Army&You - Winter 2023/24 by TylerBale Communications

Winter 2023/24

MOVING PICTURE What the New Accommodation Offer means for you

OVERSEAS

OCCUPATION A look at the challenges of finding work abroad

ISLAND

ADVENTURE A flavour of Fiji

DIGITAL DECISION Could a career in cyber suit you?

Win

Healthy profit

Meet the entrepreneur serving up nutrition plans

FORCESLINE

Forcesline is our free and confidential helpline and webchat service, providing support for regulars, reserves and veterans from the Armed Forces and their families. Family, debt, housing, mental wellbeing, addiction or other problems - don’t keep quiet talk to us.

CALL FORCESLINE

0800 260 6767

SCAN HERE TO CONTACT US ONLINE

FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL. OPEN WEEKDAYS, 09:00 TO 17:30

ssafa.org.uk/forcesline

Enquiries Team 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday 8am to 3pm Friday contact@aff.org.uk // 01264 554004

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

The job front It’s no secret that the mobile nature of army life can make partner employment a challenge. There are of course other factors, such as distance from family and close friends who may have been able to help with childcare, which add to the complexity. And let’s not forget the uncertainty of postings, both around the UK and to and from overseas locations, which means that spouses and partners can struggle to get and hold down a job and find it even more difficult to pursue a fulfilling career. In this edition, we focus on the employment landscape for military partners and in our feature Job hurdles overseas on page 12, reporter Jill Misson talks to families about their employment experiences while on overseas postings. In our Employment & Training pages, we focus on careers in the cyber and technology industry and have some pointers on writing covering letters and filling in application forms – page 20. One solution to the employment conundrum can be to work for yourself. We chat to some spouses who have set up their own businesses – Bossing it on page 18. We also take a look at the juggling act that is working and finding childcare, especially in the holidays,

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CONTRIBUTIONS If you’ve got a story to tell about army life, then let us know – email editor@aff.org.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS In your own home or private rental? 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

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Contact AFF

Becca Meadows – see Employment page 18

and answer your questions about holiday childcare – page 44 – and find out how a single serving mum manages a busy role with the Army Welfare Service and caring for her daughter – page 46. There are some inspiring stories and prizes to be won in Dandelions, our children’s section, on pages 62-63 – if you’d like to tell us about a project involving service kids or if your youngster would like to feature in a future edition, just get in touch by emailing editor@aff. org.uk Finally, you can win some fantastic prizes, including two months of fitness coaching and tickets to the Baby Show at ExCel London, in our Giveaways on pages 64 and 65. Enjoy the edition!

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 18 February 2024 unless otherwise stated. ADVERTISEMENTS Interested in advertising in Army&You? Contact TylerBale Communications. Email: info@tylerbale.co.uk Tel: 01252 714870 / Web: ayads.co.uk

✪ Posts generously sponsored by the Army Benevolent Fund

Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 3

Contents 12

armyandyou.co.uk | facebook.com/armyandyou instagram.com/armyandyou | twitter.com/armyandyou

COMMUNITY Remembering through art

FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH Non-UK team success

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING Bossing it

MONEY & YOU Benefits abroad

How to...

HEALTH Give a child a brighter future

YOUR FAMILY Help with emotions

EDUCATION & CHILDCARE A juggling act

COVER STORY

Job hurdles

Can you carry on your career or secure work overseas? COVER STORY

Don’t et forg to follow , us on Facebook m Instagra lots and Twitter for d an s w ne e mor features

Spotlight

A Word From…

Employment & Training Specialist, Lucy Ritchie

InfogrAFFics

Discover the latest news affecting army families

Download

Newsy snippets about army family life

Blogspot

You share your experiences of army family life

Dandelions

For the younger members of your army family

Giveaways

COVER STORY

Check out our prize haul and be a winner this winter

Book Club

Teens tell us their thoughts on And Don’t Look Back

“If the morale at home is low, it has an impact on the exercise and the way the soldiers are working.” – Major army exercise an ‘iron’ test for those training and their loved ones

4 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

Meet the entrepreneurs who took command of their careers

Complete job applications and pen covering letters COVER STORY

The data on employment and your career concerns

AFF in Action

A postcard from...

