FDIS change to new SFA contracts: how you may be affected between now and 10th April

​The changeover to new SFA contracts on 1 April will temporarily impact some housing services while new teams are set up. 

This includes routine maintenance and repairs, move in and move out procedures, complaints and furniture requests. Emergency and urgent repairs will not be affected. Normal services will resume from 10th April. For more info: Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

​From 26 March – 10 April 2022 inclusive, no new appointments will be raised by Amey under the NHP contract or Pinnacle under the FDIS Contract for routine repairs or maintenance – only calls for Emergency and Urgent repair and maintenance issues will be taken. 

This is to allow time for key transition activities including staff induction, the issue of new kit/clothing/vehicles, training and embedding new systems while ensuring that Emergency and Urgent repairs are attended to promptly. 

If families are concerned about a repair though and are not sure of it is urgent or routine then please do contact Amey before 31 March or Pinnacle after. The teams will then advise on the next course of action.​​

AFC New Programmes

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is delighted to announce three new funding programmes which will open in Spring and Summer 2022.

All the three programmes have a focus on providing targeted support for veterans, Armed Forces families and serving personnel. This can be for new and additional support; or could build on work that organisations have already done.

Pinnacle: Service Families - How to Get In Touch

 

Red Arrows Display 2022

Where will you watch the RAF Red Arrows display in 2022? A list of locations for this year’s UK shows by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team is now available here: ​​

See more​​

Information provided by RAF / Chester HIVE

RBL Falklands 40 Commemerative Plans

The Royal British Legion announces commerative plans for the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Registration is now open and will run until Friday 29th April.

Use this link for full details

Discover My Benefits

Discover My Benefits is an easy-to-use tool for those working in Defence, their families and anyone interested in joining. 

You can use it to find out what support and benefits are available to you as a service person or civil servant. Choose one of the options to start exploring your benefits.

Use this link to learn more 

BFPO Sennelager Closed on the 31st March

The Post Office counter service will closed on Thursday, 31 March 2022 for monthly cash audit. Normal service will be resumed from 1 Apr 2022.

Parenting Puzzle Workshops

A special online event for parents

familylinks.org.uk

When: 

10:00-12:00h on the following Mondays  2 May, 16 May, 30 May, 13 June – 2022 

(Must be able to attend all 4  sessions) 

Contact details: 

Emma Twyford – Community  

Development Worker 

emma.twyford100@mod.gov.uk 

(Please email your request for a place  by Monday 18 April) 

JCCC - Contact Card

 

Read more about the JCCC

Brewers Fayre - 25% Discount

Brewers Fayre are offering 25 % discount on food bills to emergency services crews, NHS workers, armed forces (serving and veterans) and social care worker.  T&Cs aply.  brewersfayre.co.uk * Requires a Defence Discount Card.

DIO new SFA Contracts Commence Next Friday

DIO’s new Service Family Accommodation contracts come into force next Friday.

Customer service and improving the lived experience are at the heart of the new contracts and DIO are working hard with suppliers to ensure a smooth transition.

Emergency & urgent repairs requests will not be affected, but some services, such as routine repairs and move-in & move-out appointments will be temporarily affected as new systems are embedded. MORE INFO

RBL - Network for Carers Virtual Taster Sessions

Are you a carer in the Armed Forces community? Network for Carers has been set up for carers like you! 

Find out more at a virtual taster session which are running from 28 March. The taster sessions offer you the chance to meet other carers, develop friendships and support one another. Join today

Notice of Med Centre Closure

Due to the MODNet outage on Friday 25 March 2022 the medical centre will be closed. 

The duty clinician can be reached on the duty number if you have any queries, 94879 2416 / 0049 (0)5254 982 2416.

Paderborn Possible Heavy Rush Hour Traffic Delays from Monday 21st

Due to renovation work, the traffic lights on the L813 in Paderborn at the intersection of Heinz-Nixdorf-Ring, Münsterstraße and Wilhelmshöhe will be switched off from Monday, March 21st.

SFA FDIS Update - What You Need to Know (UK)

NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO SUPPORT SERVICE FAMILY ACCOMMODATION – FUTURE DEFENCE INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES PROGRAMME

Update for UK SFA 

1.                   You will be aware that the current National Housing Prime (NHP) contract, which provides management and maintenance services for SFA, will be replaced on 1 April 2022 by the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Accommodation contracts. An overview of the new contracts, who they have been awarded to and the benefits they are intended to bring for Service families is available at SFA.Gov.uk.

BFPO Stamp Price from 4 April 2022

From the 4 April 2022, Royal Mail Group has announced changes to private BFPO mail tariffs.

Tap/ Click the image to view a larger version

Company Shop Group

 

Click HERE to find out more about free membership.

Our Company Shop members enjoy a unique way of shopping, offering them surplus products from well-known brands at amazing prices, helping stretched budgets go further.

Our Community Shop provides members with vital access to deeply discounted food, as well as life-changing learning and development programmes; building stronger individuals and more confident communities.

We’re a ‘good business doing good’; creating positive commercial, social and environmental impact.

The New Accommodation Contracts – What to Expect During the Transition (UK)

The new Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Accommodation contracts that replace the National Housing Prime (NHP) contract will come into service on 1 April 2022. 

Combat Stress Spring 2022 Newspaper

Our Combat Stress Newspaper is here to keep you in the know about what we're doing for veterans' mental health, share veterans' stories, and share ways that you can support us.

Battle Proms 2022 Picnic Concerts (UK)

The Battle Proms play host to open-air summer concerts in Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire and Hampshire at some of England’s most prestigious venues.

Established in 1997, it is the longest running picnic proms series in the UK and welcomes around 40,000 visitors every summer.

Click here for further event information and direct ticket links.​

Women in Employment

Developing career opportunities for women from the Armed Forces community: 

The Officers’ Association Women into Employment virtual event, now in its second year, recognises the unique challenges female ex-military personnel can face when moving from military to civilian employment.  

Looking for your Nearest NHS Dentist? (UK)

Dental choices can help....

Dental Choices is a website designed to make it easier for you to find and register with an NHS dentist.

Dental Choices aims to provide reliable information about dentistry to help you make informed decisions about your oral health and oral health care.

Search now to find an NHS dentist near you accepting new patients in England.

Date Change for the Book Club

 

Civilian Housing Briefs

 

Little Troopers 2022 Family Survey

Little Troopers is now ten years old! To make sure they continue to provide your little troopers with the best support possible, they would love to hear from you about how you use the charity, what you find most helpful and what you would like to see more of.

Please take five minutes to complete the online family survey. If you have any questions please email info@littletroopers.net or visit www.littletroopers.net.

Pathfinder March 2022

 

Use this link

Month of the Military Child Apr 2022

Veterans Families Study

 

Four Weeks Until the new Accommodation Contracts Start (UK)

The new Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Accommodation contracts that replace the National Housing Prime (NHP) contract, will come into service 4 weeks from today, on 1 April 2022.

Remembering Those Women that Served

Remembering the women who gave their all during the two world-wars. Find out more below:

Use this link to see more

Forest Lights Events Will Go Ahead 8th April 2022

From 08.04.2022 - 24.04.2022. Garden show visitors can immerse themselves in a unique, colorful enchanted forest.




Light artist Wolfgang Flammersfeld from world of lights will place numerous new light objects in the area and create a fairytale atmosphere with thousands of lamps and spotlights.

Tickets go on sale from the 7th March 

The Rolling Pub Crawl

A particularly popular event in the Bielefeld party train is the "rolling pub crawl", which has the motto "Drink & Drive". The SparrenExpress runs through the city several times a year and makes a name for itself as a mobile event space.

New Arrangements to Support SFA - Pinnacle Website and Social Media Now Live

The National Accommodation Management Services (NAMS) contract will provide a single National Service Centre that families will use to access housing services, plus local Housing Officers who will supervise Move Ins and Move Outs and the management of individual patches. 

This national contract has been awarded to Pinnacle, who are specialists in providing housing services to customers ranging from social housing to luxury flats. 

Soldier Mar 2022

 

​In our March edition: We visit the Coldstream Guards on exercise in Jamaica and hear from the inspirational Army rowers who took on the Atlantic Ocean. Plus – news, reviews sport and more. To read CLICK HERE

Children's Mental Health - Every Mind Matters

Looking after a child or young person's mental health there are times when we all feel the strain.

As parents and carers, there are ways we can support children and young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy.​

Soldier's Arts Academy - International Poetry Competition

Please note that there is a small charge for adult entries to this competition

We Need Your Help – Research Opportunity for Non-Serving Partners!

We are running two focus groups (one on Tuesday 15th and one on Tuesday 22nd March) to understand communication between Defence and non-serving partners of those in the military. 

This research is important and will help to shape how Defence communicate with families and to deliver their family strategy in the best way possible.

 
We would like to hear from any of our non-serving partners to understand the best channels of communication in which to engage with this audience.

The focus groups will last an hour each and will take place 6:30pm – 7:30pm on Tuesday 15th March or Tuesday 22nd March via Zoom.

Here is the link to the recruitment survey 

The Ministry of Defence has launched a new online community called ‘Trusted Voices’ designed to allow anyone working for Defence to have their say on a variety of topics and shape the way the services and MOD communicate with you.

British Science Week 11-20 March 2022

​British Science Week​ is a 10 day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths that will take place between 11-20 March.

Use this link for how to get involved

Reading Force - My Forces Life Writing Competition

​The shared reading charity, which encourages military families to share books together, is turning the tables and asking families to put pen to paper and write their own stories. 

Reading Force launch My Forces Life writing competition for military families

Re-importing Goods to the UK (post EU Exit)

Pay less import duty and VAT when re-importing goods to the UK

Link to the HMRC document for returning goods to the UK from the EU.
Read the full information here.

Brydon House Book Club

The next book club event will be Thursday 10th March, 7pm at Brydon House.

This month's book is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab.

You don't have to have read the book to come along, and everyone is welcome! You are invited to bring your own drinks and a plate of something to share, but this is, again, optional.

Due to staffing, the pedestrian gate will NOT be open for this event - access will be through the main gate only.

NHS Food Scanner App

Scan, swipe, swap!Just scan the barcodes of your family's favourite foods, swipe to see the healthier options available, and make a swap next time you shop!

Get the NHS Food Scanner app
Download the free app and start finding healthier swaps today.​