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Thursday, 6 March 2025
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: https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk
Give Us Time: New Motorhome Breaks Now Available
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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.
But very quickly the situation can spiral out of control, and you could find yourself having to pay back much more than you initially borrowed. You might even be subjected to threats, violence and intimidation if you struggle to make a payment.
Have Your Say: Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship Overseas Pilot Survey open until 14 Apr
Please click the image to enlarge.
To take part in the Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot Survey please click HERE.
More information is available on Sway HERE.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Latest round of grants under The Armed Forces Families Fund - Early Years Programme
The Early Years programme is back for 2025 and we’re excited to share that applications are now open!
Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3), The Early Years Programme will award grants between £5,000 and £80,000 towards projects that enable early childhood education and childcare settings to meet specific needs of young service children.
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: https://sandpcu.co.uk/webinars
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: https://youtu.be/gb8ItNJ76_A?si=-IvTvTA_qSesz-GT
Start of Spring | 📆 Thu 20th March
Why not give your finances a fresh start and start saving from your pay with Serve and Protect Credit Union?
🔗 Learn more via their website: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/
Debt Awareness Week | 📆 Mon 24th - Sun 30th March
Boost your financial knowledge this Debt Awareness Week with the free webinars provided by our friends at Serve and Protect Credit Union!
Discover 10 steps to improve your credit score and what to consider before applying for credit.
🔗 Learn more via their website: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/education/webinars/
Monday, 3 March 2025
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.
The eligibility tool and survey work best with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and will ask for a token/access code. This refers to your partner’s Service number, which is required for security reasons only. Please be assured that all survey responses are anonymous.
Recruit for Spouses Roadshow, Colchester – 25 Mar
Come and join Recruit for Spouses for a brew and a slice of cake 🍰☕️ while learning all about what RFS has to offer.
One of our reps will be there to chat about our programmes and how we can help you thrive.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Foreign & Commonwealth
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Recruitment
- Resources
- and Much more!
Don't miss out on this chance to connect and discover new opportunities!
Head over to the portal to sign up https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in
DIO Families First Newsletter – Issue 24
Forces Employment Charity: ‘Empowering You’ Employment Workshop, Manchester and online – 10-12 Mar
Empowering You is brought to you by the Forces Employment Charity, from Monday, 10 March, to Wednesday, 12 March 2025. It is a hybrid three-day employability and confidence-building workshop for spouses and partners, including military women, and those who are separated, divorced, or bereaved. Please note military spouses and partners of any gender may attend.
Your top 5 reasons to attend:
- Receive a free one-to-one mentoring session with a corporate mentor
- Join us in person in Radbroke where Barclays will host our sessions
- Hear from employers about pathways into employment and regional job opportunities
- Understand the value that your transferrable skills can bring to employers
- Expert sessions delivered by our Families Employment Advisors
For more information and to register, please go to: https://rfea.my.site.com/forcesemployment/s/community-event?id=a48N1000000C66TIAS
Blue Light Card Offers - February Round-up
Member Days:
Blue Light Card’s Member Days are back and bigger than ever before. Each year, attractions across the UK will close their gates to the public, on selected dates, and open them exclusively for our members. Expect smaller crowds, free parking, selected discounts on food and drink. Our first Member Day at Alton Towers takes place on Friday 7th March so don’ t delay in getting your tickets.
Find out more about Member Days here: Blue Light Card News
Mother’s Day campaign:
Give Us Time - March breaks for Forces families.
Give Us Time have provided a round up of the breaks they have available for Forces families for March below:
NEW!
21 – 28 March
Bird’s Nest, Carrick Shore, SW Scotland – property is for 2 people only Airbnb link
AVAILABLE AGAIN DUE TO CANCELLATION
Headspace App – Five FREE family & friends subscriptions available for Army Personnel and Army Civil Servants.
To sign up, please go to https://work.headspace.com/britisharmy/member-enroll
Please use your @mod.gov.uk, @armymail.gov.uk or @csmail.mod.uk email address to verify your account when prompted.
Headspace says, “We make mental health support accessible to everyone, no matter their background or experience. Through our flagship Headspace app, we provide mindfulness tools for everyday life, including meditations, sleepcasts, mindful movement and focus exercises. Our enterprise offerings combine this experience with a human-centered model of care, with coaching, therapy, psychiatry and EAP services under one roof. Our team of experts ranges from mental health clinicians, to Emmy award-winning producers and data scientists, working together as one to help millions of people around the world be healthier and more productive.”
Recruit for Spouses - online workshop for Foreign & Commonwealth military spouses and partners Tue 4 Mar.
Calling All Foreign & Commonwealth Military Spouses - Unlock Your Potential: Master Immigration, Visas, and Career Growth with Recruit for Spouses!
Are you navigating the complexities of life in the UK? Let RFS help you thrive! Join the exclusive workshop hosted by the Army Families Federation (AFF) and Recruit for Spouses (RFS), tailored specifically for Foreign & Commonwealth military spouses.
Defence launches the Families Hub – an information portal to help navigate Service family life.
For the first time, Armed Forces families will be able to access a “one stop shop” digital platform – which signposts to a wealth of information, support and organisations – to help you navigate Service family life.
Friday, 28 February 2025
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
Give Us Time: respite breaks for military families - 2025 dates are live!
Click posters to enlarge.
The charity ‘Give Us Time’ offers accommodation for respite breaks for UK military families. No referral is required from Welfare for families to sign up. Please see the posters for more details and the current March dates, but more 2025 dates are available on the website: https://giveustime.org.uk/
For more information email: enquiries@giveustime.org.uk
Applications open for the Service Pupil Support Programme.
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The Service Pupil Support Programme is back and bigger than ever, now offering grants up to £150,000!
Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3), the Service Pupil Support Programme will award grants between £5,000 and £150,000 to projects supporting service children along their educational pathway, and to reach their full potential.
Service Leavers' Guide - latest edition.
Please click the link to read this edition online.
DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update .
Reporting Damp and Mould
Tackling damp and mould in SFA remains a top priority for DIO and our suppliers. Over 9,000 homes have already benefited from the delivery of damp and mould works since the taskforce stood up in 2023. In response to the works delivered, reoccurrence of damp and mould has been addressed in circa 85% of cases.
ONLINE: Little Troopers Space Detectives, Saturday 8th March 2025
Do you live with an under 11 Star-Gazer? The next Buzz Aldrin? Why not register them for this Night Sky Workshop. Resources will be required and will be sent prior to the session, along with access link.
WHEN: Saturday 8th March 2025, 12:00-13:00
WHERE: Online, in your own Home
COST: FREE, Registration is required though
REGISTER: Here
WHERE: Online, in your own Home
COST: FREE, Registration is required though
REGISTER: Here
Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) - latest Civil Service job vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners.
The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:
GFIE- 416 – HMRC Criminal Investigator Officer
Multiple vacancies – UK wide
Job Description
Closing date: 4 Apr 25
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)
New AFF Overseas Assistant!
Meet our new AFF Overseas Assistant, Rachel. She covers Tri-service and is here to support all of us under EJSU.
She says…” Hello, my name is Rachel, and I am employed as the AFF Overseas Assistant (GSO), and I am based at SHAPE in Belgium. I can offer tri-service support for any issues or concerns that you may have; please find my postcard attached to this bulletin, with a link to contact me. It can be helpful to save my email to your contact list for any future enquiries”
X-Forces: Self Employment Discovery 3-Day Online Course for Military Spouses & Partners
For more information and to register, visit Tri Service Spouses & Partners: Self-Employment Discovery 3-Day Course
National No Smoking Day 2025 – 12 March 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.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme reopens for applications
Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme reopens for applications
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new round of funding under the Reducing Veteran Homelessness (RVH) Programme in a bid to deliver further sustainable, supported housing options for veterans in need.
The Trust is delivering this important programme on behalf of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in support of the government’s ambition to end veteran homelessness and ensure veterans have access to the support they need, including housing.
Current findings from the RVH programme
Following on from the initial awards made in July 2023, the Trustcommissioned Alma Economics to consult with key stakeholders in the housing sector, including those awarded funds in the first round. Key recommendations from this consultation include:
• A need for increased support for veterans with acute, complex or multiple support needs.
• Promoting a needs-based approach to support provision.
• Addressing bottlenecks across the lifecycle of support provision.
• A focus on partnership working.
Further funding available
Under this new round of the RVH programme, charities, local authorities and registered social housing providers can apply for up to £300,000 towards a project delivered for up to nine months.
There is also an opportunity for organisations to apply for an enhanced award of up to a further £200,000 where that work will fill a significant level of unmet need.
What applicants will need to show
Projects should improve the capacity of services in supported housing to better help veterans with a range of different needs. Full details of the programme priorities are mapped out in a Programme Guidance document available on the Trust’s website.
Op Fortitude
Funded projects will need to work with Op Fortitude, a UK wide referral pathway supporting homeless veterans or veterans at risk of homelessness, into housing.
Find out more
Want to know more about applying to the RVH programme? Full details are available at: www.covenantfund.org.uk
Application deadline is noon, 31 March 2025.
ONLINE: Time For You Online Parenting Emotional Support Sessions
Time for you
Are you parenting in mainland Europe or Turkey and looking to connect with other parents while receiving expert guidance and emotional support?
Join our online parenting and emotional support sessions, facilitated by Health Visitor Kerry Riley, Specialist Community Public Health Nurse.
Click here to join: https://tinyurl.com/y4ndehpa
Why Join?
Research indicates that peer support and guided discussions improve parental wellbeing and enhance coping strategies (Public Health England, 2021). Engaging in community support reduces feelings of isolation and contributes to positive child development (NSPCC, 2019).
Take this opportunity to connect and learn in a supportive online environment 
Women into Employment 2025: Tuesday 18th March, London. Event for women from across the military community
The full day will focus on how you bring the real YOU to the workplace. With an agenda packed with key points and ideas, you are guaranteed to take away some key points and ideas for the next steps in your career path. Register here for the event.
Women into Employment 2025 (WIE25) is the Forces Employment Charity’s flagship event and offers support to women from across the whole Armed Forces community, welcoming those of you preparing to leave the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans of all ranks, military partners, spouses and young people.
Service Police Confidential Crime Line, available 24/7 - You are not alone
- the Service Police Crime Bureau on 02392 285 170 or 02392 285 180,
- or the Service Police confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658, available 24/7.
Are you a family member of a Veteran who is suffering with addiction?
Tom Harrison House provides specialist addiction recovery programmes and family support for UK Armed Forces serving personnel, veterans and emergency services personnel. The next Tom Harrison House Family experiential therapeutic retreat is 4th - 6th April 2025, at Derwent Hill Outdoor Centre, Keswick. For more details please see the poster or website: https://tomharrisonhouse.org.uk/events/afcft-family-retreats
Places are limited and will go fast so to find out more or book your place email:events@tomharrisonhouse.org.uk
Funded by Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners
- 
The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:
GFIE-417 - AO Case Manager - Basildon
Job Description
Closing date: 10th March 2025
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)
Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners
The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:
GFIE- 414 Quality Assurance Analyst
Two vacancies – HMRC, Liverpool and Preston
Job Description
Closing date: 21 Mar 25
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)
Forces Employment Charity: Job Vacancy – Families Employment Advisor, Colchester/SE England
Forces Employment Charity is seeking a dedicated employment advisor. As part of a national team, you will provide employment and training advice and guidance to a remote caseload of spouses and partners of still serving Armed Forces and ex-service personnel (Veterans) in the UK and overseas with personal development and/or until they are settled in sustainable careers.
Reporting to the National Employment Projects Manager. This position is full-time, 35 hours per week with a salary of £29,000 per annum. This role is Home-based (with community outreach) in the Colchester region with community outreach throughout the region (Southeast, East of England, London).
The closing date for applications is midnight on 21 Feb.
To find out more and to apply for this role, please click HERE
Reporting to the National Employment Projects Manager. This position is full-time, 35 hours per week with a salary of £29,000 per annum. This role is Home-based (with community outreach) in the Colchester region with community outreach throughout the region (Southeast, East of England, London).
The closing date for applications is midnight on 21 Feb.
To find out more and to apply for this role, please click HERE
Friday, 21 February 2025
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
DIO Service Family Accommodation Roadshow: Brize Norton, 4th March 2025
If you are heading back to the UK in the near future, be sure to catch the Brize Norton DIO SFA Roadshow.
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Link to register attendance: DIO SFA Roadshows 2025
Kooth FREE Webinar on supporting Young People with Eating Difficulties, 25th and 27th February 2025 19:00 - 19:30 (CET)
Kooth are presenting a FREE 30 minute webinar to inform parents and carers on how their digital platforms can support young people with eating difficulties.
- 25 Feb 18:00 - 18:30 (UK Time)
- 27 Feb 18:00 - 18:30 (UK Time)
Anyone interested, please complete the form in the link below: https://share.hsforms.com/156wtIiLoTz2InkHirOL3Wwc5dpg
If you are worried about your child please contact your local GP paediatrician or Healix.
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.
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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
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