Self-employment discovery: 3 day free virtual course for military spouses and partners - starting 8th June 2023

 

Help for households and cost of living payments

QR codes should be scanned from a personal non-MOD device only

Please click the following link for further information: Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Strategy & Action Plan

The Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan has been published today, demonstrating Defence's commitment to reduce suicide in the Armed Forces and provide support to those affected by it.

The Strategy establishes eight focus areas: Understand high risk groups within the Armed Forces
Educate the Armed Forces about suicide and its prevention

Enable individual resilience and support personal needs
Enable safe military environments
Enhance organisational management of those at risk
Enable access to support for those at risk
Develop accessible postvention support
Improve organisational learning

To read the full Strategy and Action Plan, please click HERE​

Defence Medical Services - SMS medical and dental appointment reminders

An SMS text message reminder service has been launched for patients registered at Defence Medical Services medical and dental practices.

For more information please go to the My Healthcare Hub app on Defence Gateway​.

Personal Accident and Life Insurance Schemes for Service Personnel

MOD is re-evaluating the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme and Life Insurance Scheme offer for personnel. A procurement exercise has been completed and we are pleased to announce that a new Broker, The Risk Factor, has been appointed. Initial discussions have taken place, and our priority is the continuation of appropriate cover for existing policyholders with as little disruption as possible.

As this is a new supplier, insurance products will no longer be branded as PAX. Existing PAX Personal Accident Insurance Scheme members should note that a replacement Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (providing similar benefits) will be introduced on 1 June 2023, for which they will need to apply if they wish to maintain Personal Accident Insurance cover. There will be no automatic transfer from PAX to the new provider.

There is no action for policyholders to take at this point. Once arrangements for how to join the new Insurance Scheme(s) have been finalised these details will be made available along with the new Scheme’s policy terms and conditions so individuals can make an informed choice based on their requirements (we expect this to be mid-May).

MOD personnel: please see 2023DIN01-023

Scottish Veterans Residences vacancies in Edinburgh

Scottish Veterans Residences is a charity established in 1910 to support former members of the Armed Forces of all ages who are homeless, isolated or in need.

We provide high quality accommodation with dedicated support at our residences in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow. Each residence is a Registered Housing.

We currently have vacancies in Edinburgh.

For further information click on image.

Health & Wellbeing Fayre May 2023

You are all invited! GSU are hosting a Health and Wellbeing Fayre:

• 24th May 2023
• Normandy Rooms, Normandy Bks
• 1000 - 1400

This Fayre will be bringing together agencies who can offer: Advice, Guidance and Encouragement on Positive Health and Wellbeing.

New Savings Account For Military SP

Serve and Protect Credit Union has launched an exciting new product, called the Fixed Saver with up to 3.50% AER, with terms available for 6 or 12 months.

Current SP, MOD civil servants and Veterans can apply.

This is the first time in the credit union’s history that a fixed-rate savings account has been offered to members. 

Sennelager Non UK Awareness Briefing

GSU are planning an awareness briefing in June for all Sennelager based Non UK SP and their families.

The aim is to host an informal event like the Commonwealth Day celebration in March.

Staff from Army HIVE will deliver the briefing and be on had to answer questions and provide support. 

The available dates are this summer 19th -20th June or 26th -27th June.

We need to confirm the best date from the two options.

You can tell us if there are specific questions / topics, you want to have covered.

You can contact HIVE  with your preference RC-Pers-HIVE-sennelager-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk or Tel 5254 982 2838.

AWS Summer Residential 2023

• Sunday 13th August - Saturday 19th August
• Suitable for ages 8-16 years, and only €50 per young person attending. Non-Refundable.
• Last few spaces avaible, Closing Date 5th May!
• So please contact AWS by emailing RC-AWS-BFG-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

• 
  
  

Women into Employment: Networking Evening

Thursday 11 May, 1800 – 2100. Hosted by Deloitte, London

Hosted by Deloitte, this informal evening will be the perfect opportunity to meet with potential employers in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Staff from the Forces Employment Charity will co-host, welcoming you throughout the evening and will be available to answer any questions about our services and support.

Women into Employment: The Conference

Monday 5 June, 10:00 – 1730. Hosted by J.P. Morgan, London

Join the Forces Employment Charity as they bring together career experts and military-friendly employers to share the latest career insights, job opportunities and advice to help you maximise your skills and experience in today's job market.

