Army&You - Autumn 2024 by TylerBale Communications

SERVICE SUPPORT

We explore the army of assets and organisations on the side of military families

CAREER STALLER?

A look at the barriers to employment faced by spouses and partners

‘TEACHING’ ASSISTANCE

Avenues of advice on schooling

Win

£200 towards a night out at the theatre for yourself or a loved one

A slice of service life... safari style

Editor

editor@aff.org.uk // 01264 554004

Housing housingsupport@aff.org.uk

Money & Allowances✪ moneysupport@aff.org.uk

Foreign & Commonwealth fcsupport@aff.org.uk

Education & Childcare educationsupport@aff.org.uk

Health & Additional needs healthsupport@aff.org.uk

Employment & Training✪ employment@aff.org.uk

Regions

Devolved Nations contact@aff.org.uk

England contact@aff.org.uk

Overseas overseassupport@aff.org.uk

Tap into your community

Army families face many challenges, whether that is last-minute changes of plan, difficulties related to moving around or separation and isolation from family and friends.

In this edition, we take a look at who supports you on your army journey and the many organisations and initiatives that are in place to lessen the impact of those challenges.

In our feature on pages 12 to 14, we talk to partners whose lives have been affected by the army lifestyle, as well as exploring avenues of support with employment, welfare issues and general well-being.

In our Education & Childcare section, we look at where you can turn if you need help with your child’s education or childcare, whether you’re based in the UK or overseas.

Turn to page 30 to learn more about what happens behind the scenes at the British Forces Post Office.

Our Employment & Training section on pages 18 to 23 has some tips on successfully negotiating a new job offer and

Get social! Want to keep abreast of the latest news and views about army life? Make sure you follow us online for exclusive content! Find us @armyandyou on X and Instagram, search for ArmyandYou on Facebook or visit armyandyou.co.uk

CONTRIBUTIONS

If you’ve got a story to tell about army life, then let us know – email editor@aff.org.uk

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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Subscribe for FREE via armyandyou.co.uk

– you can unsubscribe at any time via the same link or by emailing unsubscribe@aff. org.uk. If you need to change your details, email update@aff.org.uk

DELIVERY

If you live in SFA/SSFA and would like to be

reveals the results of our recent employment survey. Plus, we have some suggestions for organisations to contact if you’re thinking of changing direction in your career, setting up your own business, considering a new job or looking to do some training.

There are some inspiring stories in our Dandelions section for military children on pages 62 & 63. If you’d like to tell us about a project involving service children and young people or your youngster would like to feature in a future edition, just get in touch by emailing editor@aff.org.uk

Finally, you could win some great prizes in our giveaways, including a night at the theatre and a personalised wall plaque for your home, on pages 64 & 65. A

removed from our mailing list, you can do so at 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. tylerbale.co.uk. Design by Wroxy Meredith

AFF

Army Families Federation is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales with registered charity

number 1176393 and a charity registered 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 15 November 2024 unless otherwise stated.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

AS an army family, who do you turn to when you are most in need of support? As civilians we would probably turn to our friends and family, however, when you are constantly on the move as a service family, finding the information and guidance you need can be tricky. As an army spouse, I was often hundreds of miles away from those closest to me, and I felt isolated and unsure of where to go to find the right support. Navigating the different avenues of information and advice that are available can also be a bit confusing, and knowing who to turn to can be half the battle!

A good place to start is of course your own chain of command, unit or unit welfare officer, who will often be able to provide you with

the advice you need, or signpost you in the direction of another organisation or charity that is able to help. There are of course many armed forces specific charities (1,700 as of July 2023) and 286 of these specifically support families. One of those charities is of course the Army Families Federation (AFF); we work closely with the MOD, government and the chain of command, but we are totally independent. AFF is here to provide information, but when things don’t go quite to plan, we are able to advocate for army families with everything that service life throws at us. We received 7,213 enquiries in the last year* with 43 per cent of these coming from army service personnel themselves, and 32 per cent from service spouses/ partners.

As well as having a wealth of digital resources at aff.org.uk, and also online portals such as Forces Families Jobs, our specialist staff (who more often than not are part of an army family themselves) can guide you through a number of key policy areas, such as housing, education and childcare, employment and training, money and allowances, healthcare and additional needs.

In addition, we have OISCqualified immigration advisors who will be able to provide you with individually tailored support.

So when you need to make decisions about your next posting, or everything that you need to happen to make army life work wherever you are in the world, the AFF team is here to support you. A *June 2023 to June 2024.

A WORD FROM HEAD OF POLICY RACHEL SMITH

Some of the key issues you asked for advice on between April to June 2024 are listed below.

Army life who supports you?

YOU ASKED US...

“My partner is due to be deployed, what support is out there for children during this time?”

“I’m currently going through a divorce. Where can I get advice on this process as a military family?”

“Where can I get support in finding a school place for my child at our next location?”

“We are moving back from an overseas posting and I’m looking at returning to employment. Where do I start with this?”

TOP 3 themes of enquiry: LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT MODERNISED ACCOMMODATION OFFER

“I’m looking to join a support group in my area as my child has additional needs. Do you know of any in my new location?”

“I’m currently completing my wife’s visa application. Can you confirm what supporting documents I need to do this?”

TOP 3 issues from families were: VISAS TO ENTER THE UK ALLOCATION AND ENTITLEMENT FOR HOUSING REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

PERCENTAGE OF ENQUIRER TYPES:

43% of enquiries came from a serving person

32% of enquiries came from the spouse or partner of a serving person

4% of enquiries came from veterans

AFF IN ACTION

#Outandabout

TRAVELS IN KENYA

AFF’s Overseas Manager Esther Thomas was recently invited to join Lt Col Bee Smith, Land Warfare Centre, on her first visit to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).

The aim was to find out more about the experience of serving personnel who are there on six-month temporary duties, training exercises and permanently assigned for two years with their families.

First stop was a tour of Kifaru Barracks, the transit camp in Nairobi used by troops and families. A few issues raised included lack of WiFi, air conditioning and quality of meals in comparison to main camp.

ISOLATED COMMUNITY

After travelling north to Nyati Barracks, they arrived at main camp just before the nighttime driving curfew. Close to the equator and at the base of Mount Kenya, it is a rural, isolated community.

With around 260 personnel and 200 family members, the community is bolstered with equal numbers of Kenyan support staff and G4S security personnel.

During training times the army population can swell with an additional 1,000 personnel accommodated in tinroofed huts at the Forward Mounting Base.

The potential for security and welfare challenges is always present and the team joined the Royal Military Police on a routine tour of the local nightlife to find out how they positively police local venues, working with the local force.

DISCUSSION OF CHALLENGES

Esther discussed families’ challenges with senior command, including a lack of spousal employment and guidance for those who want to work remotely for a UK company; limited special educational needs support; limited secondary education, which is only available on a weekly boarding basis in Nairobi; medical emergency evacuation and allowances, particularly the cost of vehicles.

She also met the Senior Medical Officer to talk about supportability screening, pregnancy issues and mental health and visited the temporary duty staff dental team to find out about families’ access to treatment.

She was also able to speak to the British Forces Post Office (see page 30), the Regimental Administrative Officer about passports and immigration, and families at a community event.

PREP IS KEY

Esther said: “Many of the challenges discussed by the chain of command and families are enduring, and some are due to external factors.

“I’m pleased to see greater emphasis placed on ensuring families and personnel are prepared and understand the challenges and rewards of an assignment here.”

Maj Adrian Clark, the new unit welfare officer, has recently revised the families’ pack and encouraged the development of a spouses’ network.

For further information, email CTG-BATUK-Welfare-GpMailbox@ mod.gov.uk

Images from top left: Louise Elliot, a spouse who has helped establish a patient group to talk about health issues

AFF delivered a brief to the British Peace Support Team (Africa) Loan Service

BATUK’s unit catering manager Sgt Dhakalsing Gurung

New arrivals Caroline and Michael said, “We’re delighted to be back in an overseas community and that our children are having such a different experience.”

Forward Mounting Base

VOTING FROM OVERSEAS

As a result of feedback received by families voting in the general election from overseas, we’ve become aware of an issue related to having a proxy vote.

The proxy you have chosen can only vote in the area where they currently live. The only way around this is for the proxy to register for a postal vote so they can vote in the constituency in which the service person or family member lived before they were posted overseas.

AFF has flagged this to the Global Support Organisation at the European Joint Support Unit and they are going to add this information to the prearrival information to support families’ right to vote while they are overseas.

IMMIGRATION SURVEY

The AFF Non-UK Service Personnel, Veterans and Families Survey is coming soon.

AFF would like to know more about the unique challenges non-UK service personnel, veterans and their families face when it comes to immigration. Who did you contact for information and advice and why? Did you get everything you needed straight away, or did you find it difficult?

Following a project funded by the Royal British Legion and working in partnership with the Naval Families Federation and the RAF Families Federation, we have designed a survey to find out who people turn to when they need immigration information or advice.

If you are not British by birth and you or your family member are serving or have previously served in the UK armed forces, we would love to hear from you! The survey will take less than five minutes to complete and will be launched on 1 November. More details will be on aff.org. uk and our social media channels soon.

FOCUS ON THE NORTH

Carole Rudd and Emma Perrin, two of our Managers, were invited to attend an event marking the formation of the new Army Headquarters (HQ) North.

The official launch of Army HQ North was in August 2024, when HQ North East and HQ North West merged. The new HQ has a presence in both Catterick and Preston, commanding three garrisons located at Preston, Catterick and York.

#Outandabout

VISITING FAMILIES

Our Devolved Nations Manager Emma Perrin recently travelled to units in Wales and the borders, and visited families currently living at Beachley Barracks. Families took the opportunity to raise current concerns, which AFF has highlighted on their behalf, to either the MOD, local authorities or ministers.

At the event Carole and Emma met serving personnel, families and cadets as well as businesses from the local community. They were able to promote Forces Families Jobs to family members as well as prospective employers and training providers and answer questions from regular and reserve personnel, who were interested to find out more about how AFF can help them and their families.

#Outandabout

STAFF MEET AFF PATRON

Some of the longest serving AFF staff were selected to attend one of this year’s Buckingham Palace garden parties to meet the Duchess of Gloucester, who has been AFF’s patron for more than 30 years.

AFF Overseas Manager, Esther Thomas, who attended the event said: “It was a huge honour to be invited to one of the garden parties at the Palace and to meet the Duchess of Gloucester. She was most engaging; we spoke about my recent visit to Brunei and the Gurkha regiment.

“She remarked that AFF provided a valuable service for families and asked us to pass on her gratitude and thanks to the wider AFF team for their continued good work.”

#Goodtoknow

#Outandabout

#Goodtoknow

Wealth of family support

Family support helps soldiers to do their job, but who is supporting the family?

Jill Misson finds out…

“MILITARY life has much to offer families, but we need to prepare them to cope with mobility, deployment and separation and equip them with the tools to nurture their relationships and thrive as members of the armed forces community and wider society,” – the Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022.

The 10-year plan recognises the valuable contribution that military families make and the unique challenges they face but acknowledges that they need more support.

It highlights negative feedback from the 2021 Families Continuous Attitude Survey, including that 51 per cent of partners do not feel

valued by the services, 45 per cent find no benefit from being a service family, and 29 per cent admit they would be happier if their partner chose to leave.

Family disconnect

Former army spouse Sam Darlington says: “People say you know what you’re signing up for, but I don’t believe that’s true until you live it. They don’t understand the extent of the sacrifices. Sadly my marriage did not survive the lifestyle.”

Having sought help through coaching and counselling, Sam is now a coach herself. She feels that couples need more support prior to, and during deployments, R&R,

and reintegration, as these transitions strain family dynamics: “Spouses want to be heard and have their feelings validated. I often see couples struggling with the disconnect between the soldier’s duties and home life.”

Career issues

One of the hardest things for Sam was losing her own career and identity which many spouses and partners can relate to, including AFF’s Head of Policy, Rachel Smith. She says: “My work was seen very much as secondary to that of my serving husband, even though I had professional qualifications, and earned more than he did.”

Due to frequent moves

Rachel took on a string of less well paid jobs to maintain her employment. Although her career suffered, she did find advantages to being employed locally: “I was able to make friends within the civilian community and maintain my own identity.”

More support

AFF will be taking findings and recommendations from the recent Employment Survey (see page 20) to all of its senior stakeholders. Rachel explains: “We will be able to highlight to them where spouses and partners could be supported more in being able to find meaningful employment in

Sam Darlington

today’s need to have dualincome families.”

Donna Burns from the Military Coworking Network would like to see a coworking hub established on every military base in the UK and overseas.

She says: “These spaces offer much more than a place to work. They are a place to grow professional networks, make new friendships and build a strong community of likeminded people.

“They offer opportunities to share expertise, ideas and to learn new skills. Being able to strike the balance between home and work life and knowing that help is always on hand from their peers has had a hugely positive impact on members’ emotional wellbeing, making them feel better connected, more supported and less isolated.”

