DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 24 Jan

Following feedback from families at recent SFA Roadshows; DIO, Pinnacle, Amey and VIVO have opened local housing office drop-in sessions to offer support and guidance face to face. 

The following locations are now available: South West: Larkhill, Plymouth, Blandford, Gosport, and Portsmouth
South East: Windsor, Brize Norton, Brompton, and Aldershot
North: Leuchars and Weeton
Central: Colchester, Cosford, and Waddington

​Dates and times are available on the Pinnacle website.

Raising repairs prior to move-out

It is important to report any necessary repairs in your home even while you're in the process of moving out. This allows for any required work to be completed before a new family moves in, creating a smoother transfer for all. You should report any repair issues by contacting the Pinnacle National Service Centre on 0800 031 8628 or Repairs@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

Research Participants Sought - Survey of British Military Parents

Challenges, support mechanisms and coping strategies of parents in the British armed forces. 

Who is doing this research? 

The research will be conducted by Lt Col Jess Beck, a student on the Advanced Command and Staff Course, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, and will be supervised by Dr Ellen Hallams, School of Security Studies Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, King’s College London. 

What is the research about? 

The study will examine the challenges, advantages and disadvantages of being a parent in the British military, and the coping strategies which are used by military parents. It aims to understand what additional support and flexibility is required to enable a military career to be maintained, and where there are current shortfalls. 

Online Wellbeing Sessions

 

Session Two 11th Feb 2025

Session Three 6th Mar 2025

Bielfeld creative fair & craft market 1st Feb 2025

This year, the 'BielefeldKreativ' trade fair will be complemented by the Bielefeld arts and crafts market in the old part of the town hall.

Location: Stadthalle Bielefeld, Willy-Brandt-Platz 1, 33602 Bielefeld

Date 1st - 2nd Feb 2025 1000 - 1800

Book tickets here

Universal Credit for armed forces personnel posted overseas

Serving personnel and families are entitled to claim Universal Credit, regardless of their location. This means families stationed overseas can submit claims in the same way as those in the UK.

Universal Credit for armed forces personnel posted overseas - GOV.UK

Over £3.3 million awarded in latest round of Covenant Fund awards

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce over £3.3 million has been awarded in the latest series of grants made under the Covenant Fund.

The Trust has supported a total of 34 fantastic projects across four different Covenant Fund programmes, all set to make significant improvements for Armed Forces communities across the UK.Service Women: Seen & Heard has awarded over £700K to eight projects tackling the underlying issues unique to serving women, providing improved access to support for their mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Free From Fear has awarded just over £700K to five projects addressing domestic abuse through preventative measures or providing support routes for survivors in Armed Forces communities.

Serving Families: On the Move has awarded just over £1M to 11 projects helping to improve the quality of life for Service families impacted by relocation.
Embedding Prevention of Veteran Suicide has awarded just over £860K to 10 projects enabling systemic change and long-term, sustainable impact, building on the findings from the One is Too Many programme.

Pinnacle Group: Free Coaching & Mentoring

Do you have links to the military community? Pinnacle Group's Social Value team deliver employability, money management and business mentoring programmes which are free to SP, Veterans, Reservists, and their Spouses / Partners and their families.

 
So whether you are looking to change your job or find yourself out of work we can support you to get that next role via our employability programmes and if you are someone looking to start a business or maybe you are a Veteran or Spouse / Partner with an Existing Business looking for support to grow your income and profits, we have business mentoring programmes where experienced Business Mentors will support you all the way.


For more information please use this link or email psv@pinnaclegroup.co.uk​.

Phoenix des Lumières – Digital art center in Dortmund

The Dortmund centre presents new exhibitions on the 24th of January. As part of the Phoenix West cultural centre on a old iron works. The blast furnace was converted into a public space. 

Since 2023 it has served as a giant canvas for spectacular exhibitions. 

Now in its second year you will be able to find brand new exhibitions. Walk through ancient Egypt. See nature up close alongside the works of French oriental artists. 

The exhibitions are giant projections in the main hall. 

Watch the video below to get a better idea of how the exhibitions look.

Adult tickets are €16.00

5-17 Years €10.00 

Family ticket 2 adults and two children 5 -17 years €42 

You can book tickets and see more information here

NDNA's Childcare employment programme

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) have received funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust's Supporting Partners programme to support partners of serving military personnel or reservists, who might be interested in joining our 16-week paid childcare supported employment programme, starting w/c 24th February. 

