Read this issue and previous ones online:
Friday, 29 November 2024
NHS 'Help Us, Help You' - Pharmacy First
Community pharmacies can offer treatment and when appropriate some prescription medicine, for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.
Highly trained pharmacists at more than nine in ten pharmacies can now assess, treat, and when appropriate, provide some prescription medicine for earache (for those aged between 1 and 17), impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 - without the need for a GP appointment.
Available at the heart of local communities, community pharmacy teams have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need, with no appointment necessary and private consultations available. Community pharmacists will signpost patients to other local services where necessary.
By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to help free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.
Don't wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacy team.
For more information, visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst
Service Prosecuting Authority welcomes HMCPSI inspection report
 “We hope this report will reassure the public, members of the Armed Forces, and the Defence community that the SPA is performing well and making a meaningful contribution to Service Justice” – Director of Service Prosecutions, Jonathan Rees KC reflects on the publication of an inspection report on the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA). To view more about the Service Prosecuting Authority, and additional information on this report, please go to: Service Prosecuting Authority - GOV.UK The report can be read in full at this link: The Service Prosecuting Authority – HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate |
Accommodation: Online e1132 password process change on 9th Dec 2024
Online e1132 password process change
The password process for the online e1132 system is changing on Monday 9 December 2024.
To ensure your online details are kept as securely as possible, we are changing the way we record, store and provide users with their details (when requested).
All users of the online e1132 system will need to reset their own passwords the next time they login to the system. Once the reset is completed, the user's new chosen password will remain unchanged until the user chooses to change it. There is no deadline for users to change their password, the change is only triggered the next time they go to login into the e1132 system.
Before the change on Monday 9 December, we encourage users to log into their e1132 accounts to check that the email address linked to their account is valid
Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown racecourse on Friday 24th January 2025
Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown racecourse on Friday 24th January 2025
Including employer engagement, Regimental associations and 3rd Sector stands.
The Grand Military Gold Cup is an historic National Hunt steeplechase, run at Sandown Park and taking place in Jan each year. First run in 1841, the race is restricted to serving Military amateur riders and is the showcase event in a day of celebration of the Armed Forces.
Please see the poster for a discount code that reduces the ticket cost for the following:
Serving Members of the Armed Forces
Veterans
Personnel from any organisation who has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
Link to book tickets is https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/sandown/events-tickets/grand-military-gold-cup-day/
Togetherall: Holiday Season Support
This season can feel lonely, but you don’t have to go through it alone. @Togetherall offers a safe, supportive, anonymous community—free and available 24/7.There’s also a range of other helpful resources. Find connection whenever you need it, at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces
Army's Guide for Care Leavers
The Directorate of Personnel in Army HQ have released a new Guide for Care Leavers, which will help both Care Leavers and their managers access the appropriate support. You can find it on the Pers Pol Conditions Defence Connect page at https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk/docs/DOC-1150391
Thursday, 28 November 2024
Empowering You Workshop, Glasgow 27th-29th Jan 2025
Empowering You is brought to you by the Forces Employment Charity, from Monday, 27 January, to Wednesday, 29 January 2025.
This is a hybrid three-day employability and confidence-building workshop with in-person components hosted in Glasgow.
It is for military women, spouses, and partners, including those who are separated, divorced, or bereaved. Please note military spouses and partners of any gender may attend.
Hear about local job opportunities and get a free one-to-one mentoring sessions with a corporate mentor!
Your top 5 reasons to attend:
1. Receive a free one-to-one mentoring session with a corporate mentor
2. Join us in person in Glasgow, where Barclays will host our sessions
3. Hear from employers about pathways into employment and regional job opportunities
4. Understand the value that your transferrable skills can bring to employers
5. Expert sessions delivered by our Families Employment Advisors
Learn about our previous Empowering You workshop.
📆 27.01.25 - 29.01.25 📍 Glasgow, Scotland 📌 Days 1 and 3 will be virtual 🎟️ Register now: https://loom.ly/gpIJwbo
New Armed Forces Carer’s Passports are introduced
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Today is Carer's Rights Day, Defence is committed to supporting those with caring responsibilities and has recently launch Armed Forces Carer's Passports and Carer's leave. Speak to your manager or check out the AF Carer's Passport DIN to find out more! Carer’s passports are well established and widely used across many organisations throughout the UK, including the Civil Service, and have proven to be an invaluable resource for employees with caregiving responsibilities. They are now available for our Armed Forces. It can be especially hard to balance a career in the Armed Forces alongside caring responsibilities, but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is dedicated to support those who do. Introducing the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport |
Wednesday, 20 November 2024
GamCare: Way Forward Programme - online support for women affected by harmful gambling
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Way Forward is GamCare's support group for all women affected by someone else’s gambling harm. Groups aim to provide a safe, supportive and confidential space for women to share their experiences, find comfort and empower one another.
Way Forward online sessions are semi-structured, running for 1.5 hours over six weeks. Groups are led by trained facilitators specialising in supporting women who are affected by gambling-related harms.
Each week will focus on the impact of different areas of gambling harm:
- Session 1 – Getting to know each other.
- Session 2 – Understanding gambling harm.
- Session 3 – Taking care of yourself.
- Session 4 – Dealing with guilt and shame / enabling behaviours.
- Session 5 – Dealing with anger and resentment.
