Gloucestershire: Monthly Armed Forces and Veterans Community Carers Cafe in Shurdington

Please click here to visit the Gloucestershire Carers Hub website

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Family Hubs in Staffordshire

The Family Hubs offer a range of information, support and advice for families at a local and county level. This is shared mainly through the Family Hub Facebook pages but can also be answered by individual queries by email, message or phone calls.

We also have produced a wealth of in-house support which has been created by the Early Years Coordination team. Please click on the links below to access:

Family Hub Home Zone - A hub of activities from cooking to craft to inspire and support you and your family within the home

Family Hub School Readiness - Staffordshire Children's Centres and their key partners have created some information, advice and guidance on how you can support your child to become School Ready.

Early Years Volunteering Programme - Interested in volunteering within the children's centre. Click on the link to view roles and to apply.

Staffordshire Children's Centres - Information on how to access your local Children’s Centre and what’s on offer.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme contact details

If you need to contact us regarding a child's lost HAF registration code, please contact your nearest children's centre.

Cannock district: 01543 469894

East Staffordshire district: 01283 233400

Lichfield district: 01543 512024

Newcastle district: 01782 296100

Stafford district: 01785 854700

South Staffordshire district: 01922 415632

Staffordshire Moorlands district: 01782 297970

Tamworth district: 01827 475222
Further Support

If you need advice and support on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) - A guide to your SEND Local Offer? | Staffordshire Connects

There is also our Family Support Service where families can receive individual 1-1 support. The support offered covers a range of issues families may experience such as potty training, routines or behaviour. They can also give guidance and signpost families on where issues are more complex. Click on the link below for which Family Support provider covers your district.

Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire and Stafford - Family Action - Staffordshire Family Support Service

East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth - Malachi - Staffordshire Family Support Service

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

New Defence Domestic Abuse Action Plan 2024-2029

 

The MOD Domestic Abuse Action Plan 2024-29 is a five-year plan detailing the key actions Defence is taking to tackle domestic abuse. The plan sets out how Defence will prevent, intervene, and partner, to support those affected by domestic abuse and ensure those who perpetrate abuse are held accountable. The Defence approach includes the implementation of a coordinated community response model, data and research working groups and the development of a military domestic abuse practice network.

As an employer, Defence has a moral and legal duty of care for our personnel. But we also recognise a responsibility that extends beyond that, as articulated in the Armed Forces Covenant, that those who serve or have served, and their families, should be treated fairly. This plan reiterates Defence’s commitment to create and maintain an environment that does not tolerate domestic abuse and raises awareness of the work taking place to tackle domestic abuse within the Defence community.

You can access the plan via this link: No defence for abuse: Domestic Abuse Action Plan 2024-2029 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Northern Ireland: NIdirect - Dog Licensing in Northern Ireland

NIdirect would like to remind residents that if you own a dog you must ensure it is microchipped and you MUST have a dog licence.

By getting your dog licensed you have a much greater chance of getting your treasured pet returned if it is lost or stolen. A licence costs either £5 or £12.50 depending on circumstances.
Once you have your dog microchipped, you can licence it on line by using the link below or request an application form from Environmental Heath Service.

If you keep a dog without a licence you can be issued with a fixed penalty of £75 and non-payment of this could result in a fine of up to £1000.

For more information and to find your local Council Dog Licensing Office, click here

Information provided by HIVE NI

Breastfeeding Support Groups - a short survey for Serving Personnel & spouses

 

Please click here for a short survey on potential Breastfeeding Support Groups across the UK.

​This survey was created by FAB (Families And Babies) and is tailored to the military community including spouses, either those who may wish to volunteer/undertake training to run the groups, or those who may be interested in attending​.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation - Service Family Accommodation communications update

Please see below for the following:

• A message from DIO Chief Executive Mike Green
• IDEAL Customer Service notice
• Modernised Accommodation Offer update

Defence Children Services, Education Advisory Team (UK) - School place offers & appeal advice

 

There are some key dates coming up for families who have children due to start primary or secondary school in September 2024.

Defence Children Services Education Advisory Team (UK) have prepared an information sheet, which offers advice to families about responding to the school places they have been offered for their children should it be needed. This guidance is relevant UK-wide.​

For further information please go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-children-services-dcs​

Defence Discount Service - Veterans research

 

New study reveals that nearly four in five veterans feel lack of recognition despite sacrificing key life events

New research conducted by Defence Discount Service has revealed that nearly four in five (75%) veterans feel they are not sufficiently recognised or rewarded by society for their service, despite many sacrificing key family events.

The study, which surveyed 11,500 veterans in the UK, found that while in service, 40% had missed key life events such as Christmas, anniversaries, weddings, funerals and even the birth of their own children.

Over a third (37%) of veterans agreed that now they have left the military, spending time with family is helping to make up for lost time. Half said that they are closer to their grandchildren as they are able to spend more time with them.

Joining the military is a life-defining decision and one not to be made lightly, with those choosing the career often having to accept that it will have an impact on them and their families. Despite missing key life events, 34% of respondents still stated that although they found it difficult, they were proud to serve their country.

Since leaving the service, veterans expressed how they have made up for lost time and what they now enjoy doing with their free time such as going on holiday (74%), gardening (43%) and spending quality time with their pet (28%).

Certes IT Services - Support to Military Service Leavers and Veterans

 

Certes IT Services Solutions offer a free service seeking to create a community with knowledge and understanding that supports each other and champions ex-military personnel.

For more details on the offer to former​-forces please see the website below:

https://info.certes.co.uk/former-forces

Supporting the Unsung Hero - Free online business start-up courses

 

Supporting the Unsung Hero business start up are pleased to announce that they are restarting​ their monthly Starting a Business Webinars which is free to the Armed Forces Community

For more information please visit the website https://www.supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk/ or contact us at HIVE with any questions.