Managing Emergency Domestic Abuse Alerts on Your Phone to Stay Safe

Refuge, the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK, have produced a video to guide victims of domestic abuse on managing the Government's Emergency Alerts Test on Sun 23 Apr to ensure they stay safe: 

Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you'r​​e experiencing

domestic abuse - YouTube.

Germany Theme Park Discounts

Here are some useful links to websites offering discounts to Germanies theme parks. if you havent heard Germany is home to some of the best themeparks in the world. 

Beyond Europa Park and Phantasialand you will find serveral other great them park choices for all ages. 

• Limango
• Travel Circus
• Themeparkzoo
• Frietzparkdeals
• Groupon.de

Concerts and Shows in Germany 2023

Germany has some fantastic concert venues. These help make the country a must play destination for major tours.

This post gives you a taste of the concerts and shows availble to you. Plus you can find links to ticket sales where you can search for even more ideas for conerts and shows.

Take Five to Stop Fraud Week 17th - 21st April

Take Five is a national campaign offering straight-forward, impartial advice that helps prevent email, phone-based and online fraud - particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations.

To stay safe, follow the advice from Take Five to Stop Fraud.

Gambling in the Spotlight - Survey for Service Personnel

As part of MOD's work to better understand problem gambling across the Armed Forces, we have worked with Swansea University to develop a survey. A large number of respondents are required to make this a worthwhile source of evidence.

BFBS Update

 

Read more

Are You Missing Out on Claiming Wraparound Childcare Funding? UK

Think you can’t claim Wraparound Childcare (WAC)? For Families in the UK.

Is your partner in the Army / Navy / RAF ? Are you returning to work? You may be eligible to claim for up to 20 hours of before and after school care for eligible children aged 4 to 11 years old.

Check if you are eligible: Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk) Army 

Mission Motorsport April Newsletter

The Forces Motor Sport charity Mission Mottorsport, has serveral great events in the UK in 2023.

Help HIVE to Improve How We Deliver the Information That's Important to You

 

X-Forces Enterprise - Forces Start Up Fund

X-Forces Enterprise is proud to announce that as of 1st April 2023 the organisation has been confirmed as a Business Support Partner to British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.

The contract renewal is a fantastic endorsement of the work done by X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) over the last 10 years as a Delivery Partner for Start Up Loans.

Managing Emergency Alerts on Your Phone to Stay Safe if you're Experiencing Domestic Abuse

The government is rolling out a new Emergency Alerts system and a test alert will be sent out on Sunday 23rd April.

DIO - SFA Newsletter - Issue 5 UK

Please click here to read issue 5 of DIO's Families First newsletter

Looking for Advice on How to Save Money on your Energy Bills?

Click here to visit the website for further detail on how energy saving actions and more can add up to big savings.

Free masterclass on Interview Process and Preparation

We all get a little nervous before an interview, especially if it's for a role we really want. But we shouldn't let a fear of the unknown and feeling unprepared prevent us from going for jobs we're excited about.

Our NCF sponsored masterclass on Interview Process and Preparation will be facilitated by Alex Coward on the 6th of April from 10.00-11.00.

She will take you through the typical interview process and help you feel prepared for the kind of questions you might find yourself being asked, so you can walk (or zoom) into that next big interview with confidence.

To sign up for this event, please click here 

While this workshop is free to you, our lovely RFS community, there is still a price per head that is being paid, so if you aren't sure you'll be able to attend please allow others to take advantage of the opportunity. If you find out last minute that you can't make it, let us know so we can offer the space to someone else.​​

Veterans Karting Championship - Bristol & Liverpool 18th April

These events are open to all the Forces Community, serving and family, not just Veterans. All participants must be over the age of 12 and must have an inside leg measurement (measured to the base of the heel, whilst wearing shoes) of 29 inches or more.

Expansion of SSAFA’s eRedbook service

Forces’ families recognise the value of the Digital Personal Child Health Record – commonly known as the eRedbook – launched in 2019 by the Cyprus-based Community Health Team of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Open University - Disabled Veterans' Scholarship Fund - Applications Close 5 Jul 23

If you’ve been injured or disabled in, or as a result of, military service, you could be funded to complete a full Open University qualification.

​We’re now accepting applications for the 2023/24 academic year.

Full details can be found HERE​.