Scotland: Vector24 providing vital transport support for the Armed Forces Community

Vector24 is a Scottish charity founded in 2016 that provides vital transport support and guidance for the Armed Forces Community, Merchant Navy, Seafarers, and their families across Scotland.

Vector24 goes beyond just transport; they offer compassionate, tailored assistance to ensure that no veteran or their family faces challenges alone. Each journey is customised to meet unique needs, from medical appointments to treatment plans and social isolation support.

They have recently launched 'The Extra Mile' project, funded by the Army Central Fund and the Veterans Foundation, which offers:

Transport for serving personnel to medical appointments

Family support and transport, especially during deployments

Qualified escorts for welfare assistance

Assistance with long-term treatment plans

Appointment attendance and rescheduling help


For booking inquiries, please contact Colleen, Engagement Support Officer, at 07821 679 643 or email colleen@vector24.co.uk. For operational matters, reach out to Leon, Operations Manager, at 07821 679 647.

Visit their website at www.vector24.co.uk for more information and check the attached booklet 👉 Vector24

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Squirrel Scouts at Bramcote Community Centre

Information: Central HIVE Hub
 

Help for Heroes: Seeking Help and Recovery College Courses

Help for Heroes have a new leaflet to explain how they can support, and how to access this. To view the leaflet please click HERE

There is also a range of courses available through the Help for Heroes Recovery College. Information and the prospectus can be found on the Help for Heroes website: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/recovery-college/self-help-guides/

For further details on Help for Heroes services and how to get in touch, please go to: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Gloucestershire: Council launches support to help keep young people safe online

Gloucestershire County Council has launched a new online resource to help keep children and young people safe online.

The webpage gives parents and guardians information about different aspects of online harms, with details of further information and where support is available.

The webpage also brings together links to trusted sources of information and local support relating to wider health and wellbeing recognising the broad range of impacts that using digital devices and online spaces can have for children and young people.

Young Gloucestershire are one of the partners the council consulted with to develop the webpage and help provide expert insight into the needs of children and young people.

Young Gloucestershire provides young people with support and seeks to help them to develop the skills they need to thrive.

As part of the county council’s commitment to stopping the risk of harm to children and young people, the council is also working with Young Gloucestershire to develop and deliver additional youth worker support to those experiencing harm online.

Please click here to visit the website

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Dorset: Reporting missed bin collections

If you are having problems regarding missed collections, please contact Dorset Council via the on-line portal to report these problems. Click HERE 

You can also request an extra bin or bulky waste collection. 

Please do not report your collection as missed until after 4pm on your collection day. The crew do not follow the same collection order each week and may still be out collecting.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Service Women: Seen & Heard programme

 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust recently announced over £700K to support projects that provide targeted support for serving women through their Service Women: Seen & Heard programme.

Find out how these projects will work to empower both regular and reserve service women, helping them to make informed decisions and access vital resources to improve health and wellbeing.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - watch recording of recent Lunch and Learn webinar about the Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme

 

Want to find out more about the Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme? Watch a recording of our recent Lunch & Learn webinar on our website now at https://covenantfund.org.uk/programme/empowering-bereaved-military-families-programme/#webinar-for-applicants

This programme offers a single portfolio grant of up to £1.8 million, to achieve long term, transformational change in the non-statutory support provided to bereaved military families.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 12 noon, 2 April 2025.

From sailing to Service dogs - over £850,000 awarded to improve the quality of life for Veterans negatively impacted by their Service

From sailing to service dogs: over £850,000 awarded to improve the quality of life for veterans negatively impacted by their service

Breaking down barriers; building bridges; addressing trauma. The Armed Forces Covenant Trust’s (the Trust) Fulfilling Futures programme has supported six outstanding projects totalling more than £850,000 to improve the lives of veterans negatively impacted by their service.

Support to lead fulfilling lives

Each project represents new, tailored work to support groups of veterans including those with physical injuries, those who have experienced military sexual trauma, those living with PTSD and other complex mental health issues, LGBT+ veterans and women veterans. Though each tackles a different cohort, each aims to mitigate the effects of the barriers preventing them from having a fulfilling life after service.

Reducing isolation and building connections

Working UK-wide, British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA) will use their award of £300,000 to deliver a new, three-year therapeutic wellness programme supporting limbless and injured veterans. They’ll offer activities and coaching/mentoring opportunities aimed at breaking down barriers and helping individuals progress positively through their recovery.

With a focus LGBT+ veterans, families and carers, and other minority groups in the East of England, The Bridge for Heroes will use their award of £73,129 to improve awareness, provide targeted services, and build connections with existing veteran organisations. They will address specific needs to reduce isolation and ensure long-term integration of support within veteran services.

Helen Taylor MBE, CEO at The Bridge for Heroes, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant from the Fulfilling Futures programme. It will enable us to build upon our valued partnership with Fighting with Pride, providing enhanced support to LGBT+ veterans and other minority groups across the East of England over the next 18 months.”