AFF advice

As well as employment and training, AFF’s team of specialists can offer advice and signposting to support families with issues including housing, health and money. Rachel Smith says: “Often they turn to us after trying many times to sort the problem out by themselves, and our unique position is that we can advocate effectively to get the problem resolved to their satisfaction.”

Foreign and Commonwealth Specialist Katherine Houlston, whose team provides immigration and visa advice, says: “The reason we get so many enquiries is because of how complicated everything is when it comes to immigration. There are so many forms to fill in and families can sometimes get themselves in a pickle when they try to resolve things themselves, but we are here to help.”

Devolved Nations Manager Emma Perrin says: “People assume when you are moving within the UK that everything works in the same way, however, each nation is slightly

different, and that can have a massive impact for families.

“Education, childcare and healthcare are the most common themes that families need more information and assistance with. Our team has regular meetings with a variety of organisations and charities so no matter where you are in the world, we will either be able to assist or know who to refer you to.”

Aldershot, says: “Any family member who is linked to a military family is able to call on their unit welfare team for support and advice so long as it is concerning the serving family. If we are unable to help then we will be able to signpost to an organisation that can.”

Families living off patch in private rental accommodation or their own homes can also get in touch. Welfare teams can

“People say you know what you’re signing up for, but I don’t believe that’s true until you live it. They don’t understand the extent of the sacrifices.”

Work with welfare

If you’re struggling with something then unit welfare can often help and you don’t have to get your soldier to ask on your behalf.

Nicole Bridgman, Garrison Community Support Officer at

help with everyday problems like housing repairs to more serious issues like domestic violence. They can refer on to Army Welfare Service (AWS) and will support families through the process if other agencies get involved.

Alison Joy from AWS

says: “The needs of families change over time, particularly as children grow up and life changes. Having a range of sources of support to help is important for individual family members and for the family as a whole.”

Staff have experience working with families during challenging personal circumstances including domestic abuse, child and adult safeguarding, bereavement, relationship difficulties, and emotional wellbeing.

Moving to a new posting can be tricky for children who have left friends behind but Community Development Workers (CDWs) provide play sessions, youth clubs and holiday provision to help them to settle in.

Support is not restricted to the UK, with nine CDWs stationed overseas. In locations with no permanent AWS staff, like the British Army Training Unit in Kenya, volunteers step up to deliver youth activities from movie nights

Leuchars Military Coworking Hub

to day trips. AWS Community Support is currently developing workshops to give partners, parents and young people the knowledge and skills they need to bring people together.

Help overseas

If you are heading overseas you may be concerned about what would happen if you needed to get home quickly.

Esther Thomas, AFF’s Overseas Manager, says many families assigned overseas aren’t aware of the support available when family members back in the UK or their home country become seriously ill.

She says: “Having personally been supported twice via the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) during both my mum and mother-in-law’s final days, I always try to reassure families that this support is wonderful when you are miles away.

“Having the support of JCCC to fund and co-ordinate travel within hours of a notification takes a huge amount of stress away and allows you to focus on family in what is an emotional time.” Find out more about JCCC on page 31.

Whatever you are going through, there is a strong chance that someone else in the army community has been through it before and will know where to find support or be able to provide comfort or solidarity.

It pays to network

Social media can help to connect people, such as the closed Facebook group run by the Army Parents’ Network. Chairman Ben Davey says: “Members support each other using experience and policy knowledge.

“The committee meets regularly to engage the chain of command on behalf of parents to help resolve issues.”

one holding the house together.”

Choral connection

The Military Wives Choirs is a community of more than 2,000 women in 72 choirs around the world. Members meet to sing together but also to support each other.

Bella Godden, who joined a choir in Brussels, says: “They made me feel at home in a very alien place and the joy of singing has really given me a boost on days where I’m missing family. I only wish I had joined sooner during the darker days of military spouse life when you feel you are the only

Jo Wall, who sings in Cosford, is married to a veteran who was medically discharged and is also the mum of a serving soldier. She says: “My mum asks about her grandson and I have to explain that he is away, I don’t know what he’s doing and I am unsure about when he will be back.

“My friends at choir get it immediately. It’s not just listening and understanding, but also practical advice that I have had about benefits, mobility issues and accessing support.”

Sam Darlington recommends getting to know people to form friendships and create a support network. She says: “Military spouses are among the most resilient individuals I know and the community is incredibly supportive, like an extended family.

“We look after each other and each other’s children.” A

Scan the QR code to find out more:

Jo Wall

Above and right: Bella Godden

DOWNLOAD

GAMBLING SUPPORT

Gambling support charity GamCare has launched a new gambling prevention and awareness programme to help reduce gambling harm in the armed forces.

The training will help to address the stigma associated with gambling, and raise awareness of the ways people can get free help and support.

It will include face-to-face sessions for recruits in training units, online sessions for welfare teams and training for serving members of the armed forces.

GamCare also operates the 24/7 National Gambling Helpline and provides free support sessions across London, the south east of England, Yorkshire, the east Midlands and Scotland.

FUNDING FOR SERVICE FAMILIES

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has launched a new grant programme designed to improve the quality of life for military families.

Serving Families: On the Move will support two to three-year projects which

ACHIEVE YOUR POTENTIAL

If you live in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland and you’re looking for the next step in your career, the S.P.E.E.D Project offers employability support for military partners and spouses.

The project aims to help you build on your strengths and support you in accessing training, education or employment opportunities.

The project can offer volunteering support to gain work experience, employability skills, such as CV writing,

See gamcare.org.uk/outreach-andtraining/armed-forces-project or email armedforcesenquiries@gamcare.org.uk to book and for more information.

CHECK YOUR STATE PENSION

The government has launched a new online service to check for and fill any gaps in your National Insurance (NI) record.

It allows most people under state pension age to view gaps in their NI record and pay voluntary contributions to fill those gaps if it will benefit them.

Anyone with NI gaps in some of their tax years who could increase their state pension if filled, can use the service to choose which years they would like to pay to fill. They can then pay securely through the service and will receive confirmation that their payment has been received and that their NI record will be updated.

achieve one or more of the following results:

● increased access to local information for military families who have relocated to a new and unfamiliar location;

● improve access to activities that promote wellbeing;

● collaborate with service families to develop support networks.

Applications from UK-based registered charities, both armed forces charities or those keen to collaborate with armed forces charities, are now open for grants of up to £120,000.

The closing date is noon on 22 January 2025.

For more details of this and other Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust programmes, visit covenantfund.org.uk

Those who are eligible have until 5 April 2025 to pay voluntary contributions to make up gaps in their NI record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. From 6 April 2025, people will only be able to pay voluntary contributions for the previous six tax years.

However, paying voluntary contributions will not always increase the state pension as it depends on individual circumstances.

Log on to gov.uk/check-statepension

If you’ve accompanied your service person on an overseas posting, you may also be able to claim Class 1 and Class 3 NI credits. See aff.org.uk

job searches, covering letters, personal statements and interview techniques, apprenticeships, employment or signposting to other local agencies in the area.

A dedicated keyworker will outline a support plan for approximately three to six months and will work with participants to fully understand their needs and overall goals, helping them achieve their potential.

To find out more about the initiative, email info@valonline.org.uk

NEWSY SNIPPETS ABOUT ARMY

Military spouses Soph and Kirsha feature on Pad Wives Assemble, a podcast about military life.

“The #padcast was created when we saw a huge gap in the market for an already isolated community. Think of the podcast as a ‘phone call to your besties’. We discuss our weeks and what we’ve been up to, daily struggles or a bit of goss as well as our ‘icks’, hacks and products of the week.

“We also have a segment called ‘Give Your Orders’ where we read

any stories or answer questions that have been emailed in by the listeners.

“No matter who you are, you will resonate with something in this podcast and we personally guarantee you will find yourself laughing out loud!”

New episodes are released weekly on a Monday morning. To listen to Pad Wives Assemble go to Spotify, Apple Podcasts or search ‘SocialSophs’ and ‘PadWivesAssemble’ on social media.

CHILDCARE FUNDING OVERSEAS

Eligible working families assigned overseas can now access 15 hours of early years childcare funding for children aged between nine months and three years.

Children aged between three and four years can already access 15 hours or up to 30 hours for working families.

This offer matches the entitlement provided to families in England and is based on certain eligibility criteria. Parents should bear in mind that the hours need to be used at an MOD/Defence Children Services setting to benefit. Locations with a DCS setting can be found at gov.uk/government/ groups/defence-children-services-dcs

If you are moving to a location where there are no MOD/DCS settings available, then parents with children aged between nine months and four years can apply for a reimbursement of nursery fees via Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA).

For more information, see aff.org.uk or discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk

HOLIDAYS WITH A DIFFERENCE

Do you have a youngster who fancies a holiday with a difference next summer? The Annington Challenge is for UK-based military youngsters aged 10-19 and is aimed at those who would benefit from an experience proven to improve self-confidence, team working skills and resilience – all while having loads of fun!

The overseas team at AFF gets enquiries each year about legal assistance when abroad.

For help with criminal matters overseas, service personnel and family members can contact the Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority (AFCLAA).

AFCLAA mirrors the civilian legal aid process and once you have been means tested, it will help

you find legal representation and provide you with a case manager to support you through your trial. Overseas, AFCLAA has established relationships with legal advisors and is able to work with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and British Embassy. Search ‘AFCLAA’ at gov. uk

Army youngsters will enjoy a range of outdoor activities including sailing, abseiling and rock climbing as well as wild camping, canoeing and gorge walking. The Annington Challenge is open to all ranks and requires no previous experience. All equipment is provided, and all aspects of the courses are overseen by Outward Bound’s team of qualified outdoor instructors.

Annington funds up to 90 per cent of the cost and applicants can choose between four courses at Outward Bound’s centres in Wales, Snowdonia and Scotland. Register your interest at outwardbound.org.uk

LEGAL HELP ABROAD

NEW PODCAST

…successfully negotiate a job offer

In the fifth of our ‘How to’ series, we asked Sarah Peñaluna, Families Employment Advisor at the Forces Employment Charity, for some tips on successfully negotiating a job offer…

Due to frequent relocations and the unpredictable nature of military life, military spouses and partners can often face unique challenges in their quest for career advancement. However, mastering the art of negotiating job offers can have a huge impact on job satisfaction and career progression, offering a pathway to achieving a better work-life balance.

KNOW YOUR WORTH

Understanding your market value is crucial. Research salary ranges for similar positions in your industry and location to provide a solid foundation. Define your priorities by listing your nonnegotiables and nice-to-haves, whether it’s salary expectations, flexible working hours or remote work options. Establishing these boundaries ensures you focus negotiations on what matters most to you and helps you avoid agreeing to unfavourable terms.

Propose a salary range instead of a specific number to show flexibility while anchoring the discussion around your target income, providing room for negotiation. Communicate with confidence, as this demonstrates that you know your value.

TAKE A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO NEGOTIATIONS

Approach negotiations as a win-win scenario. Highlight how your proposed arrangements (e.g. request for flexible, part-time or remote working) can benefit the employer, whether through enhanced productivity, improved work-life balance or increased job satisfaction. Emphasising mutual benefits to you and your employer strengthens your position and encourages a co-operative discussion.

PREPARE AND PRACTISE

COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY

Timing is critical. Wait until you receive a job offer before starting negotiations.

Negotiation can be daunting, but preparation builds confidence. To refine your strategy, rehearse your pitch with a careers advisor. The more you practise, the more comfortable you’ll be during the conversation. A Image: Pexels.com

Sarah Peñaluna

Negotiating job relocation

Relocating can be challenging, especially when it comes to maintaining your career. Successfully negotiating a job transfer or remote work arrangement can be possible with the right approach.

CHECK YOUR ORGANISATION’S POLICIES

Start by familiarising yourself with your organisation’s policies on remote work, relocating and transfers. Knowing these guidelines helps frame your request appropriately and clarifies what’s feasible.

PREPARE A SOLID CASE

Highlight your contributions, achievements, skills and the value you bring to your team to build a strong business case for your request. Showcasing your commitment and positive impact can reinforce the importance of retaining you despite a change in location due to the military posting. Emphasise the benefits for both you and your employer — retaining you avoids the cost and disruption of hiring and training a new employee.

PROPOSE A CLEAR PLAN

Understand the technologies

available to ensure seamless communication and productivity, and think about how you’ll attend key meetings, even if they fall outside your time zone. Be prepared to address your manager’s concerns with practical solutions.

EXPRESS YOUR COMMITMENT

Reassure your employer of your continued commitment to your role and the organisation. Emphasise that despite the relocation, your dedication to your work and

goals within the company remain unchanged.

BE OPEN TO COMPROMISE

While advocating for your needs, be open to your employer’s alternative solutions, such as adjusting your role to suit the relocation better.

GET SUPPORT

The Forces Employment Charity has a dedicated Families Programme that can help with your employment journey. A GET IN TOUCH For more information visit forcesemployment. org.uk

Award winning boarding & pastoral care. Supportive and friendly

The Army Families Federation (AFF) Spouse and Partner Employment Survey Report 2024 has revealed that being a military spouse or partner still poses significant challenges to employment and is seen as a barrier to having a fulfilling career.