A snapshot of military life in Fiji

FEATURES

A deep dive into the role of a Defence Attaché COVER STORY

REGULARS

OVERSEAS Supporting roles

Sector in focus

Cyber and technology COVER STORY

YOUR HOME What’s changing?

How the new-look housing policy will affect you

How poppies are helping remembrance blossom

Foreign & Commonwealth causes for celebration

Your guide to financial support when away from home

A focus on the rigours and rewards of fostering

Charity’s caring embrace supports service children

Help in navigating holiday headaches

COVER THE COSTS OF YOUR FAMILY’S CARE FROM JUST £55 PER YEAR

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HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION

NURSING OR CARE AT HOME

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DOMESTIC HELP FOLLOWING ILLNESS OR INJURY

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RECOVERY

A WORD FROM... EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING SPECIALIST, LUCY RITCHIE

FF is very aware of the challenges that face army spouses and partners in finding their professional groove. For many army families the financial stability that a career affords seems out of reach as the frequency of moves, the serving partner’s unpredictable working hours and the costs and availability of childcare can feel like insurmountable barriers. In a recent Forces in Mind Trustsponsored report*, which examined the financial stability of UK military families, more than 85 per cent of army partners felt that service life had negatively impacted partner employment. We often hear how, for families with young children, the challenges posed by the lack of choice and availability of childcare, and the costs associated with it, are huge barriers to being able to work. This is often compounded by postings away from your wider family who might provide childcare support if you were able to live closer. The frequency of moves affects many spouses and partners looking to build a career or have a stable job. Many find that promotion or training opportunities are unavailable to them as they are not with an employer long enough. There has been progress in employers understanding the nature of service life and the impact that this can have on partner employment and it is positive to see more employers sign the Armed Forces Covenant and introduce military spouse support policies. However, the report highlighted that there is still a perceived reluctance from employers to hire military partners, so more must be done. In the post-Brexit, postpandemic world, spousal employment overseas has become increasingly fraught. AFF is starting to see evidence that families are increasingly choosing to do unaccompanied overseas tours to ensure stability for their children and to retain partner employment. For other families,

6 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

CAREER CHALLENGES “We are working to improve employers’ understanding of the demands of service life, and the benefits of employing military spouses and partners” we are witnessing impacts on spousal careers following overseas postings. Meaningful employment opportunities not only help the family bank balance and give longterm stability, but give a sense of identity, purpose and self-worth. So, what is AFF doing to support partner employment? We are working closely with the chain of command and the MOD to ensure that partner employment remains at the forefront of their minds, highlighting the wide-ranging impact that it has on both the engagement and retention of the service person, as well as their partner. We continue to build Forces Families Jobs (forcesfamiliesjobs.

co.uk) – the tri-Service employment and training platform. We are working to improve employers’ understanding of the demands of service life, and the benefits of employing military spouses and partners – you are a resourceful, independent and loyal bunch! And we are just completing a project to better understand how we can support army spouses and partners with their employment and training in the future. We are working closely with the other Families Federations in demanding clear and coherent guidance on spousal employment overseas, so that families are able to make well-informed decisions about what’s right for them. We have now launched our 2024 Big Survey which will focus on spousal employment – we’re keen to hear from you on what the barriers, and opportunities, are in the current employment landscape. Look out for more details on our work at aff.org.uk A *Examining the financial stability of UK military families, RAND, June 2023

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*The 10% discount is available online only. It is applied to the basic premium when you buy a new car insurance policy. The discount is not available on optional extras and minimum premiums apply. The discount will be automatically applied to your quote. The offer applies to new car insurance policies purchased online. The discount can be withdrawn at any time and is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. PMGI Limited, trading as Forces Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942. Registered in England & Wales No.1073408. Registered office: 80 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4BY. For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

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INFOGRAFFICS

Army Families Federation statistics

Army Life the job front

GET IN TOUCH

If you need advice or support with employment issues, get in touch at contact@aff.org.uk

TOP ISSUES

Some of the key issues you asked for advice on between June and August 2023 were:

The data on this edition’s theme of employment and continuing careers, and your wider concerns YOU TOLD US...

