aug 2023





Welcome to the August issue of the Armed Forces stakeholder brief. 


The last month has been an exciting one across the Armed Forces space; after much hard work and with support from our Armed Forces Patient and Public Voice Group, we were pleased to rename the Veterans Trauma Network (VTN), Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service in the lead up to Armed Forces day.

We have also been working with colleagues piloting the single point of contact service for the Armed Forces community and following a period of engagement, this has been renamed Op COMMUNITY: Armed Forces Community Support.

We also welcome Op FORTITUDE, an Office for Veterans' Affairs initiative to end veteran homelessness, and Operation Stirling, an Age UK and Fighting with Pride service to support LGBT+ veterans, into the veteran support field. You can find out more about these initiatives below. We hope that these new services will offer valuable support to veterans of the UK Armed Forces.


With 5 July 2023 marking the 75th birthday of the NHS, we were delighted that in the same week the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) announced that 75% of trusts across England are now Veteran Aware accredited. Thank you to all colleagues from the VCHA and accredited NHS trusts for their dedication to support improved care for the Armed Forces community. Our next brief will be in September, in the meantime, we hope you manage to take some well earned rest this summer
.



Please also see our one page overview 'NHS healthcare for the Armed Forces Community'.