Barriers to employment

SUMMARY

The survey ran from mid-January to late March 2024. Families were asked about their experiences of the availability of employment during a posting, perceived barriers to employment and information about any unique challenges spouses and partners face when seeking employment.

Three-quarters of the army spouses or partners who responded are in employment or full-time education. This highlights the distinct importance to army

families of being able to have a dual income. However, lack of family support, the rising cost and availability of childcare, plus inflexibility from both civilian employers and also the army chain of command are seen as major challenges to spouses or partners in being able to gain or maintain employment.

Army spouses and partners on overseas postings were disproportionately affected, with 61 per cent stating that they are currently unemployed, with only 8 per cent of this number being by choice. Only 20 per cent said they were unemployed in the UK, with 2 per cent being so by choice.

Where do you live?

“The uncertainty and lack of support during deployments due to not being on a married patch have been an issue. But the benefit of living in a fixed location and building a support group has helped going back to work after having children.”

Other e.g. with family 2% Overseas - self-funded 1%

KEY FINDINGS

OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT

Where do you live?

Other e.g. with family 2%

Overseas - self-funded 1%

Spouses and partners found their employment was disproportionately affected when they moved overseas, and many either became under-employed or unemployed, and found obtaining employment locally very difficult. Many only became aware of the barriers to remote working once they had moved,

and the lack of funding overseas to maintain any continuing professional development needed.

“We are overseas and there is a very limited amount of job options for me. I have gone with the obvious option of work that is in line with my qualifications, but it is a big step backwards and does not add to my CV and experience.”

ACCESS TO CHILDCARE

The lack of childcare options is a barrier to employment for army families, particularly as there is usually no option to go on a waiting list due to mobility. The MOD wraparound childcare scheme has made a positive difference to many, but it does not work for all families. The lack of suitable childcare places in many areas will continue to be a significant barrier and prevent spouses or partners obtaining or returning to employment.

“The uncertainty and lack of support during deployments due to not being on a married patch have been an issue”

“It’s a vicious cycle of not being able to find work without childcare, but not being able to afford childcare because we are not eligible for free hours without us both

working, therefore not able to fully put children in care and able to work.”

FINANCIAL MATTERS

How long have you been an army spouse/partner?

DUAL SERVING FAMILIES

11-20 years 38%

6-10 years 28%

3-5 years 17%

A significant barrier is the lack of synchronisation of posting cycles and locations, with the suggestion that there was a lack of understanding or compassion towards dual-serving couples.

21+ years 11%

0-2 years 6%

NON-UK FAMILIES

How long have you been an army spouse/partner?

11-20 years 38%

Financial pressures are increased by the employment barriers experienced by army spouses and partners. In addition, frequent moves affect the ability for spouses or partners to build up a pension pot, and also entitlement to occupational or statutory maternity pay. This has led to some families being unable to start a family when they wish due to financial pressures.

6-10 years 28%

3-5 years 17%

21+ years 11%

0-2 years 6%

“I need to find a permanent position, for careers development and so I can get maternity leave (we want to start a family). At the moment I am on a year’s contract, then in the next 21 months we are due to move three times and so it is going to be tough to maintain employment both to develop my career and to be able to start a family.”

SKILLS AND JOB SATISFACTION

The level of under-employment (where a job doesn’t match your skills and experience) amongst army spouses and partners is significant. Many report a lasting impact on their career development and job satisfaction. In addition, being able to improve career potential through re-training was hampered due to lack of funding and/ or the impact of postings, and so being unable to complete a course or fulfil a return of service to an employer. In addition, most spouses and partners were unable to transfer a job when they were posted.

“I’m educated to PhD level but without stability to allow my career to progress I’m working in contingent roles rather than progressing up the ladder in one institution. I’m comparatively overqualified for my job, but because I can’t commit to a job long term due to the armed forces and two small children, there is no chance for career progression.”

SUPPORT FROM THE SERVICE PERSON AND CHAIN OF COMMAND

Evidence shows that there remains a notable lack of understanding and

How long have you been an army spouse/partner?

11-20 years 38%

6-10 years 28%

3-5 years 17%

21+ years 11%

0-2 years 6%

consistency from the chain of command regarding spousal employment – 49 per cent of officer families reported their serving person as having some flexibility with work to support with childcare, compared to 28 per cent of other rank families.

Responsibility for parenting and childcare often falls to the non-serving spouse by default, despite their employment status.

“When I was working, my service person asked for time off due to needing someone at home with a very sick child. He got told it’s my problem.”

Non-UK families face unique difficulties in gaining employment in the UK, including the transferability of qualifications and cultural barriers.

“I’m not from this country. Working in the UK I’ve faced separate challenges that are never taken into consideration, and I’m mocked for my accent or made fun of for not understanding certain cultural things.”

RECOMMENDATIONS

AFF has made a number of detailed recommendations which will be shared with the army chain of command to push for changes on how the army supports spouses and partners with employment.

Some of these included asking the MOD to produce FAQs on spousal employment overseas, suggesting the army enables posting extensions so that spouses and partners can complete qualifications and a call for a top-down shift in attitude and culture to enable the service person to better support their spouse or partner’s employment. A

FURTHER INFORMATION

Scan the QR code to read the survey report.

Framework for success

Maybe you are thinking of changing direction in your career, setting up your own business, considering a new job or looking to do some training. Did you know that as a military family you have access to some fantastic resources and organisations who can support you.

BFBS SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALISTS

The BFBS Academy offers free social media training for partners of UK military personnel, veterans and their families, and bereaved forces families. Aimed at providing valuable social media marketing skills, the SMSpecialists courses cover all aspects of social media, from understanding algorithms to planning campaigns, creating engaging content and running ads. Participants can learn at their own pace from anywhere using a smartphone, iPad or laptop with internet access.

The program includes seven online courses covering platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and LinkedIn, teaching practical strategies for content creation and audience growth. Apply at sms. bfbs.com

FORCES FAMILIES JOBS (FFJ)

FFJ is the go-to platform for employment, training opportunities and volunteer roles for family members of currently serving UK military personnel. You can apply for jobs and access employment and training opportunities with organisations who are forces family friendly. All employers and training providers have signed the Armed Forces Covenant or are able to demonstrate their commitment to the armed forces.

FFJ is the gateway to accessing information about upskilling, getting job ready, running your own business or applying for a job with employers

FORCES EMPLOYMENT CHARITY

The Forces Employment Charity exists to provide life-long, life-changing support, job opportunities and training to service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

Its Families Programme supports spouses and partners of serving personnel and veterans, including divorced, separated and bereaved, on their journey into employment. It also offers mentoring and career guidance to service children and young people aged 16-24.

who are understanding of the unique challenges that come with being a family member of a serving person. forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk

It provides one-to-one advice and guidance, employability and employment support, including bespoke career and training diagnostics, CV and application assistance, interview techniques, coaching and mentoring. forcesemployment.

HEROPRENEURS

Heropreneurs is a charity dedicated to empowering members of the armed forces community to create their own businesses and become successful entrepreneurs. The Heropreneurs mentoring programme is freely available to military spouses and partners. It offers support primarily through a mentoring programme, delivered by experienced volunteer mentors. Its mentors are successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople who are all passionate about sharing their business knowledge and giving back to members of the armed forces family. The charity runa a monthly online mentee clinic which brings the community together to work on challenges and grow their network. heropreneurs.co.uk

THE MILSPO BUSINESS NETWORK

The Milspo Business Network is dedicated to supporting all UK military spouses, partners and other-halves (or ‘SPOs’) who want to run a business that fits around military life.

In addition to in-person events, Milspo brings this global community together through virtual networking, co-working and specialised workshops – so wherever you are in the world, you needn’t feel isolated.

If you dream of starting your own business, but don’t know where to begin, then apply to join Milspo’s free ‘Business Launch Accelerator’ start-up course. milspo.co.uk

THE MILITARY COWORKING NETWORK (MCN)

The MCN is for military partners across the armed forces community. Its goal is to enable military spouses and partners to have successful and fulfilled professional careers alongside military life. It does this via its coworking hubs at military bases across the UK and abroad, giving access to fully equipped, professional shared office spaces, where you can work, study and connect with other like-minded people. The cost of membership is £30 a year.

The online community, which is free to join, provides access to resources, events and opportunities

people.

RECRUIT FOR SPOUSES (RfS)

RfS is committed to supporting the spouses and partners of the armed forces community. Its mission is to support military spouses through meaningful career opportunities and professional development, in order to return talent to the workplace.

It provides a comprehensive range of support services which can be accessed by the community for free, including remote, part-time and flexible

X-FORCES ENTERPRISE (XFE)

XFE supports entrepreneurship in the armed forces community; including veterans, service leavers, reservists, military spouses and partners, and family members and is a specialist business support partner for the government’s Start Up Loan scheme.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION INDUSTRIES (RBLI) LIFEWORKS

The RBLI Lifeworks programme offers free employment support and courses which equips veterans and family members with the tools needed to find meaningful employment beyond the military context. Tailored to individual needs, Lifeworks provides resources, course information and access to job vacancies. RBLI Lifeworks courses are held nationwide. wearelifeworks.org.uk

jobs, career coaching, skills workshops, mental health and well-being support, Foreign & Commonwealth programme and networking opportunities. recruitforspouses.co.uk

Since launching in 2013, XFE has helped more than 14,000 people to make informed decisions about selfemployment and, if right for them, start new chapters as business owners.

XFE helps individuals from the armed forces community to consider, start and scale their businesses, with a package of training, access to finance, knowledge exchange and mentoring, and networking with like-minded business owners.

XFE runs regular workshops that provide self-employment awareness, enterprise skills, themed masterclasses and networking sessions. Registration is free. x-forces.com

to learn new skills and meet new

militarycoworking.uk

Above: Army veteran Andy and wife Lorraine set up We are Bert Ltd, which sells scrap art robot sculptures, with help from X-Forces Enterprise

WHAT AFF’S HOUSING TEAM CAN DO FOR YOU

AFF’s housing team is here to help you with your enquiries. Here is a useful guide to what they can and can’t do.

THEY CAN:

● Equip you with the correct, relevant advice and guidance to help you make informed decisions on your accommodation options for every stage of your service career.

● Provide you with the correct policy and processes to follow.

● With your permission, liaise with others on your behalf –organisations like the chain of command, military housing liaison officer, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Pinnacle, VIVO and Amey.

● Raise any issues or concerns impacting you to the correct agencies.

● Monitor trends and themes by gathering evidence and raise these to decision makers.

● Advise where current policy is being adhered to.

WHAT CAN’T THE HOUSING TEAM DO?

● Engage with organisations without the correct process being followed initially – complaint references, work reference numbers.

● Allocate SFA or provide floor plans, including granting retention or surplus.

● See the availability of SFA throughout the UK and overseas.

● Facilitate betterment or welfare moves, including removals and Disturbance Expense.

● Book appointments for jobs or move-in/move-out appointments.

● Manipulate policy to fit service families’ requirements.

● Give specific financial or legal support.

● Provide funding.

● Facilitate access to social housing or private rental accommodation.

● Ensure the correct support is being provided by liaising with welfare teams.

● Represent your voices at meetings.

● Use evidence to help shape policy changes.

● Keep you up to date with recent policy changes and how this may impact you.

● Use evidence to raise areas of disadvantage to the Armed Forces Covenant team.

● Equip families with the relevant information regarding civilian housing, like council tax discount for second homes.

● Signpost to other external agencies who may be able to offer further support.

● Provide information to external stakeholders including local authorities.

While social media is a great source of information for locations and housing, AFF often sees incorrect policy advice being given which can negatively affect families. So often there are nuances to each case which will need to be taken into consideration, so please do come direct to AFF and our experienced housing team can help answer the specific questions you may have. A

. There is

Housing Assistant Zoë Herron

Housing Specialist Cat Calder

Housing Assistant Carol Morris

Accommodation Contracts

Under SFA contract arrangements, DIO have three contractors: Pinnacle are DIO’s National Management contractor, VIVO and Amey are DIO’s Regional Maintenance contractors. The graphic below explains how these ﬁt together.

Choosing Your New Home

You apply for a home using the DIO systems. Pinnacle’s Home Services team manage the allocations process and are there to support you.

Moving-Out

When you are moving on, Pinnacle’s Housing Ofﬁcer will help you with the Move-Out Standard and manage the move-out process.

Safety Inspections

NAMS

(National Accommodation Management Services)

Getting your new home ready

Amey and Vivo will need to carry out periodic inspections – mainly gas safety inspections and electrical checks, but there are others. They tell Pinnacle when these are needed, and we will tell you when they are coming.

RAMS

(Regional Accommodation Maintenance Services)

Moving-In

Pinnacle’s Housing Ofﬁcer will be there on the day to show you around and make sure everything is right.

In Your Home

Contact Pinnacle for all licensing and permission requests.

Repairs & Maintenance

You can get in touch with Pinnacle at the National Service Centre to raise a repair request. These are passed to Amey or Vivo to be carried out. The Amey or Vivo engineer will then visit to carry out the repairs and maintenance tasks. More complex tasks might require a follow-on appointment, these are booked direct by Amey or Vivo as appropriate. Decisions about upgrade or refurbishment works are made by DIO.

