If further information is required, please contact Naples HIVE.
Wednesday, 8 January 2025
Naples Overseas Location Guide
Welcome to Napels HIVE, our mission is to provide you with the most up to date information, this Overseas Locations Guide is a collection of that information.
If further information is required, please contact Naples HIVE.
If further information is required, please contact Naples HIVE.
CSF Education hosting an exclusive Boarding School Webinar, Wednesday 15th January 2025, 17:00-18:00
Are you considering Boarding School for your children? Read on…
CSF Education are hosting an exclusive Boarding School Webinar as part of a series of events designed to empower families with information and insights about boarding school education.
ONLINE: Little Troopers, Animal Explorer Workshop, Saturday 11th January, 12:00 - 13:00
If you have an Under 11 who loves all things slimy, crawly and creepy then this virtual workshop will be perfect.
Join ZooLab Ranger and like-minded kids online on Saturday 11th January 2025 from 12:00 until 13:00.
It’s FREE to join in but Registration is required prior to the event. Click Here for more information.
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.
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.
How do families register for WAC Overseas?
Registration is available from 6 January 2025 onwards. Contact your Unit HR for a link to the registration form. Once you have submitted your registration form, wait until you receive a WAC Overseas eligibility confirmation email including reference number and entitlement start date before submitting a claim.
Please note this is a temporary registration and claims process that will be in place until at least April 2025, before it is moved within JPA. If you registered your child(ren) for WAC UK within JPA and have since been assigned to a location included in WAC Overseas and are accompanied by your family, you will need to register again using the WAC Overseas process.
Full details can be found in 2022DIN01-079 Wraparound Childcare Allowance.
What do families need to do prior to registering?
* Make sure each child, that funding will be claimed for, has an active Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) account (active means that you reconfirm your account with HMRC every 3 months and receive the 20% top up from HMRC when you add money into the TFC account).
* Check children have been recorded and verified on JPA; children are verified on JPA when there is a 'yes' in the certificate verified box.
How do families claim WAC Overseas funding?
Once you have submitted a registration and received your WAC Overseas eligibility confirmation email, you can submit WAC Overseas claims for childcare used from the date shown on the registration confirmation email. For guidance on how to submit a WAC Overseas claim please see the step-by-step guides on the WAC Overseas area of the Defence Childcare Information Page on defnet or Defence Connect.
When using DCS provision, the provider must have been paid via an active TFC account before the claim is submitted. However, when using host nation provision, the provider must have been paid directly before the claim is submitted, a manual TFC claim is required for the 20% top up. Further information about how to do this can be found in 2022DIN01-102 Tax-Free Childcare.
How much can families claim?
The WAC Overseas capped hourly rates are set to the average for providers in England and by provider type. The capped hourly rates change at the start of each UK autumn term, these rates may go up or down and may affect the amount of funding you can claim.
Make sure you check the rates which are listed in 2022DIN01-079 – Defence Wraparound Childcare Allowance on defnet or Defence Connect to find out the amount of funding you can currently claim. To support families with understanding how much they may be able to claim a WAC benefits calculator can be found on the WAC Discover My Benefits pages. Army, RAF, Navy.
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.
Families assigned outside of the areas covered by WAC overseas funding.
Not all overseas locations are able to mirror the WAC scheme eligibility criteria. Further work will be undertaken to look at other options for how we can support primary school aged childcare in other overseas locations. The overseas picture is complex where one solution will not fit all.
We will keep you updated as this work progresses.
Need more information?
Visit the Defence Childcare Information Page on defnet and Defence Connect where you can find the DIN, FAQs, and links to Step-by-Step Guides on registering and claiming WAC. If you have any questions, contact the WAC team at PEOPLE-AFFS-WAC-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk.
Some links in the above are only accessible through a MODnet device or to those with access to Defence Connect. Please contact HIVE if further information on the content of these resources/documents would be of assistance.
Togetherall: New Year Goals & Pressures
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 8th January 2025
If you are in a Long-Term Relationship, this is your opportunity to share your views and help inform decisions & changes to the Overseas Accommodation Offer for Service Personnel.
