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Join us on 13 May for Milspo Thrive – a FREE ONLINE summit designed to help you grow a business that works for you, wherever military life takes you.
✨ Hear from expert speakers
🤝 Connect with fellow military spouse business owners
📈 Walk away with practical tools and fresh inspiration
Join the waitlist: www.milspo.co.uk/milspothrive2025
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We are absolutely thrilled to have a new set of donations for 2025 from Meadow Bay Villages!
We have 20 breaks available in June, September and October at Billing Aquadrome, near Northampton, and Hayling Island Holiday Park, near Portsmouth. That’s 10 breaks at each park, all running Monday to Friday!
This is Meadow Bay’s second year donating to Give Us Time and we’re delighted to have their ongoing support for our Forces families.
Nikki Rathie, Holidays Director, Meadow Bay Villages, said "At Meadow Bay, we believe in the power of time well spent—especially for those who give so much of theirs in service to others. Donating midweek breaks to Give Us Time is our way of saying thank you to military families, offering them a chance to reconnect, recharge, and make lasting memories in the peaceful surroundings of our parks. It’s a small gesture, but one filled with immense gratitude."
Alex Youngs, Operations Director, Give Us Time, said, “We are honoured and grateful to receive another generous donation from Meadow Bay. Thanks to their generosity, we are able to help more families get away to rest, reconnect and strengthen the bonds that are so essential to our wellbeing."
For more info, please email enquiries@giveustime.org.uk
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Ten projects by nurseries and childcare settings across the UK have been awarded a share of £300,000 in grants to help forces families access early years education - in the latest round of grants from the MOD's Armed Forces Families Fund.
The projects, which will also provide development and upskilling opportunities for early years staff, will work to further improve educational experiences for young children from service families as part of the Fund's Early Years programme.
“Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years programme. These projects and the meaningful change the funding will create, allows the organisations to enhance their services to mitigate the challenges faced by young Service children and their families, due to military life” - Debra Barton, Early Years Specialist Lead, Ministry of Defence.
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The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are pleased to let you know that the Servicewomen: Seen and Heard programme is now open and ready to welcome new applications!
Following the popularity of the programme in 2024, the Trust conducted further research with servicewomen from all three armed services, via several meetings and discussions, to discover more about their current needs and challenges to ensure this year’s programme hits the mark. The Trust would like to thank everyone who shared their experiences to help shape the programme for 2025.
What’s the programme all about?
Part of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, The Servicewomen: Seen & Heard Programme will award grants of up to £100,000 for two-year projects that expand support options for serving women, ensuring they are aware of, and able to access, help that is tailored to their specific needs.
It will address the unique challenges servicewomen face, providing education and information to help maximise their health and wellbeing.
The programme will support projects that meet one of four outcomes:
· Serving women - either as a preventative measure or at times of crisis – can choose activities and/or find advice that reduces risk and negative impact to their wellbeing.
Applicants can apply for a grant of between £25,000 and £100,000 towards a project delivered over a period of two-years.
Who can apply?
The Trust invite applications from:
· Registered Charites
· Community Interest Companies (CICs)
· Armed Forces Units/Bases/Ships based anywhere in the world
Full eligibility details are available on the Trust website: Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
Find out more
The application deadline is 12pm on 25 June 2025. You will receive a decision before end of September 2025.
Full details of this fantastic funding opportunity, including full eligibility and how to apply, are available on the Trust’s dedicated programme page.
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Thu 1st - Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money
Tue 6th - Responsible Lending: How We Can Stop Loan Sharks Together
Thu 8th - Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
Thu 15th - Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
Wed 21st - The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected
Thu 22nd - Before You Borrow: Things to Know
With actionable tips to prepare for financial emergencies, improve your credit score, and budget your money, don't miss out on these free webinars from Serve and Protect!
🔗 Register here: https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars
Podcast Episode 13 🎧
If you're unhappy with how gambling makes you feel, or are worried about a loved one, confidential and free support is available 🎲
Our friends at Serve and Protect Credit Union recently welcomed GambleAware to their podcast to discuss gambling stigma and how to reach out for help.
🔗 Watch here: https://youtu.be/BwkPUGu4X9Y?si=RcUvqmAP4MhhTZfb
NEW Fixed Cash ISA 💷
Serve and Protect Credit Union's new Fixed Cash ISA is here for the 2025/26 tax year 💷
Secure a guaranteed and tax-free 4% AER return over the next year and watch your savings grow!
🔗 Learn more via their website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-isa
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These projects will focus on improving access to bespoke support for groups whose voices, opinions or needs are not adequately represented or who face barriers to accessing support services.
Trust CEO Anna Wright said: "This programme is all about giving a voice to armed forces communities who may have been overlooked or unheard. Providing tailored, accessible mental health and wellbeing support, these projects will improve awareness and understanding of the of the unique needs of these communities, improving service provision for years to come."
The dandelion is a symbol of the Month of the Military child because it represents the resilience and adaptability of military children. Dandelions are known for their hardy nature, ability to thrive in diverse environments, and ability to grow roots wherever they land, much like how military children adapt to new locations and circumstances due to their parents' service.
