Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Couples Can Save up to £252 a Year on Their Tax Bill

Some couples can save up to £252 a year on their tax bill by claiming Marriage Allowance.

To benefit from Marriage Allowance, the following circumstances must apply:
the couple are married or in a civil partnership

  • one person does not pay Income Tax because any income they have is below their tax-free Personal Allowance (usually £12,570)
  • their partner pays Income Tax at the basic rate

Do you know someone who could be eligible?

​They can find out more and apply for Marriage Allowance on GOV.UK and use the free online calculator to find out how much tax they could save.



Marienloher Straße - WWN Will Lay a Power Line From March 4th


Marienloher Straße - WWN will lay power line from March 4th


From Monday, March 4th, Westfalen Weser Netz GmbH will re-lay the power line on Marienloherstraße. For this purpose, Marienloher Straße will be closed on one side for around 100 meters from the Schloßstraße roundabout.

The work is being carried out using the open construction method and is expected to last until March 22nd in this first construction phase.

The second construction phase will then start, probably from March 25th. Here, Schloßstrasse will be closed on one side from the roundabout for around 100 meters in the direction of Paderborn. A new power line is also being laid here using an open construction method.

The second construction phase is scheduled to be completed by May 3rd.



Attenborough School Term Dates 2024

 


The Ripple Pond - February Newsletter

The Ripple Pond Newsletter (ourmailserver7.com)


Monday, February 26, 2024

New Sticker Album for Paderborn

Panini sticker albums and Paderborn Stadt have combined to produce a unique album for Paderborn. 

Starting on Monday, February 26th, albums and stickers will be available at all kiosks in the city, at many retailers in the Paderborn Advertising Association and online, from juststickit.de.



The album consists of 36 pages and has space for 212 original Panini stickers. The adhesive pictures show the city in all its facets: the city's history, the most important buildings, the stars and celebrities, the SC Paderborn 07, the major sports clubs, the surrounding area, the city's well-known brands and innovative companies, the best of art, culture and much more. Loving texts explain each image and make the album a real reference work. The whole thing is collecting fun for the entire family.

The project includes a circulation of 25,000 albums and 250,000 sticker bags including 1,250,000 stickers. Collecting is worth twice as much! 

There are seven gold stickers hidden in the collection that represent instant wins. Seven lucky people can win either wall boxes from Stadtwerke Paderborn or 1000 euro vouchers from the Verbundvolksbank OWL Paderborn branch for non-profit associations in Paderborn.

What the Panini brothers invented in Italy in 1961, more than 70 years ago, still fascinates young and old today: collecting, exchanging and sticking stickers. What began with football now exists in Paderborn - hardly any topic is more identity-forming than home. All of Paderborn – printed in Italy, on the machines that otherwise print Ronaldo and Messi!

The slogan “Collect, exchange, stick” has been expanded to include the term “learning” – there is a carefully researched short text under each picture. The album should and will connect generations.

Tri Service Spouses & Partners: Free Self-Employment Discovery 3-Day Course

X Forces are excited to relaunch their popular 3-day Self-Employment Discovery Workshop designed exclusively for Tri-Service spouses and partners, looking to explore alternative employment options. This is an amazing opportunity to develop valuable enterprise skills, learn about the start-up landscape, and network with others going on a similar journey. ​

For more information




New Accommodation Offer Important Update: Extension of SLA Waiver

The New Accommodation Offer has been changed in respect of the Dual Accommodation Expense element of the Offer. 

The waiver of SLA charges relating to PStatCat and age are being retained for now and extended to other cohorts who maintain a main home away from their assigned location. Please see this SWAY for more information.



Thursday, February 22, 2024

DWP: National Insurance - Detailed Information

Guidance for National Insurance. Including how to apply for a National Insurance number and check your record. As well as rates, paying, refunds, voluntary contributions, and pensions.

Link: National Insurance: detailed information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

DWP: Child Maintenance Service Reformed to Crack Down on Parents Who Refuse to Pay

The government is reforming the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to crack down on parents who refuse to pay and ensure children get the support they deserve more quickly.

Link: Child Maintenance Service reformed to crack down on parents who refuse to pay - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Reserves Continuous Attitude Survey (ResCAS) 2024. Your Experience Matters

There’s still time to contribute to the The Reserves Continuous Attitude Survey (ResCAS) 2024. Your experience matters, we want to hear from you.

How to take part?

ResCAS 2024 is open for all services until April 2nd 2024. For more details on whether you can take part and how, please find your service below.



Mission Motorsport - Upcoming Events

Banter, Brews & Cars – Pick & Mix Passenger Ride Experiences
​Date: 12th March

Location: Three Sisters Circuit, Wigan

Activity: Passenger rides in a variety of cars

Registration Link

Veterans Karting Championships - Round 1: Leicester & Round 2: Newcastle

Date: 20th and 27th March

Activity: Indoor karting

Registration Link


Please note TeamSport are unable to offer adapted karts at this time. This is open to all abilities.