30%

of employment enquiries were about job seeking/ employment overseas – families asked about the possibility of working from an overseas location as they were considering accompanying their service person overseas

66%

of training and deployment enquiries were discussing the impact separation has on families, in particular difficulties for partners working full-time when their soldier deploys and needing support for children with additional needs during deployments Overseas employment was the third most popular enquiry theme, after long-term relationships and SFA complaints

27%

of education and childcare enquiries were about accessing wraparound childcare. Families struggled to find new childcare settings when moving to support spousal employment

TOP 3

areas of enquiry for non-UK families were: Visas to enter the UK Indefinite Leave to Remain Citizenship

“My husband lives on camp during the week, he can’t always make it home at weekends. Can we still claim wraparound childcare?”

“My wife has a posting to Cyprus coming up but I have a full-time job here. I’m worried about the tax and National Insurance issues of moving my job overseas”

“I’m trying to find out the rules on working in Germany as it’s confusing. Do I need a work permit if my husband is posted there?”

“How do I bring my grandparent to the UK so they can visit the family?”

“My husband lives on camp and I’m trying to juggle a full-time job and the children, is there any support available to help me?”

TOP ISSUES from non-UK families from June-August 2023 were: The service person struggling to meet the minimum income requirement to bring family to the UK

Families having difficulties bringing a family member to the UK to support a spouse through the birth of a child or with childcare Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 9

AFF IN ACTION

#AFFteamwork

NEW YEAR BROADBAND BOOST

Look out for an AFF broadband giveaway in the next few weeks, kindly funded by Annington. We’ll be offering dongles to UK-based military families, which will provide internet access for up to 12 months with an unlimited allowance each month. For a chance to win, keep checking our social media channels.

#Onthecase

AIR YOUR VIEWS

The next AFF Big Survey, which aims to understand the impact service life has on army spouses’ and partners’ careers, is now live. We would like to find out more about the barriers to employment you’re facing and any positive examples of how you’ve been well supported in the workplace. Your evidence will help us continue to build our understanding of the issues so that we can continue to influence policy and further understand how best to support you in maintaining your career. Click the QR code to complete the survey.

#AFFoutandabout

FFJ EXPLAINED

Lucy Ritchie and Sarah Johnson from Forces Families Jobs went along to the Forces Employment Charity’s career change and apprenticeships event in Andover in November. The day outlined the benefits of apprenticeships, enabled job-seekers to explore careers in a variety of sectors from tech to energy, learn how to craft an impressive CV and take part in one-to-one workshops

#AFFoutandabout

HOUSING ROADSHOW

Housing Specialist Cat Calder and Devolved Nations Manager Emma Perrin attended the Catterick New Accommodation Offer roadshow organised by the MOD. There was a good mix of attendees on the day, with an extra 600 people joining the event online. This was an opportunity for Cat and Emma to speak to policy makers and highlight many of the concerns and questions families have raised to us. AFF will keep you updated via aff.org.uk and our social media channels as information on the New Accommodation Offer becomes available. 10 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

from industry experts. Jenna Richardson, Armed Forces Employers’ Liaison at the Forces Employment Charity, said: “As FFJ is the one-stop-shop for spouses/partners and adult children to find careers and training opportunities, it was a brilliant opportunity to showcase them to both the community and local employers.” For more events from the Forces Employment Charity, see forcesemployment. org.uk

#Goodtoknow

FIRST FLIGHT FUNDED Army families contacted AFF asking for clarity on whether the first flight for children to go to university was funded when they were overseas. AFF confirmed with the policy team that it wasn’t funded under School Children’s Visits (SCVs). However, we were pleased to see a new addition to policy in October under the Service Families Travel section which will now fund the first flight to university for a young person whilst overseas. Following this, you can use SCVs but if you are still overseas when the young person finishes university, the final SCV flight should finish in the UK, not the overseas location.

