Stem Cell Donation: Sign up to save a life!

 

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Families Need Fathers: Online Support

The Charitable Organisation ‘Families Need Fathers’ have just created a new online support group for Armed Forces Personnel including veterans.

The charity is dedicated to helping parents separate better, for the sake of themselves and their children. The meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month. Anyone dealing with issues of family separation, can join this new support group on the following link:
Online (Armed Forces) | Families Need Fathers | Because Both Parents Matter (fnf.org.uk).

They are also offering courses free to serving military personnel and veterans, including:
* Coping with the grief of separation from your child.
* Learning key behavioural and communication skills with your ex-partner.
* Learning what your child may be thinking and feeling during periods of conflict.

For further information, please see the following link:
New courses and support | Families Need Fathers | Because Both Parents Matter (fnf.org.uk)

Travel to Refuge Scheme: Free travel for those fleeing domestic abuse

 

Travel to Refuge is an umbrella scheme in which travel companies cover the cost of train or coach tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse travelling to refuge accommodation. It’s made up of two schemes:

• Rail to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and the Rail Delivery Group, set up in April 2020, providing free rail travel for survivors of abuse.
• Road to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and National Express, set up in 2023, providing free coach travel for survivors of abuse.  

For more infomation please visit: Travel to Refuge

Flooding: DIO and Pinnacle have provided some handy information around flood proofing

It pays to be prepared!

https://www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/flood-preparedness/

A reminder about electric heater safety in the home from DIO/Pinnacle

 

SHAPE: Who You Gonna Call?

Do you know who to call in an Emergency on SHAPE?

Natural instinct, especially if you are coming from the UK or a non-military environment, might be to call the international emergency services number (112). Whilst this is perfect if you are out and about in Belgium, should you need ANY of the emergency services whilst on SHAPE, you should call the International Military Police on 3333. They will call the Ambulance and escort them onto camp, meanwhile dispatching a first responder to your aide.

‼️ Remember, if on camp it’s 3333 for any fire, medical, accident or police emergency ‼️ 

Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

It is estimated that up to 880,000 households are missing out on Pension Credit, and it is worth, on average, £3,900 per year, providing additional benefits such as help with Council Tax and Housing Benefit and a free TV licence for those over 75.

In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Payment and other support like help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.

Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to 3 months, (ticking the backdating box on the claim form). This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for Winter Fuel Payment is 21st December 2024.

To note, Pension Credit can also provide extra support for heating costs such as The Warm Home Discount Scheme and Cold Weather Payments​.

Checking entitlement is easy with this on-line calculator: Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)​

SHAPE Federal Police Watch Scheme

 Did you know that SHAPE Federal Police offer a Watch Scheme? 

If you are going to be away for an extended duration and would like them to drive by your home to ensure all is OK, please pop along to the Community Corridor to complete a ‘Police Watch Scheme Form’.

This is a brilliant service with Halloween coming up!

Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education to Service families

 

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

Letter for families

Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ

EAT(UK) leaflet

OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

See An Individual’s Guide to Mental Fitness for stress management tips, ways to build good mental fitness, support and more.

HEADSPACE APP: Free Enrolment for Army Personnel & MOD Civilian Staff

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Please use your mod.gov.uk email address to sign up before downloading the App. 

Link to enrol: Headspace for Work

Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health Support

 

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For more information on any of the resources within this poster, please contact your nearest HIVE or use the 'contact Army HIVE' facility on the right hand side menu of this Blog.