Army&You – Spring 2023

Spring 2023 {for everyone with a soldier in their life} Readers share their publishing pursuits

WRITE STUFF PLUS: NEW KIDS’ PAGES // HONING IN ON HOSPITALITY YOUR BLOGS // WIN A RAIL-SIDE RETREAT

armyandyou.co.uk

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The additional costs of visas, flights and the minimum income requirement are also having an impact on the army’s Foreign & Commonwealth community – Pressure points (pages 22 to 23) highlights some of the issues.

On pages 30-31, we feature two army spouses who are involved in a fantastic initiative that’s helping to reduce food poverty and cut down waste, and you’ll find some great ideas to boost your skillset through Forces Families Jobs, page 26.

Elsewhere, you can hear directly from Military Housing Liaison Officers about how they can

support you on page 37, and if you’re heading overseas, see how the Families Section helps you on your way – pages 40-42.

We’re very excited to introduce our new-look children’s section ‘Dandelions’ on pages 62-63. If you’d like to tell us about a project involving service kids or if your youngster would like to feature in a future edition, just get in touch editor@aff.org.uk

LISA YOUD, EDITOR

SPECIALISTS

EDUCATION & CHILDCARE educationsupport@aff.org.uk

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING✪ employment@aff.org.uk

FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH fcsupport@aff.org.uk

HEALTH & ADDITIONAL NEEDS✪ healthsupport@aff.org.uk

HOUSING housingsupport@aff.org.uk

MONEY & ALLOWANCES✪ moneysupport@aff.org.uk

REGIONS DEVOLVED NATIONS devolvedmgr@aff.org.uk

ENGLAND englandmgr@aff.org.uk

OVERSEAS overseassupport@aff.org.uk

know –

SUBSCRIPTIONS

CONTRIBUTIONS If any time by emailing unsubscribe@aff.org.uk or visiting armyandyou.co.uk, where you’ll find our privacy policy and T&Cs PUBLISHER Army&You is published quarterly by TylerBale Communications on behalf of the Army Families Federation. Editorial content © AFF. Not to be reproduced without permission AFF Army Families Federation is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales with registered charity number 1176393 and a charity registered

let in Scotland with registered charity number SC048282. Principal office: IDL 414, Floor 1, Zone 6, Ramillies Building, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, Andover SP11 8HJ COMPETITIONS To enter, visit armyandyou.co.uk One entry per household per giveaway. Full T&Cs on the website. Closing date is 21 May 2023. ADVERTISEMENTS Interested in advertising in Army&You? Contact TylerBale Communications. Email: info@tylerbale.co.uk Tel: 01252 714870 / Web: ayads.co.uk

A Word From...

AFF Policy & Research

Director Michelle Alston

AFF In Action

Discover the latest news affecting army families

Book Club

Young readers' verdict on Once Upon a Hillside

Dandelions

For the younger members of your army family

BlogSpot

You share your experiences of army family life

Giveaways

All aboard! Don't miss your chance to win a railway break

CHALLENGES OF CLIMBING COSTS

A WORD FROM... AFF POLICY & RESEARCH DIRECTOR, MICHELLE ALSTON

AFF has been gathering your evidence about the specific cost of living challenges you’re facing due to the nature of service life.

For families living in Service Family Accommodation, poor insulation or old and inefficient boilers can increase energy bills. Those living in oil-fired quarters have seen significant upfront costs and those of you on the MOD fuel and light scheme have lacked information which would enable you to budget. Some of you have raised issues about being unable to transfer utility contracts on moving, with others feeling unable to access fixedterm contracts because of the likelihood of moving home.

Adverse impact

Families living in their own

homes have highlighted how the increase in fuel costs has meant the service person is not able to come home as regularly, which can have an adverse impact on relationships and wellbeing.

Like civilians, many of you have difficulty accessing NHS dental care, but this has a unique impact for dual serving couples, as many dentists will only accept children under NHS care if the parent registers as a private patient – not an option for service personnel.

Single serving parents have to rely on paid childcare to be able to work, particularly as they may not live near wider family for support, and this can take up a significant chunk of their salary. Whilst the new MOD wraparound childcare scheme can help with before and after-school care for those with children aged 4-11, it doesn’t support early years or school holiday costs.

Representing you

So, what has AFF been doing

about this? We’ve raised the issues with the army, MOD and the wider charity sector, discussing them with the General responsible for people support and speaking to divisional headquarters.

We’ve emphasised the importance of ensuring that you can access the information you need to be supported with these challenges. Please check out the helpful page our money & allowances team has put together at aff.org.uk via the QR code (left). There are links to discover whether you’re eligible for any MOD allowances or benefits, information about flexible working, flexible service or parental leave which may help with childcare costs, as well as The Royal British Legion’s cost of living grants.

If you need support, please reach out to your chain of command, welfare team or visit our cost of living page – there should be no stigma in asking for help or claiming any benefits you’re entitled to. &

“Many dentists will only accept children under NHS care if the parent registers as a private patient – not an option for service personnel.”

If you’re experiencing issues due to army life, let us know moneysupport@aff.org.uk

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Danbury Mint is proud to work with RBLI in helping veterans to lead independent lives outside of the military with 7.5% of each sale going towards life-changing support for our nation’s heroes.

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YOU TOLD US...

infogrAFFics

I need an income with the cost of living increases and this now means I have to juggle kids, work and uni alongside married unaccompanied and deployments etc.

KEY ISSUES...

Some of the key cost of living issues you asked us for advice on between Oct-Dec were:

18%

The cost of living is going up by 11% and the pay rise we got was 3%. [It] isn’t sufficient enough with the cost of living, normal families are struggling with house bills.

the data detail

So many military homes are not very energy efficient, this will start to really hit military families’ pockets.

SURVEY...

AFF asked you about support, services and allowances

43% VISA of Foreign & Commonwealth enquiries were requesting information and guidance on visas

65%

77%

69%

an addition to pay intended to recognise the positive and negative conditions of military life

stated that they were unaware that long and unsociable hours are an element of X-Factor

stated they were not aware that impact on spousal/partner employment is an element of X-Factor

were not aware that X-Factor is designed to compensate for the impact of the job on personal relationships

If you have any questions or issues about army pay and allowances, contact moneysupport@aff.org.uk

#AFFevidence

FAMILIES ON AGENDA

AFF highlighted the impact of mobility on school places, NHS waiting lists and housing, to the Children’s Commissioner’s Family Review, which was published in late 2022.

The review looked at how family affects children’s outcomes and wellbeing, and how services that support families can be improved.

The second part of the research looked at specific groups, including military families, to understand your unique challenges.

For more details, see childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/ family/family-review

#AFFoutandabout

MEET AND GREET

Regional Lead North Kirsty Street chatted to families about the issues they are facing at a meet and greet event at the community hub at Catterick Garrison in March. It was a joint event with 4 Brigade, the Pinnacle housing team and the welfare teams to understand the issues families face.

#Goodtoknow

VITAL PARTNER

The latest issue of The British Army Review features an article from AFF on the essential role families play in the army’s efforts to deliver and sustain military effectiveness.

Policy & Research Director Michelle Alston outlines how the family supports the army and, in turn, how the army may need to adapt its support in response to the changing nature of military families.

To find out more, search British Army Review at chacr.org.uk

#AFFevidence COVENANT COMMENTS

AFF has the opportunity to comment on the Armed Forces Covenant annual report each year and ensure that the voice of army families is included. The report gives an update on the progress that has been made in providing support to the armed forces community.

#AFFevidence

REMOTE WORK IN FOCUS

A recent government report into the tax implications of hybrid and distance working highlights the difficulties armed forces spouses face when working overseas.

AFF gave evidence which focused on your unique issues when trying to work remotely for a UK company whilst abroad.

The report acknowledges that: “The tax and social security rules can foster difficulties where the spouse seeks employment overseas, including where they seek to work remotely for a UK employer. This complexity can be exacerbated by host nation or Status of Forces Agreements determining the rights of a spouse while they accompany military personnel.”

To read the report, search ‘hybrid and distance working’ at gov.uk

CLARITY ON VISA COSTS #AFFteamwork

A significant rewrite of policy on reimbursement of visas during an overseas posting was published in January, something AFF has pushed for clarification on for many years. The new policy provides much greater clarity for Foreign & Commonwealth families.

For example, it’s now clear that the cost of travelling to the nearest visa application centre for an interview and the cost of travelling to the UK to collect a Biometric

Residence Permit will be reimbursed.

AFF’s F&C Specialist and Money & Allowances Specialist worked closely with the army allowances team to ensure that each part of the visa process was considered and separately explained in the updated policy. This is a great example of collaborative working, as the policy in JSP 752 was previously open to misinterpretation between units. See aff. org.uk/advice/foreign-commonwealth

In our observations on the 2022 report, we highlight specific issues in areas such as access to NHS dental care, support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, accommodation and partner employment. We also welcome the launch of the wraparound childcare scheme but acknowledge families’ wider childcare challenges relating to early years and school holidays.

Read the report by searching ‘Armed Forces Covenant annual report’ at gov.uk

#AFFinvestigates SURVEY RESULTS OUT

In the autumn we asked for your views on army life, particularly allowances.

We had 836 responses and nearly half (48%) felt that the army ‘offer’ – the allowances and benefits package service personnel receive - has worsened, 29% said it has remained the same and 23% felt it has improved.

When asked about housing, 65% of respondents reported access to SFA/SSFA had a positive impact on their family, and 67% reported a positive impact from living in a military patch community.

For more, see page 9 or go to aff.org.uk

YOUR VOICE HEARD

The Army in Scotland Conference was the perfect opportunity for our Devolved Nations Manager, Emma Perrin, to raise awareness of AFF’s work supporting families north of the border. The event, held in Edinburgh, brought together civilian organisations and military personnel, to discuss military life in Scotland.

Emma was invited to give a presentation on AFF’s work over the last year, she said: “Meeting in person is always beneficial to moving things forward.”  Colonel Anthony Phillips, Deputy Commander 51st Infantry Brigade & HQ Scotland, told AFF: “It was important that the voice of our families was heard at the conference. I was delighted that Emma was able to give a presentation because she provided data behind what is often anecdotal evidence. As a result we’re better placed to target resources appropriately.”

#AFFteamwork

VISA CONCERNS WORKSHOP

The Foreign & Commonwealth team took part in a workshop to discuss how visa and immigration policies and processes could be improved to help the non-UK military community. The team are Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner (OISC) qualified advisors or are training to become qualified. They support non-UK members of the armed forces community every day, with additional funding from the Royal British

Legion, and receive more than 200 immigration-related enquiries every month. Based on this experience, they discussed recommendations on improving channels of communication, and on making visa and immigration processes easier to follow.

If you’re a non-UK military family who needs advice about visas or citizenship, get in touch at fcsupport@ aff.org.uk or see aff.org.uk

Carole Rudd, AFF’s Manager England, went along to a family engagement day hosted by VIVO and Pinnacle in Tidworth, which was part of a week of events within the Salisbury Plain Training Area. Throughout the session a number of families and serving personnel spoke to the housing firms about their outstanding repairs

and in some cases engineers were dispatched to investigate and put things right.

Carole also met area managers for VIVO and Pinnacle and the Military Housing Liaison Officer to discuss your concerns about the new housing contract, including missed appointments and the complaints process.

#Onthecase

DOWNLOAD

NEWSY SNIPPETS ABOUT ARMY FAMILY LIFE

MORE TIME TO MOVE OUT

If you’re living in surplus Service Family Accommodation (SFA), the notice to vacate (NTV) period has been extended from a minimum of 28 days to 93 days. This brings it in line with the NTV period for those who are entitled to SFA.

DIARY DATE

If someone in your family has an additional need or disability, the biennial Forces Additional Needs & Disability Forum (FANDF) Conference on 12 June in London is an important date to put in your diary.

The conference theme will be ‘transitions’, whether that be post-16 education, moving to a new location, becoming a carer or leaving the armed forces.

This conference, at MOD Main Building, is an opportunity for you to hear about policy

HELP TO BUY A HOME

The Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme, which was launched as a pilot in 2014, has now been made permanent.

updates and the support available but also gives you the chance to speak to policy makers and professionals about your experiences.

The FANDF committee will also be hosting a meet and greet evening on 11 June at the Union Jack Club. Travel, accommodation and food costs will be covered by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity for FANDF members.

For more info, search FANDF at ssafa.org.uk

CHILDCARE CLAIMS CHANGE

The rules for backdating claims for wraparound childcare registration have now changed.

Since 1 February, claims can only be backdated to the date your

GARRISON’S £19M BOOST

Catterick Garrison town centre has been awarded £19 million as part of round two of the government’s Levelling Up fund.

tax-free childcare account was opened, not to the start of the autumn term as was previously the case. For more, see aff.org. uk/advice/education-childcare

The money will fund improvements such as new routes for walking and cycling, a new town square, and a new community facility that will host new businesses and a community kitchen.

More than 100 projects across the UK have been awarded a share of £2.1 billion aimed at creating jobs and boosting the economy.

The scheme allows regular service personnel with more than 12 months’ service to take an advance of up to 50% of their annual salary, interest free, to buy a home. The advance is

CHILDCARE IS STREAMLINED

A new digital platform for the childcare offer in Wales has been launched. Previously childcare was delivered by local authorities who used different systems to process applications from parents and pay providers. Parents already claiming the childcare offer will remain within their local authority system. However, new applicants and those

capped at £25,000 and repaid over a 10-year period. More information is available at aff.org.uk and on gov.uk

who wish to receive funding for another child, will need to apply via the service at gov.wales

The offer has also been extended, so if you’re in education or training, you can now apply for up to 30 hours of government-funded early education and childcare for three and four-year-olds.

