UK Health Security Agency advice - be tick aware.

Ticks can be active all year round, but they are most active in the months April to July, and sometimes later in the autumn.

Don't let ticks stop you from enjoying the outdoors but reduce the chance of acquiring a tick bite by:

Using a repellent that prevents ticks
Wearing long sleeves and long trousers to reduce direct skin exposure
Keep to clearly defined paths and avoid brushing against vegetation
Regularly check for ticks and brush off any you find immediately
When you’re back indoors, check for any ticks on you, your children and pets
If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible with a removal device

Find out more, including what to do if you're bitten

Childcare applications for parents with 9-month-olds now open.

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Little Troopers free summer adventure for military teens in Rutland: Applications now open.

From Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July the charity Little Troopers is coming to Rutland to host a free summer adventure weekend for military teenagers aged 13-16.

Part of the charity’s All Together club, the aim of the programme is to bring together teenagers who might not know each other but all share similar experiences having grown up in the forces community.

Victory Services Club: April Newsletter.

Click newsletter to enlarge.

Service Family Accommodation - UK-wide Townhall Events.

Click here for further information

Quest Magazine - May edition.

Please click here to read this edition online

Army Cadets mental health.

Are you struggling with your #MentalHealth ? Do you need someone to talk to? Click here to check out Kooth.

Kooth are a service that allows you to get help by both talking to someone and accessing advice.

Fighting With Pride guide to help & support 2024.

Three of the pillars of action for Fighting With Pride (FWP) are Direct Support, Community Building and Capacity Building. In partnership with The Veteran UK we have produced a resource to showcase our community, highlight the direct support we are gaining from partner organisations, government and service chiefs and list the many organisations joining our Pride in Veterans Standard (PiVS), expanding our capacity to reach LGBT+ veterans, serving members, reservists, adult cadet force members and their families.

This is our inaugural digital version, focusing on the community and listing the rapidly growing number of organisations joining PiVS and offering services and support to you. It shows organisations, local and national, that offer support from housing to employment, education to therapy, social networks to physical and mental health services and so many others, and who, as members of PiVS, have shown a commitment to the particular help and support needed for LGBT+ veterans and families.

https://www.fightingwithpride.org.uk/fwp-directory/

BFBS: May Update.

In this update, BFBS have chosen their top picks from their Forces News channels, and you can read about the latest BFBS Radio documentary NATO 75, and news of their recent collaboration with BT. Highlighted also is BFBS Academy’s latest social media course, plus some successes and nominations, and sports livestreams. To view the update in full, please go to: BFBS Update May 2024 | About BFBS​​

Serve and Protect Credit Union launch latest Fixed Saver, offering a guaranteed return of 4.25% AER.

Are you looking to earn a guaranteed return on your savings? Serve and Protect Credit Union have launched their latest fixed-rate savings account.

​Serve and Protect Credit Union (formerly Police Credit Union) are a not-for-profit organisation designed to help people in the police, prison, military, fire, and health services save money for their financial future.

Their Fixed Saver account allows you to deposit from £1,000 up to £10,000, with a guaranteed return of 4.25% AER over a term of 12 months.Your savings with Serve and Protect Credit Union are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, covering you up to £85,000.*

By opening a Fixed Saver, you not only earn a competitive return on your savings, but you also play a vital role in providing affordable loans to those who serve and protect the nation.

Don't miss out on this exclusive offer!

It's available on a first-come-first-served basis, so act fast. The product is available throughout May 2024 and just requires you to complete a simple application online.

Please Note: If you are not already a member of Serve and Protect, you can still apply, but you will have to do so by the 29th of May 2024.

To apply or learn more about the Fixed Saver, visit: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/fixed-saver/

'Anxiety Unravelled' - a free course for military parents from Bounce Forward.

This programme is funded through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for military parents and carers.

Anxiety Unravelled will support you to understand you are not on your own - if you are in the midst of a growing cycle of worry and concern you would like to be able to unravel, this programme is for you!

We look forward to seeing you across three 1-hour sessions -

June 5th - Session 1: What is anxiety?
June 12th - Session 2: How we talk about anxiety
June 19th - Session 3: Helping my child deal with anxiety

Register for your FREE place HERE

Celebrating Forces Families Awards shine a light on inspirational Military families.

London, UK – April 26th, 2024 – The Celebrating Forces Families Awards, held on Friday, 26th April, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, recognised the incredible strength, dedication, and achievements of the UK’s Armed Forces families. This heartwarming event, now in its third year and the only one of its kind within the Armed Forces Network, celebrates the invaluable support these families provide to serving members and the entire military community.

Single Living Accommodation (SLA) survey.

The Single Living Accomodation (SLA) survey launches today and is an opportunity for all personnel to share your views on SLA and help shape the future of Defence accommodation.

Who can take part and how?

We want to hear from all Service personnel whether you currently use SLA or not. To complete the survey click here. For more information please go to this Sway: Sway

What’s the ask?

You will be asked to complete a short survey which will take approximately 10 minutes.

The survey will close at 17:00 Monday 3 June 2024.

Building Heroes: Supporting the Salute.

Building Heroes is a leading military charity, joining forces with education, the Armed Forces and construction to shape and grow the industry with a pipeline of valuable, work ready personnel from the military community.

We will continue to offer our Multi Trades Qualifications at our London, Wales, Basingstoke, Colchester, Salisbury and Plymouth Academies.

​Additionally, we will be offering a brand-new qualifications Level 3 in Retrofit Assessor/Energy Domestic Assessor. These combined qualifications will run for 5 weeks. This level 3 qualification will ensure straight employment routes and we have plenty of opportunities available. (see attached flyers)

The location for Retrofit will be in Barnet but a couple of the cohorts may be in Enfield. This is all to be confirmed but for now encourage your service leavers to get onto the Waitlist so not to miss out!

For further information on how to collaborate with Building Heroes, please click on flyers here and here.


All applications to be made at www.buildingheroes.org.uk