NHS Step into Health: Internship Vacancy now open for Service Leavers and Veterans

NHS Step into Health are pleased to announce that recruitment for their Programme Assistant Internship is now open. To be eligible to apply for the internship you must be in the process of being or have been medically discharged from UK Armed Forces regular service within the last 5 years.

Location: Leeds with agile working (home based will be considered)

Role: Fixed term (12 weeks). Full time, flexible working patterns considered.

Salary: £22,837 (pro rata)

Closing Date: 23:59 17th November 2024

The post-holder will join the Step into Health team and will gain valuable experiences and skills which will be beneficial and transferable into other NHS roles. The full job description can be found via this link, and is also attached here  Click to open  Although SitH cannot guarantee employment when the internship comes to an end, they are able to support individuals to apply for other roles within the NHS.

To apply, please use the link on the vacancy page. 

For more information on how the Step into Health programme can assist Service leavers and veterans into an NHS career, please go to https://www.militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk/

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

The following vacancy is still open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 405 - Service Delivery Officer, Matlock and Glossop

Job Description  Click to open
Closing date: Extended to 8 Nov

​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 Click to open  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)

Gibraltar: Ministry of Equality to Mark International Men’s Day with a Conference Event

The Ministry of Equality will be marking International Men’s Day on Tuesday 19th November with a conference at the Sunborn. ‘Breaking Barriers’ is a conference that builds upon the Ministry of Equality’s International Men’s Day events last year which focused on the need to identify and eradicate barriers that may prevent men and boys from seeking help, advice and support for physical and mental health concerns.

The aim of the conference is to promote a positive conversation about men and masculinity, and on promoting better health outcomes for boys and men. The conference will showcase different Government departments and agencies as well as charities and NGOs supporting men and boys’ well-being. Additionally, the conference will focus on the importance of promoting better mental health support for men in the workplace and strategies for this.

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE - 313 DWP Work Coach, Luton

​Job Description Click here to open
Closing date: 18 Nov 2024

​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 Click here to open  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)

Military Mortgage Advice Webinars: November to Jan

To book a place: https://www.militarymortgageadvice.co.uk/webinars​

For more information: Military Housing Webinars Nov24 to Jan25.pdf

Stem Cell Donation: Sign up to save a life!

 

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

Stem cell transplants are used to treat blood cancers like leukaemia, aplastic anaemia as well as other diseases of the immune system. Chemotherapy can help in some cases, but for many people a stem cell transplant is the only chance of a cure.

30,000 new donors are needed in the UK each year to find matches for the steadily rising number of stem cell transplants taking place in the UK every year. Stem cells are found in the bone marrow – a soft, spongy tissue at the centre of certain bones – and can produce all essential blood cells, including red and white cells and platelets (which stop bleeding).

Give blood and save a life Sign up today: Joining the register - NHS Blood Donation

Supporting each other – give blood and save a life

UK: Places where kids eat free (or for £1) this October half-term

 

Visiting the UK for a mid-term holiday? Discount information provided by moneysavingcentral.co.uk

AWS Community Support Annual Report 2024

The Army Welfare service is proud to present the AWS Community Support Annual Report for 2024.  

This Report outlines some of the key achievements delivered and challenges faced by our team over the past year. It provides an overview of key areas of work, statistical information and also looks forward to the year ahead.  It demonstrates the breadth and depth of the impact that the Community Support team have.​

Click to open the report

Armed Forces in Policing Recruitment Event

Northamptonshire Police​ have planned the 2025 series of events called National Joining Forces – these are police recruitment events for all police organisations in England and Wales. They are designed to provide insight and understanding into police careers; the recruitment process and the structures in place to support candidates through the process. In particular the events highlights the qualities and skills veterans possess which are transferable into British policing.

​The events are advertised on Eventbrite and are as follows: 

Tuesday 14^th January 2025 from 1800 x 1900

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1042651928987?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday 15^th April 2025 from 1800 x 1900

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1042653363277?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday 15^th July 2025 from 1800 x 1900

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1042654155647?aff=oddtdtcreator

​Friday 14^th November 2025 from 1800 x 1900

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1042655198767?aff=oddtdtcreator

These events are being hosted by Northamptonshire Police as a national recruitment event - regardless of the police area you live in or may be interested in joining.

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

 

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 402, Dept of Work and Pensions, Service Delivery Officer, Leicester


Job Description  click here to access 

Closing date: 15 Nov 2024

​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 Click here to access 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)​

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 information please visit: Travel to Refuge

Reminder: Set up your eVisa Account

You can now set up your eVisa account. An eVisa is an online record of a your immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply. It can be viewed by logging into the online ‘View and prove your immigration status’ service using your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

For more information on getting an eVisa, visit: ​​​www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa​

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

 

Click on this link to view the information sheet: Flood Preparedness - Pinnacle Service Families

Electric heater safety in the home

 

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

Autumn Updates from Recruit For Spouses

Please click here​ to read the Autumn edition of The RFS Digest.

Further information has also been released regarding the launch of RFS's Foreign & Commonwealth programme, which is now open for applications. Updates can be found here​

Gibraltar: Domestic Abuse Awareness Talk

Embracing Domestic Abuse Awareness month, Rosalina Oliva from ‘Never Alone’ Local Charity will be attending Gibraltar Defence Police Head Quarters to deliver a talk to raise awareness about Domestic Abuse. 