The Forces Employment Charity provides essential support for young people aged 16 to 24. The charity helps them with CV writing, job applications, apprenticeships, training opportunities, and career guidance.
More information follows about Forces Employment Charity support, plus Youth Voice Census and Poetry and Art Competition.
Earlier today, Defence Secretary John Healey announced a new Consumer Charter to improve SFA for personnel and families. This forms part of the Defence Housing Review that is underway following the MOD’s landmark deal to bring 36,000 UK SFA homes back under our ownership.
The Charter outlines a list of commitments we will be making to improve our accommodation service offer for you, including:
Stratford, Barking, Hounslow, Ealing, Forest Hill and Gloucester
Closing Date: 9 May 2025
Job Description Click to open
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)
Civil Service Jobs link: Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - Central England (Ref: 730) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK
More information on DWP, the roles available and the application process can be found on DWP’s EO Microsite
Senior Social Media Executive (Remote, Full Time, Permanent Job Opportunity)
Job Reference: 1439
Location: Homeworking
Hours of Work: 37 hours per week (full-time)
Salary: £32,311 FTE + £480 home working allowance per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 11 May 2025
Relate at Family Action & the Role’s Impact:
Family Action is a national charity that supports people through change, challenge and crisis across England and Wales. On 1st January 2025, Relate, the largest provider of relationship support, joined the organisation helping us reach even more people and support the creation of secure foundations for children and young people, and safe, supportive relationships for all.
For over 150 years Family Action has seen first-hand the power of family and relationships to shape lives, for better or worse. That's why we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.
Whatever family means or looks like to us, it's relationships that matter. With Relate at Family Action, we are able to extend the support we provide with counselling, information, mediation and support to individuals, couples and families from all backgrounds and sexualities, as well as provide expert training for relationship support practitioners.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our organisation and help shape the future of Relate’s social media presence as part of Family Action. You will oversee Relate’s paid and organic social media activity, build brand awareness and drive sales of services and toolkits, whilst also supporting wider Relate at Family Action work aligning both brands.
Link: https://careers.family-action.org.uk/FamilyAction/JobDescription/X-OjHJuXZMY
Jacob’s Medal – brand new for 2025 – has been presented to 31 military children who have been nominated for the Young People’s Award. Each child receiving the medal has shown outstanding courage, kindness, creativity, and resilience in the face of challenges unique to military life – from coping with long parental deployments to navigating new schools and communities time and time again.
This awards evening is more than a celebration — it’s a movement. It’s about giving visibility to the invisible work military families do every day. It’s about saying thank you. And it’s about showing families, whether near or far, that they are seen, heard, and deeply valued.
To read the CFF press release in full, please click this link: CFF Awards 2025 — Celebrating Forces Families
There is also an auction taking place; prizes and bidding information is at: https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/celebratingforcesfamiliesawards2025
If you can’t attend the awards in person, you can watch on livestream from anywhere in the world. Please sign up or view at: Livestream — Celebrating Forces Families
This Helpline is for any members of the Royal Navy British Army and Royal Air Force and their family members, including those deployed abroad, who are victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence or Stalking.
The Helpline operates 6 days a week. It is independent, confidential, and free.
Launched on the 31st March 2025, and funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and the Army Benevolent Fund the Helpline has already exceeded the number of contacts anticipated.
At Aurora, we understand that the Armed Forces Community is unique, and we know that service life brings with it a number of challenges which can make it harder to talk about these issues.
The Helpline has been designed with an understanding of these specific needs in mind. Many of our specialist team are from Forces families or are ex service personnel. They understand service life, and how difficult it can be to talk about what is happening. We want to make sure that victim/survivors with links to the armed forces get specialist support that has been designed with them and for them.
Need help?
Get support from the Armed Forces Helpline via phone +44 (0)333 0912 527 (GMT): 0900-1500 Monday to Friday
Get support from the Armed Forces Helpline via WhatsApp on +44 (0)333 0912 527: Monday 0900-1500 / Wednesday & Thursday 1700-2000 / Sunday 1000-1400
The event will be FANDF’s first hybrid FANDF event. You can join in person or virtually, making it accessible for those with caring responsibilities or living further afield.
The event will feature guest speakers from Defence (MOD) and support services offering valuable advice, information, and insights on available support for families. Our theme for this conference is 35 years strong: Championing Families, Shaping Change and we hope to celebrate some of the successes of support available for service families, whilst also highlighting how we can continue to shape change.
GFIE-424 - Senior Project Manager - Crown Commercial Service
Liverpool / Norwich / Birmingham or Newport
Closing Date: Sunday 13th April 2025
Job Description Click here to open
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)
To read the brief in full please click HERE
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Civil Service Jobs link: Operational Delivery - Team Leader - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK (job reference 366699)
There are jobs available at the following locations: Bangor (Gwynedd), Basildon, Bristol, Burnley, Dundee, Glasgow, Hastings, Motherwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Preston, St Austell, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Swansea, Wigan, Wrexham
Please note: this vacancy is not on the DWP EO microsite but there is a candidate pack available within the advert content on Civil Service Jobs – see link above. Candidates will be asked to complete two online tests, then if successful complete a 250 word personal statement. If their statement is successful they will then be invited to a live Microsoft Teams interview.
