Friday 26 March 2021

Welcome to Scotland - New Guide Launched Online


The Scottish Government have launched a new 2021 updated version of Welcome To Scotland.

The Scottish Government is firmly committed to supporting our Armed Forces Community. We have a long military tradition here in Scotland and hold our Armed Forces and their families in high esteem. We are highly supportive of the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant and the commitment of organisations across Scotland to build enhanced support for the Armed Forces community and foster better integration between the community and the Armed Forces. This booklet has been designed to help you with what you need to know about your move.

We are a close-knit society and are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces and their family members are fully supported when accessing our services. We have a proud track record of working in close partnership with local authorities, the wider public sector and charities to help us ensure you are able to access the best possible care and support. Ultimately, we hope that you will consider Scotland as your long-term home.

For more information or to download the guide CLICK HERE

Non UK Nationals Guide


Thursday 25 March 2021

DCYP Podcast - Global Education Matters


Global Education Matters – A new Podcast series to explore the education options available to UK military families in key worldwide locations

Andrew Malcolm and Ed Harris are Senior Education Officers within the Global Education Team in the MOD. As part of their role, Andrew and Ed complete reviews of education systems and schools in key global locations. The team wanted to create a way for the information and knowledge generated through these reviews to be easily available and accessible to armed forces families, including family members without access to MOD IT systems.

The team has therefore begun to publish a series of Podcasts to provide information about local education systems, schools and the range of opportunities and experiences families can explore in local worldwide areas.

The series is beginning with a broad look at education systems in the USA, which is one of the MOD’s largest footprints of UK armed forces families. Following this, we will be exploring some of the key specific locations our families are assigned to in the US, beginning with Washington DC and the surrounding area; subsequently moving onto other key areas of the US and then wider global locations.

Parents can access the Podcast series at An-introduction-to-education-in-the-US-escfpp. It is also available on the main Podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching Global Education Matters.

A Is For Arrivals

 

Changes to Border Restrictions for Fijian Passport Holders Returning to Fiji


Changes to border restrictions for Fijian passport holders returning to Fiji due to take effect from 29 March 21

Fijian government no longer willing to cover the cost of non-essential repatriation. (See Fijian Government’s Facebook page).

The new charges apply to all Fijian passport holders, including Fijians who have been residing overseas and are dual passport holders or permanent residents of another country. The charges will include the cost of accommodation and meals, which will be directly payable to the quarantine facilities. These charges will depend on the quarantine facility and will average around $2,200 for the entire 14-day quarantine. COVID-19 swab tests (minimum 2), transfers from airport to quarantine facility, monitoring and site surveillance, will continue to be paid to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for all repatriating Fijians.

Exemptions from these charges will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and approved by the Quarantine Authority of Fiji, which is the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services. Exemption criteria is as follows:

● Fijian citizens who have travelled outside of before 28 March 2020 and are now returning home;

● Students and their approved dependents on Government-sponsored or Government endorsed scholarships returning after completion of studies;

● Patient and approved companion referred/supported by the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services to seek medical assistance/intervention overseas;

● Fijian citizens employed under a Government-to-Government arrangement that the Fijian Government is a party to, such as workers returning under labour schemes; and

● Returning servicemen, Fijian Government officials, Fijian Diplomats (including spouse and children under the age of 18 years) who have travelled for official purposes.

Official guidance has not been updated yet. Check the following websites before booking a flight:

Latest Covid Update Fijian Immigration: http://www.immigration.gov.fj/

Wednesday 24 March 2021

All Call signs: What To Do When A Veteran Or Service Person Goes Missing


Myth: There’s nothing you can do until they’ve been missing 48 hours.

Fact: There’s plenty that you, the police and other services can do. Acting quickly saves lives.

Find out more HERE

Families' Activity Breaks (FAB) For Bereaved Military Families


Families' Activity Breaks (FAB) is a non-public funded, tri-service charity, providing fun and challenging activity camps around the UK for bereaved Military families. Family and Volunteer applications are open.

CLICK HERE for information

Monday 22 March 2021

EU Settlement Scheme - EUSS

 

EU Settlement Scheme

All Army Personnel are reminded that any dependents who are EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss citizens must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) if they wish to continue living in the UK. Please refer to the Government guidance if you are unsure whether a family member needs to apply.

EU, EEA, Swiss citizens currently on a posting within the EU with a British Citizen SP

If the family member has resided in the UK prior to 31 December 2020, then they should be eligible to make an application to the EUSS from outside of the UK. Their time overseas will count as residency in the UK for the purposes of the application. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021. Please note that to apply from outside of the UK, family members will require a biometric passport.

