NHS England: Armed Forces health stakeholder brief - Spring 2025

NHS England’s Spring 2025 Armed Forces health stakeholder brief provides updates on the following topics:

•  Op RESTORE, the NHS England-commissioned physical health and wellbeing service for veterans
• Op NOVA, the NHS England commissioned support service for veterans in the justice system
• The NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) Veteran Aware Annual Conference
• Step into Health - assisting with the transition from military service to careers within the NHS
• NHS SARCS: Care and support available to sexual assault and abuse survivors
• Latest primary care network veteran friendly accreditations

 

To read the brief use this link

Recruit for Spouses: Free programmes designed to empower and guide you every step of the way

Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme

This 6-week virtual programme is available to spouses of serving personnel, veterans, and reserves. It covers a range of topics, including:

Managing isolation and anxiety

Communication strategies

Building support networks

 Foreign & Commonwealth Programme

This programme provides support to the Foreign and Commonwealth community, helping individuals convert their home nation qualifications to their UK equivalents, alongside tailored employment support.

For further information please visit: Recruit for Spouses - Championing Military Spouses for Career Success.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment – multiple locations

The Department of Work and Pensions has 76 new Executive Officer Team Leader opportunities across multiple locations. These are now open for applications until 24 Apr 2025.

Civil Service Jobs link: Operational Delivery - Team Leader - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK  (job reference 366699)

There are jobs available at the following locations: Bangor (Gwynedd), Basildon, Bristol, Burnley, Dundee, Glasgow, Hastings, Motherwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Preston, St Austell, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Swansea, Wigan, Wrexham

Candidates will be asked to complete two online tests, then if successful complete a 250 word personal statement.  

If the statement is successful they will then be invited to  interview. Microsoft Teams.

 

Anyone For Rocket league? Sennelager Needs a Team!

Anyone For Rocket league? Sennelager Needs a Team!

The BFBS Pro League is open to all members of the UK Armed Forces community.
This includes Serving UK Armed Forces personnel, Reservists, Cadets, Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel, Veterans, MOD Civil Servants, direct family members of serving personnel and members of the bereaved community.

All competitors must be 13 years or older.

https://bfbsesports.com/
https://youtu.be/C21PH5cISok?si=V1SmA-QWCvcA2i98

Veterans Karting Championships with Mission Motorsport

Mission Motorsport, the Forces’ Motorsport Charity, supports the recovery and rehabilitation of those affected by military service by offering exciting opportunities in motorsport and the wider automotive industry. It’s all about helping individuals regain confidence, build new skills, and have a great time doing it.

Please see the image for details of all event locations and dates.

Registration is now open for all rounds—you can sign up via the links below or simply use the QR code on the poster.

Here are the event dates and sign-up links:

• 29th April – Leicester: Sign up here
• 13th May – Newcastle: Sign up here
• 17th June – Crawley: Sign up here
• 15th July – Cardiff: Sign up here
• 16th September – Preston: Sign up here
• 7th October – Birmingham: Sign up here

These events are free to attend and open exclusively to members of the Armed Forces Community. It’s a brilliant opportunity to reconnect, try something new, and experience the buzz of motorsport in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

Events like this happen with amazing support from TeamSport Karting.

To see what events Mission Motorsport are running please visit: website.

Aurora New Dawn: Athena Domestic Abuse Awareness & Recovery Programme – 3 Jun to 22 Jul

Aurora New Dawn’s Athena Domestic Abuse Awareness/Recovery Group is military specific and all online via zoom.  This programme is for 8 weeks taking place on Tuesday evenings 3 Jun to 22 Jul, and is open to serving personnel and families worldwide. 

Details of how to sign up are on the poster, and to find out more about Aurora New Dawn’s support to the Service community, are available on this link. 

What's On this weekend

Pader Sprinter - Holiday tickets and free chocolate

Two great offers from Padersprinter this week. 

• Unlimited travel in NRW from 12th - 27th April for those aged 6 -20 on Buses, 2nd class regional trains and U-bahn / trams in cities. Cost 36.50 Euro.

 

• Win prizes on the bus every day from 14th - 21st April. all you have to do is look out for the questions shown on the bus screens.  Prizes on offer from shops and businesses in our area. 

