Fun Pools Near Sennelager

Leisure pools (Freizeitbad) are common in Germany. Offering water slides and fun pools they make a great family activity. Many also have sauna and spa areas (most sauna areas will be fabric free.)

You could well be familiar with the H2O pool in Herford, Aqua Mondo Centre Parcs or the Bad Lippspringe Therme.

Below is a list of three other Frietzbad options you might not know so well. Make sure to check the Corona rules and booking conditions at each pool before you go.

Cervical Screening Campaign

 

Paderborn Road Closure Update

From Monday, February 28th, the Bahnhofstrasse in the area between Frankfurter Weg and Pontanusstrasse will be closed for about 12 months. 

The complete closure is necessary in order to be able to connect the new bridge to Bahnhofstrasse and to be able to safely carry out the canal and road construction work between the bridge and Pontanusstrasse. 

Dept for Work and Pensions: List of Temporary Job Centres Continues to Grow

The DWP continues to set up temporary jobcentres to deal with increased demand.

The new jobcentres will provide services across the country where they are needed. They will increase capacity to provide tailored face-to-face support and help support more people back into work and progress into new roles.​

Tri-Service Live Forum 2nd March: Future Accommodation Model

 

Visa Fees Scrapped for Non-UK Service Personnel

Use this link to learn more

Celebrating Forces Families Nominations Still Open

    Celebrating Forces Families

The Little Troopers: Free Affirmation Cards for Military Children

The Little Troopers Affirmation Cards are free to download from our website and feature 35 bright and colourful positive affirmations.

Click HERE​ for more information.

Army HIVE Instagram

 

Service Families Accommodation - Utility Bills (UK)

As more small energy suppliers enter administration, it can sometimes be challenging for DIO to engage with the replacement supplier, appointed by Ofgem, when a family moves out of their SFA.

To avoid DIO incurring unnecessary costs, families must ensure they take a meter reading at the Move-In appointment and at the Move-Out appointment. Families must also inform their energy supplier of their final meter reading at Move-Out and supply a forwarding address.

Families are responsible for utility bills from the date of Move In until the date of Move Out, unless the home falls under an MOD fuel supply arrangement. Families can choose to remain with the existing suppliers to their SFA or negotiate their own utility provider for gas and electricity.

Families entering into private agreements with utility providers must ensure that the contracts include a caveat enabling them to terminate the agreement by giving 28 days' notice of ending the agreement and 48 hours' notice of termination.

DIO’s Industry Partner is permitted to provide some personal details to utility providers within GDPR guidance when families fail to settle their utility bills on Move-Out. However, families should remember it is their responsibility to notify their suppliers that they are leaving a property.

We thank you for your continued support with this issue.

20% off for Queen's Platinum Jubilee Event at Royal Albert Hall

SSAFA’s Royal Albert Hall concert on the Wednesday 16th March at 7.30pm is officially part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

There is 20% off for SSAFA supporters if you follow the link, and use the code SSAFA2022.

Queen's Platinum Jubilee event at Royal Albert Hall​

Nominations for the 2022 Soldiering On Awards are now Open

​Help us recognise extraordinary people doing extraordinary things for the Armed Forces Community, and nominate the individuals and organisations that inspire you.

Nominations open from 21 February till Sunday 10th April 2022.

​Full details use this link  

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service provides careers information, advice and guidance. They can help you to make decisions on learning, training and work at all stages in your career.

Update on Veterans ID Card Scheme

Use this link to read up on the new veterans ID cards

The cards allow veterans to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority, and charities, helping them to access support and services where needed.

All other veterans will be able to apply for a new ID card by the end of this year, to mark their time in the armed forces.

SSAFA SUPPORT GROUPS

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity offers three support groups, delivering a mixture of face-to-face and online, one or two-day events which facilitate peer support, provide a safe space to grieve and an opportunity for respite.

Cervical Screening Campaign

 

SSAFA event: Military Families Affected by the Suicide of a Loved One (MFAS) Support Group

SSAFA Support Groups is pleased to announce that our Military Families Affected by the Suicide of a Loved One (MFAS) Support Group will be holding its first Face-to-Face weekend meeting since 2020 on Saturday 02 April 2022 and Sunday 03 April 2022.

The venue will be at our Central Office, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Queen Elizabeth House, 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London EC3R 8AD

Tickets For Troops

Military charity Tickets For Troops has added some exciting new events for serving personnel and their loved ones to enjoy for free in recognition of their service and sacrifices.

FAM Survey for Those at FAM Pilot Sites

 

Use this link to complete the survey 

Highway Code Changes

Rules for all types of road users have been updated in The Highway Code. For more information, click here​.

Adrenaline Shock

 

Please click on the image to enlarge

Anyone in the UK or Overseas can enter and the Catterick contact details are those of the team who are running the event for ABF.

The Great North Run

  

Please click on the image to enlarge

Anyone in the UK or Overseas can enter and the Catterick contact details are those of the team who are running the event for ABF

Border Control Issues

GSO(G) is aware of the continued frustrations of individuals that have either been delayed or had their passports stamped at border control. Please be assured that the GSO(G) continues engagement with the appropriate Authorities to seek to address this issue.

Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health support

Click here to download the .PDF

Please note that some links are to content on Defence Connect which requires an MOD login.

BFBS News

Calling Service Personnel who joined the Army from Non-UK countries

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is inviting all Personnel who joined the British Army from a Commonwealth or Non-UK country to take part in research about their experience of life in the UK and their career in the Army. 

The research is being carried out independently by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and is funded by the Forces in Mind Trust. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Welfare Newsletter

Click here

Open the attachment to read the Welfare Newsletter, put together for you by the Welfare and Community Support team. 

The newsletter will be updated quarterly with news and posters with some recurring information. Inside you can find information on our Welfare Services; Medical and Dental provisions; news from AWS; posters with important information; and opening hours and contact numbers/emails for facilities on camp.

Please note that some hyperlinks are not compatible outside of MODnet computers: you can also find this document on the HQ GSU Welfare and Community Support Sharepoint site.

Restructure of Defence Children Services (DCS)

Following the separation of the policy and delivery elements of the Directorate of Children and Young People. Here are the details of Defence Children Services (DCS).

Little Troopers Gazette

The Little Troopers Gazette is a free newspaper written by military children, for military children and has been enjoyed by military families, schools with military children and the wider military community with the past three editions.

We are currently finalising our forth edition for Spring/Summer 2022 and we would love your military children, be it at home or via school, to submit an article.

To get involved and be in with a chance of featuring in the newspaper, visit our Gazette page.

Cervical Screening Campaign

 

Civvy Street - February 2022 Edition

 

Regimental Associations - Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Funding for Veterans

 

RBL Employment Advice and Job Support

 Find out about all the services RBL offers veterans when looking for work.

Armed Forces Families Strategy - Support for Military Families

Wide-ranging support boost for military families

The Families Strategy, a new 10-year plan recognising the unique nature of military life and setting out bespoke support for service families, has been published....

The strategy is designed to address  the issues childcare, access to education and accomodation faced by Forces Families. 

Read the full report here.

Women in Employment

 

Register here 

In-Service Date of the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Contracts (UK)

A message from DIO’s Head of Accommodation, Air Commodore James Savage

Further to my last message to families dated 13 January 2022, regarding the introduction of the new Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Accommodation contracts that will replace the National Housing Prime (NHP) contract, I am pleased to confirm that the new contracts will come into service on 1 April 2022.

This change to the in-service date of FDIS has allowed time to ensure all the key systems are fully tested and operational prior to going live.

We have collaborated closely with key stakeholders, including the Families Federations, to ensure that Service families’ needs are fully

considered and an improved ‘lived experience’ is provided. The new contracts will require suppliers to work differently, such as fixing faults on an initial visit to a property and undertaking simple preventative maintenance while attending properties to reduce disruption to families.

More details will be made available about the new contracts as we approach the in-service date, and comprehensive guides will be available for families on the Pinnacle website.

Further updates will be provided via social media. Information on the new contracts and the benefits they will deliver for families is also available on the SFA Gov.UK website.

Connected Forces Events

 

Cinema Club Febuary 2022

 Come and enjoy the latest movies at the Sennelager Cinema Club.

How to join

AWS Half Term Feb 2022

 

JSHAO: Civilian Housing Options Briefs in March

Download the .PDF

Reading Force - Writing Competition

This competition is for serving and veteran families. Anyone from the Forces community can enter, from infants (with the help of adults) to grandparents. Writing Competition

Calling Service Personnel who Joined the Army from Non - UK Countries

Army Commonwealth and Non-UK Focus Groups Led by Anglia Ruskin University

List of dates and times

Nominate now for Inspirational Woman In Defence Award 2022

Our Inspirational Woman In Defence award is back for 2022!

We want you to nominate a servicewoman who has truly gone above and beyond this year. If your nominee is crowned the winner, they'll win a £500 Virgin Experience Days voucher.

​Nominate now 

Little Troopers Launches Free Affirmation Cards For Military Children

Charity Little Troopers has created a new affirmations and mindfulness resource for military children and their families to use at home.

The Little Troopers Affirmation Cards are free to download from the charity’s website and feature 35 bright and colourful positive affirmations that families can print out and use as many times as they like. Some of the affirmations can be used every day, while others have been picked to support military children during more challenging times such as having a parent deployed or moving home and school.

Way to Work (UK)

 

Commonwealth Veterans Needed

 

ARMY - PRIVATE TO CORPORAL FOCUS GROUP DATES

• Thursday 17TH FEB @ 12PM
• Thursday 24TH FEB @12PM
• Thursday3RD MARCH @12PM
• Monday 7th March @ 2PM
• Thursday 10th March @ 5PM
• Tuesday 15th March @ 9AM
• Thursday 17th March @11AM
• Wednesday 23rd March @4PM
• Thursday 24th March @12PM
• Tuesday 29th March @ 7PM

ARMY FOCUS GROUPS NCOS – OFFICERS FOCUS GROUP DATES

• Thursday17TH FEB @2pm
• Thursday 24TH FEB @2pm
• Thursday 3RD MARCH @2pm
• Monday 7th March @ 4pm
• Thursday 10th March @7pm
• Tuesday 15th March @ 11am
• Thursday 17th March @ 9am
• Wednesday 23rd March @2pm
• Thursday 24th March @ 10am
• Tuesday 29th March @5pm

Celebrating Forces Families

 

Learn More

Togetherall: SAD - Feeling Low?

It can be common to feel down and demotivated at this time of year. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect anyone but there is help available.

​@togetherall has a course on managing low mood and articles on seasonal depression that could help. Join today at https://bit.ly/32bDheE

Forestry England Something Super has Arrived at the Forest

 Learn More

Celebrating Forces Families

 

Learn more

National Apprenticeship Week 7th-13th Feb

The 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships will be taking place between 7th-13th February​ 2022.

With over 1200 virtual and in-person events taking place across England showcaseing ​​the impact of apprecticeships.

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/naw-2022

2022 Celebrating Forces Families

Learn More

DIO: Action Plan To Tackle Damp And Mould (UK)

DIO is investing £73m in improvements to combat damp and mould in homes for service families. Improved processes through earlier intervention and prevention will make a big difference for thousands of military families.

A dedicated hotline for reporting damp and mould will go live in April to make it easier for families to report issues and get them sorted. Click here for further information.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Survey - Open Until 25th Feb

A survey has been launched to help ensure that the funding programmes that are being developed and the grants that continue to be made, make real change to Armed Forces communities across the UK​:https://covenantfund.org.uk/survey2022/

Togetherall: 14th Feb - Self Compassion

We can all be hard on ourselves sometimes. Today and every day, it's important to practice self-compassion. Check out @togetherall's Dr Ben Locke's top tips💡

​If you need more support, Togetherall has resources dedicated to knowing your worth & improving your self-esteem. Join today at https://bit.ly/3KkIEcE

Self-Compassion: What it is, what it isn’t and how to practice it
It’s easy to think about the concept of “compassion” -- it encompasses all the good qualities we value in other people, like selflessness, consideration, kindness, and tenderness.

What's Coming From Little Troopers in 2022?

Home - Little Troopers​