SFA housing contractors – WHO DOES WHAT?

Providing and looking after thousands of service family homes the length and breadth of the country is the responsibility of four different organisations.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is responsible for the provision of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and managing its maintenance through contractors.

The new accommodation contracts for SFA went live on 1 April, 2022 and are made up of five contracts – one National Accommodation Management Services (NAMS) contract awarded to Pinnacle Group, which runs the National Service Centre (NSC), and four Regional Accommodation Maintenance Services (RAMS) contracts.

Two RAMS contracts are managed by Amey Defence Services for the northern and central regions of the UK, covering around 39 per cent of SFA, and VIVO Defence Services manages the south-west and south-east regions, covering about 61 per cent of SFA.

NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The NAMS contract with Pinnacle Group provides a single NSC that families use to access housing services. This includes: ● The repairs helpdesk that families use to report response maintenance requests. It triages jobs in line with

Vivo

Wycliffe has over 130 years of experience supporting Forces Families, providing a stable education throughout key developmental stages.

Our high-quality boarding facilities offer outstanding pastoral care for Forces children aged 7 – 19.

We support the Continuity of Education Allowance Scheme, meaning Military parents only pay 10% of school fees, with Wycliffe covering the remaining amount through a Forces’ Bursary.

Inspiring young minds to write their own stories.

Scan QR code to visit admissions.

YOUR HOME

urgency levels before allocating them to appointment slots with RAMs contractors.

● Home services, which handles applications for SFA and other housing-related requests like permission to keep pets or to run a business from home.

● Managing and responding to all complaints and the processing of compensation requests.

It is responsible for a network of local housing officers to supervise move-ins and move-outs and the management of individual patches.

The contract also includes the Defence Accommodation Stores service, which provides furniture and white goods to SFA, where the family requests it, and Single Living Accommodation (SLA), but this is sub-contracted to Pickfords.

HOME MAINTENANCE

VIVO and Amey are responsible for maintaining homes and the community spaces around them.

This includes preparing homes for service families to move into, organising and delivering preplanned maintenance like statutory inspections such as landlord’s gas safety inspections, carrying out response repairs and doing grounds maintenance.

They deliver SFA improvement works – which are funded separately from the response maintenance service – and they provide and maintain data on the condition of assets, together with advice on future maintenance or investment.

WORKING TOGETHER

The DIO recognises that when the new accommodation contracts went live, families did not get the level of service they were promised or deserved. Since then the organisation and its suppliers have been working collaboratively to improve the service received by families.

Contact the NSC on 0800 831 8628 or pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk A

Moving to CIVVY STREET

Defence Transition Services (DTS) and the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) offer a range of support to those facing specific challenges leaving the armed forces, including housing information and guidance. They also offer regular briefs to help plan ahead for your housing options. This support has replaced that previously offered by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO).

PLANNING AHEAD

DTS online briefs explain the process for leaving your service accommodation and experts provide house purchase and private rental information. They can also highlight any charitable support available if needed. There is an opportunity to ask questions and access the wider holistic support that DTS and VWS can offer service leavers and their families facing challenges.

LEAVING SERVICE

Whatever the reason you’re leaving – whether it’s end of commitment, medical discharge or leaving unexpectedly for other reasons like a relationship breakdown – there may be ways DTS can help if your accommodation options aren’t clear and you find yourself without a place to go to. Support is available to service leavers and/or their spouses and you can be supported separately if required.

You can ask your chain of command to refer you, or you can self-refer, using the DTRP 1 or DTRP 2 forms, available at gov.uk

DTS can help with considering different housing options and their likely availability. It can also help you access different housing services and navigate and understand the many different extra sources of assistance that exist across government and charities.

When DTS gets your referral it will talk through your situation, what help you need and then work out an action plan with you.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To make a referral or access further information on all their services, search ‘DTS’ at gov.uk or scan the QR code.

For further details on housing services and to book onto the briefs, search ‘civilian housing’ at gov.uk

Any questions? Contact the triage team at DBSVets-DTS-Central@mod.gov. uk A

OVERSEAS

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Following several years of changes in the international postal system, an invitation to visit the HQ British Forces Post Office (BFPO) at RAF Northolt was a great chance for AFF’s Overseas Manager, Esther, to see first-hand how the systems have adapted to provide an effective defence postal and courier service.

A site tour gave an insight into the logistical and technical challenges as well as an awareness of how BFPO, Royal Mail and commercial carriers work together.

The two main areas of operation are:

● The Defence Mail Centre which distributes official mail through Northolt and nine UK locations;

● The Defence Postal Services which sort and dispatch private and official mail to defence personnel worldwide.

BFPO IN NUMBERS

Whilst the volume of mail has seen a steady decline in recent years, the complexity of regulations and requirement to pre-screen mail has increased, keeping the team busy.

On receipt of mail from Royal Mail and other commercial carriers, BFPO screens, sorts and dispatches the mail for onward movement into theatre by the nominated carrier.

Once through customs in the overseas locations, the mail is then distributed to field Post Offices.

BFPO supports 68 operational and exercise locations; 70 static locations; forces Post Offices in 14 countries and a large number of embassies and consulates. Last year staff even managed to send 8,054 Christmas boxes to those on ops!

CURRENT CHALLENGES

There was a chance to discuss current challenges and advice for those overseas:

● BFPO has been in discussion with DVLA to update its existing BFPO addresses, which were out of date. Customers should now be able to choose

a BFPO address for all online and postal driving licence applications. It is even possible to choose a BFPO address when buying a personalised registration plate! MOD personnel and families can now obtain international driving permits free of charge, from any of the BFPO overseas forces Post Offices.

● As there is no option to enter a BFPO address when applying for a Global Health Insurance Card, there is current workaround advice when entering an address from a BFPO location:

1. Select ‘enter address manually’

2. Enter your service number in the ‘House and Name’ field

3. Enter your BFPO postcode in the ‘UK postcode’ field

4. Enter your unit address

in the ‘Street’, ‘Town’ and ‘County’ fields

5. Leave the country field as ‘UK’

● Those planning on regularly withdrawing cash via a BFPO counter overseas should check their individual bank’s services on the Post Office banking scheme list postoffice.co.uk/ everydaybanking. Whilst the majority of major bank cards are accepted, some popular finance cards and some pre-paid top-up cash cards are not supported.

BFPO activity is only a small part of the mail supply chain, and customs and the onward movement within overseas countries is outside its responsibility and influence.

Should you have any comments on BFPO services, contact overseassupport@ aff.org.uk as we have regular meetings with the HQ BFPO team.

Brunei team with Sgt Jeffesson Obazee

Sgt Nagan Gurung and Pameal Mmbone, in Kenya

Esther Thomas (AFF), Susan Gee (RAFFF) and Sian Timms (NFF)

OUT IN OVERSEAS LOCATIONS

Esther, who recently visited deployed Post Offices in Brunei and Kenya, said: “The BFPO services are a vital element of welfare support, not only for families assigned overseas who use it to buy British treats and essentials not available where they are, but for those serving personnel deployed keeping in touch with loved ones back in the UK. They also provide access to a range of Post Office counter services such as International Driving Permits and money exchange services.”

BRUNEI TEAM

The team explained that there is a monthly cash withdrawal limit and that deployed personnel may not be able to get enough over their counter to make large cash purchases, the standard local method of payment when buying a car, for example. An advance of pay has often proved the more effective way for accessing a large amount of local currency.

During Esther’s visit to Brunei, Sgt Jefferson Obazee was able to help with an AFF enquirer who had reported trying to send an 8kg parcel to BFPO 11 and had been incorrectly told the maximum weight was 2kg and to go and repackage it into four 2kg parcels at £4.65 each.

He explained that the error was likely due to Royal Mail counter staff mistaking the 2kg mail limit to operational BFPO locations with the 20kg limit for static BFPO locations.

As a result of this conversation, the enquiry was raised to the HQ BFPO team who provide monthly reports to the Royal Mail, identifying those Post Office locations where more training and awareness of BFPO services may be beneficial.

KENYA TEAM

In Kenya, Sgt Nagan Gurung and his team manage the mail for all permanent departments, temporary duty staff and exercising battlegroups and he said that the BFPO service is a huge morale boost. He added that many use BFPO to send out essentials required for the first few weeks overseas, as you can send up to 20kg for around £11. With a delivery two days a week and a maximum three-week delivery window, this is better than struggling with extra baggage on the flight over. A

In case of emergency

Sue Harrild, AFF Overseas Assistant, recently found out about the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) at a presentation in Belgium from Rachael Lewis, SO3 Notifying Authority for casualty and compassionate cases, and Ann McKenzie, European Welfare Officer at the European Joint Support Unit (EJSU).

The audience was spouses and partners currently living overseas with their service person, but it became clear that not everyone was aware of JCCC and the support it can provide during difficult times.

If you’re based overseas and get the awful news that a child, sibling or parent back in the UK is critically ill or dying as a result of an unplanned event, the JCCC should be the first call you make.

It will, without charge, organise all the travel, door to door, and get you back to

the family member’s UK hospital bedside by the fastest possible route.

However, it only covers travel from your overseas base and won’t cover you if you are on holiday overseas elsewhere. It is not a replacement for travel insurance or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

Rachael talked about the three tiers of response from the JCCC depending on the seriousness of the event. The top tier response is getting you back urgently, by the fastest means possible, door to hospital bedside. The next tier is less urgent travel to the UK and the final tier is organised support, for example additional/unpaid leave if needed.

There is a ‘family brief’ film that covers the services JCCC provides. Search ‘JCCC’ at gov.uk or scan the QR code.

To do list for serving personnel

● Routinely review who is recorded on Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) as your next of kin (your spouse or closest living relative) and your emergency contact (who you would like to be called first in an emergency). This can change over time and they do not have to be the same person.

● For non-UK personnel serving outside of the UK, it is important that your country of nationality is recorded on JPA to be entitled to overseas compassionate travel, at public expense, from your current location to your country of nationality. See JSP 751 for further details.

● Before deploying overseas give family and friends the JPA P001 (a small credit card- sized form) with your details on (rank, name, service number).

● Or download the JCCC Virtual Contact Card on your phone and share with family and friends.

A postcard from... Nairobi, Kenya

How long have you been an army family?

29 years and 11 quarters and about to embark on our last posting!

Time in Kenya?

Three fantastic years.

How many other military families live there?

Approximately 20 families, so lots of other children around.

What’s your quarter like?

Our house is a large four-bed, four-bathroom property in a gated compound with access to a swimming pool. We have a beautiful garden which is frequently visited by a troop of vervet monkeys and many beautiful birds. The kitchen and bathrooms are dated and the power is not reliable, but the sunshine makes up for those.

Are there any employment/ training opportunities?

Work opportunities are scarce for spouses. There are a few jobs that come up at the British High Commission from time to time. I was the Community Liaison Officer on our last posting to Nairobi and although the commute into the Central Business District was quite brutal, it was a very rewarding position.

What about schools/ childcare?

Schools are fantastic here; all follow the British curriculum, and the prep schools are of a particularly good standard. The sport available for children in schools is incredible.

Where do army families get together and who supports you?

We have amazing restaurants

and bars in Karen, so we often meet up in those, where the food and drinks are very good and not too expensive. Families also get together to visit markets, basket shops and curio shops. We tend to support each other, as we are a cohesive team and all live within a short distance of each other.

How do you find the cost of living out there?

Shopping is very expensive, especially if purchasing imported goods. When eating

out, prices are comparable to the UK and sometimes slightly cheaper.

What are the best and worst things about living there?

The best things are undoubtedly the incredible beach holidays and wildlife safaris, the weather and the friendly people. The worst things are corruption, potential robberies and general lack of security.

I would absolutely

Want to share your experiences of army family life?

Get in touch by emailing editor@aff.org.uk

recommend Nairobi as a family posting. It ticks all the boxes, and this is our second posting! There is so much to do, and you won’t fit it all in during your two to three-year posting. A

Nicky, Gee (serving), Tana (21) and Keisha (17)

Celebrating 20 years

The Army Widows’ Association (AWA) aims to deliver peer support, advice, comfort and friendship to fellow bereaved army widows, widowers and partners. Although it’s a club that nobody wants to join, members are grateful for its existence and the invaluable support it provides.

Members understand the pain of bereavement, and all the subsequent difficulties that may need to be overcome in order to build a more positive future.

The AWA also advises policy makers through the Defence Bereaved Families Group and provides practical support to the unit welfare officer and casualty visiting officer training courses.

CELEBRATION IN SONG

To mark its 20th anniversary, a collaboration between the AWA, retired army padre Father Kevin Bell and Lieutenant Colonel Craig Hallatt resulted in a song being produced and professionally recorded at Aldershot Garrison.

The lyrics were written by Father Bell, using words and phrases supplied by AWA members, and the music was composed by Lt Col Hallatt. The vocals were provided by Lance Sergeant Tiffany Ellen and the music performed by the Army Contemporary Music Group, Blue Red Blue, along with the Countess of Wessex String Orchestra.