#Goodtoknow

HIGH PRAISE

#AFFoutandabout

NON-UK ADVICE

Foreign & Commonwealth team members Suli and Sarah were invited to the Armed Forces Muslim Association Annual Conference. They spoke about visas, settlement, citizenship and increases to visa fees, as well as holding advice clinics with individual soldiers after the presentation. The team also held a briefing at 3 (UK) Division Signal Regiment in November. Afterwards Sgt Mamat Saine said: “This briefing offered the chain of command a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by Foreign & Commonwealth soldiers regarding visas and immigration. I want to emphasise my thanks to the entire team for their exceptional support.” If you would like the team to present at an event, email contact@aff. org.uk

Following the announcement of the New Accommodation Offer in September, a Unit Welfare Officer contacted us to say: “Please pass on my thanks to the team for the prompt release of the AFF New Accommodation Offer post on social media and your website. “I was able to share the post on our families’ page knowing that it was going to be suitable for both personnel and family members. “I don’t think anyone is aware of how much work your team puts in behind the scenes on behalf of ‘us lot’.” #Goodtoknow

FAMILIES’ FAQS

Families often ask the overseas team at AFF how to get a replacement birth certificate for someone who was born overseas whilst their parent was serving. If the birth was registered by the British Forces and British Consul or High Commission, then the record should be held by the General Register Office, and you can order a replacement online, by phone or post. See gov.uk Mrs Jones recently replaced her birth certificate with help from AFF. She said, “I was dreading having to replace my birth certificate, issued when I was born overseas, but AFF was able to advise me who I needed to contact, and I was able to order a replacement to

arrive within three weeks.” Another FAQ is “is my child entitled to British citizenship if born overseas on an assignment?”. This depends on the parents’ citizenship. If one parent is British, the child will have been born with full British citizenship, but if neither parent is British, the child has not been born British (even if they were born in Cyprus) but has an entitlement to be registered as a full British citizen. Non-UK families need to register a child as a British citizen before they can apply for a British passport. The cost is refunded by the unit. This can take at least six months, so it may affect future assignments. Families should speak to their unit if a posting is imminent and they have a newborn. For further information, see bit.ly/ OScitizenship

#AFFevidence

FAMILIES’ VOICE HEARD

AFF Chief Executive Collette Musgrave gave evidence to the Defence Sub-Committee for Service Accommodation in Parliament in the autumn. She was able to represent service personnel and families’ views on Service Family Accommodation and Single Living Accommodation, making sure that your voice is heard as part of the Government inquiry into service accommodation. Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 11

Job hurdles overseas An overseas posting can be an exciting experience but if you accompany your soldier, will you be able to maintain your career or find a job? Jill Misson reports…

OST nation agreements set out the terms under which a country’s armed forces can operate overseas but don’t cover spousal employment. These appear outdated for today’s army families, where both partners expect to be able to work. “It’s no longer the case that spouses are content to stay at home and rely on the service person to be the breadwinner,” says AFF Employment & Training Specialist Lucy Ritchie. “Having employment of their own is increasingly important, both financially in this current climate, but also for personal identity and self-worth.”

“I wrongly assumed that it would be easy to get work in a school here. It is very difficult for a spouse to gain employment outside of the British High Commission.” Sharn Morrissey

Beating isolation This rings true for Zoë Herron, who worked as a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) in Norway. She says: “Moving to new places can be really isolating so it’s important for me to work so that I can meet new people. I love to contribute towards family expenses and have spending money that I have earned myself.” Zoë also set up a hair and beauty business so had to navigate the challenges of acquiring a business licence, opening a bank account, finding insurance and understanding the Norwegian tax system.

Do your research It pays to do your homework in advance as the type of assignment can affect what employment opportunities are available and there can be differences between individual locations within a country. Lucy

12 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

advises caution when asking around: “Everyone’s situation is different so don’t make assumptions based on what you have heard.” According to the Haythornthwaite Review of Armed Forces Incentivisation

(June 2023) some families are being discouraged from seeking overseas opportunities due to being left out of pocket after relocation costs and loss of spousal income. More serving personnel are now choosing to go overseas unaccompanied. The report mentions that “the difficulty for partners to find employment when accompanying personnel is a key demotivator”. Recommendations in the report include funding for professional training for spouses, access to civil service remote roles overseas, and work with global companies, particularly those signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant. Sharn Morrissey, a CLO in Fiji, wishes she had sought advice

“Moving to new places can be really isolating so it’s important for me to work so that I can meet new people. ” – Zoë Herron

before leaving the UK. Although she had worked in childcare for 21 years, most recently as a teaching assistant, she wasn’t able to find a job in education. Sharn says: “I wrongly assumed that it would be easy to get work in a school here. It is very difficult for a spouse to gain employment outside of the British High Commission as the government won’t issue a work permit if they think the job you are applying for can be done by a Fijian.”