What's on 

• Bonus Cinelink this Friday night - Bridget Jones 4 at WRVS 1900

• Osnabruck Spring Fair 120 rides and stalls can be found for the spring fest in the city Drive time 53 mins
• Maxipark spring market - Home & Garden, Crafts, food stalls all in the park. equal parts country park, kids play area, exhibition centre, Butterfly House with onsite restaurants and cafes. Maxipark offers a great day out.. Entrance is 6 euro for adults, 3 Euro for kids 3- 17, with 3 Euro charge for exhibitions in the main hall and the Butterfly house. Drive time 56 mins.

    

 

• Fort Fun reopens on the 12th, tickets are on sale for the Easter Hunt. Plus a special new ticket for 2025 which lets you ride the Trapper  Slider Alpine sled coaster before the main park opening hours. 

• Massive fair in Dortmund festival grounds until 27th Apr . The freDOlino is a family favourite each year. Tuesdays and Thursdays are special days, guests superheroes and princesses will be at the fairgrounds.  

• Family Day each Wednesday, 50% off all rides and reduced prices at all stalls.  Fireworks at nightfall on Saturday, April 19th and 26th .Drive time 1hr 20mins

• Family Day Dalheim Monestary On Sunday 1100 - 1700. Head to Dalheim for a day of interactive crafting,  kids get to try  making Pretzels, felting, soap making, also watch  carpentry, and blacksmithing. and more 6 Euro adults., 3.50 kids - 7 Euro per child for the craft experience. Drive time 27 mins

• Free Entry at the Heinz Nixdorf Muesum 10th -12th Apr -  Paderborn's beloved inventor and entrepreneur  would have been 100 this year so the museum is celebrating with a weekend of events. Expect, music, extended hours and activities. Drive time 10 mins 

Equestrian themed events

• Cavalluna the spectacular horse show is at the Seidensticker Halle in Bielefeld for three 3 nights from the 11th April tks from 44 Euro. The show is a big production which tours Europe. Drive time 28mins.  

• Icelandic Horse show at the annual registration event in Munster. Your chance to see the colourful Icelandic horses up close. Tickets 10.45 euro for kids, 15.57 euro for adults. if you love horses with mullets then this is the show for you! Drive time 1 hr 20 mins

Breakfast meeting for mums and Children under 6 years

 

Padre Nick will happily act as a taxi service for this event. Garrison mums with children under the age of 6 years are invited to join an international breakfast. 

Candle in The Wind VE Day Celebrations 2025

 

Young Carers within Armed Forces Families - Nexus Easter Newsletter

Nexus is a three-year project funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust. The project aims to improve support, resources and access to services for young carers within armed forces families. 

 To find out more, and the latest updates, you can read the Easter Newsletter 

Headspace: New Ebb Chat Service now available

Army personnel and Army civil servants are eligible to sign up to Headspace for free, and also to extend this free subscription offer to five friends and family.

To sign up here

Please use your @mod.gov.uk, @armymail.mod.uk or @csmail.mod.uk email address to verify your account when prompted.

Military vs Cancer Rugby Event – Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle, 21 Jun

Tackling cancer, one try at a time - Join us for the Military vs Cancer Rugby Event at Kingston Park on 21 June at Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle.

This Armed Forces Day, be part of an unforgettable event that celebrates courage, community, and the fight against cancer. Watch as the UK Armed Forces Rugby Teams take on the North Select XV in thrilling men’s and women’s matches. This is more than just rugby — it’s a day of unity, remembrance, and support for a vital cause.

Sunday services at St Boniface Garrison church

6th April – 10:30 Holy Communion 5th Sunday of Lent St Boniface

13th April – 10:30 Holy Communion Palm Sunday St Boniface

18th April – 3:00 pm Good Friday reflection Good Friday St Boniface

20th April – 10:30 Holy Communion with celebration of Easter Easter Day St Boniface

Children and families welcome, refreshments after the service

Any question please contact Padre Nick on +40 1722 595317

The Holy Week services are mostly in collaboration with the local German churches.

 Peace be with you, Friede sei mit Dir,

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Vacancies in London area (multiple roles/locations)- available exclusively to Service Leavers, Veterans and Military Spouses/Partners

Closing date: 28th April 2025

If you enjoy working with people and are looking for a career that makes a positive difference to people’s lives, then this is the role for you!

The Work Coach role is wide-ranging and diverse. You will be based in a Jobcentre working with a network of customers, employers and colleagues through a combination of face to face, digital and telephone contact on a daily basis. You will use your judgement to help people through some difficult, challenging times in their lives, and your tailored coaching can make a huge difference to their ability to find and stay in a job, or progress a career.

To find out more please click:

A Day in the Life of a Jobcentre Work Coach

This is an office based role.

Full details can be found in the job description (including all key details - salary, location etc).

Please send any applications to us by Monday 28 April 2024. If you have an interested candidate but may miss the deadline for completed applications, please do let us know as soon as possible.

How to apply

Please follow the steps below:-

1, Please complete the Expression of Interest Form  and also provide a copy of  your CV

3. Send the completed forms to gfie@cabinetoffice.gov.uk - we'll confirm receipt and ensure that the candidate is logged for this vacancy

Closing date: 28th April 2025

New guidance for schools and local authorities on supporting Service pupils

 On 1st April 2025, the Ministry of Defence and Department for Education published non-statutory guidance to help state-funded schools and local authorities in England to understand and address the needs of Service pupils in schools (reception to year 11).

Speaking about the new guidance, Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said:

“Armed Forces families play a vital role in supporting our Service personnel to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad. Fittingly, this announcement coincides with the Month of the Military Child, which is a time to speak up for our Service children.

“Service children face many challenges due to the unique nature of Service life, but it’s important that they are able to benefit from their exceptional experiences.

“That’s why this joint guidance with the Department for Education, explains how we can break down barriers and help our Service children to thrive in education.”

DoYRMS BFG Event

 

Especially for the families here in Sennelager the DOYRMS staff are hosting a virtual event for parents. The event will show how the school works. Parents can ask questions about the support and opportunities available for pupils at the school..

DIO Families First Newsletter – Issue 25

 

Recruit for Spouses: March Newsletter

The March newsletter from Recruit for Spouses is out now.  To read this on line use this link.

Serve & Protect Credit Union: April Update

 📢 Free financial webinars this April from Serve and Protect - don't miss out!

 

🌍 Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money

📝 Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money

🚀 Credit Score 101: Boost Your Score

☔ The Road to Financial Resilience

🔍 Before You Borrow: Things to Know

 

🔗 Register here

NEW Fixed Cash ISA

Serve and Protect have launched their new Fixed Cash ISA for the 2025/26 tax year 💷

Secure a guaranteed and tax-free 4% AER return over the next year and watch your savings grow!

🔗 Learn more via their website

Podcast Episodes 11 & 12 🎧

Loan sharks can have a devastating impact on people's lives and becoming a victim is easier than you may think 👤

Our friends at Serve and Protect recently welcomed Stop Loan Sharks to their podcast to explore some misconceptions, stories from victims, and the support available! 

🔗Watch here

For Debt Awareness Week, our friends at Serve and Protect welcomed the Money and Pensions Service to their podcast to explore the stigma around debt 🗣

If you find it difficult to talk about money with your loved ones, this episode includes some manageable steps to start a conversion.

🔗 Watch here

 

Stress Awareness Month - April

April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to understand the causes and cures of stress 😔

If your finances make you feel stressed, Serve and Protect are here to help you save and build your financial resilience.

🔗 Learn more via their website

Sennelager van hire

 

Have you shared your views on Service family life? Time’s running out!

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) 2025 closes in 1 week! Don’t miss your opportunity to tell us what you think about Service family life.

Each year, Defence invites a random sample of Service partners to complete the Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS). This survey is your chance to tell us about your experiences and views in relation to various aspects of Service family life.

You can see if you are in this year’s sample, and can access the survey, by using the online tool. The survey closes on Monday 7 April 2025 at 23:59.

Why complete the survey?

Your feedback will help us to understand what Service life is like for your family, which will help us to make informed decisions on what changes to prioritise and develop policies to address your family’s challenges and needs. Whether it’s with childcare and children’s education, housing, deployment, or employment.