Find out more Here
Take the Survey
Military Mortgage Advice Webinars: November 2024 to January 2025
Don’t miss out on these brilliant Webinars…..
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.
Headspace Support your loved ones
Christmas is a period of family, friends and high stress! Details below for some brilliant meditations, guided workouts and mindful music to help you relaaaaax this Festive Season.
Please click the images to enlarge.
Kooth - Online mental health and wellbeing support if you're aged 11-18
Kooth is an online Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Service available for children (aged 11 until their 19th birthday) with a parent serving in the British Armed Forces or working for the MOD or the British Government in the UK or overseas.
The free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing platform allows you to chat with a friendly mental health practitioner, find support from a helpful community or use a range of self-help tools.
Find out more at www.kooth.com/mod
Armed Forces Covenant: 2024 annual report
The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report has been published today (18 Dec) and is available to read on Gov.uk at this link: Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2024 - GOV.UK
The annual reports set out major achievements of the armed forces covenant and highlight remaining challenges and new commitments.
Money & Pensions Advice Service guidance: Making the Most of your Money
Whatever stage of life you’re at – whether you’re saving into a pension for the first time, buying or renting a home, starting a family or planning to retire – there are always ways of making your money go further.
Find out more on the Money and Pensions Advice Service's Money Helper website at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
and you can download the leaflet at https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ViewProduct.html?sp=Sengmakingthemostofyourmoney-400
Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download at: https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ArticleOverview.html?sp=Sguide
Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download at: https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ArticleOverview.html?sp=Sguide
Families First Newsletter: Issue 22
GamCare: Spotting the signs of gambling harm at Christmas
We recognise that gambling is known as the ‘hidden addiction’, and often the signs are not clear. From experience, we understand that these are the most common ways to identify if your own or someone else’s gambling has become harmful.
Some signs to consider about your own or someone else’s gambling:
· Preoccupation – Do you spend much of your day thinking about betting? Are you finding that your gambling is taking you out of the moment when you spend time with friends and family this Christmas? Often thinking about or planning to gamble can be one of the early warning signs that gambling could be harmful.
· Withdrawal – Removing yourself from social situations so that you can place a bet is another warning signal that your gambling might be going too far, and that the urges to gamble are potentially harming other areas of your life and the people around you. Withdrawal may be one of the early warning signs that someone’s gambling could be harmful this Christmas; such as wanting to stay at home more frequently or needing to check their phone constantly to check the latest results.
· Escape – Life – and the Christmas season in particular - can be overwhelming at times, and you might feel like you want to escape it for a while. Using gambling as a coping mechanism is a sign of harmful gambling and can lead to losing significant amounts of money.
· Chasing losses – Chasing losses is where your motive for gambling changes from winning money to getting back the money you have already lost. This can be dangerous and lead to significant losses. There might be more financial signs that a loved one is struggling with gambling, such as a need to borrow money or money missing from bank accounts.
· Changing mood – There could be noticeable changes to your mood and behaviour, including looking worried, agitated or upset for no apparent reason in the lead up Christmas.
· Lying – You may find yourself hiding how much you are spending or lying about the amount of time you are spending gambling, or perhaps asking for money to cover bills that you are spending. These are just some signs that gambling is harming your life and possibly risking your relationships with family and friends.
The National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 for free during the Christmas period. Contact our Advisers on Freephone 0808 80 20 133, via WhatsApp on 020 3031 8881, or via online chat at gamcare.org.uk.
DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 17 December 2024
This means that the homes that were previously privately owned will return to public ownership. This deal not only delivers long term value for money for the taxpayer but also means future improvements to the SFA estate will benefit Service families directly.
We hope this will be welcome news as DIO will now have the freedom to embark on a substantial programme of redevelopment and improvement of the estate.
While it is too early to discuss the specifics of future works, we will continue to update you through our Families First newsletter and our continuing series of SFA Roadshows in 2025.
Full details of the announcement can be found here.
We appreciate you may have questions and we will update you in due course with further information.”