Complex picture Spousal employment opportunities in the overseas space are more complicated following the UK’s exit from the EU. A spouse living in Belgium says: “I want to avoid large

gaps in my employment history but since Brexit you need to apply for a working visa.” Group Captain Justin Shearing, Commander Global Support Organisation (GSO), Strategic Command, says: “For overseas assignments not at a Permanent Joint Operating Base, there are some limited opportunities for spousal employment in administrative and support roles within the GSO in certain supported NATO locations. “Whilst living under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) does not confer any employment rights for spouses accompanying service personnel, it does not preclude it. While navigation of host nation regulation and

requirements may be complex, and this will vary from country to country, it is possible, and if this is something you are interested in, it is highly recommended that this is thoroughly researched before deploying.”

Pay restrictions If you can get a local job overseas, the salary may not be what you are expecting. A spouse working as a teaching assistant in Cyprus told A&Y: “I took a hit on my wage coming from the same job in the UK. It’s degrading to be paid below the UK minimum wage when it’s an MOD school. The staff are amazing, but we feel very undervalued. With Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) going down and the cost

of living going up, I have no choice but to work.” AFF Money & Allowances Specialist Claire Hallam says: “LOA is designed to contribute to the additional cost of living when overseas compared to the UK for necessary items like food and clothing. It is not intended to compensate for the loss of spousal employment. “We see families who budget based on the rate of LOA before going overseas but it is important to know that rates can go up and down so should not be used for a financial plan.” For most jobs on camp, there are restrictions on the level of pay, as they need to reflect the local economy. Locally paid employment may also attract local tax or social security

Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 13

payments. There are no tax protections or exemptions offered to those with dependant status under the NATO SOFA.

WFH complexities Although remote working has become increasingly common post-pandemic, army spouses and partners should not assume they can do so from anywhere in the world due to the complexity of host nation agreements. AFF is working with the other families federations to push the MOD for clear guidance and FAQs. Katharine Morgan hoped to work remotely in Cyprus but, six months into the posting, her UK employer withdrew support due to tax concerns. She arranged a sabbatical but had to appeal to be granted permission to seek alternative employment while overseas. Katharine has taken a lower-paid position “I was really concerned on camp but says: “I about the loss of was gutted. I loved my job. It gave me financial independence a sense of purpose and how we would and was extremely fulfilling. I was really cope on one wage.” concerned about Katharine Morgan the loss of financial independence and how we would cope on one an understanding of, the wage.” requirements for being able to Whether working remotely, work in overseas locations. locally or self-employed, it Sarah Walker, chair of the is important to seek advice Partner Employment Working from HMRC and check with Group and head of Supporting the overseas tax authority. UK the Unsung Hero, says: “The employers need to check if they guide will be an online resource have any tax responsibilities to help families understand and that they are not the rules and regulations for establishing a tax footprint in working whilst on overseas the overseas location. There are postings, initially covering currently cases of US military six European countries and spouses owing thousands in tax expanding further later.” back payments as a result of working without guidance whilst Career change overseas. Some spouses and partners have changed career in order Online resource to stay in employment. Hannah The Armed Forces Covenant was a qualified dental nurse Fund Trust is funding a project but when she was unable to provide an Overseas to complete Continuing Employment Guide giving Professional Development families access to, and to remain registered, she 14 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

became a self-employed virtual assistant. She says: “I had career coaching through Recruit for Spouses and avoided gaps on my CV by volunteering. I have been fortunate to fall into a role that is flexible and working from home. I have come to appreciate that having one specific job for your whole working life isn’t necessarily normal now.” Rachel Bishop was a trained lawyer but when she was unable to work remotely for her UK employer in Germany, she pursued other options and is now an HR consultant. Rachel advises using the time overseas to prepare for returning to the UK: “If you can’t work, can you develop your existing skills by studying? Can you keep in touch with developments in your industry via specialised forums? Can

you keep yourself visible and relevant by utilising social media such as LinkedIn? “If you find work in a different role whilst overseas, think about those skills you are gaining and look at how to sell them to future employers. Seek out advice from recruitment specialists who can help you translate your skills and development into effective and attractive job applications when you return.” Whatever happens with your overseas employment, remember to explore and enjoy your location. Lucy from AFF says: “Considering the potential loss of your employment when posted overseas is an important aspect to balance against what can be a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a career break, experience a different culture, develop new skills and explore.” A

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Come and find out more about what we can offer your child at our school.

Open Mornings for Reception 2024 intake on: 9th January 2024 (0915-1015) This is an opportunity to have a tour of our wonderful facilities and meet the Leadership team. ‘Children in Reception move calmly between formal learning and other activities’ ‘Teachers have high-quality conversations with children to develop their language skills. They introduce new vocabulary which the children rehearse and use in their play’. Ofsted July 2023

Other year groups are also welcome to attend the open mornings. Our recent Ofsted visit (July 2023) highlighted ‘They have planned a wellsequenced, ambitious and inclusive curriculum f rom Reception Year to the end of Year 6’. ‘Leaders get to know pupils quickly to welcome them and understand their needs.’

To make an appointment for a tour, contact the school directly by phone 01264 310780 or email admin@wellingtonprimary.org.uk

wellingtonlions.org.uk

LEARNING TRUST

DOWNLOAD NEWSY SNIPPETS ABOUT ARMY FAMILY LIFE

NEW PODCAST Chloe Monaghan, a military spouse of nearly 12 years, has created a podcast, Military Spouse in the House, to help support other spouses recognise the challenges they face and have a giggle to ease the pressures of day-to-day army life. Chloe and her guests chat about the challenges and triumphs of being a military spouse, covering topics such as longdistance love, surviving deployments and navigating acronyms. Find out more at broradio.fm/militaryspouse-in-the-house-podcast

MORE SUPPORT IN EUROPE

FLEXIBLE FUNDING

Ann McKenzie, Deputy European Welfare Officer, based at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), has recently gained a diploma in domestic abuse which qualifies her as an Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDVA). Ann says: “There are unique factors that often place additional pressures on armed forces families and may contribute to an individual’s concerns when they are in, or seeking to leave, an abusive relationship. Serving overseas and the dynamics within the overseas community can add to the stresses and strains of family life.” To speak to Ann, in confidence, call +32 (0) 478 79 15 75.

The government has announced that Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) financial funding will be launched from September 2025. This will create a single funding system in England, to help post-18 students pay for college or university courses, enabling them to train, retrain and upskill flexibly over their working lives. The government loan will allow people to gain new qualifications, or develop new skills, through a full-time degree, individual modules or other technical courses at a time that is right for them. There will also be targeted maintenance grants available to support learners with disabilities or for support with childcare. For more information, search Lifelong Learning on gov.uk

GPS’ SCHEME OPENS

CELEBRATING FAMILIES

The Scottish government has opened the General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme to GP surgeries across Scotland, following a successful pilot. The scheme provides training materials for GPs to help increase understanding of veterans’ and armed forces families’ needs and the range of healthcare support that can be provided. Participation in the scheme is voluntary. Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton said: “For most service leavers, GPs are the gatekeepers to wider healthcare services, so an improved understanding of veterans’ needs is a pivotal step towards ensuring they can access appropriate health and wellbeing services. I would urge all GPs to play their part by signing up to the scheme.”

Are you going to the Celebrating Forces Families awards ceremony? Held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City on Friday, 26 April 2024, it will be a great celebration, the perfect way to recognise the amazing achievements of our community. The awards, which are being sponsored by a variety of organsiations, including AFF, have introduced two new categories this year, the Public Service Award and Business Award. If you haven’t already got your ticket, go to celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk. Alternatively, if you can’t be there in person, you can join in from home by watching the live stream.