If the family member has never previously resided in the UK, then they will not be able to apply directly to the EUSS from outside of the UK. They will, instead, be required to apply for a EUSS Family Permit to enter the UK, and then submit an EUSS application (which in this case cannot be made online. Family members will need to contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre and request a paper application form). They must return to the UK with the SP by 29 March 2022 in order to qualify under the EUSS.

EU, EEA, Swiss citizens currently on a posting outside the EU with a British Citizen SP

If the family member has resided in the UK prior to 31 December 2020, then they should be eligible to make an application to the EUSS from outside of the UK. Their time overseas will count as residency in the UK for the purposes of the application. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021. Please note that to apply from outside of the UK, family members will require a biometric passport.

If the family member has never previously resided in the UK, they will be required to make an application to enter the UK under UK Immigration Rules Appendix Armed Forces.

Supporting Documentation

All applicants to the EUSS must provide evidence of being resident in the UK prior to 31 December 2020. Please refer to Government guidance for details of required supporting documentation.

In order to ensure time spent overseas on a posting is considered for UK residency purposes, family members will need to provide a letter from their SP’s unit on official stationery, signed by the Commanding Officer, confirming:

* The start date of the SP’s overseas posting.

* The end date of the SP’s overseas posting (if applicable).

* The period during which the family member accompanied the SP overseas.

Holidays For Serving & Ex Armed Forces and their Families - Poppy Pod Holiday Village Reopening 17th May 2021





The Pods will be open from 17th May 2021, and the
booking system will go live after 1st April

To find out more, CLICK HERE

Registration and booking can be found HERE

Wednesday 17 March 2021

Credit Union Welcomes MoD Civilians - Flexible Savings & Borrowing


The MOD and the Civilian HR team have now agreed that civilians who support the armed forces, can now formally join our credit union. This means that more members of our military family can access flexible savings and affordable borrowing!

5 Websites To Support Your Mental Health


Click links below





Tuesday 16 March 2021

NI Credits for overseas postings since 1975


National Insurance credits for partners of armed forces personnel overseas after 6 April 1975

How spouses and civil partners of armed forces personnel posted overseas can fill gaps in their National Insurance record.

You may be able to get National Insurance credits if you’re married to or the civil partner of a member of the armed forces and you go with them on an overseas posting.

Credits can help to fill gaps in your National Insurance record, for example if you were not in work when you were with your partner on an overseas posting. Credits can make sure you qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension.

Apply online : Click here

Wednesday 10 March 2021

The PANDAS Foundation


Women's Health - Let's Talk About It


The government has launched a call for evidence to improve health and wellbeing of women in England.


Women are being encouraged to share their experiences of the health and care system via a call for evidence aimed at improving healthcare for women.

Click HERE for more information

Tuesday 9 March 2021

Crocodile Safety




Information taken from Panaga Club website

New UK Declaration Form Required For International Travel From Mon 8th March 2021


Complete a travel declaration form to confirm that you are legally allowed to travel abroad from England.

Please click HERE for more information

Monday 8 March 2021

Forces Defence Discount Service


Defence Discount Service provides discounts both online and on the high street for members of the Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community.

WHO QUALIFIES?
Serving Armed Forces
Reserve Forces
Spouses/Partners of serving personnel
HM Armed Forces Veterans (ex serving)
MoD Civil Servants
Bereaved Family Members
War/Service Widow(er)s
Cadet Forces (over 16)
NATO Personnel in the UK

Union Jack Club Free Online Talk, Mental Wellbeing, Everyone's Challenge - Thursday 11th March



The Union Jack Club is running a series of free online talks and on Thursday 11th March, from 1430 (GMT), WO1 Glenn Haughton OBE MBA, Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Armed Forces' Mental Health & Wellbeing Champion is presenting Mental Wellbeing – Everyone’s Challenge.

To register CLICK HERE

Friday 5 March 2021

The Locker Podcast Episode 5 - Self Belief


Not everyone finds self-belief easy to obtain; it's an uphill struggle and means constantly pushing limits, testing boundaries, learning through the good experiences as well as the bad. However, when it comes to success, sometimes the only difference in whether you succeed or not is a result of one simple thing - believing in yourself.

Click HERE to listen to the podcast

British Army 8 Week Mindfulness Course


Everyone is stressed. Everyone has pressures. And it is hard to slow down in this fast-paced world. Welcome to the Army’s Mindfulness Course which has been available to serving Army personnel for some time, but it has now been opened up to a wider audience. Although this is an eight-week course, and it will be rolled out over eight weeks, it is designed so you can go at your own pace.​