Picture: pexels

Stephen ‘Tommo’ Thomas with his wife Louise and baby daughter Emilia – the only British motorcycle racer riding a British bike in a top-line British championship, while also serving his country in the British Army. Sgt Thomas, 30, has just completed his first season in the British Supersport

Championship alongside his 11-year career as a sergeant in the Royal Military Police.

Record breaker Capt Preet Chandi recorded the longest ever solo and unsupported polar expedition in Antarctica in January. Capt Chandi, who serves in the Royal Army Medical Corps, travelled an epic 868 miles in 75 days to clock her incredible achievement.

“Leo, age 3 at the time of the photo (he’s 5 now), wanting to be just like his Daddy” – Jasmine Murphy

“Each family shoot is unique. Some are this-is-how-we-are, story pictures that draw you in, get you wondering… are these the final precious moments before he goes off again, or is this a homecoming? It doesn’t matter which, the point is they’re pictures that document real family life, ones you want to look at a little longer” – @victoriatapperphotgraphy

Summer and Ryan Green on their wedding day in the beautiful surroundings of Amberley Castle in West Sussex – the couple had a great day even though it rained!

The Military Coworking Network’s hubs have been set up exclusively for use by military spouses or partners and the good news is that you don’t need to have a job or run a business to use one.

They’re a great place to go if you want a quiet place to focus – somewhere to sort your personal emails, study or focus on a job search. The nine hubs around the UK and in Cyprus have kitchen facilities and breakout areas so you can refuel, relax, and connect with coworking colleagues.

Find more and book a free trial at militarycoworking.uk

The SMSpouses team at BFBS Academy is offering a series of free social media training for military spouses and partners based anywhere in the world.

Thanks to the support of the Armed Forces Covenant, all of the courses are free to spouses and partners of UK military personnel who are serving in a full-time role.

All you need is a smartphone, an iPad, or a laptop and a fast internet connection.

The courses available are campaign planning, smartphone photography and graphic design, video editing and creation, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Find out more at academy.bfbs. com/social-media-spouses

CUSTOMS CHANGES

From 1 March, all goods shipped by air to or transiting EU countries, Northern Ireland, Norway and Switzerland must include an accurate description and a commodity code for each item. This is due to the EU strengthening security at customs. Failure to follow the new regulations could lead to your items being seized or extra charges being payable before items are released by local customs authorities. In extreme cases, parcels could be returned or destroyed.

Current information is at gov.uk/guidance/ british-forcespost-officeservices, including labelling advice.

Picture: Soldier magazine/ MOD Crown copyright

FEELING THE SQUEEZE

THE price of food and fuel has shot up recently, which is causing financial hardship for some.

“It feels such a struggle just to provide the basics,” says Lauren, whose child has additional needs. She explains: “I receive Carer’s Allowance and we have my husband’s wage but it’s not enough to live on. I have to count nappies hoping we have enough until the end of the month.”

Even working couples with two incomes are having to cut back. Lee says: “It’s harder now on a sergeant and senior teacher’s wage than it was as a young craftsman and newly-qualified teacher. We’re worried about making the decision to either feed the family or heat the house.”

In Aldershot, Garrison Community Support Officer Nicole Bridgman says that more army families are being referred to food banks but, because of the stigma around accepting help, many are suffering in silence. “Some soldiers have incurred debt from trying to support children in two households and some have had to take on a second job,” she adds. “The strain is affecting relationships and there has been a rise in break-ups and domestic abuse.”

Unique challenges

Although the cost of living crisis is affecting the whole population, there are unique challenges for mobile army families which make life more expensive. AFF Policy & Research Director Michelle Alston says: “Many army families need to rely on paid childcare as they don’t live near family and not being

able to access NHS dental care in a new posting can mean paying for a private dentist or fuel to travel to their previous practice.”

AFF’s priority is to ensure that you’re getting the best possible support and have the information you need to make the best decisions for you.

Michelle says: “It’s important that families understand their potential eligibility for benefits, where they could access financial grants and how other changes might support them, such as opting for flexible service or flexible working.”

Making a difference

Working parents have welcomed the MOD wraparound childcare (WAC) scheme. It enables families with children aged 4-11 to claim up to 20 hours of funding during termtime. Army spouse Karin Jenkins says: “WAC has allowed me to keep my job after being posted further away from the office.

“With a much longer commute it allows me to make use of an after-school club for my son without the extra expense.

“The fuel cost is hard enough to absorb without having to worry about childcare, so it makes a big difference.”

Household budgets have been hit hard by the rising cost of living and some army families are struggling to make ends meet. Jill Misson reports…

FEATURE

Bills shock

With soaring gas and electricity prices many families living in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) have faced difficulties. AFF Money & Allowances Specialist Claire Hallam says: “The key issues reported are not being able to transfer utility contracts with the same provider and seeing direct debit costs increase on moving to a new quarter, with some reports of bills tripling. Families are not taking fixed-term contracts because of the risk of posting.”

Some army families are questioning the energy efficiency of their SFA. Stuart Paronuzzi says: “Our heating currently costs around £1.35 per hour which wouldn’t be so bad if it meant our house was warm, however, what little heat is generated is immediately lost through poor insulation. This is echoed across our street and it’s a common topic of conversation.”

Thermal efficiency does affect heating costs and is taken into consideration in the Combined Accommodation Assessment Scheme (CAAS) banding which determines the rent charged, but this is no consolation if you’re unable to heat your home.

Following the rapid rise in the cost of fuel, concerns were raised by serving personnel about travel allowances. Rates for Home to Duty and Get You Home Travel allowances were reviewed by the MOD and increased by seven per cent. However, Claire Hallam says: “Many families aren’t aware that Get You Home Travel only helps with costs towards two journeys a month rather than weekly.”

Fewer trips home

Lauren’s husband lives on base Monday to Friday and was coming home every weekend but has reduced the round trips as they can’t afford the fuel. She says: “The cost of this saving to our family is huge. We miss him dearly and I feel like I’m a single mum. Our three-year-old daughter has a suspected diagnosis of autism and she struggles not seeing him so the meltdowns are frequent and that leaves me feeling stressed and powerless.”

Lauren is thankful to receive practical and emotional help from the charity Home-Start: “The support and advice they’ve given us has helped us through. It’s meant I’ve been able to put food on the table and I don’t know where we would be without them.”

Help is at hand

If you’re struggling, talking to a unit welfare officer can be a good place to start as they can signpost to other charities and organisations. Kate Badcock, Assistant Regimental Secretary Welfare at RHQ RIFLES, says: “We launched a scheme last summer for service personnel and veterans

to apply on our Swift website for a £100 Tesco voucher. Our UWOs have actively been following up with many claimants and have uncovered issues that they may not otherwise have discovered.”

Forcesline has seen a significant increase in requests for support. Bill Grant, Forcesline Manager of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, says: “I’m very worried about the growing number of calls we’re getting from people who need support. An increase of more than 30 per cent in comparison with 12 months ago. While we receive requests covering a range of topics, we’re now also taking daily requests for help with the most basic of needs. People can no longer afford food, energy and housing.”

The Royal British Legion has seen an unprecedented interest in cost of living grants with thousands of veterans and serving personnel contacting the charity for help. Applications can be made on its website for money to buy everyday essentials such as kitchen appliances and clothes or to help with energy bills.

Army&You spoke to a command sergeant major who says: “The majority of our service personnel are very proud and don’t want to ask for help so what we must reinforce is that if you need a hand-up, ask. It is exactly that, a hand-up and not a hand-out. We have to look after our people and each other.”

If you’re experiencing financial hardship, help is available. Check your entitlement to state benefits and claim what you are eligible for (see page 16).

&

“We’re worried about making the decision to either feed the family or heat the house.”

BENEFITS CHECK-UP

WE have been hearing from many of you about how the rising cost of living is affecting your household finances. If you’re wondering what support is available, it may be worth looking into whether you’re entitled to claim any government benefits.

Claire Hallam, AFF’s Money & Allowances Specialist, says: “There’s often still a

Example 1:

misconception that being in the army means you can’t claim benefits.

“This isn’t the case and, following work by our team, there’s now a specific process for claiming benefits like Universal Credit when you’re assigned overseas.

“If you’re in any doubt about what you’re eligible for, do a benefits check-up on gov.uk and make sure you’re claiming all you can.”

A service person lives with their spouse who is not working

Both are over 25 years old

They live with one child in SFA

The family has no savings

Their monthly household income is £2,018.73

= UC payment per month is £136.88

Universal Credit

Universal Credit helps support families on a lower income and has different elements such as housing costs, childcare costs and disability. It will eventually replace many existing benefits, like housing benefit or tax credits.

How much you can claim will depend on your age, household income, how many children you have, the type of housing you live in and

Example 2:

A lance corporal is a single parent and has two children, aged 7 and 3

They all live in SFA together

The three-year-old (no disability) attends nursery three times a week

The service person doesn’t have more than £6,000 in savings and investments

= UC payment is £206.17 a week or £893.44 a month

whether you have any savings or investments. Currently, there are around 3,600 service personnel claiming it.

If you’re claiming existing benefits like housing benefit, tax credits or child tax credits and are considering changing to Universal Credit, it’s important that you seek specialist benefits advice first.

Top tip

If you’re applying for Universal Credit and you live in Service Family Accommodation, you’ll need to put ‘private accommodation’ on the application. See the money & allowances pages at aff.org.uk for advice and evidence needed.

CASH CONTROL

By Paul Fox, Money and Pensions Service

Other benefits

There are a range of other benefits, which aren’t always based on your household income, some may be based on your national insurance contribution history and previous earnings.

New-style Jobseeker’s Allowance could support you if you’re out of work for up to six months. It’s not based on household income or savings but on previous contribution history.

Example:

Army wife Hannah moved with her husband on posting and had to leave her job. She was looking for work in their new location.

“I didn’t think I could claim anything as I thought our household income was too high,” she said.

“AFF sent me more information on new-style Jobseeker’s and suggested I check. I was able to claim around £74 a week for a few months while searching for work.”

How can I check what I’m entitled to?

There are benefits calculators where you can enter all your details and work out what you could be eligible for at gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Can everyone claim?

Some people may not be able to claim benefits, for example, if you’re from outside the UK and have ‘no recourse to public funds’ on your visa. If this is the case, you’ll need to make sure that you’re not claiming any benefits which are classed as public funds.

Some benefits can’t be claimed together. For example, the MOD’s wraparound childcare scheme requires

Benefits help

a tax-free childcare account, but you can’t claim Universal Credit and taxfree childcare at the same time.

AFF is still highlighting some areas of disadvantage, particularly for separated spouses, who can’t claim Universal Credit housing costs if they stay in a quarter after the 93-day notice to vacate period is up.

If you feel you’ve been disadvantaged by being an army family when claiming benefits, contact moneysupport@aff. org.uk

The Royal British Legion’s Benefits, Debt and Money Advice service – search BDMA at support.britishlegion.org.uk

Citizens Advice citizensadvice.org.uk

Citizens Advice Scotland Armed Services Advice Project adviseasap.org.uk

The Department for Work and Pensions has more than 60 Armed Forces Champions who can help deal with complex cases. Contact your local job centre for more support.

The price of everyday essentials is going up, and inflation and interest rate rises mean your money might not stretch as far as it used to.

The government’s Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) provides free, independent and impartial financial guidance. Whether you’re worried about higher energy costs or tackling debt, it provides useful tools, calculators and guides to help you keep on top of your money.

Top tips

Prioritise bills: The consequences of missing some types of bills can be more serious than if you fall behind on others. The MaPS bill prioritiser can help you put your bills and payments in the right order.

Talk to creditors: If you’ve been caught off-guard by higher bills and you’re worried about missing a payment, letting the organisation know is the best first step to resolving your money issues.

Plan your budget: Knowing where every pound is being spent is a great way to start saving, get out of debt or prepare for retirement. The MaPS budget planner can

Get free debt advice: If you’re worried about debt, speak to a trained debt advisor about your situation.

For more information, visit moneyhelper.org. or call 0800 138 7777 free.

MILITARY allowances are there to offset extra expenses related to service life so it pays to make sure you’re claiming what you’re entitled to.

Home-owners

If you’re moving into your own home, you may be able to claim Get You Home Travel, which helps with travel costs to and from your workplace and covers two return journeys a month.

In addition to your mortgage or rent, you may also have to pay for Single Living Accommodation (SLA). SLA charges can be waived for certain reasons, for example if you’re involuntarily separated for service reasons or if you’re eligible for the Army Over-37 Provision. For more, see the money & allowances pages at aff.org.uk

ALLOWANCES ALL ABOUT

Over-37 question

Some of you have raised concerns with AFF about whether the Over 37 Provision is discriminatory on the grounds of age or relationship status. We put this to the chain of command and received this response from Colonel A L Green, Assistant Head Army Remuneration...

“The package was designed to support smooth transition to civilian life at the end of service, based on an assumption that many soldiers left the army aged 40. It is compliant with the MOD’s exemption from age discrimination law.

“Looking forward, in line with the Defence Accommodation Strategy and the MOD’s desire to become a more modern and inclusive employer, future policy is being developed to support all service personnel who maintain a home away from their duty station, regardless of age or relationship status.

“The policy is set to go live in the autumn – full details will be provided in advance.”

