Lancashire Armed Forces Covenant Guide 2024/25

To view the latest Lancashire Armed Forces Covenant Guide, click HERE.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

It is estimated that up to 880,000 households are missing out on Pension Credit, and it is worth, on average, £3,900 per year, providing additional benefits such as help with Council Tax and Housing Benefit and a free TV licence for those over 75.

In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Payment and other support like help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.

Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to 3 months, (ticking the backdating box on the claim form). This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for Winter Fuel Payment is 21st December 2024.

To note, Pension Credit can also provide extra support for heating costs such as The Warm Home Discount Scheme and Cold Weather Payments​.

Checking entitlement is easy with this on-line calculator: Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Elgin: DYW - Are you looking to start a new career, perhaps in the healthcare industry?

click on image to enlarge

Why not come along to the Pathway to Professional Healthcare Careers event to hear about the different courses and care professions from NHS Grampian, Robert Gordon University and UHI Moray - before a Q&A with a panel of former students !! 

Join us on Tuesday 12th of November in the AGBC Conference at the UHI Moray Street Campus from 6pm - 8pm. 

Get your FREE tickets now at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../pathway-to-professional...

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Army HQ Welfare Matters newsletter - families edition

 

Army HQ publishes the Welfare Matters newsletter quarterly, and this is shared internally with MOD staff and Army units.

A new families version of the newsletter is now available, as it is recognised that Service family members may also be interested in the latest news updates, and will find the newsletter informative.

Please click here to view the newsletter online

Lyneham: Lyneham Banks update

 

Please click here for an update from Wiltshire Council and Octavius on the B4069 Lyneham Banks project, due to be completed in 2025.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Staffordshire: MPFT Families Health & Wellbeing Service - Virtual Group Programmes

The virtual groups are open to parents and carers living in Staffordshire. Each session is facilitated by Health Visitors who share evidence based information and aim to answer any questions you may have in a friendly and informal session.

 Please book 👉HERE.

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Staffordshire Emergency Dental Service

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Veterans ID Card accepted as Polling ID

The government has backed the armed forces community by allowing HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to be used as Voter ID in forthcoming elections.

More information can be found here.

Grantham: Belton Lane and Swingbridge Children's Centre Timetables

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £380K awarded to enhance Early Years provision for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £380,000 to a further 12 fantastic projects supporting Service children in the latest round of the Early Years programme!

These projects are set to help enhance early childhood education and childcare to better support the unique needs and challenges of young children from Armed Forces families.

Dedicated resources for Service children across the UK 

Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Early Years programme supports initiatives that help Armed Forces families access good quality early childhood education and childcare provision. This will enhance capacity, allowing more Service children to enrol, create improved learning environments, and offer suitable training for staff development to address the unique challenges faced by Service children.