Naples Newsletter March 2

 

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SaluteMyJob: Pathways programme to enhance cyber leadership opportunities for veterans

                                          

SaluteMyJob expands their innovative pathways programme with exciting partnership with Ofsted-skills provider to enhance cyber leadership opportunities for veterans and police officers

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.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 26 March 2025

                                                 

Reduce the risk of lead in drinking water

Lead pipes may still exist in Service Family Accommodation built before 1970, but DIO and our repairs contractors are committed to removing them during modernisation.

The risk of exposure to lead is very low but the following steps can help to reduce lead levels in drinking water in older properties:

• Only drink water from the mains supply in your kitchen.

• Before you drink, cook or clean your teeth, run the cold taps first thing in the morning (the amount to fill a washing up bowl should be sufficient) to flush out water that has been standing in pipes overnight.

• If you have been away from your home for a long period, run hot and cold taps for at least 5 minutes to prevent legionella.

The UK has a very safe water system, but these precautions will help to lower the risk. For more information visit the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s website

Reporting Sewerage Spills

Should you notice a sewage spillage or leak, please report this directly to the Pinnacle Helpdesk on 0800 031 8628 and follow Option 1 for Repairs.

SFA Roadshows

Going Forward into Employment (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)

Department for Work & Pensions (DWP): 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.  To support anyone wishing to check their records, or make a payment, there is now a DWP video and an online form to request a callback.

Watch the DWP video How to check your State Pension and pay for gaps in your National Insurance record on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_8GkTNgyXqs

DWP’s online form is available to request a call back at: https://ow.ly/oGbl50VarlC

VE Day 80 – Hold a Brew and Bake for Combat Stress

                                       

This year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and Combat Stress would very much appreciate your help celebrating it with a Brew and Bake Coffee Morning - a great way to bring people together over coffee and cake while raising funds for veterans’ mental health.

 

The official Brew and Bake day is Thursday 8 May 2025 – VE Day, but events can be held on any date that suits. Every pound raised will help Combat Stress provide their life-changing mental health treatment to veterans today.

 

Find out more and sign up here to get sent a Fundraising Pack: https://events.combatstress.org.uk/event/brewandbake/home 

Dandelion Day 4th April - Wear Yellow!

  

April is the international Month of the Military Child

Little Troopers celebrates the Month of the Military Child – come and get involved!

                                     

April is the international Month of the Military Child and the charity Little Troopers is celebrating by launching a new dandelion-themed book for military children, as well as organised a special month packed full of workshops, activities and events for all forces families and schools with service children.

Dandelion Book
Launching on Dandelion Day – Friday 4th April – “Dandelions” is a brand-new book from Little Troopers’ resident author, Donna David. The book follows the story of a military child who is about to move home and learns all about why the dandelion is the official flower of the military child – strong, resilient and putting down roots wherever the wind takes it. Ideal for children aged eight to eleven, Little Troopers will be giving away 100 copies throughout April.

School Pack and Dandelion Day
Schools can now download the brand-new Little Troopers “Month of the Military Child School Pack”. Education settings are encouraged to hold their very own ‘Dandelion Day’ on Friday 4th April where students can come into school wearing something yellow to signal the school’s recognition and inclusion of military children. The Little Troopers school pack features new activities and classroom ideas to engage service and civilian children, as well as tips on involving the local military community in the special day. You can download the pack to share with your child’s school here.

At home activities
Families are encouraged to celebrate the Month of the Military Child at home by exploring the charity’s list of fun, dandelion-themed activities, which include painting, mask-making, playdough, baking and crafting. Get creative and share your photos online.

Events
Little Troopers is running events throughout April, bringing together as many military children as possible.

5th April - Online interactive science workshop hosted by Devon Science. Sign-up here.


13th April - Tidworth 10K and Family Fun Run. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the Month of the Military Child while raising crucial funds for Little Troopers. There will also be entertainment and family activities throughout the morning for military families. Find out more and register here.

16th April - Little Troopers will be returning to the Royal Hospital Chelsea to host an intergenerational workshop during the Month of the Military Child. The event offers forces families the unique opportunity to meet and spend time with the iconic Chelsea Pensioners. Anyone interested in attending can now register here.

26th April – Online interactive bake-a-long workshop with CookStars. Sign-up here.

As well as giving away 100 copies of the new Little Troopers Dandelion Book, the charity will have lots of other giveaways for families that are signed-up to the charity’s newsletter.

The spring edition of the Little Troopers Gazette will also be available to request for free towards the end of the month. The newspaper will be packed with articles written by current military children, as well as featuring activities and ideas to mark this special month in the military calendar.

Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, comments: “Little Troopers is a charity that ensures military children from all three services are recognised, included and celebrated. That’s why we always have a busy calendar of events and activities during April the official Month of the Military Child, so that wherever you live, you can get involved in the celebrations with your little troopers.

“2025 is set to be a really special April and we hope lots of schools and families get involved in our new Dandelion Day and read our special new book. We also hope to see lots of you in-person at our Tidworth 10K and family fun run! Let’s all take time this month to show all the little troopers out there just how amazing they really are.”

For more information and to get involved visit www.littletroopers.net/month-of-the-military-child

Blue Light Card: Spring Saver Weekend 28–31 March

 

We’re excited to share that Blue Light Card is bringing you the Spring Saver Weekend – think Black Friday, but in the spring! Don’t miss out during this event we are bringing you some special Spring discounts!

When? Friday 28th – Monday 31st March
Who? Blue Light Card members
What? Exclusive discounts from top brands!

Join 5 million members already enjoying savings from brands like Halfords, Odeon, AEG, Parkdean Resorts, Gymshark, New Balance, and many more! Whether you're refreshing your wardrobe, upgrading your home and garden, or treating yourself, there’s something for everyone.

Here is a sneak peak of some exclusive offers across the Spring Saver Weekend

- AEG
- Wagamama
- Debenhams
- Shark
- Ninja
- Seasalt Cornwall
- Sony
- Halfords
- And so many more!

Access Blue Light Card's Spring Saver Weekend details here. 

Not a member yet? Eligible staff can sign up now at and start saving!

National Memorial Arboretum: Talent in the Ranks Artist Development Programme 2025

                                       

 Email address for more info:  Rasmith@thenma.org.uk