The AWA hosted a special 20th anniversary event for its members and invited guests in London where the music was provided by the Honourable Artillery Company Band, Saxophone Quartet, and the song Not Just Twinsets and Pearls was launched.

LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS

Chair of the board of trustees Raqual Harper-Titchener says: “It would be hard to say what the biggest achievement of the AWA would be, but the fact that we have and are

able to make a difference and influence policy in a positive way to improve how we, and the newly bereaved, are treated is certainly up there.

“We give support through friendship and find friendship through support.”

The greatest gift of the AWA has got to be the on-going non-judgemental peer support that has grown over the last 20 years. Many lifelong friendships have been established. We give support through friendship and find friendship through support.”

For more information, see armywidows.org.uk A

STAMFORD

Complexcasework

AFF’s Foreign & Commonwealth team is made up of qualified immigration advisors and responds to thousands of visa and immigration enquiries a year from serving personnel and their families.

As well as being capable of answering the more straightforward enquiries on the armed forces immigration rules, some members of the AFF Foreign & Commonwealth team are qualified to provide information and guidance on more complex elements of the regulations. AFF Foreign & Commonwealth Specialist Katherine Houlston explains more…

RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN AND DOMESTIC ABUSE

If your relationship breaks down whilst you are on a limited leave partner visa, you can no longer remain in the UK on that visa. If you wish to remain in the UK, you have to switch onto a different immigration route. There are two main options depending upon the circumstances:

1. Domestic abuse – if the relationship broke down as a result of domestic abuse, it is possible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). The application will be free if you can show that you do not have the funds. AFF provides full support for spouse victims of domestic abuse. We can help with applying for immediate temporary leave to give access to public funds, completing the application, collecting the evidence and submitting all the documents. AFF has assisted more than 90 spouses with their applications for ILR since 2016.

2. Parent of a British child – if you are not eligible for the above route it may be possible to remain in the UK based on your British children. Whilst this route does not grant immediate indefinite leave, it does grant leave to remain on a limited basis with the possibility of access to benefits. Fee waivers are also available for this route. ILR can be applied for after 10 years on this route (or an amalgamation of previous legal time spent in the UK).

You may be eligible for ILR if you have lived in the UK legally for 10 years on any immigration route. If you have not had continuous lawful residence but you have lived in the UK for 20 years, you would be eligible for limited leave only.

ADOPTION

The immigration rules on adopted children are complex and you should always contact AFF before making any applications. It is possible to bring children you have adopted to the UK

if the adoption took place under the ‘Hague Convention’ or in a country on the recognised overseas adoption order. ‘De facto’ adoptions (where the child has lived with the adoptive parents for at least 12 months out of UK) are also recognised. Applications are made under specific immigration rules, children will either be granted Citizenship, ILR or limited leave depending on the immigration status of the adoptive parents. Adoptions not recognised in the UK will need to follow the ‘inter-country adoption’ process. Please contact the F&C team for further details.

DISCHARGING WITH A CUSTODIAL CONVICTION

Government policy is to pursue deportation if a person has received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, if they are a persistent offender or they have been convicted of an offence which has caused serious harm. Serving personnel who have been sentenced to at least 12 months in the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) can be considered for deportation, depending on the conviction.

It may be possible to remain on the basis of human rights, depending on the circumstances. As a result of rule changes that took place in April 2024, serving personnel sentenced to less than 12 months in MCTC may also be refused an application to remain. It is currently unclear what you would be granted instead – AFF is seeking clarification on this.

HOME OFFICE MEETING

In June, Katherine attended a meeting at the Home Office to discuss aspects of the new armed forces immigration rules. The policy team agreed to a number of the requested amendments, which will be incorporated in rule changes in the new year. Other issues raised include the

Alice’s story...

ability for the serving person to work whilst waiting for their visas to be granted when they leave the army, and only granting partner visas to the end of the service person’s discharge date instead of giving them the full five years. AFF will continue to work with the Home Office on these and other issues where service is causing a disadvantage. A

Alice arrived in the UK in 2004. She spent time on a student visa and then had a child with a serving soldier. She became an overstayer for a few years after the relationship broke down, but was then granted leave as a parent of a British child in July 2013. She spent 10 years on this route. When she contacted AFF in November 2023 prior to her next visa expiring, we advised her that she would now be eligible for ILR. The Royal British Legion agreed to fund the application and she was granted her permanent stay just a few months later.

“I am so thankful for all the support and help you have given to me. Life wouldn’t be the same without your help.”

eVISA UPDATE

The Government is phasing out physical visa documents by the end of 2024.

If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) you should create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account now. See the link below for guidance.

From 2025 you will need to have a UKVI account to view and share your status with third parties. Your UKVI account will also be linked to your passport so you no longer have to travel with a physical document.

See gov.uk/evisa A

The AFF F&C team

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult and challenging experiences that we go through. When families and friends are bereaved by suicide, it can amplify the feelings of loss such as anger, confusion and guilt due to the often unexpected and sudden nature of the loss experienced.

These emotions can be further exacerbated when the family or friend are part of the armed forces community and are living away from their family’s support or separated from a loved one due to operational commitments or assignment.

It is recognised that it is really important that families know where and how they can get support during this time.

ACKNOWLEDGING THE RISK

There has been an upward trend in armed forces personnel dying by suicide, and the MOD has acknowledged this by publishing the Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan

This strategy outlines how the MOD tackles suicide in the armed forces and how it supports those affected by suicide. The action plan includes work to understand suicide risk groups, educating service personnel and the chain of command about suicide.

There is also a Defence Bereaved Families Group that has representation from the Army Widows Association, Scotty’s Little Soldiers and SSAFA, amongst others.

Coping with loss

CRISIS SUPPORT

Serving personnel and their families have access to the Samaritans, which has specific information on suicide prevention and peer support in the armed forces. There is also a downloadable Armed Forces Guide and an online chat

If you experiencingare a mental health crisis you can text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 or text ‘YM’ if you’re under 19. The NHS also strongly advises those who are having a mental health crisis to call 111 for support.

service is being piloted. For immediate support you can call 116 123.

There is also welfare support available from the unit welfare team and the Army Welfare Service (AWS) Intake and Assessment Team (IAT) who can be contacted on RC-AWSIAT-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk or 01904 882053. The padre is also a useful point of contact or your medical officer.

HELP FOR BEREAVED FAMILIES

There are several options for support for the family if a serving person or veteran has died by suicide. This includes

the SSAFA Military Families Affected by Suicide support group for any family member aged 18 years or over who has been affected by the loss of a loved one through suicide.

The MOD Purple Pack gives guidance on support available if your serving spouse or partner dies. Search ‘Purple Pack’ at gov.uk

RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN

Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports children and young people who had a parent serving in the British armed forces that has died.

Scotty’s estimates that every year 2,100 children will experience the death of a parent who served. So far in 2024 it has supported 167 children whose parent died by suicide. The charity also provides one-to-one bereavement support for children, grants, respite breaks, advice for parents and carers, and opportunities for members to meet other bereaved children. It has information on ‘Living life after your parent dies of suicide’ at scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk

understood the questions I had. Should I feel this angry? Should I feel this guilt? And the question that was never answered – why?

“There are few online support groups. Face-to-face groups were problematic as we were due to move again to a new posting, and the next area didn’t have a support group. Leaving behind the friends who supported me was hard. Emotionally this took a toll, and I had my own struggles with mental health for a while.”

THERE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

Families’ Activities Breaks runs active holidays for bereaved military families, so if you are 19 or younger you can access FAB Camps around the UK. See fabcamps.org.uk

WIDER FAMILY IMPACT

The one area that hasn’t been more widely recognised and has less formal support available is when a service family experiences the death by suicide of an immediate extended family member who isn’t serving. This can severely impact the family experiencing the loss as they may be away from their family and support network.

CLAIRE’S STORY

“Inevitably, my husband was away when I found out I lost my dad to suicide. In the weeks and months that followed, it was a really difficult time. I had an overwhelming urge to go back home and be surrounded by family and friends. It isn’t easy when your life, schools etc are across the country. Luckily, I had some good friends at our posting who supported me.

“Finding local support groups with others who are bereaved by suicide was also a challenge as a spouse. It felt important to me to speak to others that

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity provides support to families with a seriously ill child, recognising that family life is profoundly affected during such times, especially when you’re also part of a military family.

AT YOUR SIDE

Suicide Bereavement UK has developed a series of guides for those bereaved by suicide in the armed forces community.

They were commissioned by NHS England and co-produced with individuals bereaved by suicide as well as experts in military mental health, suicide prevention and bereavement.

Suicide Bereavement UK focuses on suicide bereavement research and the development of support materials for the bereaved.

The guides are free to download at suicidebereavementuk.com/ armedforces

Contact AFF at healthsupport@aff.org.uk A

Understanding that time becomes more precious than ever, Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert family support worker. These workers offer practical and emotional support tailored to the family’s needs, ensuring they make the most of their time together, whenever they need it, and for as long as necessary.

The charity supports the entire family unit, including parents, carers, the sick child, siblings and grandparents. The assistance provided is bespoke to each family. This can involve listening to fears and anxieties, explaining illnesses, diagnoses and treatments, keeping a seriously ill child company during hospital stays, driving families to medical appointments, organising fun activities for the sick child and their siblings, and offering support through bereavement and grief.

For more information, go to rainbowtrust.org.uk

Empowering young carers

The Children’s Society has received funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for a three-year project to recognise, empower and support young carers in armed forces families.

The Nexus Project will be rolled out over the next three years in four regions (Yorkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Hampshire) and nationally online.

Nexus will work in each area to establish a Youth Voice group, professionals’ training programme, and

CARER’S

a support services network, in addition to a national advisory group.

The Youth Voice will use young people’s experience to inform all aspects of this project. Each group

LEAVE UPDATE

In 2023 the Carer’s Leave Act made provision for unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities, but this does not apply to service personnel.

Therefore, the MOD has now made provision within the policy JSP 760 for carer’s leave to be an entitlement under ‘compassionate leave’ which is recorded under ‘time off for dependents’ on Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).

Eligible service personnel (regular or reserve on full-time reserve service or ADC), regardless of length of service, are entitled to one week of fully paid carer’s leave in each leave year for situations where normal caring arrangements fail, or they are required to undertake caring duties that impact on their usual working hours.

Carer’s leave must be used within the leave year it is allocated,

will consist of seven young people aged between 8 to 18 who have caring responsibilities and live within a serving or ex-serving armed forces family.

These Youth Voice groups will allow young people to be involved in:

● positive campaigns;

● creating training materials and resources;

● working towards system change.

For more information on the Nexus Project and how you can get involved: childrenssociety.org.uk/nexus A

so any untaken carer’s leave cannot be carried forward to the following leave year.

Carer’s leave can be used by the service person to support anyone who depends on them for care. This could be a spouse, civil partner, registered longterm partner, child (including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)), parent, someone who lives in the same household (excluding an employee, tenant, lodger or boarder) or someone who reasonably relies on the service person for care.

The service person should submit their request for each period of carer’s leave to their line manager, giving as much notice as possible. The service person’s line manager is responsible for confirming eligibility for carer’s leave and for approving each period of leave. A

King’s InterHigh is the UK’s leading online school, bringing your children a consistent, world-class private education without the premium cost, no matter where you are in the world.

How King’s InterHigh Online School Can Support Military Families

MILITARY families are no strangers to frequent relocations and unpredictable schedules, but they know these can take a toll on their child’s education. Every time you move to a new area within the UK or different country, your child has to start afresh at a new school, meet new teachers, make new friends, and learn a completely different curriculum with unique demands.

Adapting to an unfamiliar environment is never easy. Plus, this repeated cycle of new beginnings takes your child’s attention away from learning and simply enjoying this special time in their lives, where so much growth and change takes place. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With more than 20 years of experience pioneering online education, King’s InterHigh offers students aged 7 to 19 a flexible and inclusive way to learn. Here’s what makes our school different:

1. Take school wherever you go

No matter where you are based, or where you need to move to next, King’s InterHigh offers a fully online education that travels with you wherever you go. Our online classes and platform mean that your child’s education remains uninterrupted, regardless of your family’s location and time zone. All you need is a laptop and Wi-Fi to access your live lessons and materials. Making new friends won’t be a problem either, as we have a truly global community of students across the globe who you can connect with

virtually and via in-person events.

2. Cost-effective private education

Quality education shouldn’t break the bank. King’s InterHigh offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional private schools, delivering the same high standards you expect from a top-tier institution, just fully online. Our comprehensive British curriculum mirrors that of physical schools, and, being part of the Inspired Education Group, we adhere to the same rigorous standards as our sister schools worldwide.

3. Flexible learning

Every child is unique, and so is their learning journey. At King’s InterHigh, every lesson is recorded so that students can revise and learn at their own pace. If they need to miss class due to a personal appointment, they can watch the lesson recording at a more convenient time of the day to ensure there are no learning gaps. There is 24/7 access to our lesson library and other class materials.

Plus, we offer a choice of three timetables (UK, Middle East,

and Southeast Asia), so students can learn at the time of the day that is most convenient for them. Regardless of their choice, they are taught the same highquality British curriculum across timetables to ensure consistency in education.