We're initially looking to recruit from those living in North Yorkshire however, we can consider applicants from other areas.​

National Transition Event, Silverstone, 24 Feb 25

‘Bringing together a community of communities’: Registration now open for the National Transition Event at Silverstone on 24 Feb!

Now in its 6th year, the National Transition Event (NTE) brings together Service Leavers, Veterans, Reservists, spouses & partners and family members to aid successful, sustainable transition & networking opportunities, recognising, demonstrating and celebrating the value of the Armed Forces. 

It uses the backdrop of the iconic GP racetrack to offer a unique event giving those attending a way to find out about careers and roles across different industry sectors while having a memorable day.

NEW for NTE25 is an invitation for 16–18-year-old Cadets to come along and hear about the opportunities open to them in the job market, apprenticeships and training.

This is the largest event of this kind in the UK and you are invited!

Within the five large Exhibitor Halls there will be exhibitors from sectors including Automotive, Renewable, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Professional Services, Construction, Engineering, Project Management, Cyber, Digital & AI, Facilities Management to name a few. 

In addition, there will be small business support, CV writing, interview techniques and LinkedIn advice; government and charity support services; a Family Zone and training & apprenticeship information.

Three reasons to attend:

1. The UK’s largest Armed Forces community event of its kind – feel welcome and have your valuable skills understood

2. Over 200 exhibitors wanting to share their knowledge and insight into the world of work – including meeting many veterans, reservists & family members working in industry

3. The Troops’ Track Day– run by Mission Motorsport on the GP Circuit To Register for free simply click this Eventbrite link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-national-transition-event-2025-tickets-1086959307549?aff=oddtdtcreator

A) Social media suggested posts:

Calling all members of the Armed Forces community. The National Transition Event returns to Silverstone on 24 Feb. To register for free, hit this link: 

Rail sale offers up to half price discounts on over 2 million tickets

From 14 to 20 January 2025, selected advance and off-peak fares will go on sale at up to 50% off for travel between 17 January and 31 March 2025.

As part of this year’s rail sale, thousands of popular routes across almost all UK train operators, including Transport for Wales and ScotRail, will be offering discounted tickets with journeys spreading the length and breadth of Great Britain.

Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys made between 17 January and 31 March 2025 across Great Britain.

The sale is now live with tickets available through the Rail Delivery Group’s microsite or through individual train operators until 20 January.

For further information: Back and bigger than ever: rail sale offers up to half price discounts on over 2 million tickets - GOV.UK.

New Defence survey for those in a Long Term Relationship

If you’re in a Long Term Relationship (LTR) with a Service person, Defence would like to hear your views and experiences about Service family life. 

Defence has launched a pilot survey to better understand the experiences of Long Term Relationship partners, including dual-serving partners, of serving personnel. This survey is anonymous and closes on Monday 3 February 2025.

Please note that this survey is open to the entire LTR population, and is separate to the LTR Overseas pilot scheme survey that is also currently ongoing.

Little Troopers launches 'All Together' family reconnection weekends

The military children’s charity, Little Troopers, has launched a series of free family reconnection weekends for forces families to spend quality-time together.

Funded by Team Forces, the four Little Troopers weekends invite young people and their parents to go away for an exciting few days of outdoor adventure and connection where they’ll be encouraged to put down their phones, meet people, do new things and spend quality time together.

Open to families with up to four siblings aged 9 and over, the weekends will be packed with adventurous activities including coasteering, raft building, kayaking, mega SUPing and coastal bushcraft, as well as time to relax on the beach, watching the sunset with a hot chocolate.

Military Spousal Founders Programme

Are you part of the armed forces community with plans to become a business founder? Our Military Spousal Founders Programme is designed just for you.

We've partnered with Eagle Labs Academy to run this specially designed programme for military spouses who want to start and grow a business. Continuing our ongoing commitment to the armed forces covenant, the programme aims to assist spousal business owners establish a foundation to be successful in starting their own business.

Eagle Labs Academy is a digital learning platform that helps founders start and scale their business at their own pace.

Little Troopers launches All Together family reconnection weekends

The military children’s charity, Little Troopers, has launched a series of free family reconnection weekends for forces families to spend quality-time together.