ONLINE: FREE Antenatal Course - in your own time
If you are a new parent/carer-to-be, this course has all the practical information and advice you could expect from a traditional Antenatal Class with the additional benefit of support around emotional and mental wellbeing for parent and baby.
To undertake this online course in your own time, go to HTTPS://inourplace.heiapply.com/online-learning/course/4 and register using your BFPO Postcode.
If you have any questions, contact your SSAFA Health Visitor or Midwife.
NHS Better Health: Make 2025 the year you quit smoking
* Make 2025 the year you quit smoking for good. There’s lots of free support available to help you.
* Join thousands of other people preparing to quit smoking this New Year.
* Quitting smoking is best thing you can do for your health. Get ready to quit for good this New Year.
* You’re far more likely to quit smoking successfully with the right support. Discover what’s available at NHS Better Health and prepare to quit for good this New Year.
* Getting support from your local stop smoking service gives you the best chance of quitting smoking successfully. Visit NHS Better Health to find your nearest service and get ready to quit for good in 2025.
* It’s never too late to quit smoking and you will notice almost immediate improvements to your health when you stop. New Year is a great time to join others giving quitting a go.
* Did you know that the average smoker could save around £3000 per year by quitting? Track your savings with the free NHS quit smoking app.
* Want to quit smoking but not sure where to start? Get your free personal quit plan now.
* Want to know more about using a vape to quit smoking? There’s lots of information available on the NHS Better Health website.
NHS Better Health has a range of content and tools to help smokers make a successful quit attempt, all of which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking
Domestic Abuse - Help is at Hand
Click to enlarge.
HIVE also has an information sheet on Domestic Abuse support, which can be downloaded from the Information Sheets section of the Army HIVE UK Blog.
Two Weeks to go until the 2025 Dry January Challenge
The New Year can also be a challenging time for many. Increasing peer pressure to celebrate by drinking at parties and, in some sectors, demanding workloads can contribute to people drinking more around this time of year.
There is also a growing realisation that alcohol can prevent us from achieving our best. From headaches, sleepless nights, and feeling ‘off’ the next day to long-term health issues like high blood pressure, anxiety and cancer, alcohol impacts us in so many ways.
That’s where the Dry January® challenge comes in. With hundreds of thousands of people participating every year, the Dry January® challenge offers the perfect opportunity for a total reset and a chance to re-evaluate your relationship with alcohol. This refreshing challenge is always welcomed by people across the country as they turn towards a more health focused and goal orientated start of the year.
Evidence shows that those who take part in the Dry January® challenge using Alcohol Change UK’s tools and resources double their chance of having a completely alcohol-free month and have significantly improved wellbeing and lower alcohol health risks six months later.
For more information and to sign up, please visit: The Dry January® challenge | Alcohol Change UK
Recruit for Spouses (RFS): Virtual Skills Workshop Series, January 2025
If you are looking for some personal development or to equip yourself with some in-demand skills, this series of interactive workshops could be just what you need.
Running for 3 weeks from mid-January 2024, let these sessions shape your successes and set you on the right path to achieve your career goals. Sign up now with the QR code below.
Long-Term Relationship couples and families posted Overseas
The Armed Forces Accommodation Policy Team is thrilled with the feedback from more than 50 service members taking part in the Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot in Cyprus. Since its launch in January 2024, the pilot has provided valuable insights and personal stories showing just how life-changing this initiative has been for participants. Due to its success, the pilot has been extended until March 2027.
To ensure families feel supported, a tailored allowance package is available for pilot participants. Since allowances depend on the assignment location and individual circumstances, service personnel are encouraged to check specifics for their country.
Updated Volumes 4 (Pilots) and 5 (Overseas Accommodation Policy) of JSP 464 (with country appendices and allowances) to clarify any queries will be published soon.
Furthermore, effective immediately the Pilot has been extended to BATUS and some GDN (Global Defence Network) sites.
For further information please contact people-accom-asc@mod.gov.uk
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £70K awarded to help mitigate the impact of separation for Service families
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £70,000 to five fantastic projects designed to mitigate the challenges posed by long or frequent involuntary separation on families, spouses, and serving personnel.
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