Travel costs

If you’re living within 50 miles of your duty station then Home to Duty Travel could help with the cost of traveling to work every day. There’s also support through Home to Duty Pedal Cycle, available if you cycle more than a mile from home to work.

Leaving service

If you’re heading to civvy street, think about final removals and plan early. Generally, final removals are not paid for but there are exceptions, such as returning from overseas.

Final Tour of Duty is a request for your last posting to be in an area where you want to settle. If you can’t be assigned within 50 miles of the location you requested, then Removals and Disturbance Expense may be paid. However, you must fill in a form before your last posting to request your assignment location.

This is just a snapshot of the allowances that can be claimed, there are many more. For info, see aff.org.uk, Discover My Benefits or

contact your unit HR admin team.

Moving when posted

If you’re moving and eligible for Disturbance Expense, your claim can be submitted 45 days before your expected move date to then be paid 30 days before the move. Payments will be made via your soldier’s salary (at the end of the month), so make sure you apply before that month’s pay run has gone in or you may find that you move before you get it. The timing could save you from having to pay for things upfront.

Keep your receipts to claim subsistence costs and remember if you stay with family and friends when moving instead of in a hotel, you can claim towards the cost. This is called Private Arrangements Rate, currently £35 a day.

Overseas considerations

If you’re moving overseas, you can ask for an advance of pay to help with the extra cost. This can be paid back over the next 12 months. Speak to your unit HR admin team for more information.

Think about whether you’re likely to be posted overseas when getting cars on personal contract purchase (PCP) or other types of finance. If so, will the finance company allow you to take your car with you? Some companies are okay with this, but not all.

Overseas Private Vehicle Provision can be claimed to help with shipping, buying out of a lease or buying and selling a new car up to £1,040, when posted. You can also drive to certain European locations.

Local Overseas Allowance can help with the extra cost of living overseas compared to the UK.

Get You Home Overseas helps with travel back to the UK once a year and Respite Provision helps towards a short break away from your duty station.

Allowances are regularly reviewed and can go up or down. To feed back your views, contact moneysupport@aff.org.uk

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

IN THE current cost of living crisis, those of you who have a family member with a disability, chronic or acute illness, can face even higher costs. Often a family member is a parent carer so finds it difficult to work. Help is at hand though and Karen Ross, AFF’s Health & Additional Needs Specialist, takes a look at what support is available…

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – child

In England, Northern Ireland and Wales DLA can be claimed for children under 16 to help with any extra financial costs that result from their disability. Children are eligible if they have mobility issues and/or if they require more support than other children of the same age who don’t have a disability – gov.uk/disability-living-allowancechildren

In Scotland DLA has been replaced by Child Disability Payment and can be claimed for children under 16 with a disability or medical condition, however, it may be paid until the child is 18 –mygov.scot/child-disability-payment

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP is paid to support people with any extra costs they have due to their long-

term physical and mental health issues and/or disability. You can receive PIP even if you’re working as it isn’t means tested. Once a young person reaches 16 they will need to claim PIP themselves –gov.uk/pip

In Scotland PIP is beginning to be replaced with Adult Disability Payment –mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment

Carer’s Allowance

If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they receive certain benefits (including DLA and PIP) you may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance –gov.uk/carers-allowance

You can continue to claim your benefits overseas, but it’s important to contact the Department for Work and Pensions so they are aware of your change of circumstances.

If you’re experiencing any issues with this, contact us via email at healthsupport@aff.org

Other benefits or grants

Contact

Contact has some useful information on the financial support available to families who have a child with disability or illness and also provides cost-ofliving advice – contact.org.uk

Scotland Independent Living Fund

Young people aged 15 to 25 who have a disability or impairment can apply to the transition fund to help them to access and take part in new activities or to learn a new skill – mygov.scot/ independent-living-fund

Disability Wales

Useful information on benefits and costof-living advice – disabilitywales.org

Family Fund

This can support families who have a disabled and/or seriously ill child by providing grants for equipment and support – familyfund.org.uk

The Boparan Charitable Trust

This charity provides funding for children with disabilities and lifelimiting illnesses across the UK –theboparancharitabletrust.com

SCOPE

Raises awareness and campaigns on behalf of disabled people including the extra costs they can experience –scope.org.uk

Snowdon Trust

Provides two grant programmes to support people who have a disabilities to achieve their goals in further education, higher education or vocational training – snowdontrust.org

PRESSURE POINTS

AFF’s Foreign & Commonwealth team

is being approached by an increasing number of non-UK families struggling to cope with the additional cost of living pressures they face. Here, our F&C Specialist Katherine Houlston looks at some of these extra costs…

Visas

One of the biggest financial pressures is the cost of visas. A visa to enter the UK is now £1,548 per person, then after five years the fee for indefinite leave (ILR) currently stands at £2,404. So a soldier with a spouse and two children will spend more than £10,000 on visas alone.

Separation due to the minimum income requirement

The minimum income required to bring a spouse and one child to the UK is £22,400. To bring a spouse and two children, it goes up to £24,800. Soldiers not earning enough money to bring their families to the UK often send the majority of their wages back home to support them.

Travel costs

In addition to this responsibility, service personnel could also be spending thousands more on flights home to visit their family. The current average return flight to Fiji or St Vincent, for example, is around £1,500. Families in St Vincent (where a lot of our current non-UK serving personnel are originally from), who are joining the soldier in the UK, must first fly to Barbados to have their biometrics taken as there is no visa application centre in St Vincent. The additional cost of this is over £500 per person.

Supporting the community back home

AFF F&C advisor Suli Tuiteci, who is Fijian, explains that in

Mr Musunamasi enlisted in 2017. At the time, he had a wife and three children back home in Fiji and would not have been earning enough from his salary alone to bring them over to the UK for at least nine years. In 2019, his wife took the difficult decision to leave the children in the care of their grandmother in Fiji so she could get a job in the UK to help meet the financial requirement. The children recently joined their parents at a cost of nearly £5,000 for visas alone. Unfortunately, because children’s applications are only issued up to

some cultures there is often an expectation to send money home: “In Fiji, it stems from a communal system where giving and receiving is reciprocal.

“You give to your family, village or community and they give back to you in your time of need,” she adds.

“Unfortunately, moving away from the community means that you just bear the continuous financial costs of always giving, but miss out on the receiving

end of that cycle.

the visa expiry of the parent on limited leave, the family now has only two years to try to save around £10,000 for their ILR applications.

Mr Musunamasi said: “It is heart-breaking that our family will have paid more than £20,000 for the right to enter and remain in the UK permanently.

“There should be more consideration given to service families. But we are truly grateful to The Royal British Legion for giving a huge helping hand with my children’s visas and airfares.”

“We also bear a sense of duty to our parents, our elders and people who looked after us when we were growing up.

“This is our tradition, it’s always been done this way, so we continue, but with the cost of living being so high it has a big impact on the families who have moved away and who are struggling to make ends meet.”

Access to benefits

Partners/spouses in the UK on limited leave visas have no recourse to public funds (NRPF). There are legal repercussions if you make claims that you’re not entitled to.

However, the UKVI guidance makes it clear that a person subject to immigration control is not considered to be illegally accessing public funds if their partner is entitled to claim them in their own right.

Soldiers are entitled to claim

benefits because of their exempt status. Therefore all soldiers with children can make a claim for child benefit regardless of the immigration status of the child or of the non-serving parent.

Claiming Universal Credit

Since the cost of living crisis we’ve started receiving enquiries about claiming Universal Credit, with many families and charities confused as to whether a family where one parent has NRPF is legally able to make a claim.

Our Money & Allowances Specialist Claire Hallam spoke to her contacts at the Department for Work and Pensions who confirmed that a couple could make a ‘joint’ claim but that the partner with NRPF would be classed as an ‘ineligible adult’. Further information can be found on the new benefits section on the F&C webpages at aff.org.uk

What is not classed as a public fund?

There are a list of benefits that are not restricted for immigration purposes, these include Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay.

What help is available?

In compassionate cases requiring unexpected outlays, such as the death of a family member back in the home country, it’s a good idea to speak to your unit welfare team. They will help you to approach regimental charities or SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, for financial help.

When the cost of visas is preventing families from being reunited or from applying for ILR in the UK, AFF recommends approaching The Royal British Legion. The F&C team works closely with caseworkers to confirm visa costs and to satisfy them that the immigration rules are met.

THE ULTIM ATE TEAM ENDURANC E EVENT

Wilberforce Otieno, pictured left, was not earning enough to bring his wife and four children to the UK when he first enlisted four years ago. He had to split his family up and leave two children back home in Kenya. Now reunited as a family, Wilberforce is concerned about their applications for ILR which will cost more than £12,000. He has asked his commanding officer for permission to get a second job so he can start saving towards this. “I’m trying my best because I don’t want the visas refused, I have spent a lot of money on visas and flights already which has left me with debts I am still paying off.”

SERVICE WITH A SMILE?

offers a huge range of job opportunities, from bar work and waiting on, event planning to chef or hotel manager. If you’re passionate about customer service and love working with people, hospitality could be a great

What are the advantages?

Flexibility. Working hours can vary, with the potential for early or late shifts. There are a multitude of roles and opportunities – people will always need food, drink and

If you’re a people person, connecting with new clients or guests every day, making them happy, can give you a real buzz.

The industry can offer unique challenges – problem solving and creative thinking skills are put to good use every day.

Career progression and developing highly

What are the challenges?

This sector works holidays, weekends and nights. This may work well for you and your family, or prove to be a real juggle.

Starting salaries can be comparatively low but there are plenty of opportunities to progress and if you are customer facing, you should benefit from tips. Roles can often be highpressure as you try to ensure every guest receives the best service. The ability to perform under pressure is a transferable skill for most professions.

Physical work – you’re likely to be on your feet much of the time, but the upside is that it can keep you fit while you work!

Industry insight

We spoke to some forces-friendly employers in the hospitality industry to Compass Group UK is one of the largest employers in the UK, with more than 45,000 employees based across 6,000

plus locations. Compass provides catering, hospitality, cleaning, facilities management and more in healthcare, defence, education and workplaces as well as sports and leisure venues.

The company has a great understanding of military life, operating in many varied environments and defence sites. Last year, Compass launched a spouses’ policy recognising the impact military life can have on the non-serving partner’s career.

Hilton Hotels are another well-known forces-friendly employer.

Elysha Roberts, the company’s Talent Acquisition Co-ordinator, says: “We are committed to an inclusive workforce that fully represents many different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints.

“Our global brands provide workplaces

for people from all walks of life to connect, creating a welcoming environment.

“With extensive career development opportunities, dynamic support for learning

and leadership development plus an innovative culture committed to supporting your wellbeing, you have all of the resources you need to succeed.”

Parkdean Resorts is the leading operator of holiday parks in the UK, with a total of 66 parks nationwide.

The company is proud to promote hospitality as a long-term career path, with over 250 job roles available and extensive training opportunities, including academies and apprenticeships.

Stacey Howe, Parkdean Resorts’ People Business Partner, explains: “We welcome the transferable skills and experience of the armed forces community, providing opportunities for veterans returning to civilian life, reservists, or family members of serving personnel, there’s a career for everyone.”

VIEWS FROM HOSPITALITY HOTSPOTS

We meet military spouses who told us about the ups and downs of working in the sector...

“I work as a team leader in a Greene King pub and restaurant, which involves bar work, waitressing, cooking and administration. My shifts vary with an average of 40 hours. We have three children so I need to fit my work around our home life. I do an early morning shift and normally leave for work again at 5.45pm. At weekends, I often start at 9.30am and finish after midnight.

“Juggling my job with army family life is not easy and it only takes the smallest of changes to wreak havoc on our fragile routine. Last January, my partner’s two-week Estonia deployment changed into six weeks and then six months. It was extremely challenging and I ended up handing in my notice. Instead of accepting it, my manager put me on a zero hours contract to keep my job open. I would recommend hospitality as a part-time or ‘in-between’ job for a military spouse but not full-time - the hours can vary massively and the chances of finding childcare to cover the random shift patterns are extremely slim.”

“I’m an army spouse and have been in the army reserve for 14 years. I’m delighted that Compass, as well as supporting reservists, has also made a commitment to spouses. I was a beneficiary of this last year when my husband was posted from the South West to Lincolnshire, forcing me to leave the job that I loved.

“I spoke to my management team, who engaged with both the Compass Group Armed Forces Committee and the business director in the area where I would be living next, securing me a new role.

“I was quickly promoted too, so it’s ended up being a great move for both me and my husband. It took a huge amount of stress away to be able to stay with the same company when I relocated.”

Jeanette McNaughton Business director – defence, marine & aerospace

“My husband was stationed in Germany in 1998 when I got my first role with Compass at Oxford Barracks in Münster as a general manager. I returned to the UK in 2001, holding a number of ESS contract manager posts. Over 15 years I added more defence contracts to my role, providing services across many defence sites.

“It’s been fantastic having a job where I’ve been able to continue to progress my career, despite regularly moving as my husband took up different postings or went on deployments. I would encourage spouses to look at roles in the food and support services sector, as working for an employer that has an understanding of what being a military spouse entails makes a huge difference.”

Deborah Crampton ESS [Compass] general manager

Carla Eley Restaurant/pub team leader

“We welcome the transferable skills and experience of the armed forces community, providing opportunities for veterans returning to civilian life, reservists, or family members of serving personnel.”