Any individual can be subjected to Domestic Abuse, therefore it is important to talk about this issue to bring down barriers and eliminate stigma on the subject. It is important to understand all forms and signs of Domestic Abuse which could be experienced whilst on or off duty and what sign posting options are available for potential victims of Domestic Abuse. 

All MOD Service personnel & relatives are invited to attend the talk: 

• Friday 25th October 2024 at 0930hrs – 1100hrs 

The talk will be delivered in the Gibraltar Defence Police HQ Training Wing. If you would like to attend, please email PS 82 Beer (GIB-GDP-SGT-BEER@mod.gov.uk) 

If this affects you personally please contact:

Never Alone, Domestic Support Gibraltar 00350 54007811 neveralonegibraltar@gmail.com

RAND Europe Research: Meeting the Needs of the RAF and RN/RM Family

RAND Europe is currently undertaking research to support the Royal Air Force (RAF) Benevolent Fund and Greenwich Hospital in understanding the current and future size, demographics and support needs of RAF and Royal Navy/Royal Marines (RN/RM) Service People, Veterans and Families.

Autumn updates from Recruit For Spouses

 

Please click here​ to read the Autumn edition of The RFS Digest.

Further information has also been released regarding the launch of RFS's Foreign & Commonwealth programme, which is now open for applications. Updates can be found here​

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)

NDNA Childcare Works supported employment programme - starts next week!

Are you a spouse/ partner of a serving military personnel or a reservist?

Are you interested in career in childcare but don't know where to start?

Then the Childcare Works project could be for you.

Act quick as the project starts on 22nd October and there are only a couple of spaces left!

Contact Lesley.williams@ndna.org.uk or call on 07718 803652.




For more details click here Project information

Army HQ Welfare Matters Newsletter - Families Edition

 

Army HQ publishes the Welfare Matters newsletter quarterly, and this is shared internally with MOD staff and Army units.  A new families version of the newsletter is now available, as it is recognised that Service family members may also be interested in the latest news updates, and will find the newsletter informative.   To view the newsletter, please click Newsletter

Veterans ID Card accepted as Polling ID

The government has backed the armed forces community by allowing HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to be used as Voter ID in forthcoming elections.

More information can be found here

Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education support 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 31^st 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

To view further information click Top tips info sheet with FAQs

To view further information click  OEST leaflet

To view further information click  EAT (UK) leaflet

To view letter to parents click  Coordinated school admission information

Introductory Flight Scholarship (IFS) and Junior Rank and Officer Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JROPSS) 2025 - applications invited from RAF Personnel..

The following opportunity may be of interest to RAF staff within Tri-Service locations both UK-wide and worldwide.

Applications from RAF Junior Ranks (JR) and Junior Officers (JO) are now invited for the IFS and JROPSS 2025. Generously funded by the RAF Charitable Trust (RAFCT), and delivered through selected RAF Flying Schools, the JROPSS is open to JR (Cpl and below) JO (Flt Lt and below) from the RAF Regular and RAF Reserve Services.

​Further details can be found here​

Full eligibility requirements and terms can be found at www.RAFSA.co.uk

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

To view the full document please click here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GRyWcsn1o0-a00ueoW5twEUAg0Z4WKxP/view?usp=sharing

Launch of New British Forces Cyprus Community Website

HQBFC are pleased to announce the formal launch of the new British Forces Cyprus Website:

Welcome to British Forces Cyprus - The central point for all information on living and working in British Forces Cyprus.

​This open source website will provide a one-stop shop for service personnel, UK based civilians and their families to access useful information about being assigned to Cyprus alongside key information for living in Cyprus. HIVE and the HIVE location guides for BFC are to be added soon.

It is an iterative project that will continue to develop and improve over time and will seek to replace what is a high volume of individual unit SharePoint sites, unofficial social media groups and old fashioned paper arrival packs. 

The website will significantly improve the information available to personnel and their families, accessible in a way that modern communications demands, enabling the whole family to understand what they need to know to consider an assignment in Cyprus or what they practically need to do once assigned here.  

Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health support

 

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.  

For social media platforms, please add: For more information on any of the resources within this poster, please send us a DM or contact your nearest HIVE: https://www.army.mod.uk/support-and-training/welfare/hive-information-centres/​

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £380K awarded to enhance Early Years provision for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £380,000 to a further 12 fantastic projects supporting Service children in the latest round of the Early Years programme!

These projects are set to help enhance early childhood education and childcare to better support the unique needs and challenges of young children from Armed Forces families.

Dedicated resources for Service children across the UK Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Early Years programme supports initiatives that help Armed Forces families access good quality early childhood education and childcare provision. This will enhance capacity, allowing more Service children to enrol, create improved learning environments, and offer suitable training for staff development to address the unique challenges faced by Service children.

Empowering lifelong learning through health and wellbeing

Headspace App - free Enrolment for Army Personnel and MOD Civilian Staff

Join Headspace

• Get Headspace at no cost, from British Army
• 1000+ hours of mindfulness and sleep content
• Mini exercises for busy schedules
• Proven to reduce stress in just 10 days

Please use your @mod.gov.uk, @armymail.gov.uk or @csmail.mod.uk email address to verify your account when prompted.