Who can complete the survey, and how?

To find out if you can take part in FamCAS 2025, please use the online eligibility tool. You will be asked to enter a token/access code, which is your partner’s Service number. This is needed for security reasons only. Please be assured that all survey responses are anonymous.

If eligible, the tool will direct you to the survey. We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

If you have any questions about this year's FamCAS, please email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk.

Information and support

Check out our new Families Hub, which signposts to support, guidance and organisations to help you navigate Service family life.

Visit Discover My Benefits to find out about the range of benefits, opportunities, and support for you and your family.

Which German Store Cards do you Need?

This week we look at  German supermarkets and their store / loyalty cards.  This blog explains what you can get from each chain and how to use it. 

Alongside the store cards their are stand alone companied offering discounts with multiple retailers. 

The list is in alphabetical order so scroll through to the chain you want to know about.. 

Aldi  Nord

Divided into two companies Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud . Each has it's own app currently. Aldi does not offer a specific loyalty programme. Using the app allows you to keep up to date with all the deals. For our region Aldi Nord is the company who's stores you will shop in. 

Aslan  - The local supermarket which offers international specialities  often not available in the German chains. No specific loyalty programme just worth knowing about. 

EDEKA - Edeka is part of the Payback Karte programme

Lidl - App based loyalty which unlike Aldi does offer some coupon based savings. 

Markauf 

Netto

Penny

Rewe - Once part of the Payback Karte scheme. Rewe has 

Payback Karte 

Deutschland Karte

Visa Fee Increase

 

Some Visa fees will be increasing from 9th April 2025; a full list of the increases can be found here.

A summary of the increases that may affect our Service Community are in the image.

SaluteMyJob: Pathways programme to enhance cyber leadership opportunities for veterans

SaluteMyJob state that they are registered on the CTP and Forces Families Jobs websites; please follow these links for further information.

For a decade, social enterprise SaluteMyJob has been helping ex-military personnel upskill into areas with a notable cybersecurity skills gap, with many candidates going on to make their mark in multi-national companies. And now, an exciting partnership is set to fast-track more veterans and police officers into a career in cybersecurity with their Accelerated Cyber Leadership Pathway.

GFiE: Crown Commercial Service Senior Project Manager Role, multiple locations

Available exclusively to Service Leavers, Veterans and Military Spouses/Partners

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme, at the Civil Service grade of Band 5 (Grade 7), and a salary range of £56,031 - £62,261:

GFIE-424 - Senior Project Manager - Crown Commercial Service

Liverpool / Norwich / Birmingham or Newport

Closing Date: Sunday 13th April 2025

Job description

​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 (also see Guidance notes) 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)

Don't miss out on your State Pension entitlement

The 5 April 2025 deadline for paying voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill any gaps in your record between 2006 and 2018 is approaching.

Watch our video on YouTube to find out how to check for gaps in your National Insurance record: https://youtu.be/_8GkTNgyXqs

Our online form is available to request a call back: https://ow.ly/oGbl50VarlC

The Women in Defence Awards 2025

The Women in Defence Awards 2025 are now open for nominations, until 2nd May 25.

This year there is a new International category; the International Award is designed to recognise individual women or groups of women completing exceptional work in support of the defence of their own country. 

This award is open to individual women, groups or teams, as members of the Armed Forces, Civil or Public services, or those who work in Defence industries or associated bodies. 

Locally Employed Civilians (LECs) in overseas locations have been confirmed as eligible for this category.

Details of all categories and how to nominate can be found at: Women in Defence UK | Awards 2025 Criteria.

Seeing the blooms

From Germany to Holland, you have many great options for visiting the most beautiful blooming gardens.

Spring & Summer 2025 could be really great years for flower blooms. lets get started with a rundown by date order.


Cherry Blossom

Just as in Japan every spring many German cities and towns celebrate the arrival of the cherry blossom.  Enjoy a range of events and the simple pleasure of a walk under the blossom in the following locations. 

Though the exact timing of when the blossoms appear varies each year. The window is roughly 14 days in early to mid April. 

• Bonn 

The Old capital of west Germany  offers a great weekend break . The city is compact and historical features are well preserved. Bonn is just south of Cologne along the Rhine.  