GIVE YOUR CAREER A BOOST

AGREAT way to take your career to the next level is to give your skills and earning potential a boost by doing a training course. You might want to brush up in IT, get yourself back up to speed after a career break or learn something new. That’s where Forces Families Jobs can help. FFJ has more than 80 different organisations providing hundreds of free courses for military spouses. And with more online options, you can access them from anywhere. We caught up with a few training providers to find out more…

Accountancy Learning offers a free online sample course so that you can see if bookkeeping is for you. Apprentice and Employer Co-ordinator Victoria Longstaff says: “Being a military wife, I understand the difficulties involved in finding meaningful employment, and the uncertainty of never truly knowing if you will be in an area for a defined period of time. Our courses are a great way to ensure that through distance learning you can pick it up anywhere in the world and at the end have an industryrecognised qualification that can be used to get into a finance role.”

First steps

Microsoft offers the first step towards reinventing your career in the cloud with its free certified Azure Fundamentals training day. Craig Lewis, who looks after Microsoft’s military Employee Resource Group, explains: “We have been running the Azure courses for about four years and they have been a great success with service leavers and military spouses.”

Amazon’s AWS re/Start – primedtalent. com/aws-restart – is a free training programme that prepares you for a career in the cloud and connects you to potential employers. Lakshmi, who recently completed the programme, said: “This was a positive upskilling programme for me to get into an entry-level IT job. It also helped me to gain confidence and connect with friends of a similar mindset.”

Jeamal, a veteran, added: “I decided to join the programme after going through the curriculum and realising that it was a brilliant opportunity to develop my skills for free with leaders in cloud technology.”

Kady Marriott, a military spouse working for WithYouWithMe, says: “We offer people the opportunity to get into a tech career by looking at what they are good at and their transferable skills. Instead of writing a CV, you complete a free online aptitude assessment. This opens up training programme opportunities and matches you to potential careers. After our last posting, I was knocked back at interviews because they saw me as a ‘flight risk’; then a neighbour told me about WithYouWithMe and I’ve not looked back. It’s been a journey, and it’s something I never thought I would do.”

Essential skills

DevelopMental UK offers a certified Mental Health First Aid course online. Julia Davies, an army wife, who runs the courses, told us: “This is an essential life skill nowadays. Most

people aren’t sure what a mental health first aid course might entail. It’s the mental equivalent of a physical first aid course. Instead of discussing breaks, bleeding and illness, we look at signs of depression, anxiety, psychosis, self-harm and thoughts of suicide. We can then learn how to support, and where to find those individuals help without becoming overwhelmed ourselves. We are there in the first instance, we support, then we hand over to the professionals. It’s something that stands out for potential employers but also helps me support my kids and those around me. One day I won’t train anyone anymore because everyone will be qualified. That will be a fab day!”

To find out about these training providers and more free/discounted courses, see forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk

Insights: Clockwise from above left, Victoria Longstaff, Kady Marriott and Julia Davies share their experiences

Be there when it matters

We are recruiting healthcare staff for a variety of roles at our hospices, palliative care hubs and neurological care centres across the UK* . Join

For more information visit: sueryder.org/jobs

Made of the write stuff

Never Alone Carrie Knight and Lily Steel

Carrie and Lily met whilst their husbands were serving together in Woolwich, where a chat proved the starting point for their creative collaboration.

They talked about their love of writing and illustrating respectively and thought it would be a great idea to produce a book together to raise money for charity.

Carrie had written some stories based on mascots at RAF Lakenheath, so when they came across the initiative ‘Giraffes on Tour’ – a fundraiser for Great Ormond Street Hospital – the idea of writing a book about a giraffe named Geoffrey, who was an experienced aviator, seemed to be the perfect concept and a worthy cause.

“Juggling work and children is always a challenge and never more so than when your husband is away,” explains Lily. “Writing

the book on behalf of someone else, rather than ourselves, did bring extra pressure and managing expectations of those around us, who aren’t so familiar with the demands of military life, was tricky. But despite a deployment, a demanding job, a house-

move and looking after a three-year-old, we met the deadline and the launch was a resounding success! Military spouses are clearly made of tough stuff, right?

“The process was by no means easy, but working side by side with somebody likeminded made it possible.

“We’ve continued to cheerlead one another throughout the whole process and our motto is ‘anything is possible’.

“If you believe in yourself, others will believe in you too,” adds Lily. “Our life-long passions of writing and painting have been realised and we now know that this is merely the beginning of our creative partnership.”

The book Never Alone has had a phenomenal response, sold more than 1,000 copies in just six months and helped to raise more than £17,000. The Stowaway, the sequel, launches this month, another charity project for Great Ormond Street Hospital in collaboration with children’s charity Starlight.

Many of us feel that we’d like to write a book, but few give it a go while juggling everything that comes with military life. We caught up with some authors and illustrators of children’s books, all with service connections, to find out more about their publishing pursuits…

Arco the Bossy Tom Cornner

Tom serves in the Royal Marines and says part of the inspiration for his stories came from his children’s emotions during times when he was away.

“I’ve been deployed multiple times on various exercises and operations including the Middle East, Africa, the Mediterranean and USA,” he says.

“The hardest part I found was the emotional worry my family went though until I returned. Whilst my children were young it became part of the normal routine but it only came apparent to me how much it may have affected them once they started to question things as they got older. I realised that other families and children may be experiencing similar experiences and emotions.”

Tom started writing his first book Arco

the Bossy during the second lockdown.

“Writing a rhyming children’s picture book was something completely new but highly

Seagulls Don’t Eat Sorbet: The First Adventure Babs Vinden-Cantrell

Babs has been serving since 1983 as a regular and reservist. She began her writing journey during resettlement from the regulars, when she attended a writing course and is now penning a series of children’s books.

“I applied to Red magazine to be an adult intern for a month and spent an amazing time with them writing articles for both print and online.”

Babs’s role in the army recruitment team takes her across the UK to around 150 events a year, meaning many nights away from home on her own. “I decided to spend these evenings writing my book,” she explains. “Being away also gave me a fantastic insight into various areas of the UK, and such a mix of people that I have been able to include in my book.”

She also says that her military colleagues have been with her all the way: “I’m constantly asking them and their partners to read my latest writing and give feedback. They have edited, and decided if an illustration was okay, and also all bought my book. My first admittance of writing the book to my colleagues was to ask them: “If you were a seagull, what would your name be?”

Bab’s next book – Seagulls Got to Dance – is out on 23 June.

WIN!

Scan the QR code to be in with a chance of winning a bookish prize from our military authors

Giraffes on Tour, the initiative behind Geoffrey, raises funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital in memory of Louise Conway who passed away after being diagnosed with leukaemia. You can read more about the adventures at giraffesontour.co.uk

rewarding and I enjoyed the challenges that came with it as it pushed me out of my comfort zone,” he explains.

“The process to complete the first storybook took a while, however, once I was in a more stable place I was able to finish the publishing, marketing and editing phases to finally release the first book. I’ve had only positive feedback since the release, which is extremely rewarding.”

Tom urges anyone thinking of writing a book to reach out to groups online, on social media and blogs for support and tips. “Above all just remember the reason you’re writing in the first place. Mine was so that my son could have a book written about him that he could hopefully read to his children one day, which is worth more to me than anything else.”

In 2023, Tom will writing three other stories in the series, in between family and work of course!

Has the prospect of publishing piqued your interest? Here are Babs’ top tips for wouldbe authors...

l This is a slow process and can’t be rushed. Yes, you will edit, edit and then edit again.

l Be open to the journey that unfolds. Your book may end up in a totally different area to where you thought you were going. My book started as a children’s novel, but through advice from those in the industry, it moved from a novel to a series of seven picture books.

l Look at other work already published. Whatever you’re thinking, someone else somewhere will be thinking something similar. My main seagull was originally called Sid, but on investigation I found that Sid the Seagull was a favourite name within books already and was the mascot of Australia’s sun cream campaign.

l Network, network and network. Get involved in the publishing industry, get to know people who are already writing and ask for their help.

l Enjoy what you’re writing about.

l Have a notebook or phone handy. Ideas just happen, and you need to get them down straight away.

Warriors ON WASTE

STACEY HARTNESS

About me

I’ve been a military wife since 2008 and we have two children. We’ve lived in Catterick Garrison and Larkhill.

How it works

Anyone can sign up via their app and you can see what’s available in your area. Big companies such as Tesco and Iceland regularly use Olio via its food waste heroes but anyone can list an item to share with others. This comes in handy if you’re moving away and have surplus fridge or freezer foods as lots of military families are faced with, so it can be shared not wasted.

My Olio journey

In 2015 Olio started its campaign to put an end to food waste and share with the community instead. Whilst on maternity leave I thought this was a great idea so I signed up to keep me busy and to get out and about spreading the word.

My role

I started off as an ambassador, advertising amongst my friends and family. I signed up as a food waste hero whilst we lived in Salisbury as I loved collecting from others, it gave me the opportunity to chat to people and make friends. When we moved back to Catterick last year I managed to sign up for a regular Iceland

food waste hero collection slot. I’ve managed to help so many families ease the cost of living and build friendships at the same time. I’ve recently signed up to be a digital ambassador too.

My motivation

It’s so important to share things you won’t use as this not only helps the environment but also other families, especially in these times. The app shows you the impact you have made regularly so you can see the carbon you’ve saved and the good you’re doing – it’s a win-win situation for everyone – no food goes to waste and lots of people benefit.

Increases in food and energy prices have affected pretty much everyone, but how can you help those in your local community who are most vulnerable while looking after the planet too?

Army spouses Stacey Hartness (North Yorkshire) and Claire Boon (Gloucestershire) have both signed up to Olio, a free sharing app that helps to cut down on food and household waste and in turn, reduce food poverty…

Stacey recommends

I feel this is a great adventure for anyone to participate in, whether you’re collecting from other food waste heroes or distributing to others, it’s such a great feeling knowing the impact you’re having. During times when partners are away, social interactions are paramount for your mental health and doing it through Olio means you have a focus and help the environment as you go.

CLAIRE BOON

About me

My husband has been in 1 RIFLES for seven years at Beachley Barracks and we’re about to move to Worthy Down.

How it works

Everyone who uses the Olio app and requests food receives support – it’s all completely free.

There is also an option to borrow things, which is great if you don’t have funds to buy items such as tools, lawnmowers etc.

My Olio journey

I was introduced by a wife who used it to obtain food for her family. Using the app I discovered that I too could become a food waste hero and collect surplus stock from our local supermarket to help others in the same way. I felt it was important to do my part to prevent the impact made on the environment, more so now that families are going through the cost of living crisis. No one should have to choose between heating and eating.

Another tick in the box is knowing that

I can help the spouses that can’t drive and are isolated, especially when our partners are away. It’s a lifeline and prevents young families having to walk several miles to the shops in all weathers.

My role

I’m a food waste hero with an assigned slot at a supermarket to collect surplus stock that would normally end up in landfill. Using the app allows me to upload items for the community to view. They can then request items they wish to collect from me. I try to distribute the food as evenly as possible so that everyone gets a fair share.

My motivation

Olio brings the community closer. Food is the one thing we all have in common. We share stories, create memories, fall in love

over great meals. I have made great friends with people I probably would never have met until I started doing Olio. Being isolated on camp away from friends and family can get very lonely.

Helping others should be a natural instinct. Granted, lives are busy, but even the smallest of things helps someone else. For me, sacrificing a couple of hours once a week is the least I should be doing to help reduce the impact waste has on our planet as well as to help families.

Claire recommends

Check the Olio app to find out if food waste heroes are needed in your area. If there are no slots available, request food from heroes (they normally load up in the evenings), it will help connect you to the area while reducing waste and saving money. Be sure to have the storage space for items that need to be kept chilled to comply with food safety – you can train and take the test online with Olio.

Page turning connections

As regular Army&You readers will know, Reading Force Book Clubs are a fantastic way to have fun, but did you know that the charity runs adult groups too?

Enterprise haven

The e50K Bramble Woods project in Catterick is turning a patch of Defence land into a thriving community space.

It’s the first project of its kind within the Defence estate. Defence Infrastructure Organisation, through Amey and with the support of garrison command, gifted e50K with management of the 3.5-hectare site to establish a space for the whole community.

e50K is a social enterprise made up of armed forces spouses and partners from across the country and works to improve the lives of military families. “It’s our belief that no one is better at creating improvements for our community than the people who actually live, work and play within it,” explains e50K’s Head of Communities Catherine Clapham. “As custodians of Bramble Woods, e50K has secured funding to develop the site, including renovation works, community allotment spaces, flora and fauna conservation and to put on a range of family events.”

Growing the network

The team at e50K has ambitions to create a network of projects across the country which provide opportunities for employment, education, enterprise and engagement for armed forces families, as well as combat social isolation. The site at Bramble Woods already employs four army spouses and has a growing team of volunteers.

“Bramble Woods is open to everyone,” adds Catherine. “It’s a beautiful place for a walk or a picnic, or to toast marshmallows around the firepit.

“There are many exciting plans for the coming year, the whole site will be transformed as the team continues to work on regeneration; restoring wildlife, developing the allotment site and providing a range of events including forest schools and outdoor theatre.”

Volunteer Sophie said: “When I moved to Catterick as a first time military spouse, I was so lonely. However, e50K has helped to overcome anxieties, build my confidence, encourage my involvement in the community and make new friends in the area.”

For more info about Bramble Woods or if you’re interested in starting a community project near you, take a look at e50K.org.uk

You might be a bookworm, a first-time book clubber or anywhere in betweeneveryone is welcome. “Our book clubs help our members to meet new people in their military community, build a strong sense of connection and reduce feelings of isolation,” says Reading Force Book Club ambassador Nicola Hill. “Reading the same book can also connect people for longer than a telephone call or chat online.”

New member Kelly said: “I’m a few chapters into the book and I’m looking forward to chatting at the next meet.”

The book clubs are tri-service for serving personnel, spouses/partners, veterans, reservists and children too (with volunteer co-ordinators who are DBS checked). If you’re overseas, your book can be posted to a BFPO address.

Keeping in touch

Reading Force has been encouraging service families to share books as a way of keeping in touch with deployed parents and their wider families for more than ten years. Its children’s book clubs were an instant hit and after receiving funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s Force for Change programme, it set up adult online book clubs in 2021.

“Throughout the pandemic, our online book clubs connected military communities all around the world, and they continue to remain just as popular. Some clubs are online, others meet in person, and several are choosing to continue beyond the three free books they receive from Reading Force,” explains Nicola.

With a fantastic selection of books available there will be something for everyone. Choose from a range of award-winning titles and authors –readingforce.org.uk/book-clubsuggested-titles

NO DEFENCE FOR ABUSE

IF you’re experiencing domestic abuse the most important thing to take from these pages is that there is support out there, many of it specifically for service families. In an emergency always call 999 in the UK, 112 in the EU or check locally for other overseas countries. As you’ll see from the following articles, domestic abuse is an issue the MOD takes very seriously. Its strategy: No Defence for Abuse, aims to create a culture of safety and support, breaking down barriers that may deter people from coming forward.

AFF’s Health & Additional Needs Specialist, Karen Ross, represents your issues and works with the MOD and army as part of their domestic abuse working groups (DAWGs). In September last year, the joint service policy JSP 913 was updated as a result of work from the MOD DAWG – you can find it at gov.uk. “My role is also to help ensure that you have relevant information and links so you know where to get the most appropriate support should you need it,” says Karen. “I can refer you to relevant agencies that will be able to help you and your family.”

You can contact AFF at healthsupport@aff.org.uk – some of the organisations we work with are featured here…

Violence Informed Practice

A NEW project is being piloted by the army which aims to address domestic violence, its impact on victims, children, the army community and operational effectiveness.

Under the Army Welfare Service, Project LIBERTAS will cover the north of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its team will:

■ respond to complex domestic abuse and sexual violence referrals

■ support the chain of command in its management of domestic abuse and sexual violence

■ liaise with internal and external organisations to achieve safety for survivors and their children

■ hold perpetrators to account.

So what does this mean for victims?

LIBERTAS applies a Domestic

(DVIP) Safe and Together™ approach: “This enables us to recognise harmful behaviours more effectively,” says the project’s Team Manager Tracie McDermott. “By analysing casework, we can identify where existing provision and support can be improved.” If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and are referred to the LIBERTAS team, they can:

■ assess, interview and record information

■ produce an effective safe plan

■ uncover the impact of perpetrators’ behaviours on survivors and their children.

What about perpetrators?

“The impact of perpetrating behaviour is not limited to family life,” adds Tracie. “It can also have a significant impact on operational effectiveness – it degrades values and undermines command.”

LIBERTAS aims to increase awareness and recognition of perpetrators’ behaviours with the chain of command, and promote wider understanding across the army. This should prevent perpetrators being able to:

■ maintain control and continue to abuse

■ avoid being identified and held to account

■ avoid commitment to duty.

“A DVIP approach recognises the challenges faced by survivors, and the efforts made just to get through the day,” explains Tracie. “This approach also allows us to focus on the source of harm.”

WO1 IAT & Overseas Steve Connolly says: “Exploring and documenting patterns of abuse used by perpetrators is

the only way to fully identify risk and understand the impacts on families. Engaging with perpetrators as parents highlights to them the impact their abusive behaviours have on those they love. This can be the best way to secure a change in their mindset, and allows us to hold perpetrators accountable for their parenting choices and make individual safety plans for survivors.”

Guiding hand

Padre 39 Engr Regt, Maj Rob Birnie, shared: “I found the DVIP course informative, and a good opportunity to update my knowledge and challenge outdated thinking. It provided me with a handrail for recording information and I’m more confident in asking the right questions. As chaplains, we are privileged to be in people’s lives during some of their most difficult periods and this course has enabled me to bring the best-informed care I can.”

Referrals can be made through RC-AWS-IAT0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Changing mindsets

“Perpetrating behaviour can have a significant impact on operational effectiveness – it degrades values and undermines command.”

Sharing knowledge Working with you

Military and civilian organisations have been coming together for more than ten years in the North Hampshire area to understand how they can best work together to support members of the armed forces community who are affected by domestic abuse.

The North East Hants Domestic Abuse Military Sub-Group includes AFF, the Army Welfare Service, Royal Military Police, the Brigade transition lead, unit welfare officers and Garrison HQ as well as representatives from the Royal Navy and RAF. Civilian organisations include the police, social care and specialist domestic abuse support services, including Aurora New Dawn and the Nepali Domestic Abuse Service.

Speak out

“One of the achievements of the group has been research into barriers for families in reporting and accessing help and support when they are affected by domestic abuse,” explains Karen Evans, who is chair of the sub-group and Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator.

The group also:

■ Writes and has oversight of the MOD armed forces domestic abuse webpages

■ Developed a military/civilian police response protocol

■ Addresses the specific need for a Nepali domestic abuse service

■ Feeds into the army and tri-service domestic abuse working groups.

Brig Alex Potts is the Army Domestic Abuse Awareness Advocate…

“My role is to raise awareness of domestic abuse across the chain of command to reduce incidence within the army family, whilst encouraging victims to speak out and to enable a greater level of convictions amongst perpetrators.

“I need to help the army to recognise that domestic abuse is contrary to our core values, risks operational effectiveness and is not a private matter. Domestic abuse has the potential to worsen if we remain silent and fail to help our people to identify the signs and know how to respond to situations.

“I hope to oversee a better understanding of the support available to victims and survivors, as well as support to perpetrators committed to change.”

Non-UK help

When a relationship breaks down due to domestic abuse, spouses and children on limited leave visas need to switch visas to be able to remain in the UK.

The immigration rules allow victims of domestic abuse to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) if they can provide evidence of the abuse – the application is usually free if destitution can be also be proved.

AFF has been offering a specialised service to non-UK victims of domestic abuse since 2016. The service, which is funded by the Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund, includes providing spouses with a temporary visa to enable them to access public funds, gathering all evidence and submitting applications for ILR.

We also liaise closely with other organisations and agencies to ensure that spouses have safe accommodation during the application process and beyond. Our service is tri-service and global, completely free and confidential.

Aurora New Dawn provides support to serving army personnel or their family members who are experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence or stalking.

The charity works on a one-to-one basis offering emotional support, advice about the options available, and help liaising with other personnel or professionals. It can also offer support with the reporting process if this is what you would like to do.

“Seeking support around these issues is difficult for anyone, but we know that those in the forces community can feel particularly worried about coming forward, for a number of reasons,” says Zoë Jackson, Director of Policy, Practice and Development. “We have designed our service with this in mind. Our specialist advocates understand the nature of forces life and some of the challenges this can bring with it.

“Although we work closely alongside the army, we are independent from the chain of command. Our support is clientled, which means we’ll work with you on the basis of what you need, for as long as you need it.”

To talk to a member of the team, call 023 9247 9254 and ask for the armed forces team, someone will give you a call back – or email armedforces@aurorand. org.uk

Overcoming barriers

Rushmoor Citizens Advice Nepali Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial support to victims who are serving personnel or family members of the Nepali and Gurkha communities in Aldershot and the surrounding area.

An in-house Nepali language domestic abuse caseworker who is a qualified IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence

Advisor) helps Nepali language speakers overcome language and cultural barriers to access support, with funding currently being provided by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

You can learn more about this service, self-refer or refer someone for assistance by calling 01252 333618 or emailing ask@citizensadvicerushmoor.org.uk.

You can also chat online - Mon to Fri 9.30am – 4.30pm – or self-refer through Facebook and Instagram @citizensadvicerushmoor

AFF (including specific info for Foreign & Commonwealth families) aff.org.uk

British Forces Social Work Service for overseas support forcessocialwork.com/ domestic-abuse

National Domestic Abuse hotline

freephone 24-hours 0808 2000 247

nationaldahelpline.org.uk

refuge.org.uk

womensaid.org.uk

mensadviceline.org.uk

mankind.co.uk

National helpline LGBT+ 0800 999 5428 galop.org.uk

Search ‘domestic abuse guidance armed forces’ at gov.uk

THE INBETWEENERS

DID you know, there’s a whole team of people out there ready to support you with your army housing issues?

If you’re making no progress with Pinnacle, contact your unit welfare staff. Whether it’s an allocation issue, an unresolved complaint or an urgent repair that hasn’t happened,

they should be able to help – and if they can’t, they should know a warrant officer who can and will escalate your problem.

Each Brigade has a Military Housing Liaison Officer (MHLO). There are ten of them around the UK and they’re the unsung heroes of the Service Family Accommodation world. In simple terms, their role is to bridge the gap between Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), contractors and of course AFF. They also have a direct line to the housing colonels’ staff.

Although they are army posts, MHLOs also represent the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force too, meaning some have up to 14,000 homes in their area of responsibility. They have a good understanding of tri-service policy and work behind the scenes to raise your issues and ensure your voice is heard.

AFF’s Housing Specialist, Cat Calder says: “We work closely with MHLOs so when all else fails, they are able to step in. Through regular, open communication, they can identify and act on many issues before they

arise, improving your family’s experience wherever they can.”

If you need support with an issue from your MHLO, make contact with your unit welfare team in the first instance.

We spoke to three MHLOs below to get their views about their role…

“I’ve been an MHLO for ten years, so I rarely come across an issue that we haven’t worked through in the past. We MHLOs meet often to share best practice and collaborate on crossboundary and complex cases.

“I absolutely get that the level of service in some areas has been less than satisfactory and, in many cases, shocking. I can only speak for my own region, which isn’t perfect by any means, but has performed better than most.

“I am not here to sugar coat over the problems, but I do believe that by working together and fixing the issues that no one anticipated such as failing IT, problematic processes, as well as supply chain shortages, we will see an improved service in the future. Like AFF, all of the MHLOs are fully committed to supporting our families by ensuring that your welfare teams have a ‘go to’ when they are struggling to resolve your issue.”

“In many cases the MHLO role can be reactive in providing immediate support, rather than proactive in helping our service families. However, the sense of achievement in assisting our families to achieve a resolution is extremely satisfying and rewarding. Ultimately, MHLOs are here to help, that is front and centre of everything we do. We do have to manage expectations with a measured approach. Our knowledge of policy, processes and procedures through our own experiences supporting and working within the military and civilian community is key to our success.”

“Casework has increased massively during the transition under Future Defence Infrastructure Services [the new maintenance and service contracts] with faults being logged and managed once timelines have been exceeded. In most cases these are brought to my attention by unit welfare teams.

“Supporting service personnel and their families and ensuring they are receiving accommodation to the correct standard and to entitlement is my main focus. I have an open door policy and will do my utmost to ensure that your needs are being met.”

TOP ISSUES TACKLED...

l Additional Needs and Disability Adaptations

l Mid-assignment moves

l Loss of entitlement – such as relationship breakdowns

l Retention – casework requirements

l Emergency changes in circumstances

l Mid-assignment moves

l Larger families

l Managing expectations on both sides

WO2 John Reynolds – HQ North East

WO1 Dean Crawford – HQ East

WO2 Kirk Shire – HQ West Midlands

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CUTTING CARBON

PROJECT Nixie is an innovative heating and hot water project that aspires to deliver heating to quarters at considerably lower cost than traditional systems. Plus, it aims to be CO2 emission free to meet the net zero targets set by the government.

DIO has had to overcome significant challenges to get to a point where the system is acceptable for use in SFA. But, the first units are being installed at South Cerney as this issue is published.

Once these systems have proven themselves operationally, the new heating units will be put into quarters at Barton Stacey and Andover this year, with a wider rollout on the whole SFA estate to follow.

The project team is confident that it will deliver carbon emission free, low maintenance, efficient and cheap to run heating systems to quarters. We’re looking forward to further positive

Cash compensation

You are now entitled to claim cash subsistence payments rather than vouchers to cover your expenses, should you need to be moved into temporary accommodation as a result of a failed move-in or loss of facilities such as heating or cooking.

For missed appointments, failed move-ins (which don’t require you to vacate the property) or for sending the wrong trade to fix a fault, you will continue to be compensated via the voucher scheme.

For the most up-to-date information on how to claim and the amounts you could receive, go to the feedback section at pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

BOARDING IN SURREY GORDON’S SCHOOL

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YEARS 7, 9 AND 12 BOARDING PLACES

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TRADING PLACES

TAKING up a Loan Service (LS) posting can be exciting and challenging all at once. The most important thing is to be totally clued up on the location you’re going to, but that isn’t always easy…

AFF’s Manager Overseas, Esther Thomas, chats about your issues regularly to Maj Mike Gledhill (right) from the LS Support Team in London.

He has this advice: “Loan Service personnel serve as part of the host nation military force and their families live amongst the local community. It’s therefore vital that before volunteering, families review LS policy (JSP 468), read the relevant Blue Book [army location guide], and speak with others in the country to help prepare for life ‘on loan’ both personally and professionally.”

Current policy sums up LS as presenting ‘some unique personal and domestic

challenges. Living and working conditions in many countries can be difficult or frustrating. Tact, patience, humour, and a determination to make the best of what is available are all keys to success; this applies equally, if not more so, to spouses and families when tackling cultural and climatic variances.’

