The Armed Forces Families Fund - Early Years Programme

 

Support for projects which help Armed Forces families access good quality early years childcare

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) are delighted to announce the latest round of The Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years Programme.

Under this programme the Trust will award grants of between £5,000 and £80,000 for projects which help enhance early childhood education and childcare settings to ensure they meet the needs of young children from Armed Forces families.

Samaritans Veterans app

 

The Samaritans Veterans app​ provides UK military Service Leavers and Veterans with emotional health and wellbeing information, guidance and resources. Samaritans Veterans is designed to give you the tools to identify and navigate the emotional health challenges that can be experienced when transitioning out of the military and in your life beyond the Forces.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call us free on 116 123 (within the UK or Ireland) or email us at jo@samaritans.org. Whoever you are and whatever you’re facing, we won’t judge you or tell you what to do. We’re here to listen so you don’t have to face it alone. www.samaritans.org.​

Grantham: The Lincolnshire Helpline 24/7

There's a helpline in Lincolnshire for people feeling low, anxious or stressed and think that talking to another person may help them cope. The mental health helpline in Lincolnshire is open 24/7. The team can also help signpost to other support where necessary: call 0800 0014331.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Togetherall - knowing where to turn for support can be daunting

 

Knowing where to turn for support can be daunting.

Togetherall is a free, safe & anonymous online community to support your mental health. There is no waiting list to join Togetherall and it is accessible 24/7.

• ​FREE to anyone in the UK Military, Veterans & Family members aged 16+
• Visit www.togetherall.com to join today

Please click the links to watch Togetherall's information videos or click the images above:

Introducing Togetherall

UK military social media animation

North Wiltshire & Gloucestershire: Follow the AWS Community Support team on Eventbrite!

 

Community Support secures or directly provides learning and personal development opportunities for military personnel and their families wherever they are living. Non-formal education opportunities are provided within Community, Youth and Play Centres and Projects to children, young people and their families throughout the year and across the UK and overseas.

Click here to follow the North Wilts and Glos AWS Community Support team on Eventbrite, which will ensure you are sent notifications when new events become available.

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVE

Chester: Changes to the Upton PR3 Park & Ride Service from 3 Sep

The timetable for the Upton 'PR3' Park & Ride service in Chester is set to change from September.

The service begins at 7am Monday to Friday and from 8am on Saturday. From September 3, buses will operate as follows:

• Mondays to Saturdays – the service will operate every 15 minutes until 9am and buses will terminate at Chester Bus Interchange.
• After 9am buses will operate every 20 minutes and terminate at Foregate Street stop BB.
• Return buses will depart from Foregate Street stop BB
• Sundays and Bank Holidays – buses will operate every 15 minutes between 9.30am and 5.30pm and terminate at Foregate Street stop BB.

The Park and Ride includes free Wi-Fi and USB charging, air conditioning, free parking for passengers and free travel for up to three accompanying children.

Information provided by Chester HIVE

Defence creates an information sheet for Family Courts about Service life

 

Defence has updated and shared information with Family Courts to help demonstrate that Service and family life is compatible.

The Army Families Federation informed Defence of anecdotal feedback from some families of potential misunderstandings about the nature of Service life when going through the Family Court system.

As a result of this feedback, Defence worked with stakeholders across the Family Court systems to produce an information sheet for Family Court workers.

The information sheet aims to increase understanding about the working and living arrangements of Service personnel, and how their families are impacted. The document also shows the support available for Armed Forces families to build and maintain a stable life at home.

Kent County Council: Household Support Fund

 

Kent County Council is  offering support with a one-off £100 food voucher for eligible households in Kent.  If you or someone you know is struggling then they may be able to get help from the Household Support Fund 

Act now as the scheme closes on 14 September 2023 or when the budget is spent.


Visit kent.gov.uk/householdsupportfund to find out more and apply.

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Plymouth DWP Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and their Spouses/Partners

 GFiE has a new role available within the Department for Work and Pensions in Plymouth, with a closing date of Monday 11th September 2023: GFIE-257 - Targeted Case Review Agent - Plymouth.  This role is only available to Service Leavers, Veterans and their spouses/partners.

The Targeted Case Review Agent role would really suit candidates who love working with the general public and across teams (internal and external), who have strong decision making skills and are able to analyse and present information. The candidate should have a willingness to learn how to deliver a DWP service using digital methods. 

This role comes with the opportunity to complete either a Customer Service or Business Administration apprenticeship, this is a chance for someone to 'earn as they learn' and develop great transferable skills for the future. 

​Please find attached the job description (including all key details).  

Completed Expression of Interest form and latest CV to be sent to gfie@cabinetoffice.gov.uk​

‘Going Forward into Employment’ (GFiE): Civil Service job vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and their Spouses/Partners

 

Please click image to enlarge

For further information please see the full GFiE guide at A complete guide to GFiE - Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers - Life Chances - Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

The GFiE Expression of Interest Form​ can be downloaded at this link