 

Heerstraß ealong with Breite Straße are the main avenue of cherry trees in the city.

 

• Dusseldorf - Rhienpromenade 11th Apr Other places to see Sakura trees can be found around the city.

A small fair on the Rhienpromenade and some special ticketed events can be booked. Dusseldorf is home to a significant Japanese community. To enjoy a tea ceremony at the traditional Eko house in the city visit the park in a neighbourhood on the west bank of the Rheine.

The website Mr Dusseldorf has a really useful page on their site showing all the best spots to visit in Dusseldorf for cherry blossom. 

Tulips 

• Keukenhof - Netherlands  Opens March 20th Probably the most famous spring garden in all of Europe. Tickets are on sale now online here. A longer trip no doubt. You will be rewarded with spectacular gardens and blooms to see. 

Rhodedendrum Gardens

• Bremen This free park in Bremen has a massive area and botanical garden. in Spring you can find Tulips, Snowdrops and seasonal flowers. By the summer the Rhodedendrums take over. The drive time is 2 hours 20. 
• 
  

Botanical Gardens 

These locations have botanical gardens or open air gardens ready for you to visit. If the weather is not great the indoor botanical gardens are a good choice for a rainy day visit. 

Local Guide for British Pasport Applications

Sennelager Garrison Entitled Personnel:

 A reminder of the process in place to apply for British passports online for entitled personnel serving overseas.

 

A local instruction has been created and can be found on ModNet, on the Sennelager GSU RAO - Home page, under the "Passport Application Process" Thumbnail. This process must be followed to ensure entitled personnel do not incur overseas postage costs and are authorised to claim the passport fees through their normal claims processes (e.g. through JPA, MyHR, etc.).

 

The Head of Household (HoH) is to email SennelagerGSU-HQ-RAO-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk with information as directed to obtain an FOC before applying online for themselves and/or their entitled family members.

 

For more information, please go to the GSU RAO Homepage, the Sennelager Garrison TEAMS site or Unit Part 1 Orders on ModNet.

 

What's on this weekend

Lot's of things to do and see this weekend. Hopefully the temperature will start to rise now that the clocks have changed. 

22nd Mar - 21st April - Hannover Fruhlingsgfest

The fair on the Scuhtzenplatz boasts two party tents, lots of rides and entertainment. The fair opens 1500 most days, check the website here for exact timings. Wednesdays are traditionally family days at the Spring Festival, with rides offering discounts of up to 50 percent, and on Fridays there is a fireworks display starting at 9:45 p.m.

4th - 5th apr Apr

Themepark weekend some of the biggest attractions in the region re open Safariland, Heide Park , Movie park all re open Fort fun follows on the 12th.

Check out the Top Rhurcard offers for the parks this year if you buy the card for 20205 you get a free entry to one of the parks and the 50% discounts on a second visit.

ruhrtopcard.de

4th Apr -13th Apr

BIE- Happy! Bielefeld Spring fair. the funfair comes to Bielefeld with Fireworks on Friday the 4th at 2100 ish. Visit the Cycle track in Bielefeld. 

• Happy Hour : April 4th from 3-6pm (Pay once - Ride twice)
• Friday 4 April : Brilliant fireworks at about 9 pm
• Family Day on Wednesday 9 April Reduced prices at all stores

Visit the website for full details

6th Apr

Paderborn Frankfurter Weg Street fair 

Family fun day on Frankfurter weg. Activities and small rides for the kids. The stores on the road will be open for the day also. A small event  near Paderbini land. 

22nd Mar - 3rd November 

 

"We Love Playmobil – 50 Years of Play" Hamm Maxipark.
All play heads will love the giant dioramas put together by Playmobil.

 
Experience PLAYMOBIL like never before. Elaborate lighting compositions, tailor-made sound effects, and multimedia installations create a unique world of experience. 

The excellent family park in Hamm is a great place to visit and definitely one to enjoy in the summer. with multiple play areas and a splash zone the kids will love it. 

Through, music, video mapping, and animation, you can see Playmobil brought to life. Tickets to enter the park (Family tickets 12 -16 Euro) and 3 Euro pp for the exhibition.  More info here.