(SFA) Communications Update 13 May 25: Business from Home - update

Applications to run a Business from Home in your Service Family Accommodation (SFA) were paused in January 2025, to allow a review of the policy and associated processes to take place.

This review has now been completed, and DIO is able to confirm that the processing of applications to run a Business from Home has resumed with immediate effect. The existing guidance and application form for running a Business from Home is available here.

DIO is working with Pinnacle to finalise some adjustments to the application process, form and policy. Once these changes are finalised, the policy will be updated and shared on the Pinnacle website in the near future.

Under the changes, those operating a Business from Home can expect to receive better and clearer communication from a named Housing Officer who can help answer their specific housing related queries.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Suicide prevention is everybody’s business

“Research tells us that military personnel are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as non-military civilians. A culture of self-sufficiency and not admitting ‘weakness’ still exists, which is a potential barrier to accessing support.” Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of PAPYRUS

Those working on the frontline with vulnerable veterans know this challenge all too well. It’s why the Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) has made this a key priority in their Embedding Prevention of Veteran Suicide programme (EVPS), awarding over £1.5 million to 18 projects that are driving real change in veteran suicide prevention.

PAPYRUS is a UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Speaking about their EPVS funded bespoke training project, Ged explains: “Veterans may not want to engage with civilian mental health services as they feel it won’t cater for their military experiences.

Highlands: Military Liaison Group(MLG) May edition Newsletter available now

Its packed full this quarter with updates, information and resources and importantly highlighting some of the things our Children and Young People have been up to and involved in, a farewell to 3SCOTS Unit Welfare Officer who moves onto a new post in July and as always, helpful information from our MLG (Education) partners and loads more!

Click on image above to read the newsletter in full 👆

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Shorncliffe: Army Welfare Service Community Support Junior Youth Club every Mon 16:30 - 18:00

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Safe Haven NHS

An evening and weekend drop-in service for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or their carer.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Farnborough: Health walks 1330hrs every Tuesday St Peters church

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Surrey: Headway Surrey family & carers survival toolkit understanding acquired brain injury

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Surrey: funded childcare in Surrey

From April 2024, funded early education will be expanding. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support. 

The new entitlements will be introduced in phases: 

- From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child's 2nd birthday

- From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months

Bicester: tower treasures baby and toddler group - every Thursday during termtime

Baby and toddler drop-in group ages 0-4. Play, enjoy refreshments, stories, songs and a chat! The Parish Room, St Michael at the North Gate, termtime Thursdays 1000-1145hrs. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Stafford: Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Maternity consultation comms Toolkit

 

The consultation details our proposal for birthing services at County Hospital in Stafford and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital in Lichfield.

See link here

Information provided by Stafford HIVE