Thursday 30 November 2023
DWP Benefits Payment Dates December
DWP Payment days over the Christmas and New Year are as follows:
Payments due 25-26 December will be paid on Friday 22 December.
Payments due 27 December: Universal Credit paid as normal, all other benefits paid on Friday 22 December.
Payments due 1 January will be paid on Friday 29 December.
Civilian Housing: An update on the MOD Referral Scheme service
Last year, the services provided by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) were transferred to the Defence Transition Service (DTS), part of Defence Business Services (DBS), to deliver. This followed a review as part of the MOD’s ‘Strategy for Our Veterans’ to bring efficiency to the co-ordination and delivery of housing services.
The MOD Referral Scheme provided advice and guidance on accessing social housing and has now become part of the existing services provided by DTS and Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). This has been done to simplify and widen access and eligibility across serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families.
To refer someone for support or self-refer go to - Help for service leavers, service personnel and families from Defence Transition Services - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What is DTS?
The Defence Transition Services (DTS) team is the MOD’s tri-service focal point to provide service personnel and their dependants with civilian housing information for those wishing to move to civilian accommodation at any time in their career, and for those leaving service who require extra support with the transition to civilian life.
DTS, together with colleagues in the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) can provide advice and guidance to help individuals make informed choices on their civilian housing options as they transition out of the forces. For further information please visit: Information and guidance on civilian housing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Recruit for Spouses Career Academy: ACCESS Programme online information sessions December and January
ACCESS will create a platform alongside other key partners to provide valuable insights, resources, and strategies enabling you to overcome unique challenges and achieve career success in whatever you choose.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and ask as many questions as you want to the team to understand the programme and make sure it's right for you. The specific programme details will be shared at this meeting. We are running 3 sessions so hope you can fit one in your schedule!
14th December 12.00-13.00pm zoom link https://jpmchase.zoom.us/j/98918277514
Serve & Protect Credit Union - Online Webinars
.png)
- Budgeting & Spending
- Boosting Credit Score
- Managing the Cost of Living
- What Lenders are looking for
QR CODES to HELP
There is no need to struggle alone, follow one of the QR Codes to access help from different charities and organisations. Support is also available through the chaplain, SHAPE Welfare Team and NSE Team.Click here for codes.
ManKind Initiative ACORN Recovery Programme for male survivors of domestic abuse
ManKind are now accepting referrals for their next Armed Forces ACORN Recovery Programme course due to start early next year.
ACORN is a 9 week online course that is delivered via Zoom for 90 minutes each week for male survivors of domestic abuse. The course is designed to help men recover from their experiences, understand the impact upon their children and work towards healthy and respectful relationships in the future.
Each course can take ten men and is free for them to attend because it is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for men who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces or veterans.
If you think you might benefit from this course please self-refer or contact ManKind for more information.
https://mankind.org.uk/
To see the ManKind initiative leaflet, please click here
Friday 24 November 2023
Squirrels looking for new Members
Squirrels ( for 4-5 year olds) looking for New Members, they meet on a Tuesday 4-5pm. Contact for more details; Marian.Burrows@shape.nato.int
Thursday 23 November 2023
MOD bullying, harrassment and discrimination helpline
Veterans Housing - Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund
New major funding programme to support Veterans’ housing needs
The
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) is delighted to announce a
new, major grants programme supporting new builds and significant
refurbishment, including extensions, of rental accommodation offering
high quality support for Veterans with a housing need.
On behalf
of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, the Trust will award grants of £75K
to £500K under the Major Capital Grants programme, across four rounds of
funding, to projects that contribute to the aims of the Government’s
ambition to reduce Veteran homelessness and end rough sleeping.
Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund
The
Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under
the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund. It is open to charities and
registered social housing providers (registered social landlords in
Scotland), with at least five years’ housing experience. To be eligible
for this funding, you’ll need to show that most of your organisation’s
work is with Veterans, or that you have extensive experience of working
with Veterans.
DWP Conversational Platform
Conversational Platform is a new technology being introduced onto the Universal Credit telephony channel. From early December 2023 when customers call Universal Credit, their call may be routed through the new technology, whereby the DWP Virtual Agent will ask the customer why they are calling and will then tailor the response based on what the customer says.
For information on how this will work, please click here
Friday 17 November 2023
AWS Community Support Annual Report Summary
To read the full Army Welfare Service Community Support Annual Report Summary click here
Thursday 16 November 2023
Thursday 9 November 2023
Are you a veteran? Share your views now!
If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran, visit GOV.UK for further information and details of how to respond to the survey before it closes on 4 January 2024.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust 'Supporting Partners' programme reopens for applications
Supporting Partners programme reopens for applications
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is pleased to announce the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme has reopened for applications.
The Trust is working with the MOD to deliver funding to high quality projects that will have significant impacts for Armed Forces families through the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3). The Supporting Partners programme is the latest of the AF3 programmes to launch this year.
What’s available?
Grants of between £30,000 and £80,000 are available for projects which will improve support for Service partners and spouses to promote, enhance and utilise the skills and experiences they bring to the workplace.
Projects should clearly show how they will enable military partners and spouses to access employment support and opportunities.
Support for spouses and partners
The Trust are looking for applications that meet one of three key themes.
* Make it easier for partners to access knowledge and information that’s relevant to employment opportunities.
* Improve access to education, training, and qualifications.
* Communicate the skills and experiences that partners can bring to the workplace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)