4. Innovative technology

As pioneers in online education, we leverage advanced technologies to enhance the learning experience and keep students engaged and motivated. Aside from our live, interactive lessons, we use our very own InspiredAI to create personalised learning pathways and leverage Virtual Reality to develop immersive environments. In these immersive lessons, our students can collaborate in group projects, test their knowledge, and participate in fun educational activities to consolidate learnings.

5. Career preparation

King’s InterHigh helps students become more independent and self-sufficient. Though our platform offers various tools to aid organisation, such as dynamic to-do lists, we encourage students to take responsibility for their

learning, ultimately empowering them to become independent, well-rounded individuals. Our career guidance team is available to discuss their goals and needs, so they are ready to confidently enter the world of work when the time comes. We were also the chosen partner of IB to launch the first fully online IB Diploma Programme and offer this worldrenowned qualification to young people across the globe.

Get consistent learning on the move

King’s InterHigh offers a highly flexible yet consistent educational environment that perfectly aligns with the needs of military families. With our innovative technology, personalised learning approach, and commitment to preparing students for future success, we are the ideal choice for military families seeking a world-class education. If you want to learn more about King’s InterHigh or enrol your child, book a call with our friendly Admissions team.

You can find out more about King’s InterHigh at kingsinterhigh.co.uk

Sizing upschools

THE DUKE OF YORK’S ROYAL MILITARY SCHOOL

AS a prestigious coeducational boarding school, welcoming Forces families since 1803, The Duke of York’s Royal Military School offers an exceptional education, small class sizes, extensive course options, and outstanding facilities providing students with an unparalleled learning experience.

At the school, class sizes are deliberately kept small, with an average of fewer than 22 students at GCSE level and below 12 students at A Level. This ensures every student

receives tailored support and guidance, allowing for more meaningful engagement with teachers and a deeper understanding of the subjects studied. Prep (homework) is also completed under teacher supervision – an invaluable resource in supporting students’ academic progress.

Students at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School benefit from an extensive range of course options designed to challenge their intellect and inspire a lifelong love of learning. Whether students are focused on excelling in traditional academic subjects or exploring specialised interests, the curriculum is crafted to

offer flexibility and breadth.

A Level options provide indepth study across a variety of subjects, empowering students to tailor their education to their passions and future aspirations.

One-hundred-and-fifty acres of picturesque Kent countryside is a stunning environment for students to live, learn and thrive. The state-of-the-art facilities include purpose-built science labs, specialised spaces for the arts, and an Olympicstandard athletics track. These facilities not only enhance the learning experience but provide space for the extensive cocurricular programme.

Beyond the classroom, the Duke of York’s Royal Military

School offers over 60 clubs and activities from sports and performing arts to technology and outdoor adventures all at no additional cost. This vibrant co-curricular programme helps students develop well-rounded skills, leadership qualities and lifelong friendships.

The boarding experience is at the heart of the school, with students benefiting from purpose-designed living spaces that offer a comfortable, supportive, and communitydriven atmosphere – a true home-from-home environment.

www.doyrms.com

WALHAMPTON PREP SCHOOL

WALHAMPTON

Prep School lies in beautiful ancient woodland on the edge of the New Forest, near Lymington in Hampshire. This day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2-13, strives to let children be children for longer, whilst preparing them for the unknown challenges and opportunities in the world of tomorrow. With 100 acres nestled between the New Forest and the Solent, the space afforded to play and outdoor learning is remarkable.

Children in the Pre-Prep benefit from weekly lessons in the outdoor classroom and Forest School, as well as enjoying the kitchen garden and horse riding at the on-site stables. The ‘morning mile’ is a regular Pre-Prep activity embracing the outdoors and looking for nature, sometimes they even invite the parents to join. As children move to the Prep School they have timetabled Outdoor Learning in Years 3-5, with activities including cooking on the fire pit, den building and kayaking, providing the opportunity to take risks in a safe environment. Being a boarding school, boarders have the run of the 100 acres during evenings and weekends to explore, play and cement friendships.

Each June, the entire Prep School (age 7-13) attends Expeditions’ Week as children take the Walhampton ethos

out of Walhampton. This starts with local day trips in Year 3, progressing through to outward bound style camps on the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Devon and the magical Isle of Mull, forging memories to last a lifetime! The school is determined to give children the space, support and encouragement to explore their passions as they develop each child into a confident young person ready for the world of tomorrow.

www.walhampton.com

ST MARY’S SCHOOL

IN a world still marked by gender inequality, pay gaps, and limited opportunities for women, the role of girls’ schools has never been more vital, writes Charlotte Duhaney, Head of Communications at St Mary’s School, Cambridge. These institutions are not designed to isolate or shelter girls from the challenges of the real world; rather, they are powerful incubators of leadership, selfconfidence, and resilience. Girls’ schools, like St Mary’s School, Cambridge, focus on equipping young women with the skills, character, and courage they need to advocate for themselves and others, shaping a future where women not only participate but excel in every sphere.

The statistics on gender disparities are sobering. From the gender pay gap to the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and STEM fields, the reality is clear: women continue to face systemic barriers. These obstacles aren’t going away overnight, which is why it’s crucial to prepare the next generation of girls to confront and overcome them.

Our approach to education is not just about academic achievement, though that remains a cornerstone. St Mary’s girls consistently perform at the highest levels, with more than 80 per cent of graduates going on to attend their firstchoice universities. However, the foundation we build is much deeper than academic success alone. Our mission is to develop girls who are brave enough to use their voices, challenge inequality,

and fight for their rightful place in the world.

Research supports the effectiveness of this approach. Studies show that girls in singlesex schools are more likely to develop higher self-esteem, hold leadership positions, and aspire to careers in male-dominated fields like STEM. Nearly 80 per cent of girls’ school students report feeling challenged to achieve their full academic potential, compared to only 44 per cent of their peers in co-educational settings. Girls in these environments are encouraged to take risks, to engage with complex ideas, and, perhaps most importantly, to fail and try again. This resilience is a cornerstone of leadership – an attribute we prioritise in our curriculum.

Beyond the academic and intellectual aspects, girls’ schools also emphasise character development. At St Mary’s, we aim to nurture girls who not only know what they deserve but are also empowered to demand it. Whether through debate, public speaking, or leadership opportunities, our students learn to advocate for themselves and push for change.

stmarysschoolcambridge.co.uk

Veterans are eight times more likely to be affected by gambling harm.

“Contacting GamCare felt like a huge step, and it was the best step I could have taken. The GamCare adviser talked to me as an equal and instantly put me at ease. I knew then that I would have the support I needed to get through this.”

Serving member of the Armed Forces

GORDON’S SCHOOL

SET in over 50 acres of Surrey countryside, Gordon’s School offers the space and facilities for students to enjoy a multitude of sports and activities while also providing a nurturing, homely environment within the boarding houses.

This co-ed, senior state day and boarding school has over 950 students including a thriving Sixth Form. Every student, whether day or boarding, belongs to a house. This becomes their term time home, a place where they can relax, prepare a snack or enjoy a summer’s evening around the fire pit.

The school is the National Memorial to General Gordon, beginning as a home for necessitous boys in 1885 having been built by public subscription at the express wish of Queen Victoria who demanded a fitting tribute to the Victorian war hero.

Today General Gordon’s legacy lives on through traditions and bursaries to students. Seventy students are currently supported in the school by means-tested bursaries funded by the Gordon Foundation, the charitable arm of the school.

General Gordon’s legacy is also reflected in the school’s ethos of what can be achieved

if people compete to give more than they receive. To this end, students commit to volunteering. This culminates in the Summer Term with a Make a Difference Day in which every child in the school between the ages of 11 to 17 works in the community, performing a range of activities from organising sports events at primary schools to litter picking and clearing graveyards. In July 1,611 volunteering hours were given to the community by 430 students.

Staff too give back through the Commonwealth Education Trust (CET) which partners eight Gordon’s teachers with nine schools across the globe. The programme allows their expertise to be shared with 161 teachers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Zambia, Cameroon, Trinidad and Tobago and Bahamas, benefiting 515 students.

In 2021 the school launched a major three year, £15,000 fundraising campaign to build a girls’ boarding house in Zimbabwe, after hearing that some of the children at the Ngamo School were sleeping on the floor in teachers’ accommodation during the week as they lived more than 20 kilometres away from the school. Fundraising included a 24 hour

sponsored karaoke (the boarders waking up during the night to sing!), two students cycling for ten hours from Gordon’s to Bristol and colour runs, to name but a few. Now the boarding house in Zimbabwe is up and running and accommodating nine girls in bunk beds.

The ethos of the school is that outstanding grades will only take young people so far in the real world. It is the stories they can tell, the skills they have developed and the experiences beyond the classroom that will take them the furthest. To this end, the school runs a tri-Service Combined Cadet Force with 135 students training in the Army, Navy or RAF each week. Other adventurous activities are enjoyed through competing in

the Ten Tors and participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme – this year 125 students achieved their Bronze; 60 Silver and 36 Gold.

All students take part in a cocurricular activity every day and Saturday mornings. With a choice of over 128 activities, ranging from creative arts and sports to board games, there is something for everyone. Students are also encouraged to set up societies, should they have a special interest or passion.

Alongside the broad and balanced curriculum, students are inspired and equipped to discover and develop their talents and interests as well as serving their community.

www.gordons.school

Benbridge Academy Online An Alternative Choice for Education

Access high quality, UK-style education, from wherever you are in the world.

Benbridge Academy is a fully online, independent school, catering to students aged 7 to 18. Our unique approach to 21st Century education is the best preparation for the future, allowing you to take control of your child’s education

Home-Based Education for a Flexible Family Lifestyle

ST GEORGE’S ASCOT

LIZ Hewer, Head at St George’s, Ascot, believes that developing pupils’ confidence should be central to a school’s ethos and education.

“Our school is intentionally small with 250 day and boarding pupils, allowing girls to find their place, make new friends and settle into the school family quickly,” says Mrs Hewer. “Pupils regularly tell us that one of their favourite things about St George’s is that everyone knows everyone, and the strong bonds our girls develop with their peers, with girls from across years groups and with their teachers is one of the unique selling points of our School.”

The Good Schools Guide review 2023 points out that St George’s pupils also enjoy facilities that ‘might easily belong to a school three times the size’, with a 25 metre six-lane swimming pool, techno gym, dance studios, music technology and recording suite, and a food and nutrition room just some of the resources on offer.

“This combination of closeknit community and wide ranging facilities gives our girls the greatest opportunity to flourish, within a stable, healthy,

challenging, fun and friendly atmosphere,” adds Mrs Hewer.

“Each pupil is individually known and supported by a close network of boarding, teaching and pastoral staff who help shape and develop individual capabilities and aspirations.”

Examination results are excellent with regular Oxbridge success, a high percentage attending Russell Group universities and a strong number of girls choosing post18 options in the Arts in courses ranging from visual effects, fine art, textiles and fashion to photography.

Outside of the classroom, St George’s has an impressive range of exciting and stimulating co-curricular activities to appeal to all tastes and interests.

“The dedicated teaching staff encourage and facilitate the girls’ participation in an array of over 70 stimulating clubs and extras as well as external competitions such as MUN, Bar Mock trials, debating and sports,” says a current parent.

Small class sizes (average 15 pupils) and international diversity bring girls from different backgrounds and cultures together, broaden perspectives and further enrich the community.

www.stgeorges-ascot.org.uk

DAUNTSEY’S

RECOGNISED as a leader in Adventure Education, Dauntsey’s has long been known for its commitment to providing a wellrounded and holistic education that prepares pupils for life beyond the school gates. This year, Dauntsey’s has taken that commitment to the next level by launching the William Dauntsey Award (WDA), a dynamic initiative designed to push pupils to engage fully with the school’s vast co-curricular opportunities.

The WDA is closely aligned with Dauntsey’s core ethos, encouraging all pupils to be ambitious, brave, and compassionate. The award is divided into three tiers – Bronze for First and Second Form, Silver for Third, Fourth, and Fifth Form, and Gold for Sixth Form – and consists of four strands: Service, Creativity, Physical, and Academic. Pupils must participate in all four to ensure

a balanced and comprehensive approach to their personal development.

The Service strand encourages pupils to make a meaningful difference in their communities, which research shows also boosts their own mental well-being. The Creativity strand challenges pupils to explore and express their talents, while the Physical strand pushes them to take on new challenges in sport or fitness. Finally, the Academic strand motivates pupils to go beyond the expected, enhancing their intellectual growth.

Involvement in the WDA not only enriches pupils’ school experience but also serves as a powerful tool for future success. In an increasingly competitive landscape for university and apprenticeship admissions, this award showcases leadership, resilience, and a commitment to self-improvement – qualities that will serve pupils well in all their future endeavours.

www.dauntseys.org

THE ROYAL SCHOOL

THE Royal School is part of the dynamic state boarding sector, combining the advantage of affordable fees, yet still holding on to its independent feel.

Located in a leafy suburb of Wolverhampton, The Royal School is conveniently situated between countryside and the UK’s second largest city, Birmingham, allowing students to experience the rich contrasts of British life. This also makes travel to other UK cities straightforward, and we have recently had day trips to London, Manchester, Liverpool and Oxford.

Family is at the heart of everything we do at The Royal School and all our boarders benefit from a structured and vibrant daily routine. It is no surprise that while many busy families may struggle with homework and other day school aspects, our boarders excel. Boarders quickly adapt to their routines and are consistently

ANDERSON EDUCATION

HAVE you ever felt guilty as the removal van rocks up, and all your family possessions are boxed and squashed in as you set off on another adventure to the next posting? The admin starts... registering with doctors, dentists, change of address letters to write, school places to find, writes Jen Reehal

experience of military life and regular two-year postings, I could not understand the concept at all and had my own (I now know inaccurate) preconceived ideas about boarding school.

amongst the top achievers in their respective year groups. They also have the advantage of the use of the expansive school grounds – ensuring their wellbeing by playing games outside (whether it be football, tennis or basketball), crafting, cooking and enjoying film nights.

Developing the all-round individual is another key theme that runs throughout boarding at The Royal. While we encourage our boarders to aspire and achieve high academic standards, we also believe we have a duty to prepare them for their future life and career. There is also an emphasis on celebration and learning from other cultures, which all our boarders get simply from the number of countries and social backgrounds that they come from.

Being part of boarding at The Royal School means being part of a nurturing community where our boarders flourish. So why not join us here and become part of the Royal Family?

www.royal-school.org

Generally, as we arrive at the next posting, we know little about the local schools. Facebook groups can provide some advice but applying mid-year can seem like a lottery and a lack of spaces in some Garrisons commonly leads to serving families having to appeal for a place. Even then nothing is guaranteed, waiting lists and home schooling are becoming more common. As we know, many of our children have moved school several times before and may have gaps in their knowledge. Having made friends in their old school another move means starting the process over. They are often left craving stability. Could boarding school provide a better alternative?

As an Educational Consultant advocating boarding school to Forces families, I sometimes hear soldiers say, ‘I couldn’t do that to my child’ or ‘I actually like my children, why would I send them away?’ and I must admit 20 years ago I felt the same. At that time in my life with little

It was my own eight-year-old son who forced me into a U-turn, having moved schools on multiple occasions already he was unhappy and asked to go to a school where he could stay, make friends and keep them. Both my boys thrived in boarding school. They had countless opportunities to try new things and meet friends who went through the school with them, both leaving at 18 with lifelong friends.

If you are considering a boarding school education for your child, Anderson Education can help. We offer a free impartial service to families, where we advise and connect you with schools in your chosen location which would suit your child. We arrange the UK Boarding School Exhibitions, bringing a group of schools and a CEA expert together under one roof.

For more information, please contact Jen: jen@ andersoneducation.co.uk or 07442 222075

● Join us for our next exhibition on Wednesday 16th of October (1pm-5pm) at Abingdon station Community Centre (Cholswell Rd, Shippon, Abingdon OX13 6HW). Scan the QR code for more details.

www.andersoneducation.co.uk

Help with education

If you need help with your child’s education or childcare, where can you turn?

AFF Education & Childcare Specialist, Anna Hutchinson explains…

WHO CAN HELP ME IN THE UK?

Local authorities

All local authorities across the UK have a website with detailed information about schooling and childcare offers in their area. This is a good starting point in your search for information especially around admissions and appeals processes when wanting to access school places.

Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK)

If you are having issues with finding suitable school places or your child has special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) which may need greater support during the admission process, then the EAT (UK) are on hand to help.

Part of Defence Children Services (DCS) within the MOD, this is a team of education professionals who are available to advise and support families in their efforts to find appropriate educational settings for their children.

They can also advise families about their parental rights and responsibilities and about children’s and young people’s rights and responsibilities. They can advise on aspects of SEND, admissions and appeals, and they can help families think about things to consider when looking into boarding schools or those thinking of taking up the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).

“We approached the EAT for help with an appeal for a secondary school space for our Year 7 child and they were able to identify a ground for appeal that we had not considered before which meant our appeal ended up being more robust than it might have been. The team was professional, and we felt well supported as we put together our appeal information ready to share with the panel in our local area.” – Parent, southeast England

EAT (UK) can be contacted at RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk

WHO CAN HELP ME WITH SCHOOLING OVERSEAS?

Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST)

If you are moving overseas and are unsure where to start with accessing support, then DCS also has the OEST to help families. The OEST can give information, advice and guidance regarding the education of children in overseas locations.

It also oversees the DCS confirmation of supportability which all children aged between 0-18 must have before moving overseas.

When considering an overseas posting, the OEST urges you to get in contact as soon as possible so it can ensure that families are well informed about their child’s schooling and follow the necessary timelines for

getting permissions in place before leaving the UK. When you receive confirmation of an overseas assignment, it is important to get both DCS confirmation of supportability and medical clearance before you progress with any other elements of your assignment. This includes arranging removals, cancelling appointments or even partners handing their notice in. They can be contacted at RCDCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk

Virtual School

The MOD Virtual School (MODVS) supports children who live overseas and who are electively home educated or are in parts of the world without a DCS school.

It works in partnership with schools and families to ensure children are accessing their education, achieving at school and is available to support with any safeguarding issues that a family or school may have. Please be aware that the MODVS can only be accessed when the child has arrived in location.

Contact RC-DCS-HQMODVS@mod.gov.uk A

CHILDCARE EXPLAINED

NORTHERN IRELAND

All children are entitled to a funded pre-school place during the academic year before they start school (typically aged three and up). This will be for at least 2.5 hours a day (12.5 hours a week).

It has been announced that funded provision will be expanding to 22.5 hours a week in the near future.

WALES

If both partners (if applicable) are in paid employment or enrolled onto a recognised further or higher education course, they may be eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare over 48 weeks of the year.

The funding offer is split between early education hours and childcare hours. Wales is currently expanding its offer for two-year-olds under its Flying Start programme. This varies by location, see gov.wales

ENGLAND

Nine months to school age –working parents’ entitlement

We know that the cost of childcare is a big consideration when it comes to families’ schedules and budgets. As childcare is the responsibility of the individual governments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the offer will vary for military families moving around the UK. Here is an overview of each of the funded childcare options:

SCOTLAND

1,140 hours a year (30 hours a week if taken in term time) is available for three- and four-year-old children – not dependent on a parent’s working status. Eligible two-year-olds are also able to get funded hours of childcare.

mygov.scot for more information

From September 2024 some working families can claim 15 hours of funded childcare for children aged nine months and upwards for up to 38 weeks of the year. As children get older, you may also be able to combine this with the ‘universal entitlement’ offer below.

Three- and four-year-old universal entitlement

All families can claim 15 hours’ free childcare for 38 weeks of the year regardless of employment status. Some providers will allow you to

stretch the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours a week.

If you are unsure what you are eligible for, go to childcarechoices.gov.uk

If both partners (if applicable) are also in paid employment, they may be able to combine these hours with the ‘working parents’ entitlement’, taking the funded hours to 30.

Two-year-olds

If families are in receipt of certain benefits or their child has special educational needs or a disability, they may be able to claim 15 hours for two-year-olds for 38 weeks.

For more information on all of these check out childcarechoices.gov.uk

Wraparound Childcare

School-aged service children living in the UK and from working families may be able to access 20 hours a week of funding for before- and after-school care. This is available to support service families during term time. See discovermybenefits.mod. gov.uk

Contact educationsupport@aff.org.uk

if you have any issues finding out what funding/hours are available where you are. A

Happy to HIVE 40th

HIVE started in 1984 – the same year as Band Aid, Virgin’s first transatlantic flight from the UK, and the first Apple Mac computer going on sale.

It was the 1984 Adjutant General Conference which identified the need for military families to have improved access to welfare support, which led to HIVE – the Hohne Information and Volunteer Exchange – being implemented. Those volunteers provided information on the local area, guidance on settling in to British Forces Germany, and became that first point of contact for families who needed further support.

A lot has changed since then; firstly, HIVE grew, initially further across Germany, then across the UK – starting with Aldershot – and Northern Ireland, before branching out further overseas.

Changing times

What’s changed for HIVE staff over the years is, firstly, becoming civil servants and part of an MOD organisation. And secondly, the constantly changing operational requirements of the army and single services, requiring staff to adapt to and support the evolving and diverse information needs of the service community. This has been most notable in terms of supporting deployment, transition and non-UK nationals to name but three, whilst maintaining HIVE’s core provision of location-specific information for those assigned or settling into a new area.

Launch event

HIVE’s 40th anniversary launch event was held in June in MOD Main Building, London, and was

a tri-service celebration for the single service HIVE organisations, with army and MOD colleagues, plus others who work alongside HIVE.

Aside from there being a lot of cake, the tri-service HIVEs chose two charity partners as their 40th anniversary beneficiaries: the Celebrating Forces Families Awards and Operation Christmas Box. Localised 40th anniversary events will take place within army, RAF and Royal Navy/ Royal Marines locations across the UK and overseas, throughout the remainder of this year.

Find out more about events near you visit army. mod.uk/hives HIVE is proud to have provided information and signposting support to

the service community for four decades, and to have done so as a part of the MOD for much of that time.

The ethos of HIVE’s volunteer founders in Germany will remain at the core of what HIVE still does 40 years on; providing up-to-date and accurate information and support, when it’s most needed, and to anyone within the service community.

The HIVE strapline of ‘You Ask, We Answer’ has stood the test of time and still endures. A

Students thrive and make excellent progress because of the genuine and nurturing relationships they have with boarding staff.

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NON-SELECTIVE LOWER SCHOOL PRIORITY PLACES FOR FORCES

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School is committed to supporting the Armed Forces and is sponsored by the Ministry of Defence. Parental contribution for those eligible for the Continuity of Education Allowance is only £569 per term. Students make outstanding progress academically, with students from Forces families achieving over ¾ of a grade higher than the national average. Our full-boarding community, offering continuity of education, is home to over 200 students from Forces families. We pride ourselves on offering outstanding pastoral care, ensuring students feel relaxed and happy in their home away from home. WWW.DOYRMS.COM | +44 (0) 1304 245 073 | ADMISSIONS@DOYRMS.COM WHERE EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION MEETS OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES Just £569 per term (CEA eligible families)

Army charity landscape in focus

There are many military charities dedicated to looking after the whole army family, whether serving or ex-serving, living in the UK or overseas. Here we outline some of the avenues of support…

Army Benevolent Fund

The ABF is the army’s national charity. It works hard to ensure soldiers, veterans, and their immediate families can avoid hardship and enjoy independence and dignity. Last year, the charity supported some 75,000 members of the army family in 51 countries around the world; its youngest beneficiary was one day old, and its oldest was 104 years old. The support the ABF provides to the families of those who serve, and have served, is central to all it does.

That support can include everything from helping provide highly specialised equipment for disabled children so they can join in with family activities and increase their quality of life, to promoting the welfare of widowed spouses and bereaved children from army families, funding respite breaks for service families, and funding hospital accommodation for the families of wounded serving soldiers.

One family the ABF was delighted to be able to help was Dave and Elaine’s. Dave, a serving soldier, and his wife, Elaine, found out that six of

“It works hard. to ensure soldiers, veterans and their immediate families can avoid hardship and enjoy independence and dignity.”

their young nephews and nieces were going to be taken into care, and that the children likely would be split up. The couple would not hear of this and took all six children into their care.

Faced with the need to buy six of everything, Dave initially was reluctant to seek help and instead used all his own savings. When he then reached out for assistance, the ABF immediately provided £4,000 to alleviate Dave’s financial pressures and assist with the children’s needs, thus helping

create a happy home for the family.

As well as supporting immediate family members, such as the six children dependent on Dave and Elaine, via the charity’s individual grants programme, the ABF also funds numerous other charities and organisations that deliver specialist support to army families on its behalf.

In the past year, the ABF has funded more than 20 charities and organisations that support army families. These include Little Ducklings,

a nursery that mainly serves the army community, as the ABF recognises that having appropriate childcare in place can be enormously beneficial to army families. The charity has also funded school holiday activity breaks run by the Army Welfare Service and funded exclusively by the ABF; the Military Wives Choir Foundation; and the Clervaux Fold, a dedicated centre for army families from Catterick Garrison, at which families can enjoy crafts, gardening and other activities, helping

Activities at Clervaux Fold

Dave and Elaine

to boost confidence and wellbeing.

The ABF has stood at the forefront of support for the army family since 1944, and the welfare of soldiers, former soldiers, and their immediate families is at heart of everything it does. The ABF truly is there for life; for the past 80 years, it has remained dedicated to ensuring soldiers and their families are empowered to overcome challenges, move forward in their lives, and thrive.

For more information, visit armybenevolentfund.org

Army Families Federation (AFF)

AFF is the independent voice of army personnel and their families. It works to improve the quality of life for the army family, wherever you are in the world.

AFF is an independent charity and offers confidential advice. It is often pivotal in achieving improvements for army families, such as changes to government and military policy. Its role is to highlight problems to the chain of command or service providers, and to work with them and other agencies to improve the support they provide to service families.

a year to help achieve a better quality of life for serving army personnel and their families.

Each year, the ACF provides approximately £750,000 of funding to Regional Command, which oversees the direct allocation of hundreds of small grants to units to improve welfare facilities and support recreational activities. The ACF also makes major annual grants towards the running costs of both the Army Families Federation and Army Sport.

Local and national charities benefit from ACF funding, enabling them to provide specialist support across the whole army community, including children’s welfare, family support, community facilities, and physical and mental health.

Recent grant recipients include the Forces Employment Charity, Reading Force and SSAFA’s Short Breaks programme.

One beneficiary of ACF’s support for Home-Start UK said: “I don’t know what I would do without my volunteer visiting, it’s really helped me not feel so alone during the deployment.”

Support can also be provided for infrastructure projects. This year £7m of funding has been provided to build a new Soldiers’ Centre at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright. But smaller capital awards are also made towards sporting facilities and children’s play areas in the UK and overseas.

armycentralfund.org.uk A

AFF can also help you find the right person to speak to, as well as providing useful information for army families. Visit aff.org.uk

Army Central Fund (ACF)

ACF is the British Army’s grant-making charity. It was established in 1948 by merging various military welfare funds, some of which dated back to the First World War. Its investments are used to award grants worth more than £2.5m

REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

There are many different regimental associations and charities which support both serving and exserving personnel and their families.

To find out more, see cobseo.org.uk/ members/regimentalassociations/

Carole, Suli and Paddy from AFF

Mount Pleasant bowling alley in the Falklands had ACF funding

BLOG

Spot

You can do this!

The definition of resilience from the Cambridge Dictionary is ‘the ability to be happy, successful again after something difficult or bad has happened’.

Military life is rife with uncertainty and unexpected situations. From moving halfway through a posting, uprooting the family without prior warning, to planning a deployment homecoming, only to be told the date has moved.

How would I define resilience in terms of military spouse life?

In military life, it is less about ‘strength’. Recently, resilience has been put in the same category as ‘dependent’. It has been wrongly construed as a negative. Resilience is about how you as an individual are able to deal with life’s ups and downs. Military life, as we know, throws many uncertainties our way. That is the nature of the beast. The price we pay for loving our service person. Resilience makes us who we are, it is

My first Make-A-Wish 24-hour run was in 2023 and I was smitten with the idea. Exercise, being outside and chatting are my favourite things! As well as taking part in the UK team, we joined some of those taking part as their own individual team. Their stories were so inspiring that I decided that in 2024, I would enter on my own.

As we all know military life, work, living abroad and having children in two different countries has its challenges, so there was little time for serious training. However, I kept up with gym sessions, half marathons and my fitness. After spending time in the States doing marathons and 50km ultras, I had an urge to run a 50-miler. However, the last time I did a long run was the Boston Marathon in April 2022 and so it had been over two years without any serious running.

When it came to entering my solo team, I received a message from one of my best friends telling me that her nephew Ollie needed to have his leg amputated due to a rare form of bone cancer. I have known Ollie since he was a baby and he’s such a

BY BOO FORSTER-HAIG

not consciously sought after, it is not consciously grown or forged. It is not something that we get given in a little present bag on our wedding day.

It is something that naturally occurs once we have been through situations. It is in the friendships we forge at every new posting; it is in the next job interview; it is in the next chat you have with your children about why your partner is going away again.

It is termed ‘strength’, and I view it as one of our community’s ‘strengths’. It is not a physical thing; it can be found in many guises. Resilience can manifest through self-care, engaging in your community, friendships and love.

Resilience used to be a positive word that encapsulated the amazing spouses of the armed forces. It grows through situations we all find familiar, and creates a group of like-minded, wonderful people who see the world differently.

We see it differently because we have developed with constantly changing situations, emotional and physical. We have grown as individuals.

There is strength in this community, a strength of bond that binds us in understanding and compassion. It helps us help others experience similar situations. Resilience is in us.

Whether we chose it or not, look around your community and celebrate it. We did not choose our partner to miss birthdays, anniversaries, medical emergencies; but you are more capable than you know. You are resilient. You are powerful. You can do this!

Scan the QR code to listen to Boo’s podcast PATCHlife – a military spouse perspective.

WONDERFUL RUN

BY ROSIE MCEWAN SHAPE Community Liaison Officer

great young man. As well as raising funds for Make-A-Wish, I thought it would be nice to raise money for him too.

I successfully completed all 24 hours dressed as Wonder Woman, running and walking, clocking up over 152km. It was an extraordinary experience and I was always with someone.

I never wanted to give up. Adrenalin was pumping and the time and miles went by so quickly! I only left the track four times and I ate and drank on the

track. This consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Marmite sandwiches, granola bars, Tuc biscuits and sweets.

In the build-up to the event, I made sure I added extra hydration, strength work and fuel.

Ideally, I would have done longer training runs, but time didn’t permit it. It was great doing the distance again and knowing I could still do it.

Once the event finished, I was happy to have tea and toast, a soak in the bath and dippy eggs! An early night and nearly 12 hours sleep was wonderful! I woke the next morning managing stairs properly. Thankfully I only had one small blister and my body felt so good. I continued to stretch and go to the gym but had a few days off running.

A lot of people donated to support Ollie and I was overcome by everyone’s support. Hopefully it will inspire others to take on a challenge! A

Dandelions

FOR THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF YOUR ARMY FAMILY

CELEBRATING SERVICE CHILDREN

During April, SSCE Cymru celebrated international Month of the Military Child, which was a wonderful opportunity to recognise service children and young people.

Schools, local authorities and SSCE Cymru network members across Wales took the opportunity to celebrate service children, taking the time to express their appreciation for their unique lifestyle and thank them for their sacrifices. This year’s celebrations included assemblies, dandelion artwork, creative writing sessions, armed forces-themed physical activities, wheelchair rugby with veterans and lots of purple for ‘Purple up’ day.

SSCE Cymru celebrated with the launch of its new on-demand bi-lingual e-learning training package. Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the training has been designed to give educators the tools and confidence to understand and support the needs of service children within their education settings in Wales. The training can be accessed by anyone who would like to learn more about supporting service children within education.

Should your children’s school in Wales take the opportunity to celebrate service children at any point throughout the academic year, SSCE Cymru would love to hear from them and include them in the SSCE Cymru journal. Find out more at sscecymru.co.uk

YOUTH CAREER SUPPORT

A new online magazine has been launched to provide support and resources for young people in military families when they set out in their first job or business venture.

Career Pursuit CIC and the Forces Employment Charity collaborated to produce Your Future with the aim of giving 16 to 24-year-olds the most relevant and up-to-date information as they navigate their career options against a background of relocations and deployments.

Helen Massy, the founder, chief executive and editor-in-chief of Career Pursuit and Your Future, said the organisation understood the immense challenges young people in service families faced as they began their working life and the magazine was dedicated to empowering them.

“By highlighting free resources and showcasing inspiring stories, we aim to equip them with the tools and confidence to chart a bright future,” she said.

Kelly Wales, Families Education and Skills Liaison at the Forces Employment Charity, said: “We

TEEN’S TOP MASCOT

Isla Fraser, 13, from Elgin, Scotland, has been named the winner of the Forces Children Scotland mascot design competition. Isla’s winning Highland cow design will appear on Forces Children Scotland’s website, social media channels and wider resources.

The creative brief was to create something to help people from non-armed forces backgrounds

understand first-hand the unique challenges of living in a forces family and, crucially, the life-changing impact that can be made when people are given the right career support.”

The magazine features information on free resources, the chance to look at career paths you might not have considered before and tips on turning your military life experience into new career opportunities.

Go to careerpursuit.co.uk/yourfuture-magazine

to better understand their identity as a forces child.

Isla chose to focus on a classic Highland cow wearing a military hat and camouflage. She says: “Highland cows are a classic, easily recognisable Scottish animal, they are also large, strong and hardy while being kind and approachable. Their personality is a good choice for a mascot, especially one that is going to represent the armed forces to younger children.”

Isla is from a family with a proud military background. Her dad serves in the army in the Highlands, and her grandfather, a native Highlander, served in the Royal Engineers.

Judith Blair of Forces Children Scotland says: “All the entries were winners in our eyes, but we had to pick one to be the new mascot. Our judging panel felt the winning entry had a unique Scottish flavour, and we were impressed by the attention to detail in Isla’s design.”

dandelion artwork. Below L-R: A pupil from Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog in Denbighshire, Service children at Haverfordwest High School

WINNING ARTWORK

Charity Never Such Innocence welcomed winners of the Month of the Military Child Life as a Dandelion poetry and art competition to MOD Main Building in London to present the awards and prizes.

The charity received entries from service and civilian children from all over the country and from MOD schools overseas.

The day gave the children the opportunity to read their poems or talk about their artwork, sharing their ideas behind it.

Brigadier Christopher Palmer OBE, Head Reserves, said: “It was a great privilege to present the prizes to the 2024 competition winners. A huge congratulations to everyone who took the time to enter the competition and reflect on the challenges and opportunities that our service children experience.”

Following the event, winners were invited to Westminster Abbey for a guided tour. The children and their families were able to see behind the scenes at the

abbey and learnt about its history. This gave the young people a chance to spend time with each other and friendships were formed across each of the services.

Charmian Hickman, Chief Executive Officer of Armed Forces Education Trust, spoke at the event. Charmian said: “The Armed Forces Education Trust was delighted to have the opportunity

to sponsor the prizes for this wonderful competition, shining a light on our service children around the world. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from the children – either reading their poems or explaining their artworks.”

To view all of the winners’ work, head to neversuchinnocence.com/month-of-themilitary-child

Clockwise from L-R: The Army winners with Brigadier Christopher Palmer OBE, The Dandelion by Baylee M, Dandelion Meadow by Olivia P.

Giveaways

Click the giveaways tab at armyandyou.co.uk Entries close on 15 November 2024.

A night at the theatre

Theatre Tokens is the biggest national theatre gift voucher scheme redeemable in more than 300 venues nationwide, including the best regional theatres and all of London’s famous West End stages.

With no expiry date and a choice of a physical gift card or eGift, Theatre Tokens are the perfect way for both theatre fans and first-timers to enjoy an experience they’ll never forget.

Whether it’s the bright lights of a highly-anticipated London show that excites you or a family night out at the pantomime that you prefer, whenever and wherever you choose to redeem your Theatre Tokens, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

One lucky reader will win £200 in Theatre Tokens; treat yourself or a loved one to a magical night at the theatre.

Theatre Tokens are available at TheatreTokens.com and at retailers and supermarkets nationwide.

The home front WIN

After leaving the military, Tracy Butler was looking for a career which was compatible with her husband’s army life.

She bought her craft business Home-Is from another military spouse who had set it up 15 years previously, making bespoke wall plaques in the shape of houses.

She says: “Every new block has its own tale to tell of unique memories and experiences and every house or cottage is the start of someone’s incredible life journey.”

One lucky reader will win a house or cottage with up to three personalised blocks.

Scan the QR code to find out more.

Fill up on protein Poetry of conflict

To celebrate the launch of their delicious new Protein Milkshakes, Shaken Udder is giving away two bundles of shakes.

The protein milkshakes come in chocolate and strawberry flavours, contain 20g of protein and are made with top-quality ingredients including Belgian chocolate and real strawberries. They contain no artificial sweeteners, are glutenfree and vegetarian.

These silky-smooth shakes are sold in Sainsbury’s and the full range includes seven different flavours, 750ml sharing bottles and yummy kids’ shakes.

Find out more at ShakenUdder.com

Frontlines and Lifelines by Maj Gen Tim Hodgetts outlines the former Surgeon General’s 40-year career as a frontline emergency doctor in crisis and war, using poetry to sustain his personal mental resilience.

Poetry provides the ability to say what is otherwise difficult. Some of the poems are critical and challenging. Some are humorous, as dark humour is a well-recognised resilience tool of the soldier. All are observational and all are grounded in the realities of crisis and conflict, spanning 30 years from Northern Ireland; through Kosovo to the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns; culminating in the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Three readers can each win a copy of Frontlines and Lifelines Readers also get a 25% discount off Frontlines and Lifelines, when entering the code ARMY&YOU at the checkout at unicornpublishing.org

Discount expires on 31 December 2024. This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Book Club

Army & You and Reading Force Book Club, have fun sharing books!

The book is about fear and what it means to be brave and tells the story of a child wandering through a forest and being shocked by a bear. At first the bear is very scary but by the end the girl becomes the bear’s friend. Beatrice found the pictures too dark which made it hard to understand the symbolism of the story. It

SHARING BOOKS

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

Published by: Prestel, hardback, £12.99.

Every year, MAF Timor-Leste carries out hundreds of life-saving medical evacuation flights. MAF is the only air ambulance, and there’s only one hospital in the whole Southeast Asian nation.

Many patients have never flown or even left their village before. They are scared, far from home and don’t have any personal belongings with them. MAF saw this challenge and started the care pack project.

For just £17.29, you could provide a simple gift of a bag of essential items to help a survivor during their recovery. You can restore hope and provide comfort in their greatest time of need.

SCAN ME