Funded by Team Forces, the four Little Troopers weekends invite young people and their parents to go away for an exciting few days of outdoor adventure and connection where they’ll be encouraged to put down their phones, meet people, do new things and spend quality time together.

Open to families with up to four siblings aged 9 and over, the weekends will be packed with adventurous activities including coasteering, raft building, kayaking, mega SUPing and coastal bushcraft, as well as time to relax on the beach, watching the sunset with a hot chocolate.

Service community discounts: Make yourself a 2025 priority and make savings

Start 2025 by prioritising your wellbeing and making the most of savings available from Defence Discount Service, Blue Light Card, and MyDiscounts.​

As we welcome the new year, January provides the perfect opportunity to focus on your wellbeing and make yourself a priority.

From boosting your fitness, improving mental health, and focusing on nutrition, to spending quality time with loved ones, the discounts available as part of ‘Your Offer’ in Defence can help kickstart a positive and balanced year ahead.

RBL Poppy Hike 2025

The RBL Poppy Hike is taking place in the beautiful Surrey Hills on Sunday 18th May. By taking part, you'll be helping to raise vital funds and awareness so that RBL can continue to support serving & ex-serving personnel and their families, for as long as needed.

Starting and finishing at Epsom Racecourse, you'll hike through stunning landscapes in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You will also pass through a Centenary Wood which commemorates the sacrifices made in WW1.​

For more information on this event, please go to: rbl.org.uk/eventhike There is a discount for the military community available of 20%, reducing the registration cost to £20. To access the discount code, please ask your local HIVE, or use our DM/Contact Us facilities, or email RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk​

To find more information on:
Other RBL fundraising events and challenges, please visit: rbl.org.uk/eventbrochure
The RBL and how they support beneficiaries, please visit : Our Beneficiaries
How to be a volunteer, please visit: rbl.org.uk/event-volunteer

TAFCT - Two free webinars

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund are kicking off 2025 with two FREE webinars and they would love you to join them.

The first will focus on the Supporting Armed Forces in Acute Hospital Settings Programme, sharing key findings from the programme evaluation.

The second will provide an introduction to the Thrive Together programme, the next phase of the successful VPPP programme.


Join us on Tuesday 14 January, 1pm to 3pm to discover the insights and impact of the Supporting Armed Forces in Acute Hospital Settings Programme. Jointly funded by the Covenant Fund, NHS England and NHS Improvement, this programme supported pilot projects aimed at exploring better ways to support Veterans and their families when they are in an acute hospital setting

Our second webinar of 2025 will provide an introduction to the Thrive Together Programme.

Building on the work of the successful Veterans’ People Places and Pathways Programme (VPPP), Thrive Together will step up support for vulnerable Veterans and their families across the UK, driving future sustainability. ​Want to learn more about Thrive Together? : Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust​

Free online classes for military families

The Soldiers' Arts Academy aims to provide a platform through which serving and veteran military personnel and their families can participate in the creative arts. 

Using their skills and experiences to create and engage audiences worldwide, the SAA strives to encourage excellence, engagement and inspiration in its members, as well as building a supportive and strong community.

Online workshops include art, signing, guitar lessons and poetry. All are free for military personnel, veterans and military families. Find out more at soldiersartsacademy.org.

World Cup Ski Jumping 2025 Willingen

31st Jan - 2nd Feb - Willingen World Cup Ski jumping. Join the 20,000 strong crowd each day. Take the opportunity to watch this unique sporting event whilst you are in Germany. 

Tickets are available from 20€ - 85€ 

Click /tap the  image to expand the size.

Winterberg outdoor events Jan - Feb 2025

The hills of the Hochsauerland region are a hub of outdoor activities each winter.

(c) Community of Willingen

Skiing may not be everybody's idea of a good time. You can enjoy the scenery at a much slower pace. There is no need to get trapped indoors this winter. 

Winterberg and Willingen are part of the Hochsauerland. which is a region of hills dotted with ski resorts and villages.  The hills are over 800m in some areas. This offers great scenery and activities. 

Below are a few of the specific offers which you can buy tickets for. 

• Moonlight hikes - guided German language Hike for 2 hours in the snow. Price includes snow shoe hire
• Pony days - you can wither "rent" a pony for a short hike or children are welcome to ride.  pay for 30 or 60 mins timeslots. various dates 
• Beer hikes  A  guided walks which lets you learn about and try the famous Winterberg Landbier 

Hikes are dependant on the weather, your guide will make contact prior to start times to advise any issues.

Free Hiking & Maps 

From easy 1.2 km hikes with no steep hills to a 9.2 Km hike on 800 m hills.  The region has lots to offer.

Visit the following website link to see more details and maps for each hike. The website has details of each route and relative difficulty. 

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas launch - January 2025

 

Wraparound Childcare* (WAC) Overseas launch - January 2025

Eligible working parents (at least one of whom is a member of the Armed Forces) with children aged between 4-11 years old (4-16 years old if in receipt of certain disability benefits) in school (including home educated children) will be able to claim back the costs of regulated wraparound childcare for a maximum of 20 hours per week, per eligible child, during term time.

Have a question? Ask the WAC Team.

The WAC team are holding a live WAC Overseas Q&A session at 1200hrs on 28 January 2025, to give families an opportunity to ask any questions they may have. The session will be held on MS Teams, if you would like to attend please sign up here and the team will contact you with the meeting link.

Ski Lessons in Hochsauer Land

Winterberg, Willingen are great ski resorts for those starting out on the slopes.  

Here you can find the details of Ski schools in the area which offer lessons in English. 

Always contact the school to confirm they still have English speaking instructors available.

You will find courses for lots of ages  Adults, Children, Tots. in addition learning skiing or snowboarding. 

Winterberg

• https://www.ski-winterberg.de/
• https://www.skischule-winterberg.com/en/
• https://skischule-winterberg.kursbiachle.de/shop/simple-assistant
• https://www.poppenberg-winterberg.de/en/winter/ski-school/

Willingen

• https://otc-willingen.de/
• https://www.dsv-skischule-wiwa.de/de/
• https://ski-willingen.de/
• https://sportwelt-ettelsberg.de/

Check the local weather in the resorts here:

• https://www.accuweather.com/en/de/winterberg/59955/weather-forecast/170519
• https://www.accuweather.com/en/de/willingen/34508/weather-forecast/178593?city=willingen

Check out the live webcams set up on the slopes for each resorts:

• Winterberg
• Willingen

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas launched 6 Jan 25

 

Are you ready to register?
Great news for Service families assigned to locations within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision. WAC Overseas is now available to eligible families in these areas from today (6 January 2025).

What is Wraparound Childcare funding?
The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time (39 weeks), to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC in the UK.

WAC Overseas mirrors the WAC scheme in the UK, it is a reimbursement from Defence to Service personnel of up to 80% of the costs of before and after school childcare. Capped hourly rates apply and can be found in 2022DIN01-079-Defence Wraparound Childcare Allowance. The remaining 20% is claimed from HMRC via an active Tax-Free Childcare account. WAC funding does not provide childcare spaces, it is funding for costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare.

Togetherall: New Year Goals & Pressures

New year, new mindset - feeling the pressure? Transform stress into positive energy by setting small and achievable goals. Togetherall has your back with expert tips and a handy goal-setting tool to track your progress. Join the anonymous online community today for FREE at togetherall.com​ and kickstart your journey to better mental health.​

Have Your Say: Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship Overseas Pilot Survey opens on 8 Jan

 

Reading Force and Book Clubs

Reading Force has been encouraging Forces families to choose and share books for fun, and as a way of staying connected with deployed parents and their wider families for over 10 years. 

Since March 2021, Reading Force has supported adults and children* with a UK Armed Forces connection through their fantastic book club offering. Everyone is welcome – avid readers, first-time book club members and anywhere in between! Book clubs help members to meet new people, build a strong sense of connection and reduce feelings of isolation. 

“I found the recent book club completely invaluable to my wellbeing in recent months. It might seem odd that something so small could have such a large impact, but it did.” 

Soldier Magazine: Jan 2025 Edition

Link to read online: SOLDIER

​

Financial Recognition and other restorative measures for LGBT veterans

 For further information, please see the following links:

• LGBT veterans: Support and next steps – This GOV.UK page has centralised information and signposting for pre-2000 LGBT veterans and pre-1967 LGBT veterans. It also contains support services for veterans and families.
  
• Financial Recognition Scheme: GOV.UK page with information on how to apply, eligibility, scheme rules and FAQs.
• New GOV.UK page about the Qualification of Administration Discharge and Rank Restoration, including FAQs, guidance about eligibility and applications, and public policy.
• ​Pre-1967 veterans: GOV.UK page about restorative measures and FAQs.