Monday, February 19, 2024

Launch of New Easier Wraparound Childcare Registration and Claims Process

It's now even easier for Service families to register and claim for Wraparound Childcare (WAC). 

Following your feedback, we have simplified the process to make it easier for you and your family. WAC is now fully integrated in JPA and brings registration, claims calculations, and claims all together in one place – in the 'My child allowances: WAC' section. 

 Could your family save £3,400 a year, per child? 

 Over 10,500 Service children's childcare is currently being supported by Wraparound Childcare funding.  

If you have a child aged between 4 and 11 (4-16 if in receipt of disability benefits), on average, your family could save up to £3,400 per child, per year on before and after school care.

If you think your family may be eligible, find out more about WAC by visiting the Discover My Benefits ArmyRAFNavy or Marines webpage.



Thursday, February 15, 2024

DIO Families First newsletter - issue 13

To read the lastest Families First newsletter click here 

CTP 2024 Employment Fairs


 

Centrica - Newly qualified Gas Engineers and Apprenticeship roles

Exciting news; we have just begun a huge recruitment drive for newly qualified gas engineers and apprenticeship roles (Word Document attached).

NEWLY QUALIFIED ROUTE:

  • You'll need current ACS accreditation (including CCN1, CENWAT or CEN1/WAT1, and CPA1)
  • Must be able to demonstrate experience of working on your own doing servicing and/or repairing boilers
  • A genuine passion for developing your trade, striving for a successful career & providing awesome customer service
  • A full UK driving licence with 6 points or less
  • Availability to attend training at our UK-wide academies, with provided accommodation and travel if needed.

NHS England: Talking Therapies Mental Health Support

Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help if you're struggling with things like feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS.

For more information click here 

Army Benevolent Fund: Cateran Yomp - the Ultimate Charity Walk

 
For more information and to register for the walk, please visit:
https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/cateranyomp

Friday, February 9, 2024

New Accommodation Offer Booklet - Version 2

Starting from 11 March 2024, the MOD will begin introducing a New Accommodation Offer for our Armed Forces. Some of the changes will happen immediately whilst others may only affect you when you are assigned to a new role or at the end of the three-year transition period.

The planned changes are intended to modernise accommodation entitlements, improve the standard of Single Living Accommodation, update the Overseas Accommodation Offer, increase support to homeowners and, overall, give you more of a say on how you choose to live.

To read the full booklet click here 

Little Troopers free coastal adventure for military teens in May: Applications now open

The charity Little Troopers is hosting a free coastal adventure for up to 60 military teenagers from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May in Portland, Dorset.

Applications are now open for service families to apply for a place on the two-night residential weekend, which is open to teens aged 13-16 from all three services, including reservist families.

The weekend is an opportunity for the teens to turn their phones off, make new friends and get stuck into a jam-packed itinerary including scrambling, mackerel gutting, fire-building, kayaking, climbing, raft building, swimming and SUPing.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

NHS England: Benefits of the NHS App

The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and information on your smartphone or tablet. Millions of people are already using the NHS App to manage their health the easy way from the comfort of their homes.

If you are over the age of 16 the NHS App enables you to view your GP health record to help you better understand and manage your condition, without having to phone your GP surgery. With the App you can access your consultation notes, letters and test results.

The NHS App also enables you to manage repeat prescriptions and easily change your nominated pharmacy, so you can send orders when it’s convenient for you. Each prescription ordered electronically saves GP practices three minutes of time and a patient 18 minutes, making it more convenient for people and freeing up frontline staff to do other important duties.

The App makes it easy to access your appointment information and manage your hospital appointments. You can also find out your NHS number and access NHS 111 online to get instant advice or medical help near you.

New and innovative features will continue to be developed for the NHS App to help patients access convenient and high-quality care when and where they need it.

Start using the App today. For more information, including how to download the NHS App, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/.

Children's Mental Health Week - 5-11 Feb 2024

All military children age 11+ have free access to Kooth.

Please click here to visit kooth.com/mod

Serve and Protect Credit Union - free financial webinars

Serve and Protect Credit Union are running a number of free webinars throughout February, aimed at boosting financial resilience.

Budgeting & Spending
🕑 Thu, 8 Feb 2024 14:00 - 15:00

Boost Your Credit Score
🕝 Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:00 - 15:00

What Lenders Look For
🕑 Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:00 - 15:00

​Register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/upcoming-free-financial-webinars-2231869
 

FamCAS 2024 is now open, and we want to hear from you!

Completing the survey provides senior policy makers with invaluable information that facilitates policy change, in areas that matter most to the families and partners of Serving Personnel, so your opinion matters.

To check whether you have been invited to take part, please click here to access the Survey checker and follow the onscreen instructions. This works best in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge! If you haven’t been invited to take part this time, you will have the opportunity to leave a comment instead.

Alternatively, you can go straight to the survey, by clicking on the below link or scanning the QR code below and enter your Serving Partner’s Service number to get started! The survey is online only this year!

Click here for the FamCAS Survey 24
The closing date for FamCAS is 22nd April 2024. Thank you!

                                                       

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Which? Scam Warning on Safer Internet Day

SCAM WARNING These quizzes might seem like harmless fun but they could put you at risk of identity theft. You could be handing over a treasure trove of personal information to fraudsters.

#SaferInternetDay

Quest Magazine February 2024

 To read the latest issue of Quest magazine click here

Family Action - Job Opportunity Alert

UK remote & community based, part time, office hours, school hours, evenings, weekends - YOUR choice! 

Are you looking for a role that fits around your existing commitments?
Do you hold a Level 4 Certificate in Education or similar, experienced with group work?

We're growing our team of Facilitators and this is PERFECT if you're looking for extra hours, returning to work after a career break, looking to side step into a different area from teaching, health, social or child care.

To read more about this rewarding role and to apply (scroll down to Parenting Programme Facilitators) – HERE

New Accommodation Offer: Introduction of the Dual Accommodation Expense

From 1 April 2024, the Army Over 37 Provision will cease and the existing SLA waiver will be replaced by the Dual Accommodation Expense, part of the New Accommodation Offer. For 
further information on the Dual Accommodation Expense, please go to:
this SWAY
Draft JSP 464, see Part 8 – Payment and Charges, Section 7

Army Briefing Note: ABN 003/2024 (available to MODnet users only)

National Apprenticeship Week 5th-11th February

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2024 is the 17th annual celebration of apprenticeships.

The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity that they bring.

Learn more about apprenticeships programmes here 

Victory Services Club: January Newsletter

To read the latest newsletter click here

For more information about the Victory Services Club, please visit:
https://www.vsc.co.uk/

New Accommodation Offer: Outreach Awareness Sessions, online or dial in on Thursdays

The New Accommodation Offer team would like to invite you to attend one of their weekly sessions, to hear a short presentation on what your first steps look like transitioning onto the new offer.

Presentations are on Thursdays, with both AM and PM sessions available to join online. For links/dial-in information please go to this SWAY​

Monday, February 5, 2024

International HIVE (iHIVE) - Launch of additional Overseas Location Guides (OLGs).

Further Overseas Location Guides (OLGs) have been added to the iHIVE Blog. Existing guides have also been updated.

The iHIVE Blog hosts worldwide location information, to enable Service personnel and their families to find out more about a potential or current overseas assignment.

Overseas Location Guides offer location specific information to give a brief insight into a location, with the facility to fine out more from iHIVE from questions you may have.

Additional Oversea Location Guides added include:
· Canberra
· Oman
· Saudi Arabia
· Kuala Lumpur

Contact Sarah at our iHIVE with any questions, or visit the iHIVE Blog and view the guides and range of information provided to support Serving Personnel and families worldwide.

For more information please visit: https://internationalhive.blogspot.com/

New Accommodation Offer: Outreach Awareness Sessions, online or dial in on Thursdays

The New Accommodation Offer team would like to invite you to attend one of their weekly sessions, to hear a short presentation on what your first steps look like transitioning onto the new offer.

Presentations are on Thursdays, with both AM and PM sessions available to join online. For links/dial-in information please go to this SWAY​

Support for Households - Cost of Living Support

 
See what support is available to help with the cost of living and save money with our energy saving tips at: 

Race Equality Week starts 5th February


Mission: To remove barriers and provide the solutions to tackle race inequality.
For more information please visit https://www.raceequalitymatters.com/

2024 Civilian Housing Briefs from Defence Transition Services

 For 2024 Civilian Housing Briefs, click here

To register and provide your details please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing

Click the registration link for the briefing date you wish to attend.

In addition to delivering civilian housing briefs, Defence Transition Services (DTS) exists to provide information and support for those Service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the armed forces and adjust to civilian life. 
For more information please visit: 

Coming soon reminder: Easier registration and claims process for Wraparound Childcare

 From 19 February 2024 the way that personnel register and claim WAC funding is changing. The process will be fully integrated in JPA and will be much simpler to use.

  • Personnel that are currently registered will receive an email from the WAC team explaining what this means for them.
  • Personnel that haven't yet registered but may be eligible should note that there will be a freeze to the registration process from 31 January 2024 until the switch over on 19 February 2024.
  • Personnel that register between 19 February and 31 March 2024 will be able to backdate their registration to 1 February 2024, subject to eligibility.
Where can you find further information?​​
  • Read the FAQs or visit the Defence Childcare Information Page on defnet or Defence Connect.
  • Visit the Discover My Benefits ArmyRAFNavy or Marines webpage or contact the HIVEs, RN FPS and Families Federations information sites.
  • Look out for more updates, on defnet and Defence Connect.
If you have any further questions you can email the WAC team at PEOPLE-AFFS-WAC-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk