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.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update 12 March 25

 

HCDC Update 

Last month, the House of Commons Defence Committee (HCDC) published its report following an inquiry into Service accommodation that took place last year.  This outlined a number of recommendations made by the Committee that we have considered carefully.  

HCDC has now published our response to the report which outlines the steps we are taking to improve our service to you.   

DIO remains committed to improving the quality of housing for you and your families and we will continue to work closely with our suppliers to deliver against the actions outlined. 

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Service Women: Seen & Heard programme

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust recently announced over £700K to support projects that provide targeted support for serving women through their Service Women: Seen & Heard programme.

 
Find out how these projects will work to empower both regular and reserve service women, helping them to make informed decisions and access vital resources to improve health and wellbeing.

Take back your life this No Smoking Day 2025

 

Take back your life this No Smoking Day – Wednesday 12th March 2025.

• Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.
• It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go this No Smoking Day.
• When you stop smoking, there are almost immediate improvements to your health.
• There’s no need to go it alone – it’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from.
• Getting free expert support from your local stop smoking service is proven to give you the best chance of quitting successfully. Some are now able to offer free vape starter kits too.
• NHS Better Health offers a range of free quitting support including the NHS Quit Smoking app, Personal Quit Plan, 28-day email programme, local stop smoking service look-up tool, as well as advice on stop smoking aids including information on how vaping can help you quit smoking.
• On average, you could save around £2,500 per year by quitting smoking.

Dept for Work & Pensions: Roundup of recent DWP announcements

Changes to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay

The Government has announced changes to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay which will benefit more than one million employees across the UK as part of efforts to grow the economy.

Through the Employment Rights Bill, Government is strengthening Statutory Sick pay by removing the Lower Earnings Limit so that the safety net of sick pay is available to those who need it most. We are also removing the Waiting Period so that Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day of sickness absence.

Give Us Time & Walling2Recovery breaks

 

Find out more here 

NAAFI Fund Launch 2025

We launched the NAAFI Fund back in 2020 and have supported 467 projects so far, donating over £4 million to help improve the lives of service personnel and their families around the world. 

If you would like to read more about the projects that we have supported to date:  

New information regarding the NAAFI Fund 2025: NAAFI Fund: Applications Open Soon - NAAFI

This weeks events adventure and travel

Fri 15th Paderborn Museum 

The City Museum invites families to an exciting guided tour, ( German Language) which will take place on March 15th at 1500.

The tour is aimed at young and old alike and promises an entertaining experience for all ages. The tour focuses on objects discovered by city archaeologists during excavations in the city centre.  Following the tour, a hands-on activity will create small souvenirs.

The tour lasts a maximum of 90 minutes and costs 5 Euro per family.  Register at c.ferres@paderborn.de or by calling the City Museum (05251 8811247).

Fri 15th Mar - Bad Lippspringe Forest Lights
The garden show starts the new season with the spectacular forest lights. For the eighth time, hundreds of spotlights and artistic light objects transform the park into a magical forest.

The 3D video installation with new animated images is not to be missed. 9.50 euros for adults and 3.00 euros for children and young people aged 3 to 17. Details here

Thursday 14th Mar Loseke Family Movie Night
Go along to the Loeseke community Centre for a 1700 Screening of Paddington in Peru.

Sat & Sun 16th & 17th Mar - Motorcycle fair
Free entry, lots of exhibitors for all aspects of motorcycling, live music, face painting, children's bouncy castle. Snacks and drinks, as well as coffee and cake are available.
Motorrad Berlage, Bachstraße 12, 33178 Borchen, Germany, Kirchborchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Paderborn. 15 -20 mins drive time.

Emsdetten Spring market 14th -17th Mar
Over 100 exhibitors from the areas of home and garden, health and lifestyle, clubs and organisations, automobiles and travel, as well as finance and pensions will be presenting themselves in halls and open spaces in the city centre.

There is also a supporting program with many highlights, and on Sunday, when shops are open, retailers invite you to stroll and shop from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Drive time 1hr 25 mins. 

Verl Model Trains & Toy Fair 16th March 1000- 1500
Indulge your passion for model trains at this local event less than 20 mins drive time. One for the traders and collectors. The website is not clear there maybe admission charged at the door.

Sunday 16th Mar WRVS Movie Matinee
Moana 2 will be screened from 1400

Bakers needed for the Coffee social on 19th March bring bakes along for the BFBS big salute.

Street Food Market Cologne 21st - 23rd Mar
The street food fair is held throughout the year with the first event on the 21st March. Lots of stalls to try about 30 vendors at each event. Tickets 4 Euro pp more details on the website Drive time 2 hours.

Special Offers Top Rhur Card is offering a free theme Park visit for 2025
Check out the website for the Top Rhur Card at 69 Euro for Adults and 43 Euro for kids. The card offers one time free entry to 90 attractions and 50 attractions with 50% discounts that are reusable.




Ryan Air Launches Munster (FMO) to London Stanstead (STN) Flights
From 30th Mar, Ryanair is launching a new route from London Stansted to Münster/Osnabrück (FMO), with four weekly flights. 

Muster airport is about 1hr 15 mins drive time north of Sennelager. so not much longer than the drive to Dortmund airport. Check availability on the Ryan air website.

Get out this weekend

We talked about Wildparks on the radio update for this week. A great way to enjoy the nice weather this weekend.

We have put a Google map together with a mix of free and paid for locations to visit.

Stay up to date on the weather here 

How to protect yourself from loan sharks

A loan shark – or illegal money lender - is someone who lends money illegally without proper authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

That means if you borrow from them, they don’t have to follow the rules – they can decide how much you pay back and when.

These criminals are not always easy to spot - they can be a friend, a fellow service member, even a senior officer.

Whoever they are, they will usually appear as a friendly face, offering you a favour. They may tell you that what they are offering is nothing more than peer-to-peer lending and their offer may seem hard to resist.

Op ASCEND – Careers After Service

Op ASCEND is a free, government-backed service to support veterans in growing their careers.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking employment or an employer looking to attract skilled veterans to your workforce, find out what signing up to the Op ASCEND service can do for you.

For more information visit

Serve and Protect Credit Union - March update

📢 Free financial webinars this March 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

🔍 Before You Borrow: Things to Know

🔗 Register here

Mindfulness can be a simple and effective tool to live in the moment and reduce financial stress 😊

Discover how to navigate your financial journey with clarity in Episode 10 of the Smile and Save Podcast.

🔗 Watch here

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 is open!

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 – which hears from Service spouses and civil partners about their views on Service family life – is now open!  

Take part in this year’s tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) and help Defence to understand your experiences and thoughts across a broad range of areas. Your feedback will help Defence to make changes and develop policies to better meet your needs. 

The survey invites a random sample of civil partners and spouses of regular serving personnel to take part. To see if you’ve been invited to complete the survey, and to access the survey, please check the online eligibility tool.

National No Smoking Day 2025 – 12 Mar

• Take back your life this No Smoking Day – Wednesday 12th March 2025.Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.
• It’s never too late to quit smoking.
• Even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go this No Smoking Day.
• When you stop smoking, there are almost immediate improvements to your health.
• There’s no need to go it alone – it’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from.
• Getting free expert support from your local stop smoking service is proven to give you the best chance of quitting successfully. Some are now able to offer free vape starter kits too.
• NHS Better Health offers a range of free quitting support including the NHS Quit Smoking app, Personal Quit Plan, 28-day email programme, local stop smoking service look-up tool, as well as advice on stop smoking aids including information on how vaping can help you quit smoking.
• On average, you could save around £2,500 per year by quitting smoking.

•