- Session 6 – Having difficult conversations / expectations / acceptance.
If you’re interested in registering or want to know more, please email womenspathwaysupport@gamcare.org.uk
This group is for women based in England and Wales. We also have a Way Forward group in Scotland and to register your interest in future sessions, please contact scotland@gamcare.org.uk.
If you need support now, the National Gambling Helpline gives confidential advice and support to anyone affected by gambling in England, Scotland and Wales. You can speak to us for free, 24/7 on 0808 8020 133, or online.
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Army Families Federation (AFF) Immigration Survey
AFF would like to know more about the unique challenges non-UK Service personnel, veterans and their families face when it comes to immigration. Who did you contact for information and advice and why? Did you get everything you needed straight away, or did you find it difficult? Following a project funded by the Royal British Legion and working in partnership with the Naval Families Federation (NFF) and the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF), AFF have designed a survey to find out who people turn to when they need immigration information or advice. If you are not British by birth and you or a family member are serving or have previously served in the UK Armed Forces, we would love to hear from you! British Service personnel with non-UK family members can also fill in the survey. It should take less than five minutes to complete. Please go to surveymonkey.com/r/Non-UK_Questionnaire |
Get ready for a Wraparound Childcare (WAC) expansion to some overseas locations. Coming spring term 2025
Are you assigned to a location within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision? WAC Overseas will be available to eligible families in these areas from 6 January 2025.
What is Wraparound Childcare funding?
The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC.
Wednesday, 13 November 2024
The Impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance
In the Budget speech The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the government will remove the VAT exemption for private schools from 1 January 2025.
For families claiming the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) this is likely to increase private school fees.
To minimise the impact of this change, the Secretary of State has directed that the CEA rate cap will be uprated, to ensure it continues to pay up to 90% of school fees for eligible claimants.
What does this mean for CEA claimants?
BFPO Latest Christmas Posting Dates - 2024
Link to BFPO website: https://www.gov.uk/bfpo
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BFPO Customer Update – Christmas Families Free Mail Service 2024
 During the period 25 Oct – 22 Nov 24, Service personnel based in selected Defence overseas locations will be entitled to receive free welfare Christmas gifts (max 2Kg small parcel) via BFPO, these locations are shown below:
During this period, family and friends of Service personnel based in these locations will be able to post 2Kg small parcels and FFALs (Blueys), free of charge at UK Post Offices and throughout the overseas Forces Post Office network. Guidance on how to send free mail and restrictions is found at https://www.gov.uk/bfpo, and please note that all of these locations are serviced by air and particular customer attention should focus on Dangerous Air Cargo and prohibited items, as BFPO will be unable to forward items on, that contain prohibited goods. Customers using this service should also consider, that BFPO monitor usage of the free mail service, and customers are urged to limit activity and consider the sprit of this Defence welfare offer, which is to give an opportunity for those away from family & friends over the Christmas period to receive and open gifts on Christmas day. |
Defence Transition Services (DTS): Civilian Housing Brief Dates 2025
To register for a brief: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing#civilian-housing-briefs For more information on getting additional support when leaving the armed forces: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-additional-support-when-leaving-the-armed-forces |
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New awards to build sustainable and resilient support networks for Veterans
The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) have awarded grants totalling almost £7 million under the Thrive Together Programme (previously known as VPPP) which will step up support for vulnerable Veterans.
Nine grants have been awarded to the current portfolio lead organisations, enabling them to realise their plans under the newly named Thrive Together programme, designed to increase support to vulnerable Veterans and their families throughout the UK and enable this support to become self-sustaining.
Following a consultation process undertaken between April-September 2024 and the development of strategic plans, the portfolios are now in the delivery phase of the programme before moving into a transition and sustaining phase for the final 6-9 months ending in March 2027.
A further award is expected to be made in December for programme delivery in Northern Ireland.
Get ready for Defence Discount Service’s biggest Black Friday sale! 🖤
DDS are thrilled to announce that Defence Discount Service's Black Friday sale is here, and it's bigger than ever! With early access deals, exclusive daily offers, and discounts from over 150+ top brands, this is the perfect chance to save on everything you love – and just in time for Christmas!
Early offers: Early access offers: running through the main event! Members can start shopping these deals before the Black Friday main sale rush.
Exclusive daily deals: starting November 22, members can access 24-hour exclusive offers that change daily.
Main sale dates:
🗓️ November 29 - December 2
The main event is packed with enhanced savings from over 150 brands across fashion, tech, beauty, electricals, gifting, and more!
Visit the Black Friday page:
You can access the Black Friday campaign here: https://www.defencediscountservice.co.uk/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DDS_Black_Friday
Look out on the Defence Discount Service website and app as offers are revealed.
Brands to watch:
From essentials to luxuries, we have a wide range of offers for everyone. Here's a glimpse at just some of the brands taking part this year:Samsung, LOOKFANTASTIC, Lovehoney, Currys, LG, Bill's, Ninja, Debenhams, Hotpoint, Charlotte Tilbury, Halfords, Shark, Footasylum, Garmin – and many more!
Not a member?
Sign up now https://www.defencediscountservice.co.uk/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DDS_Black_Friday to take advantage!
Happy shopping and saving with Defence Discount Service!
Thursday, 7 November 2024
Families First newsletter - issue 20
Link to read this issue (and previous issues) online: Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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