Wiltshire: Wiltshire Council Family Hub 'Family Navigator' drop-in time changes

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Alongside their parenting programmes and one-to-one outreach support in the home, Wiltshire Council Family Hub also have a team of Family Navigators who are available in different locations at different times throughout the week so that you can drop in and get the help that you are looking for.

This could be:

• Helping you find groups for you or your children in the community such as toddler groups, youth groups, adult learning opportunities and community events etc.

• Linking you in with organisations who can help with things like debt advice, housing support, mental and emotional wellbeing, volunteering and health advice. If you’re not yet feeling too confident to ‘go it alone’ then our family navigators will help with that too.

• Providing a listening ear when you don’t know where to go next and the things you are trying aren’t quite working.

• Supporting you to complete applications for pre-school, school or colleges and any other paperwork related to family life, because some of it is more complicated that it needs to be!

You can also view the above calendar on the Wiltshire Council Family Hub website.

(Please note that occasionally dates and time can be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Please check the Facebook page before travelling)

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVEs

England: Sexual Assault Referral Centres

There are 48 SARCs across England, which provide help 24 hours, seven days a week. This includes crisis care, medical and forensic medical examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections.

To find out more about help after sexual assault and abuse, visit www.nhs.uk/sarcs.

Bovington: Garrison community kitchen garden (allotment plots)

 

Contact juliaagar@hotmail.com or adelle.s@btinternet.com

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New funding to support bereaved military families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new funding opportunity for charities supporting bereaved military families.

The Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme will seek to build a strong, collaborative network to meet the needs of those who have given most.

Understanding the needs of the bereaved military community

In late 2024, the Trust commissioned Alma Economics to explore the needs, experiences and priorities of the bereaved Armed Forces community, as well as to map the scope of support currently available.

Anna Wright, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: “Using the findings from our commissioned research, we have ensured this new programme will facilitate partnerships across the bereavement sector, while creating a centralised list of all bereavement support available. We will seek to expand the support available to family members, including wider family members, and increase mental health provision for both adults and children. Ultimately, we hope this programme will support the development of a long-term bereavement strategy.

In designing the programme, we have been mindful that the lived experiences of the military bereaved shine through, and we will expect to see this in the successful projects too.”

West Midlands: Stepway - Supporting all Veterans in civilian life - 7-step civilian skills program

 REQUIREMENTS for 7-Step Civilian Skills Program

• Veteran having served in UK Armed Forces.

• Family member of Veteran (wife / husband / partner / Parent or child of).

• Volunteering for STEPWAY.

• Over the age of 18.

 

The 7-Step Civilian Skills Program is open to all Veterans and family members as well as anyone interested in volunteering with STEPWAY.

If you would like to attend  please contact me directly: neil.binder@stepway.org 07398 732595

 

The course will be held at The Stepway Wellbeing Centre, Merton Close, Oldbury B68 8NG

 

Dates: February, 10.00 - 15.00  (Lunch included)

 

Oldbury / West Midlands: 

Mon: 10/02/25  (Step 1 Introduction)    Wed: 12/02/25  (Step 2&3)    Fri: 4/02/25 (Step 4 & Recap)

Mon: 17/02/25  (Step 5)                Wed: 19/02/25 (Step 6&7)     Fri:21/02/25 (Recap & Presentations)

 

We will also be running the course at our Worcester premises as follows:-

 

For details or bookings please contact: tina.dales@stepway.org

 

Worcester: 

Mon: 17/02/25  (Step 1 Introduction)    Wed: 19/02/25  (Step 2&3)    Fri: 21/02/25 (Step 4 & Recap)

Mon: 24/02/25  (Step 5)                Wed: 26/02/25 (Step 6&7)     Fri:28/02/25 (Recap & Presentations)

 

Information: Central HIVE Hub

Hereford: Supporting my child on the ADHD Pathway - NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire

 

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Gloucestershire: Visit 'The Lab' at Gloucestershire Libraries

 

Welcome to The Lab at Gloucestershire Libraries. Friendly community spaces, offering accessible digital skill development for all ages and abilities. 

• Coding
• 3D printing
• Virtual reality headsets

Click here to read the latest newsletter.

Alternatively click here to visit the website.

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Lancashire: Mentoring in Schools for ex military, spouses/partners of the UK Armed Forces

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Supporting the submariner community

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has released the findings from new research into the needs of the Royal Navy submariner community and the impact of separation on family life.

The Trust commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to undertake further research following an event they attended in April 2024, hosted by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) and Greenwich Hospital.

Over two days, they heard from the Armed Forces community located in Helensburgh, Scotland, to understand more about the support available for Naval personnel and their families; and identify any gaps and opportunities.

Listening to the submariner community

The research highlighted that personnel and families can suffer poor mental health and emotional strain due to unpredictability, frustration, separation and feeling unprepared for deployment. This can also include a period of pre-deployment anxiety as well as the deployment period itself. Reintegration following deployment can also be a challenge as routines are disrupted. An enduring stigma around mental health can deter some from seeking the help they need.

This wasn’t limited to immediate family members, with extended family not feeling included in the support networks available.

Scotland: NHS Inform We'll Keep You Right - Not sure where to go or who to see?

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE