NHS Step into Health: Internship Vacancy now open for Service Leavers and Veterans

NHS Step into Health are pleased to announce that recruitment for their Programme Assistant Internship is now open. 

To be eligible to apply for the internship you must be in the process of being or have been medically discharged from UK Armed Forces regular service within the last 5 years.

Location: Leeds with agile working (home based will be considered)

Role: Fixed term (12 weeks). Full time, flexible working patterns considered.

Salary: £22,837 (pro rata)

Closing Date: 23:59 17th November 2024

The post-holder will join the Step into Health team and will gain valuable experiences and skills which will be beneficial and transferable into other NHS roles. The full job description can be found via this link, and is also attached here [insert GDrive link to PDF attached]. Although SitH cannot guarantee employment when the internship comes to an end, they are able to support individuals to apply for other roles within the NHS.

To apply, please use the link on the vacancy page.

For more information on how the Step into Health programme can assist Service leavers and veterans into an NHS career, please go to https://www.militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk/

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:
GFIE - 313 DWP Work Coach, Luton.

​Job Description 
Closing date: 18 Nov 2024

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form [insert Google Drive link] and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Military Mortgage Advice Webinars: November to Jan

 

Stem Cell Donation: Sign up to save a life!

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Stem cell transplants are used to treat blood cancers like leukaemia, aplastic anaemia as well as other diseases of the immune system. Chemotherapy can help in some cases, but for many people a stem cell transplant is the only chance of a cure.

30,000 new donors are needed in the UK each year to find matches for the steadily rising number of stem cell transplants taking place in the UK every year. Stem cells are found in the bone marrow – a soft, spongy tissue at the centre of certain bones – and can produce all essential blood cells, including red and white cells and platelets (which stop bleeding).

Give blood and save a life Sign up today

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

 

DWP - Work Coach Luton

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 404 - Service Delivery Officer, Bedford, Cosham and Luton

Job Description [link to GD]

Closing date: 29 Oct

GFIE- 405 - Service Delivery Officer, Matlock and Glossop

Job Description [link to GD]

Closing date: Extended to 8 Nov

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form [insert GD link] and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Military Mortgage Advice Webinars: November to Jan

 

Link for website 

Forces in Mind Trust Post-Service Employment Research Policy & Practice Summaries

New research and policy summaries focused on post-Service employment among ex-Service personnel and their partners. 

These summaries form part of our commitment to ensuring evidence is at the heart of decision making for the benefit of ex-Service personnel and their families. 

The summaries provide easy digestible access to up to date research evidence and an overview of current policy and service provision focused on post-Service employment among ex-Service personnel and their partners.

A robust methodology has been used to create these summaries meaning they are an accurate and trustworthy source of information which can used to inform and transform policy, practice, and future research priorities. 

You can access the full summaries and two-page infographics here: 

Research summary
Policy summary

AWS Community Support Annual Report 2024

The Army Welfare service is proud to present the AWS Community Support Annual Report for 2024.  

This Report outlines some of the key achievements delivered and challenges faced by our team over the past year. 

It provides an overview of key areas of work, statistical information and also looks forward to the year ahead. 

It demonstrates the breadth and depth of the impact that the Community Support team have.​

Read the report here.

Places where kids eat free (or for £1) this October half-term

 

2024 UK Half Term Kids Eat for Free List

Stem Cell Donation: Sign up to save a life!

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Stem cell transplants are used to treat blood cancers like leukaemia, aplastic anaemia as well as other diseases of the immune system. Chemotherapy can help in some cases, but for many people a stem cell transplant is the only chance of a cure.

30,000 new donors are needed in the UK each year to find matches for the steadily rising number of stem cell transplants taking place in the UK every year. Stem cells are found in the bone marrow – a soft, spongy tissue at the centre of certain bones – and can produce all essential blood cells, including red and white cells and platelets (which stop bleeding).

Give blood and save a life Sign up today

Forces in Mind Trust Post-Service Employment Research Policy & Practice Summaries

New research and policy summaries focused on post-Service employment among ex-Service personnel and their partners. 

These summaries form part of our commitment to ensuring evidence is at the heart of decision making for the benefit of ex-Service personnel and their families. 

The summaries provide easy digestible access to up to date research evidence and an overview of current policy and service provision focused on post-Service employment among ex-Service personnel and their partners.

A robust methodology has been used to create these summaries meaning they are an accurate and trustworthy source of information which can used to inform and transform policy, practice, and future research priorities. 

You can access the full summaries and two-page infographics here: 

• Research summary
• Policy summary

Armed Forces in Policing Recruitment Event

We have planned the 2025 series of events called National Joining Forces – these are police recruitment events for all police organisations in England and Wales. 

They are designed to provide insight and understanding into police careers; the recruitment process and the structures in place to support candidates through the process. 

In particular the events highlights the qualities and skills veterans possess which are transferable into British policing.

​The events are advertised on Eventbrite and are as follows: 

• Tuesday 14th January 2025 from 1800 x 1900
• Tuesday 15th April 2025 from 1800 x 1900
• Tuesday 15th July 2025 from 1800 x 1900
• ​Friday 14th November 2025 from 1800 x 1900

Reminder: Set up your eVisa Account

You can now set up your eVisa account.

An eVisa is an online record of a your immigration permission in the UK,www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa​ and any conditions which apply. It can be viewed by logging into the online 

‘View and prove your immigration status’ service using your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

For more information on getting an eVisa, 

Travel to Refuge Scheme: Free travel for those fleeing domestic abuse

Travel to Refuge is an umbrella scheme in which travel companies cover the cost of train or coach tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse travelling to refuge accommodation. It’s made up of two schemes:

Rail to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and the Rail Delivery Group, set up in April 2020, providing free rail travel for survivors of abuse.

Road to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and National Express, set up in 2023, providing free coach travel for survivors of abuse.

For more information please visit: Travel to Refuge

NDNA Childcare Works supported employment programme - starts next week!

Are you a spouse/ partner of a serving military personnel or a reservist?

Are you interested in career in childcare but don't know where to start?

Then the Childcare Works project could be for you.

Act quick as the project starts on 22nd October and there are only a couple of spaces left!

Contact Lesley.williams@ndna.org.uk or call on 07718 803652.

Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

It is estimated that up to 880,000 households are missing out on Pension Credit, and it is worth, on average, £3,900 per year, providing additional benefits such as help with Council Tax and Housing Benefit and a free TV licence for those over 75.

In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Payment and other support like help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.

Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to 3 months, (ticking the backdating box on the claim form). 

This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for Winter Fuel Payment is 21st December 2024.

To note, Pension Credit can also provide extra support for heating costs such as The Warm Home Discount Scheme and Cold Weather Payments​.

Checking entitlement is easy with this on-line calculator: Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

RAND Europe Research: Meeting the Needs of the RAF and RN/RM Family

RAND Europe is currently undertaking research to support the Royal Air Force (RAF) Benevolent Fund and Greenwich Hospital in understanding the current and future size, demographics and support needs of RAF and Royal Navy/Royal Marines (RN/RM) Service People, Veterans and Families.

We are recruiting participants!

As part of our research, we want to better understand the experiences of current and former RAF, RN and RM serving personnel and their families. We are intending to do this through interviews and surveys, focusing on:RAF, RN and RM families' experiences of military life, military-to-civilian transition and post-Service life.
Issues/challenges former and current Service personnel and their families may be experiencing in relation to day-to-day living, health and wellbeing (including mental and emotional), education, housing, finance and employment.

Experiences with accessing support and perspectives on how support to RAF, RN and RM families could be improved.

​Who is eligible to participate?

If you fall into any of the following categories, we would love to hear from you:Serving RAF, RN and RM personnel (Regular or Reserve).

Partners of serving RAF, RN and RM personnel (Regular or Reserve). This includes long-term partnerships (> 12 months), civil partnerships and married partners.
Former serving RAF, RN and RM personnel (i.e. those who have previously served for at least one day in the RAF, RN or RM).

Partners of former serving RAF, RN and RM personnel (Regular or Reserve). This includes long-term partnerships (> 12 months), civil partnerships and married partners.

Bereaved partners of RAF, RN and RM service personnel.
Individuals who are divorced or separated from a currently or formerly serving RAF, RN or RM Serviceperson.​

To participate please follow this link Meeting the Needs of the RAF and RN/RM Family

A reminder about electric heater safety in the home from DIO/Pinnacle

 

New launch of The Foreign and Commonwealth 'Recruit For Spouses' support

A brand new programme has been launch to help Non UK spouses in British military families find employment and training in the UK.

A year of planning and preparation, Recruit for Spouses  have launched a programme where spouses can receive help with:

• Study
• Access to employment 
• Transfer of qualifications to UK equivalents
• Professional registration

The highly acclaimed 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, they will provide support so users can feel confident and bolstered as they prepare to take advantage of their hard-earned qualifications in a new country!

We are proud to be the first company to offer such comprehensive support to the Foreign and Commonwealth community and look forward to continuing our ongoing support and collaboration to make a lasting impact.

We are privileged to have the trust of the Foreign and Commonwealth community in delivering this service and consider it an honour to serve individuals who possess so much strength, skill, grit, and determination.

People often underestimate the challenges of moving from one's home country to a new one, especially when doing so with children. Whether moving alone or with family, the additional challenges faced by the Foreign and Commonwealth community are significant. These challenges highlight the indomitable character and capacity of the people we support and work alongside.

Eligibility to receive support:

• Must be a partner of a Foreign or Commonwealth national serving as a member in paid service in HM Forces (Royal Navy, British Army, or Royal Air Force)
• Must be 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)

How to Apply:

Members of the Foreign and Commonwealth community can apply for this programme by registering on our portal and clicking 'Programmes' on the upper left-hand side. The link to do so is below:

Apply Here

For organisations looking to sponsor our programme and enhance their social impact, please reach out to us at cerise.upham@recruitforspouses.co.uk. Together, we can support and uplift this incredible community!

Understanding Wills & Lasting Power of Attorney's

Want to gain a better understanding of setting up a Will and LPA? 

In this free webinar by the team at Serve and Protect Credit Union, we'll help you understand the importance of having a will in place which is vital to ensure that your money, property and possessions are distributed exactly how you wish after your death and that your loved ones are properly cared for. 

Also looking at setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney which allows you to appoint people you trust to make decisions about financial affairs and health and care, if you are unable to due to injury, accident or illness

We look forward to you joining us. Book your place today! 👇 completely free

Webinars - Serve & Protect (serveandprotectcu.co.uk

Veterans ID Card accepted as Polling ID

The government has backed the armed forces community by allowing HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to be used as Voter ID in forthcoming elections.

More information can be found here.

New information on school admissions and education support to Service families

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. 

This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. 

There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

• Letter for families
• Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ
• EAT(UK) leaflet
• OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

Over £380K awarded to Early Years provision for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £380,000 to a further 12 fantastic projects supporting Service children in the latest round of the Early Years programme!

These projects are set to help enhance early childhood education and childcare to better support the unique needs and challenges of young children from Armed Forces families.

Dedicated resources for Service children across the UK Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Early Years programme supports initiatives that help Armed Forces families access good quality early childhood education and childcare provision. 

This will enhance capacity, allowing more Service children to enrol, create improved learning environments, and offer suitable training for staff development to address the unique challenges faced by Service children.

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 404 - Service Delivery Officer, Bedford, Cosham and Luton

Job Description 

Closing date: 29 Oct

GFIE- 405 - Service Delivery Officer, Matlock and Glossop

Job Description 

Closing date: 29 Oct

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form [insert GD link] and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Duke of York's Royal Military School - Cyprus Visits 10-15 Oct

Click here to visit the DOYRMS website 

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: Various Locations

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have the Executive Officer opportunities shown below coming up with roles across England:

Universal Credit Job centre Work Coach (Executive Officer) - Leicestershire and Northamptonshire (Ref: 714) open from 8/10/24 to 22/10/24. 30 jobs available.

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - Staffordshire and Derbyshire (Ref: 717) open from 9/10/24 to 23/10/24. 30 jobs available.

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - West Yorkshire (Ref: 716) open from 10/10/24 to 24/10/24. 30 jobs available.

More information on DWP, the roles available and the application process can be found on the DWP EO Microsite.

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

 

Mental health fitness help guide for Army personnel. Use this link to read the leaflet in full. If you would like immediate support please contact the the Welfare team or the Padre at Brydon House. 

Headspace App: Free Enrolment for Army Personnel and MOD Civilian Staff

Please use your mod.gov.uk email address to sign up before downloading the App. Link to enrol: Headspace for Work.

World Mental Health Day - 10th October: Defence Relaunch of HeadFIT for 2024

HeadFIT is an externally accessible website, developed by Defence to assist our people in developing a proactive approach to mental fitness. 

It provides techniques and methods to manage your mental resilience, enhance your mood, and improve your confidence. For further information please go to: HeadFIT - Success, it's all in your head.

The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) is open!

The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) is open!

The annual Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) gives Service personnel the chance to share your views on working conditions, living conditions, and day-to-day Service and family life. Take part in AFCAS and tell us how to better understand your needs in the areas below:

* Service life

* Accommodation

* Catering and retail

* Deployments

* Allowances and pensions

* Service complaints/Service Complaints Ombudsman

* Armed Forces Covenant

* Factors influencing intentions to stay/leave the Armed Forces

* Defence Estate, e.g., training facilities, opportunities for sport and much more

Who can complete AFCAS, and how?

If you are a Service person who has been invited to take part in this year’s survey, you will receive an email with information on how to complete the survey. Your Service number – which is case sensitive – is the token you need to enter. Please be assured that your responses will be confidential.

Every response counts…

The more people we hear from, the better able we are to improve your Service and family life. Your voice matters. To view previous AFCAS results, visit GOV.UK.