Building relationships

AFF Overseas Assistant

Abi Hamilton has been strengthening links with the 14 LS teams based in 12 different countries. She caught up with a number of families who shared their experiences with A&Y...

Check out our postcard from Brno, a Loan Service posting in the Czech Republic, on page 41

Gemma and Hugh - Kuwait

“The move to Kuwait is a welltrodden path and the Blue Book had plenty of up-todate information on schools, housing and travelling, as well as cultural points and behaviours to be aware of. The host nation family sponsoring us and the family we took over from were both amazing!”

Moving from a rural area of the UK, the family were a little apprehensive about the prospect of city living, larger schools, more traffic and people, but now admit: “We have loved it! There

is always something to do and somewhere to go and it helps that you rarely need to remember your coat, wellies or brolly! We have been taken aback by the warm welcome from locals and non-military communities, particularly neighbours and the school. It has made a huge difference to how we’ve settled.”

The one thing they were not prepared for was the challenge of driving. Whilst they were able to drive in Kuwait (not everyone is), they warned that it’s not for the faint-hearted!

When AFF heard from Thomas, aged 14, who spent three years with his parents in Kenya, he explained: “There wasn’t anything else I wish I’d known, but nice surprises were the safaris, seeing the wildlife, and the fact that I could drive in the national parks.”

He did have one warning to other children attending schools in Kenya however: “Be careful of the warthogs that come into the school playing field!”

LIFE ON LOAN

Things to consider

Judging by the range of queries that come into AFF’s overseas team, it’s clear that terms and conditions differ across LS teams – there is no ‘one size fits all’.

Here are some examples of the anomalies and family considerations you may need to be aware of:

Travel to and from the UK and host nation:

l the Kuwait MOD funds three of the six School Children’s Visit flights which are limited to Kuwait Airways and only connect with London Heathrow. There’s no option to use another airline or route, which could have implications for children who are boarding in the north of the UK. l in Jordan you’d expect to travel business class, whereas in Oman it’s economy.

Pets:

l the Kuwait Blue Book recently introduced a restriction on bringing dogs into the country due to changes in import regulations. l in Oman, there are local rules. Dogs aren’t permitted in ‘public’ places and you can only walk them between 10am and 3pm – the hottest part of the day!

l generally you have to transport your pets at your own expense, and do consider the welfare of animals in some locations.

Leave policy:

l this differs from regulations in the UK and has local variations to respect cultural celebrations.

Army familyDhofar, Oman

Having moved to Oman, the family felt that perhaps ‘people move quicker than policy’ as some of their Blue Book was out-of-date. Nonetheless, they used the Pink Book, a more informal guide written by military families in-situ, and recommended: “Use video calls to connect with families already in location to get a better understanding of what you’re coming to.

“We’ve been so overwhelmed by how welcoming the local Omani (and smaller expat) community have been and how much they value and prioritise family health and happiness above all else.”

l in Oman, paternity leave isn’t granted, whereas in Brunei, it’s likely to be approved by the local chain of command.

Vehicles:

l no permanent vehicles are provided in Brunei, while in Oman senior personnel will benefit from a personal issued vehicle.

l in Jordan, whilst an insured vehicle (and fuel allowance) is provided, family members are not allowed to drive it.

l you can’t register your vehicle in the Czech Republic, and instead have to return to the UK annually to get your MOT sorted.

If you would like access to the LS Blue Book or have a query about an overseas posting, get in touch at overseassupport@aff.org.uk

There were some nice surprises for Thomas on safari during a Kenya posting

Thomas – a teenager’s experience –Nairobi, Kenya

GETTING YOU THERE

ANYONE who has experienced an overseas posting will recall how much admin there is to complete before you go. Fortunately, the Families Section is on hand to help smooth the process.

AFF’s Manager Overseas, Esther Thomas, links in with Mandy Skidmore, the Families Section Manager, and her team on a regular basis. Over the last few years, they’ve seen several improvements, but have also managed a few challenges, especially throughout the Covid situation.

Esther recently visited face-to-face for the first time since the pandemic, she reports: “Our strong working relationship with this team is invaluable. They play a vital role and have a huge workload despite being a small team of eight.”

Primarily, they help arrange the safe passage of all families who are posted overseas, whether that’s from the UK or directly from another location abroad. This can be upwards of 2,000 families a year – that’s possibly 8,000 journeys if you include all family members involved!

Get in touch early

The ‘call forward process’ can take up to three months. Deputy Manager Heather Extence says it’s best to contact the Families Section by email, as soon as you know you’re heading overseas. “The team is happy to process requests from those of you who have been informed verbally of your assignment but are not yet in receipt of the paperwork. This is especially important where it’s a shortnotice move,” she explains.

This email is vital as it triggers the medical and educational supportability checks required for all accompanying family members – which includes children and young adults in full-time education in the UK who don’t live with you permanently. This period also allows for any welfare or security issues to be identified and resolved.

If you’re part of a unit move, you’ll be guided through the process via your unit welfare team supported by the Families Section.

POSTING FROM UK TO BRUNEI:

FAMILY

GOING FROM UK TO AUSTRALIA:

“Thank you for your patience and perseverance in continuing to support my family’s requirements during this process, you have been totally understanding and empathetic to our situation.”

Support in-situ

Once you’re overseas, the Families Section is also responsible for booking School Children’s Visit (SCV) flights for many rest of world locations, so are experts on finding the best routes, fares and unaccompanied minors options for youngsters at boarding school.

Mandy says: “In my tenure no one has missed a flight due to the Families Section! My team often go above and beyond until they have a solution, always putting families’ safety first.”

Another key role is to make sure everything is in place before they authorise your travel tickets, travel visas, and dependant status stamps that you may need in some locations. Non-UK citizens and their families should be advised by the Defence Travel section on additional travel documentation needed.

Areas not covered

There are some things that the team is not responsible for. The Families Section:

l Does not contribute to any medical or educational supportability decisions, they purely collate the authorities once approved.

l Does not book hotels or hire cars –this is the responsibility of the losing unit. l Does not support your move back to the UK – this is the responsibility of the gaining unit.

AFF’s top tip is to let the Families Section know your anticipated date of travel in the subject line of the initial email, as the team will prioritise in order. You should also state which location you’re going to so that your family pack can be posted. Email UKSTRATCOM-DefSp-DSCOMFamSec@mod.gov.uk or 07977 824330.

POSTING

FROM UK TO CYPRUS:

“There is always someone at the other side of the phone or email that is always helpful. I know it’s a thankless job but please, on behalf of my family, thank you.”

“The process has been much smoother than I imagined and I am super grateful to you and everyone else who has provided guidance along the way!”

CZECH REPUBLIC

A POSTCARD FROM...

How long have you been an army family?

Six years, Kevin has been serving for 13.

Time in Czech Republic?

One year.

How many other military families live there?

There are seven families and ten unaccompanied, all living within a 45km radius of Brno.

What’s your quarter like?

None of the houses or flats here are on base. All are private rentals. We have been very fortunate with our house, it’s a big three-bedroom open plan property with two balconies and

a pool in the garden. It’s very close to the forest where we enjoy going for walks. It’s also on an easy route – drive or public transport – into the city of Brno.

Are there any employment/ training opportunities?

Some of the partners work from home, either for a UK company or their own business. I’ve started freelance writing.

What about schools/ childcare?

Lowri attends the International School in Brno; it’s a small school in comparison to the one back in Wales, which means the teachers can focus more on the children and helping them in any way

they can. Oscar has just started a Czech and English speaking nursery two days a week. The staff are amazing and so helpful.

Where do people tend to get together and who supports you?

We arrange get-togethers and play dates between each other, either at the lake or in the city –there’s always something going on in Brno. We have a family liaison that helps us if we need any help or advice with things like appointments or translation.

How do you find the cost of living?

Things like food and household items are the same as back in

the UK, however, eating out and public transport are so cheap.

What are the best and worst things about living there?

The best things are the weather – really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter – and being close to other countries; in the last six months we’ve visited Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Croatia, Poland and Germany. The language can be tricky, but there’s always someone that can speak English if needs be.

Would you recommend it as a family posting?

Totally! It’s the best thing we’ve done. We love it here and the experience it’s given us.

&

Want to share your experiences of army family life? Get in touch by emailing editor@aff.org.uk

Kevin (serving), Cath, Lowri (15) and Oscar (2) on life in Brno

Picture: Leonhard Niederwimmer/unsplash

SCHOOL PLACE PROGRESS

WHEN it comes to finding a school place, we know that army families want the same opportunities as non-military children. All state-funded schools in England must abide by the School Admissions Code (SAC) and there is a legal requirement for the admissions body of any school to ensure the conditions of the code are met.

The SAC was updated in September 2021 and contains specific policy relating to the

admissions process for service children. When applied correctly, service children should be able to access education in the area where they live, or are moving to, in the same way as civilians.

Since the revisions were made, AFF has been working with Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding to push for guidance that can be referred to by families and admissions authorities. Although there are explanatory notes for children of Crown Servants, at the

time of writing these do not exist for children of service personnel. However, we’re happy to reveal that these are now in the process of being created. We have already shared with policy makers the difficulties you experience when accessing school places and the barriers you often meet around applications and appeals.

Keep an eye on our webpages and social media for updates as we learn more about the guidance – aff.org.uk

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

The deadline for secondary school applications in England falls on 31 October each year. That may seem a long way off, but many of you will already be thinking about options for your child and their new school journey in September 2024.

If you’re due to move in the next 12 months and think you may be in a new location by the time your child starts ‘big’ school, you will still need to apply on time to ensure they don’t miss out on a place. The advice is to apply through the local authority in your

current location by the deadline. Be aware that each council opens its admission applications at different times, so we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the process for your area.

Admission arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are different – more information can be found under admissions aff.org.uk

If you have any questions about the admissions process for anywhere in the UK or overseas, you can contact AFF at educationsupport@aff.org.uk

Have you claimed yet?

By the end of January this year nearly 6,500 service children had been registered for the MOD wraparound childcare scheme and more than £3 million had been made in claims, helping forces families to mitigate the costs.

WAC was introduced in September last year for service personnel (regular and full-time reserve service full commitment) across the UK and is available for working families with children aged 4 to 11 where both partners are earning the equivalent of 16 hours at the national living/ minimum wage.

To find out if you can claim, go to discovermybenefits. mod.gov.uk or send any questions or comments to educationsupport@aff.org.uk

CAMPUS COMFORTS

BOARDING schools have come a long way since the tales of overcrowded dormitories, cold showers and unappetising food. Gone too are the uncaring, strict staff. Instead, boarding houses offer a term time ‘home from home’ – bright, contemporary surroundings, kind and considerate staff, delicious food – and hot showers!

At Gordon’s in West End, Surrey, the TES Boarding School of the Year, where over half the boarders are from military families, all those coming into boarding aged 11, begin their journey in Woolwich House, a bespoke junior boarding house. It’s co-ed, bright and fun with a distinctive family atmosphere.

The Boarding House is run as an extension of Houseparents Sam and Daisy Cooper’s home – the kitchen door is always open and their children and dog can often be running around. Saturday morning pancakes in their kitchen are a weekly treat! Students feel comfortable, safe and secure – it’s their term time home and the aim is to make them feel that way.

When they’re not studying, boarders have a myriad activities to choose from, whether it’s snooker, table tennis in their houses or an ad hoc game of dodge ball in the newly built Sports

Hall. The all-weather pitches are the perfect place for football and a fitness suite is available early morning and in the evenings.

In the summer the BBQs come out and evenings are enjoyed around fire pits chatting and with a plentiful supply of ‘smores’.

With more leisure time at the weekends, boarders have a packed programme of trips and outings, including paintball, water and trampoline parks or perhaps shopping and a film. They might also take advantage of school facilities such as the Art or Food Technology blocks to pursue a hobby.

For many families, boarding school is a choice. For the children of service families, it’s a need. They may have moved schools many times before the age of 11, in line with their parents’ postings around the world. Each time, they will have left friends, their school and familiar surroundings behind. It’s a tough challenge for their parents but particularly for them.

Within days of their arrival in Woolwich, students’ photographs and handprints are adorning the walls. A large map of the world is pinned with places associated with each child to reinforce the Boarding House as their home and a place where they belong. Often when the maps are up, the young boarders will discover others in the House who also attended the same school in another country where their parents have been posted! All benefit from being in a place with others who have been through similar experiences.

Almost as soon as the new 11 year old boarders are dropped off, they are packing for a night’s camping with the their day boarding peers. High wires, rock climbing and marshmallows around campsite fires help break down any barriers and start cementing friendships with others in and beyond their Boarding House.

In the early stages the children are kept busy with many activities. If they’re playing rounders

or ‘capture the flag’ then they are building relationships through play and are less likely to dwell on home! However, home sickness is always going to crop up and it usually happens at bedtime. Then they come downstairs and are on the sofa talking it through with a warm drink. They also support each other in their bunk beds really early on – that is how they develop those lasting friendship bonds. Their Houseparents usually read to a dormitory for the first term – even those who think they’re too cool for bedtime stories enjoy them as something that’s familiar and communal.

As part of a £1 million refurbishment programme, all the senior boarding houses at Gordon’s are undergoing a transformation to provide students with sleek, modern dormitories, common rooms and bathrooms, providing a more contemporary look and feel. For those seeking some quiet time or space for reflection and thinking, there is always the chapel or Victorian library. A mindfulness garden offers an outdoor retreat in the school and with Surrey Heath on the doorstep, there’s perfect space for walking and running.

Creature comforts are also provided by the kitchen staff at Gordon’s. As well as favourite staples, boarders can look forward to cuisine from around the world together with popular street food.

gordons.school

An exploration of the extraordinary extras available to service schoolchildren...

GETTING IN ON THE ACT

AT FARLEIGH, we believe in education in the broadest sense, writes Pastoral Lead Chris English. We have a long list of stunning facilities, from extensive games fields and woodland, to the indoor swimming pool and cosy boarding, which make this a great place to grow up and enjoy childhood.

It’s not just what you have but how you use it, and our drama facilities provide an excellent example. Under the direction of our outstanding Head of Drama, Kevin Hession, each year group from Year 3 to Year 8 completes its own production every year. Farleigh’s state-of-the-art theatre enables

pupils to get the best from their drama. All children are strongly encouraged to take part and, with weekly drama lessons forming an integral part of the curriculum from Year 3 onwards, the transition to the ‘big stage’, whilst exciting and challenging, is a smooth one. As well as the theatre, Farleigh also boasts a specialised drama/dance studio where the children can develop their artistic flair. Some of Farleigh’s pupils continue their commitment to the stage outside of school, including the National Youth Music Theatre. With Farleigh’s strong alumni network it is always thrilling to hear that so many of our former

pupils are taking leading roles in their various senior school productions and, indeed, out into the professional world.

The children are not graded on their performance on stage – there is no need for that. The feedback we receive from both current and former pupils confirms that their time preparing for and performing their productions at Farleigh remain some of their fondest memories of their time with us. The friendships they forge, the barriers they overcome and the elation of performing to a wider audience, including friends and family, lives with them forever.

farleighschool.com

“The transition to the ‘big stage’, whilst exciting and challenging, is a smooth one.”

A HEALTHY CHOICE

When it comes to sporting facilities at St Peter’s, our 47 acres, new boathouse on the River Ouse, competition-sized swimming pool and fully-equipped gym really do speak for themselves. Our facilities benefit our day and boarding pupils: rowers and rugby players can enjoy bespoke training programmes with strength and conditioning sessions in the gym, all within walking distance of the boarding houses. Netballers and hockey players can run, work out and swim alongside their training. The clever layout of the campus means pupils can supplement their day-to-day sporting pursuits with complementary offerings such as yoga and pilates.

WELL WORTH A SECOND ‘BOOK’

FOR almost a decade, pupils at The Leys have benefitted from having a oneto-one personal device as part of the teaching and learning landscape. Teachers harness this technology to give pupils opportunities for creative and independent learning, whilst also training and preparing pupils for the digital systems of work and life beyond the school gate.

The Library at The Leys School in Cambridge provides pupils with a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle of school life. It was established in its current location in 1917 and is situated in one of the oldest parts of the school. There is a rich history, with one of the school’s first librarians being W.H Balgarnie who is widely considered to be the inspiration for Mr Chips in James Hilton’s novel Goodbye, Mr Chips, much of the story being based on the author’s experience as a pupil at The Leys 1915-18. The space benefits

from an English Heritage Grade II listing which protects even the bookcases, meaning that the library is protected during a time when many schools are looking to downsize as online resources become more prevalent. However, this is not to say that the school is stuck in the past. The library team encourage the use of new technology and pupils at the school are given iPads which they use to access library resources.

The library is split into two distinct sections. One room is dedicated to fiction and is furnished with bean bags, low shelves and plenty of resources. This area is used frequently by the school’s younger pupils for quiet reading, group lessons and as a study space. The non-fiction room has a much more grown-up feeling to it and is reminiscent of one of the neighbouring Cambridge College libraries. This is used by all year groups, but particularly in the run up to exams by pupils in the older year groups. The space is also used for playing board games, with chess being a particularly popular activity, giving pupils the chance to have a break from study.

The library is a popular space for both boarders and day pupils, with opening hours until 9pm each evening and on Saturday mornings. The team are proactive in promoting a wide range of literature to pupils with regular displays covering international events such as World Book Day and International Women’s Day. theleys.net

Alongside the elite sportspeople at our school, we also pride ourselves on our high levels of participation at all levels. We are just as excited to share news about our fourth teams as our firsts. In addition, St Peter’s celebrates that there really is something for everyone here and encourages a lifelong love of a healthy lifestyle and all-round wellbeing. If traditional sports aren’t for you, then flourish at badminton or squash. Or enjoy a run around campus and on routes around the historical centre of York which we are lucky to have on our doorstep.

Mental health and wellbeing figure highly with discreet on-site counselling available all day. Twinned with these priorities, our award-winning catering team ensure energy levels are kept up with bountiful salad and fruit bars, a vast choice of meat and vegetarian options and treats for the tastebuds with sausage and mash, fajitas and cod and spinach on the favourites list, and crumble and custard for the odd post work-out treat!

stpetersyork.org.uk

A GREAT PLACE TO KEEP LEARNING ON TRACK

AS THE country’s only state full-boarding school, the Duke of York’s Royal Military School feels it is important its students, known as Dukies, see school as a home-awayfrom-home. To do this, the school has ensured they offer extraordinary facilities to its students across the 150-acre Kentish parkland estate.

The school’s sports facilities are open to Dukies to use as part of the co-curricular programme, consisting of 80-weekly clubs and activities, as well as during their free time. These facilities include

an Olympic standard floodlit athletics track, state-of-theart strength and conditioning gym suite, an indoor heated six-lane swimming pool, two climbing walls and squash courts.

Dukies can relax in the onsite coffee shop, where hot drinks, milkshakes, snacks and fresh fruit are available. The coffee shop hosts regular live music performances for students to enjoy and has its own piano ready for any impromptu performance.

All boarding houses are large and bright, with day rooms for students to relax in. The

boarding houses also offer fully equipped kitchens for students to make their own snacks and drinks. At Sixth Form, students benefit from

en-suite accommodation. The school, open to 11–18-year-olds, is very proud of the facilities on offer to students. doyrms.com

BRIMMING WITH BRILLIANCE

MILLFIELD Prep School is a co-educational day and boarding school for ages 2-13 in the UK and was recently named the Independent Prep School of the Year.

Set in 200 acres of Somerset countryside, the school offers a diverse range of academic subjects, sports, creative arts and activities, supported by outstanding facilities including: an equestrian centre, 25 metre swimming pool, golf courses, science centre, music halls, tennis bubble and numerous sports pitches.

The school’s aim is to ensure that every child can discover their brilliance across all aspects of school life whether that’s in the classroom, on the sports field or on stage.

Students and staff live by the school values: Be Kind, Be You, Be Challengers, Be Curious and Be Brilliant. Millfield Prep offers full, weekly and flexi boarding from ages seven plus, with full boarders enjoying evenings and weekends filled with trips and activities.

Outstanding pastoral care is at the heart of everything the school does. It recently launched a Wellbeing Curriculum, educating pupils about their mental health and wellbeing through a series of activities such as Yoga, Movement to Music, Alfresco Pursuits, Mindful Walk and Talk and Meditation.

Millfield Prep’s alumni include Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist swimmer James Guy, England Rugby player Chris Robshaw and singer-songwriter Ella Eyre. millfieldschool.com

“Outstanding pastoral care is at the heart of everything the school does and recently launched Wellbeing Curriculum.”

NEW ARRANGEMENTS

WHEN parents separate, it can often be an extremely daunting time for children, especially those from an Armed Forces family.

The lifestyle of a Forces family can sometimes be very different to those of their classmates, as they will be faced with periods of leave and will move homes on more than one occasion within a short period of time. Children are therefore very adaptable to change, as well as their parents. One change that nobody can prepare for, is that of a separation.

When considering how to navigate a separation, parents should ask themselves what is more important to them – do they want to retain control at any cost even if it means damaging their ability to co-parent in a healthy manner, or do they wish to ensure that communication continues with the other parent on a positive footing.

The best way of ensuring a healthy separation for the children, is for the parents to remain open, honest but most importantly respectful to one another.

Arrangements for children are never set in

stone, but more so in the scenario of an Armed Forces family. Arrangements may often need to change on multiple occasions before a child is at the age where they will come and go as they please. There are many ways in which you can agree arrangements, but the most amicable way is to keep communicating between the parties.

Consider the views that older children have. Mediate over the issues that cannot be decided upon between parents, and a court

application should be carefully considered as this can often damage trust and cooperation between the adults.

In some cases, court proceedings will be appropriate, for example if there are serious welfare concerns. However, it could mean losing an element of control in what the final arrangement might look like.

Solicitors can also guide you in this process and provide you with advice, even if in the background, to ensure that you have some legal support. It is advisable that parties try wherever possible to continue to communicate, even whilst navigating a separation. If this becomes difficult and emotions are running high, a Mediator should be consulted, as well as seeking independent legal advice.

l Should you require any initial advice, Goughs are pleased to offer free initial consultations and then 10 per cent off any fees for those serving in the Armed Forces, their families, and veterans. Email military@ goughs.co.uk for further details.

Georgina Catlin, Associate Solicitor at Goughs Solicitors, focuses on what parting couples should consider in the event of a family break up...

“The best way of ensuring a healthy separation for the children, is for the parents to remain open, honest but most importantly respectful to one another. ”

‘PRIORITISE CHILDREN’S INTERESTS’

child and his property”. This means as parents, you share identical legal rights, and should work together to reach an agreement about your children. Further the legal position is that unless the contrary is shown, the court can presume that parental involvement in a child’s life will further the child’s welfare.

Separating can be a very difficult time, coming to terms with the loss of the relationship, and the issues surrounding this. Emotions can be heightened by fears and concerns around the future care arrangements for your children.

Research shows that children generally cope well with parental separation if there is no long-term parental conflict. This will mean putting to one side personal emotions and instead focusing on what is in the children’s best interest.

All mother’s hold legal parental responsibility for their children, however a father will share this if he is married to the mother or named on the child’s birth certificate. Parental responsibility means “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the

Showing a united front to the children is also important as well as having age appropriate, agreed discussions with them about the separation, and your plan as parents. This should offer them the reassurance and stability needed during this time.

Military life comes with many of its own challenges such as postings, exercise and unpredictable work patterns. This means communication and understanding of how these impact on one another and the children is even more important.

If you are struggling with communication there are various apps available to download, and it is worth considering whether family therapy or mediation may help. Resolution produces a helpful booklet called Parenting through Separation

Coming up with practical plans and a

structure on how you will deal with matters is also important, a document you might find useful is called A Parenting Plan (available from cafcass.gov.uk).

If an agreement cannot be reached, parents may wish to consider mediation which is a form of dispute resolution. If this does not help, then an application can be made to the Court for a child arrangement order to define those arrangements.

Securing legal advice on your rights should not be seen as an hostile step, instead it should be viewed as a way to gather as much information as possible so that together you can make informed decisions. There may be further issues arising from your separation a solicitor can assist you with.

l Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP is an awardwinning law firm, with offices throughout Essex and Suffolk. Our team of Family Lawyers will provide sound, impartial advice and guidance that comes from years of experience, contact us today to see how we can help you – call 01206 835320, email info@fjg.co.uk or visit fjg.co.uk

Charlotte Knappett from Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors shares her view...

“Service family accommodation provides the nucleus of unit cohesion. Unseen in calm times, this benefit may appear intangible but is central to the morale of a unit when deployed on operations both at home and overseas.”

– Michelle Alston, Policy & Research Director at the Army Families Federation

THE BRITISH ARMY REVIEW

The new-look journal of military thought – featuring a lead article by AFF on the important ‘support role’ played by army families – is out now. Scan the QR code below or visit chacr.org.uk

YOURPBAWARDS.COM

SALUTE A SPORTING LOVED ONE...

When it comes to the martial arts, medals are not the only measure of a champion. With participants ranging from Olympians and elite athletes to enthusiasts and aspiring novices, progress and peak performance can look very different… but that doesn’t mean individual victories should not be shared and celebrated.

The Your Personal Best Awards exist to showcase the success stories and momentous milestones of all martial artists – no matter their age or level of ability – and salute those helping them to hit new highs.

The Your Personal Best Awards are inclusive, independent and recognise the individuality of progress and attainment and bring Premier League polish to the martial arts mats. Visit www.yourpbawards.com to nominate the sporting star in your family.

DON’T MISS THE DEBUT NOVEL OF SOLDIER-TURNED-STORYTELLER PAUL R SOMERVILLE...

BOOK CLUB

Enter our giveaway to win a copy of Once Upon a Hillside and a Reading Force scrapbook. See page three for entry rules.

TRAVEL THROUGH TIME

In this edition’s Army&You and Reading Force Book Club, service youngsters tell us what they thought of Once Upon a Hillside by Angela McAllister and illustrated by Chiara Fedele…

OSCAR (9)

The book is about ancestors and following different people. I thought the pictures were beautiful. It was relaxing to read it together and it’s amazing to hear about different ancestors. I love how it is in the old times.

I found this book like no other book. There were seven stories based in different times but all about the same hillside.

I really liked this book. There are seven stories starting 6,000 years ago until today. It’s fascinating how it introduces lots of plants and animals and I love the illustrations. All the stories are connected through time, and I enjoyed spotting things from the other stories. I liked the characters and the stories were interesting, and I learned a lot about different times and nature. I would recommend this book. It is good for all ages as my mum and dad enjoyed it too.

READING FORCE is the free shared reading initiative for forces families where you can share a book and talk about it, together at home or via video call if separated from your soldier.

You’ll receive a free book and scrapbook to fill in with your thoughts, letters, drawings and photographs. It’s a fun way to keep connected. Teens will receive a special journal.

Take part via your children’s school, HIVE, or register online at readingforce.org.uk

Dandelions

FOR THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF YOUR ARMY FAMILY

BUDDYING UP

A creative idea from young people for armed forces and veteran families has been turned into an exciting new service in central Scotland!

Ruby Boots encourages young people from veteran families to become buddy mentors to support peers at the beginning of their journey to civilian life. The service

FEELING UPBEAT

Military families in Staffordshire have been busting some moves in ‘Upbeat’ music sessions for little ones.

Upbeat is part of the Make Some Noise charity, which supports children and young people who may face challenges in their lives. It offers fun musical activity within the community and on military sites.

Music and movement sessions for families with children aged 0-5 currently run in Stafford, Whittington and Bramcote, with Donnington and Ternhill starting later this year. More than 100 families boogie on down every week!

Mum to four-year-old Lily said: “My daughter adores the sessions because they are very engaging, interactive and are also inclusive for children with additional needs. We love it!”

Upbeat is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, so it’s completely free for service families.

Visit make-some-noise.com for more.

has been co-designed by youngsters working with the Forces Children Scotland charity.

Buddy mentors will receive training to help fellow young people adjust to new surroundings and routines, share their experiences, and provide friendship through fun activities.

The project, which starts in

SINGING SENSATIONS

You’re sure to remember Britain’s Got Talent from a year ago, when 50 service children sang their way into the semi-finals – and their journey didn’t stop there!

It all started when they auditioned for BGT with the song Welcome Home, written by two service children. Following four ‘yeses’ from the judges, they wrote a new number, Stand Up, which spoke about unity and encouraging one another, and performed it live on the show.

One of the parents shared: “The warm wishes and feedback have helped my daughter Honey further secure her understanding of how important her role is in supporting the military community through her understanding and acceptance of the lifestyle,

April, has been made possible through funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities Programme. If you’d like to find

out more, visit forceschildrenscotland.org. uk/projects/rubyboots

as well as reinforcing how proud she should be of herself and her serving parent.”

Following BGT, the children have been performing at events around the country. The choir has written more songs including The Most Famous Lady the World has Ever Seen in remembrance of The Queen and a Christmas song – A Dozen

Festive Forces – a remix of the 12 Days of Christmas Siblings Katie (12) and Emily (10), whose dad is in the army, said in the future they’d love for the choir to perform at the Festival of Remembrance and would like to sing for the King at Buckingham Palace. New members are always welcome – to learn more visit neversuchinnocence.com

NEED TO TALK?

Defence has joined forces with Kooth to give military children free online mental health and wellbeing support. Kooth is totally anonymous and you can log on from any device, any time. More than 100 young people with family members in the military have already used the service at kooth. com/mod since the two-year pilot launched last year – and 100% say they would recommend it to a friend.

DROP-IN DINER

Cooking is at the heart of the Catterick Garrison Youth Café, where youngsters aged 12-16 take a pit stop on the way home from school to serve up tasty treats for their friends.

Children plan menus, prep the ingredients and practise their chef skills before enjoying their creations as a group. There’s lots of other stuff going on too, from crafts to sports, alongside weekly bitesize activities promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.

Run by the Army Welfare Service, youngsters can pop along for free, thanks to recent funding from the North East Army Trust Fund.

With support from AWS Community Development Workers, the young people are given tips on how to plan a healthy meal on a budget. The team then discuss options for costfriendly recipes and ways of creating the food they love.

So what delightful dishes are next on the menu? Contact RC-AWS-E-CatterickCSMailbox@mod.gov.uk for info, and if you’d like something like this in your area, get in touch with your local CDW.

RESOURCES GALORE!

Are you going through a deployment or a new posting?

You’ll find lots of stuff to get stuck into on the Little Troopers website for children of all ages, including:

●

Thomas, aged 4

PICTURE PERFECT

We love these drawings sent in to A&Y by Emily, aged 11, and her little brother Thomas, aged 4. Emily’s fantastic artwork is of her soldier dad, while Thomas drew a lovely picture of the whole family, including their Labrador, Indie, on the left. Send a pic of your children’s creations – of anything related to military life – to editor@aff.org.uk to be in with a chance of winning a £25 Amazon voucher and to feature in a future edition of Army&You.

If yours doesn’t make it into print, we’ll post it on social @ArmyandYou

Emily, aged 11

●

● SQUAD - a podcast for military teenagers

● craft ideas

● book recommendations

● Little Troopers Treasures

● affirmation cards

● the Little Troopers Gazette newspaper

● free birthday cards

● mini medals and certificates

● friendship letter packs

● and so much more!

Visit littletroopers.net for more details or follow @littletroopers_

WIN A TRIP TO THE THEATRE!

To celebrate the launch of our new Dandelions page, we’re giving you the chance to experience some incredible performances with a Theatre Token worth £150!

Theatre Tokens can be used at more than 300 venues nationwide, including all of London’s West End. So whether you’re finding out what’s on at your local theatre or planning a trip further afield, you can treat yourself to some culture. Head to TheatreTokens.com to see participating theatres and check out some of the great shows touring around the country. Plus, with no expiry date, you can use your Theatre Tokens whenever you like – handy if you’re waiting for some R&R or if you’re currently posted overseas.

“It’s a safe place to make new friends where you can socialise, as you might not always be able to spend time with friends outside of school”

BLOG

Spot

Moving blues

By Jenni Hill

I want to reach out to anyone who can connect with that uneasy, premove feeling. That grey space where you can’t really do anything useful to facilitate your move in any way, yet somehow the new posting order has completely zapped your interest for where you are living now!

We found out before Christmas we are to move back to the UK from Cyprus in the summer and though I absolutely love it here, now that I know we are leaving, I’m sort of done.

How

ridiculous is it to live life like that?

All those friendships we could make but we think “oh, I won’t bother because I’m leaving in a few months”, or worse, we think “they won’t want to bother making friends with me”. We even do odd jobs in the quarter, bring down pictures weeks in advance and fill holes way before pre-marchout! Isn’t that such a draining way to live?

A great friend of mine, who is also a military spouse, said to me recently: “If only we could capture this moment right now.” She was referring to me frantically typing emails to schools and councils for our children, desperately trying to secure their education (and failing by the way). What she meant was how great it would be

BESTBLOG

Jenni is our Best Blogger for this edition – she wins a Great Outdoors Experience Box, worth £49.99 from Buyagift. With lots of exciting options in many locations across the UK, Buyagift offers something for everyone. For thrillseekers, take your pick of treetop

BEST BLOG

to capture the resilience and dedication of the military spouse. I think she is right. Our adaptability is our unsung strength.

So, I’ve made a resolution this spring that I wish to share with any of you out there, in the UK and posted overseas, who share my feelings. Let’s just live

adventures, Segway experiences or paintballing, or if you’re looking for something more low-key, why not try a vineyard tour, a glamping break or an animal encounter? Whatever you choose, you’re sure to be left with unforgettable memories – head to buyagift.co.uk

for today. Let’s stop feeling like time is running out (I mean I literally have months so what am I panicking for?) Say yes to things more often and plan fun trips for the here and now.

I believe if we maintain the mindset of ‘we are leaving so what is the point?’ we are going to miss out on so much. We have the right to live each posting to its fullest and I for one am going to try this time to practise what I preach – fifth time’s a charm eh? n

Strength in numbers

By Anne Grant

At the start of 2022 my husband and I made the hard decision to opt into a deployment. This meant he had predeployment training for a few weeks and would then be away for six months while I stayed at home with our two sons.

He faced the reality of missing our sons growing up, birthdays and family occasions. I faced solo parenting with my closest family two hours away.

My blessings were our military neighbours and fortunately I didn’t have to juggle a job at the same time. As our boys are three and one, they are firmly in the toddler category, going on teenager!

There were some tricky times, for example when my younger son was ill in the night.

The ambulance was on the way but the eldest was sleeping. I didn’t know whether to a) wake the older child, who would be grumpy and cry or b) ask neighbours to babysit while I took the youngest to hospital, hoping the eldest

Degree of ambition

By Scarlett Macfarlane

In 2010, I was 20, newly married, and getting ready to join my husband who was stationed in Germany. To say I was nervous would be an understatement and, like many army spouses, I was moving having made the difficult decision to leave my friends and family.

On top of that, I had decided to defer my place at university to be with him. I think I knew then that really, I was making the decision not to go at all, but deferring it rather than declining it felt easier.

It’s not a decision I regret and it’s one I would make again, but there was always a nagging voice in my head that wondered what might have been. That voice only got louder as I began to establish myself in my career. I would find myself in meetings or situations where the expectation was that I had a degree

stayed asleep and didn’t worry why I’d abandoned him!

It was an emotional rollercoaster of worry and responsibility. Thankfully my very kind neighbours tag teamed babysitting duties. I know I’m not the only one, but why do things like this always happen when your partner is away?

I don’t know who cried more for those six months, me or the kids. For those who know what parenting is like and to those who do it solo, I raise a glass to you.

What have I learnt? At times I felt broken but I have got back up. It’s easy to undervalue yourself – being a mum is hard work but military life can throw curve balls you didn’t sign up for. I am stronger than I know, I am braver and I will stand up for what I believe in.

If I want to make things happen, I need to make time for them, not wait for time to become available. I am more disciplined and conscientious. I trust myself to make the right decisions for myself and family, even if that’s hard.

Finally, I appreciate and respect

myself more. My expectation that I must get everything right is unrealistic and damaging. My best is good enough. I’m grateful for the opportunity we have been given. Army life is challenging at times and it’s only our camaraderie that helps us get through. So a big thank you to those neighbours, members of the community and welfare who supported us all. n

and despite doing well at work, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of imposter syndrome. Back in the UK, I was fortunate to join an amazing digital agency, Purple Creative Studio, not far from where we live who were willing to take a chance on me despite having no admin experience and a patchy CV. My first role was general admin, and over the years I’ve progressed into my current role as commercial manager.

In 2019 I felt ready for a new challenge and pitched a degree apprenticeship to the company directors. It would involve me committing one day a week to study and attending lectures at Teesside University.

Fast forward three years and I’ve completed my degree, obtaining a first class honours in management practice and I’m on my way to achieving chartered manager status with the Chartered Management Institute and a Level 6 apprenticeship.

I’m glad I didn’t give up on my ambition and I’m grateful for the support of my employer.

It’s a route I would recommend to any spouse who wants to learn but needs to continue to earn. I have no student loans, I have a degree and, depending on the status of the employer, training can be paid for through levy payments or for a small employer contribution. n

Giveaways

Click the giveaways tab at armyandyou.co.uk for your chance to win. Entries close on 21 May 2023 unless otherwise stated.

Eco care for young skin

Eco-skin care company

Toddle was founded by military veteran Hannah, born out of her passion for the outdoors to protect and nourish little adventurers.

NEXT STOP... RELAXATION

If you have a Thomas the Tank Engine fan or steam enthusiast in your family, this could be the perfect break. Watercress Lodges are designed to look like railway cottages, and are just a minute’s walk from Hampshire’s historic Watercress Line. The home-from-home lodges are even decorated in the distinctive colours of the steam railway. Or you could go glamping in style, staying in a safari tent filled with home comforts such as a king-size bed and woodburning stove.

You could win an overnight stay for six people in a lodge or four in a safari tent, worth around £200.

For more information, see watercresslodges.co.uk

This prize is open to serving regular or reserve families only and must be taken within six months of the date the winner is notified, subject to availability.

The prize must be taken from Monday-Thursday unless the accommodation is available at weekends. Travel and food/drink is not included.

Fantastic florals

Little Village Wreaths was born in 2020 in Oxfordshire as a creative outlet for army spouse and mum, Liz MacKenzie.

What began as a bit of crafting to make Christmas presents soon turned into a small business which keeps Liz busy all year long! Each wreath is handmade with the finest quality faux flowers and foliage, and can be enjoyed for years. You can check out her range of seasonal wreaths @littlevillagewreaths or Etsy.

One lucky winner will win a beautiful spring wreath which will look stunning inside or outside your home!

Toddle successfully secured investment on Dragons’ Den last year and since then has been going from strength to strength. Its products are vegan, cruelty-free and its probiotic hand gel was a finalist in the Amazon Innovation Awards.

You could win an adventure bundle, which includes a scratch-off adventure poster, hand gel, sun spray, bite relief spray, insect repellent, two eco-snoods, shampoo, conditioning bar, soap bar and more.

Check out Toddle at toddlebornwild.com

Rainbow days for wee ones

Feather & Foal is a children’s fashion brand specialising in organic handmade leggings, jumpers and accessories. It was started by military spouse Jodie Sawyer in 2015 when she realised there was a lack of cute yet comfy baby boys’ clothes on the high street.

Jodie hand makes every item herself using ethically-sourced organic materials and prides herself on trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible, even down to her packaging.

One lucky reader will win a pair of rainbow leggings and a rainbow jumper in your chosen size from newborn to six years.

A&Y readers can also claim 10 per cent off with the code ARMYANDYOU at featherandfoal.co.uk until 31 May 2023.

One entry per household per giveaway. See page three for competition rules. Your information will not be used for marketing purposes. Winners’ names and T&Cs are published on the Army&You website.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES

WE SUPPORT ARMY FAMILIES

Our help for Army families comes in many forms. Every day, we’re here for children like Jamie, whose dad Graham served in the Royal Signals. We contributed towards a specialist trike so Jamie could explore the outdoors with his family.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR WORK VISIT SOLDIERSCHARITY.ORG