Wednesday 16 December 2020

How to set up your child's tech device safely


 

Giving your child any tech during the festive period? Lots of families gift children devices at this time of year. Whether it’s a laptop, phone, tablet or games console, it’s important that it's set it up safely and your child can keep safe online. 

Check out the NSPCC tips HERE

Royal British Legion and Veterans' Gateway


With Christmas Day fast approaching, Royal British Legion wanted to remind you that they're open throughout the festive season, 8am-8pm every day. 

Call on 0808 802 8080 or visit their website for help.

Need help outside these hours?

Then their partners Veterans' Gateway are available 24/7 on 08‍08 80‍2 12‍12

Gamble Aware

 

GambleAware is an independent charity tasked to fund research, education and treatment services to help to reduce gambling-related harms in Great Britain. For further information 

Monday 14 December 2020

Understanding Belgium: A beginner's guide to getting settled here


 


Few countries are more complicated to explain than Belgium, with its many governments, parliaments, languages, regions and identities. It might seem baffling when you first arrive here, but it has always been a crossroads of business and culture, offering a warm welcome to foreigners.

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state divided into three regions: Flanders, Wallonia and the officially bilingual Brussels- Capital Region. 

These regions have considerable powers: each has its own economic, trade, employment, housing, agriculture, environment, energy and transport policies, while the federal state takes care of foreign affairs, defence, justice, health and social security. 

Education, welfare and culture are the responsibility of the French, Flemish and German language communities, which each have separate administrations.

To read more about Belgium  CLICK HERE

RFEA


We provide employability and employment support to working age veterans in the UK. Current estimates are that one million working age veterans live in the UK. 

We know that unemployment rates for working age veterans are higher than for civilians.

We support veterans through life including those who have served for a short time and are in the 18-24 year old age range, through to older veterans. 

The over 50’s are increasingly recognised as facing greater challenges in finding employment.

To read further click here: RFEA

Royal Mail - Price Of Stamps To Increase From 1st January 2021


 

The price of first-class stamps will rise by up to 14p in the new year, Royal Mail has announced.

From 1st January 2021, stamp prices will increase as follows:

A first-class stamp for a standard letter will rise by 9p (12%) from 76p to 85p.
 
A second-class stamp for a standard letter will rise by 1p (2%) from 65p to 66p.
 
A first-class stamp for a large letter will rise by 14p (12%) from £1.15 to £1.29.
 
A second-class stamp for a large letter will rise by 8p (9%) from 88p to 96p.

Relate: Relationship Support

 

A survey by UK charity Relate found that nearly a quarter of people felt lockdown had placed additional pressure on their relationship. Lockdown created a 'make or break' environment, the charity says.

To help couples through the 'new normal', Relate have put together some useful relationship tips. For further help, relatehub offers 30 minute online chats with Relationships and Wellbeing Advisors, and access to online self-help resources.

If your partner makes you feel anxious or threatened, you should get help immediately and contact Refuge (for women) or Respect (for men) - see below.

 


Wednesday 9 December 2020

Royal British Legion - Employment Grants



Finding a job can be one of the hardest parts of leaving the Armed Forces. The Legion can support you through funding for training and skill development. This financial assistance can help you find suitable work.

The Legion’s Employment Grant is available to ex-Service personnel and their dependants, specifically those who are unemployed or under-employed.

There are two types of Grants available:
  • Training, travel, accommodation and equipment Grant – Provides you with support to address unemployment or under-employment. We also consider childcare and medical costs when these are linked to difficulties around attending training. The cap for this Grant is £1,000.
  • Licences Grant – A licence Grant is awarded if it will assist you to find or continue work. Typically, this is to fund the provision of a professional licence that is needed for your work, for example a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. This is a one-off Grant with a cap of £250, and you will need to budget for the licence upkeep costs in the future.
For more information please click HERE



Tuesday 8 December 2020

SFA - Notice to Vacate

Service Families Accommodation

Earlier this year, under the Coronavirus Act 2020, the Government amended the Tenancy Act 2019 to introduce emergency measures to protect tenants during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

For Service personnel and their families remaining in SFA following the end of their entitlement, either due to leaving Service or estrangement, DIO followed Government advice by pausing, from March 2020, Notice to Vacate (NTV) action to regain possession of properties.

Following a recent amendment to the provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020, landlords can, from 29 August 2020, recommence action to provide notice to their tenants. 

Until March 2021, landlords must provide six months’ notice before they can begin eviction proceedings. In line with this amendment, DIO has now been given authority to recommence NTV action from 4 January 2021 on a phased basis. 

We shall continue to follow Government guidance in relation to the notice period; the period of the NTV will be for a minimum period of six months, as opposed to the normal 93 days, for any issued until March 2021, when revised Government guidance is expected. 

This period will allow those Service personnel and families who have lost their entitlement more time to make alternative housing arrangements.

Since action was paused in March 2020, a backlog of cases has built up and we plan to spread the issue of NTV over a 3-4 month period, starting with the oldest cases first. 

All occupants are aware that they have lost their entitlement to occupy SFA and we will continue to provide details of how they can find support and source alternative accommodation.

If affected Service Personnel and/or families have any concerns or enquiries then they should please contact DIO’s Loss of Entitlement Team at DIORDAccn-LOETeam@mod.gov.uk. 

The team will not be contactable via the usual telephone numbers due to social distancing measures still being in place. More information on this update can be found here.

Friday 4 December 2020

Things to do; Le Ronde Maison

 

An old go to favourite of ours, Ronde Maison. We enjoy these woods because they are close by, easy to get to and lovely any time of the year. They are a great choice for a pleasant, peaceful walk, bike ride, trail run or just general explore!
 
There are tables to sit down and have a bite to eat. This is a beautiful walk to do and discover.
 
Map - this will take you to the woods, there is parking there;
 
Dogs Allowed; Yes
 
Buggy friendly, Not really
 
Cafe and toilets; No

Distance from SHAPE; 15 minutes drive
For other things to do near SHAPE and Brussels; HIVE Blog Spot