Supporting women Veterans

Fife: SHOUT - a free and confidential text support service for young people who are feeling stressed or worried

Shout’s trained volunteers are available around the clock to listen and support anyone who is suicidal, depressed, anxious or overwhelmed. The service is anonymous and does not show up on phone bills.

We have partnered with Shout to offer support to young people who live in Fife. To start a conversation, text “FIFE” to 85258.

If your life is at imminent risk, call the emergency services on 999.
What happens when you text “FIFE” to 85258?

To start a conversation, text the word “FIFE” to 85258.

If you’re feeling anxious, lonely, overwhelmed, suicidal or not quite yourself, Shout’s volunteers are here for you 24/7. 

Corsham: 'The Haven' support group for parents of children with autism

 

Please click images to enlarge

Further support can be found at the Wiltshire Autism Hub

Information provided by Colerne HIVE

Swindon: 'City of Sanctuary' charity fighting isolation

 

Swindon City of Sanctuary seek to build a culture of welcome, inclusion and support for everyone in Swindon, with a focus on people who are seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.

For families new to Swindon with pre-school children, come and join the team from Swindon City of Sanctuary to chat, sing songs and rhymes, play games, craft, and share stories. No need to book, just drop in!

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Bath: Walking trails in and around Bath

Please click here to read this guide online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Hereford: Love Exploring App

 

Looking for free & exciting ways to Explore our City?

Download the ‘Love Exploring’ app to explore guided trails and games in Hereford!

Love Exploring offers users a new, accessible way to find routes to Hereford’s numerous art pieces, historic plaques, places of interest, and much more.

You can find the app in the Google Play Store or the Iphone App Store.
Please ensure you explore responsibly, following social distancing guidelines at all times.

For further information please click here

Catterick: Banana Moon Nursery - Military Discount

Information provided by Catterick HIVE

Weeton, Preston, Chester: Recruit For Spouses Foreign & Commonwealth Programme to support NUKN in the North West

RFS has been able to obtain some funding to support the NUKN Service Community in the North West and Chester.

• Foreign & Commonwealth Programme

Are you a member of the Foreign & Commonwealth community with a qualification from your home country that you need transferring to its UK equivalent? Then we have some very exciting news to share with you!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the RFS Foreign and Commonwealth Programme! After a year of hard work and dedication from our incredible team, this innovative programme is designed to break down financial barriers for Foreign and Commonwealth spouses/partners, helping them transfer qualifications to UK equivalents. This will enable easier access to employment, study, or to gain professional registration.

Our Career Academy will cover the costs of obtaining a Statement of Comparability and facilitate the application process, working with trusted service providers to ensure qualifications meet UK standards.

Eligibility:

- Partner of a Foreign or Commonwealth national serving in HM Forces (Royal Navy, British Army, or Royal Air Force)
- Over 18 years of age
- Partners include spouses, civil partners, fiancés(e), or individuals living with serving personnel in a relationship akin to marriage/civil partnership for at least two years.

Application Requirements:

- Partner’s service number
- Date of entry to the UK
- Visa status (if applicable)

To apply for this support and service, sign up to our portal and click 'programmes' on the upper left-hand side here - https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in

• Coaching & Mentoring

Our FREE coaching and mentoring programme is open to the entire military community—because everyone deserves the chance to thrive. Whether you’re a spouse, partner, serving personnel, service leaver, veteran, or military child aged 18+, this programme is designed to help you take charge of your personal and professional journey. With a pool of over 80 expert coaches and mentors from leading industry sectors, we provide tailored support to help you unlock your full potential!

Sign up today by registering on our portal and selecting 'programmes' in the upper left-hand corner - https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Hampshire: Victim Support

Click HERE  for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Rushmoor: How are you Today Rushmoor Healthy living

Click image for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Elgin: Moray Wellbeing Hub Weekly drop-in every Friday

click on image to enlarge

Join us at our drop-in space for anyone looking for support with their wellbeing FRIDAY 21st February from 12 noon until 2pm at Foggies Bar in Elgin.

No need to book, just drop by and a Champion from Moray Wellbeing Hub will be there for support. We can look at specific things together or just listen to you, whatever feels right in that moment.

There will be free tea and coffee and a cosy space to connect with another human!

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Lyneham: MOD Lyneham seeks community support for Independent Advisory Panel

MOD Lyneham are looking at establishing an Independent Advisory Panel and look towards the Parish for support if anyone fits the criteria. More to follow, however as part of our continued community relations we feel that the parish can add value in some areas of operation onsite, which might not only benefit us but also the local community in building on relations.

Please click here for further information

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Op ASCEND – Careers After Service

 
Op ASCEND is a free, government-backed service to support veterans in growing their careers.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking employment or an employer looking to attract skilled veterans to your workforce, find out what signing up to the Op ASCEND service can do for you.

For more information visit: https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk