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October 26, 2022

Chester: CATCH - Common Approach to Children's Health


CATCH is a free mobile app for expectant mums, parents & carers of children aged 0-5.

Download the app today to access reliable health information with health reminders like vaccination dates, guidance for your child's age range and local support services http://cwac.co/z8zuB

Information provided by Chester HIVE

October 25, 2022

Lichfield: Military & Veterans Breakfasts - The Bell inn, Whittington last Sunday of the Month


 

Wattisham: Suffolk libraries - free e-books and audiobooks

If you are Suffolk resident, membership of Suffolk Libraries is Free!
You can apply at the library or via the website.
Here you can access to Borrowbox app which provides access to E-Books and Audio-books (children and adults).

Information provided by Wattisham HIVE

October 21, 2022

Defence Accommodation Strategy


We recognise the importance of homes and families to the wellbeing of Service Personnel, especially when making such extraordinary sacrifices in the UK and overseas.

Defence continues to consider how we best support our people and ensure that they have access to high quality subsidised accommodation in line with modern living standards and the support that meets their varied needs, health, and wellbeing.​

​To read click HERE​

October 19, 2022

Lichfield: Compensation - Pinnacle Service Families



You may be entitled to compensation if you have experienced any of the following;
  • Missed appointments
  • Failed Move in – if during your move in experience there was a significant defect resulting in a habitable or non-habitable fault
  • Incorrect Tradesperson – If the wrong tradesperson arrives to attend a repair you have reported who is not suitably qualified to fix/ make good the issue and has to arrange for a second visit by the correct tradesperson
  • Total loss of heating/cooking facilities – if there is a total loss of heating facilities (where temporary heating is provided) or total loss of cooking facilities
Please note that compensation will be paid in high street vouchers (Love2Shop) only, to offset any inconvenience caused. Click here to see the list of retailers where you can spend a Love2Shop voucher.

Full details: HERE

Lancashire: New Cost of Living information hub launched


We've launched our new Cost of Living information hub, making it easier for people to find the help they need.
It's contains various areas of support, including our Warm and Welcome Places scheme.
Read more more about it here
cost-of-living-support-in-lancashire

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

October 18, 2022

Servicewomen’s Health Handbook


The Servicewomen’s Health Handbook​ was released last month and is for all personnel who are directly affected by female-specific health issues, for commanders and line managers who have a responsibility to enable their people to be their best, and for colleagues to better understand and support.

Copies of the handbook are available via internal Health and Wellbeing Portals or can be downloaded direct from Servicewomen's Health Handbook​

Scotland: Mindful Connections a new service launched to help veteran families transition to civilian life



Forces Children Scotland
has received funding from the Scottish Veterans Fund to deliver Mindful Connections to support families who have made or will make the transition from military to civilian life across Central Scotland.

It’s the whole family which makes the transition

Children and young people have told us that making the transition from an armed forces to civilian family can prove a challenging experience for many different reasons. That’s why we will deliver a holistic family support service to help families to work together to make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

Tax Free Childcare - Overseas

Whilst overseas, TFC can only be used at nurseries or childminders that are MOD provided (regulated and inspected). 

If you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) and you are assigned to an overseas location within the European Economic Area (and Switzerland) where there is no access to MOD provided schools and nurseries, you will be able to claim the TFC top-up using a manual process.

Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) worked with HMRC to allow for an application to be made with data then being transferred securely to HMRC for eligibility checking and processing of refunds.

2022DIN01-102 Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) Scheme for eligible working parents (Service personnel) has now been published, this includes the application form for the manual process.

Personnel without internal SharePoint access should contact People-AFFS-Child-Expenses@mod.gov.uk to request a copy of the application form. ​