Sarah from AFF and Vicky from NFF at the launch 16 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

AWARDS HONOUR The 13th annual Soldiering On Awards were held in London to celebrate the outstanding achievements within the armed forces community. There were 12 categories that sought to honour the accomplishments of individuals and organisations. The awards were hosted by presenter and journalist Jeremy Vine and the opening address came from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer MP. During the evening, there were video messages from Tim Peake, Bear Grylls and SAS: Who Dares Wins’ chief instructor Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham. There was special recognition for Natalie Maddox-Hussain and Jodie Evans, who came together to build a community that tackles diversity and inclusion in Defence, which has resulted in the Defence Women’s Network being created. For full details of all the award winners, go to soldieringon.org

Send your pic to editor@aff.org.uk or PM on social media @armyandyou

PHOTO FAVES How cute is Sergeant Major Wilson, the most paws-itively disciplined black lab you’ll ever meet! Wilson takes his role as a WO2 (Woof Officer 2) very seriously! @103regt

Working together – this father and son duo are pictured while deployed in Kenya on Exercise Haraka Storm. @irishguards

NEW COMPLAINTS APP A new service complaints app, My Complaint, has been launched and can be accessed via Defence Connect. The app will give service personnel the ability to log a new complaint and complete any actions relating to the complaint digitally instead of using email and paper forms. To find out more about service complaints, see JSP 831 or go to gov.uk

FUNDING FOR PARTNERS

A team of serving personnel, veterans, civilians and local business owners took on the challenge of a 12-hour relay up and down the 1,398ft high Rock of Gibraltar on Trafalgar

Day in October, to raise money for veteran support charity Waterloo Uncovered and Gibraltarian mental health charity the Clubhouse. waterloouncovered.com Isabella, aged five, had fun under canvas at a families’ day organised by The Queen’s Royal Hussars.

This colourful picture shows Le Cateau School in Catterick celebrating Fiji Day in the autumn. The Fijian community came together to perform traditional songs and dances and the staff and parents were treated to delicious home cooking. The celebrations brightened the children’s day and gave an insight into Fijian traditions!

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has announced applications are now open for the Supporting Partners programme. Focusing on employment, grants of between £30,000 and £80,000 are available for projects which will improve support for service spouses and partners to promote, develop and use the skills and experiences they bring to the workplace. Projects need to clearly demonstrate how they will support military partners to access support and employment opportunities. Applications need to meet one of three key themes: ● Improve access to knowledge and information which relates to employment opportunities. ● Enhance access to education, training and qualifications. ● Publicise the skills and experiences that military partners can bring to the workplace. For more details, go to covenantfund.org.uk. The deadline for applications is 25 January. Army&You Army&You Summer Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 17

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

Bossing it For some army spouses and partners, setting up a business can be the solution to overcoming employment barriers, and having a rewarding career that works around a military lifestyle. We talked to three partners about the journey to becoming an entrepreneur…

MILITARY CONNECTION:

Army veteran and married to a soldier.

WHY START A BUSINESS?

I needed my new career outside of the army to give me creative freedom and to define success on my terms. My passion for supporting women through key life stages using nutrition and lifestyle medicine also fuelled me to go it alone. I had a clear vision of what was lacking within the health, wellness and leadership space and what I could offer.

LUCY HEPTONSTALL

Let Lucy Sort It letlucysortit@gmail.com

BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

Knowing how to dress as a non-army female business owner as I had 14 years of combats, suits or PT kit!

BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING A BUSINESS?

I absolutely love creating a network of other strong, capable female business owners all focused on supporting women to thrive.

Image: emmajackson.co.uk

BECCA MEADOWS

Becca Meadows Nutrition beccameadowsnutrition. co.uk

TOP TIPS:

No one is laughing at you. A lot of women I speak to are scared of what others will think. Instead think how you will feel in 10 years if you never gave it a go. For me, getting professional branding and

MILITARY CONNECTION: Married to a veteran.

WHY START A BUSINESS? When my husband’s time in the army was up after 26 years, we moved to our forever home. After helping family and friends unpack and declutter, I found I enjoyed it. So I decided to start my own unpacking and decluttering business. Moving house and

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photography allowed me to finally see myself as the businesswoman I wanted to be.

relocating is stressful enough, and after all these years of experience in moving with children and pets, I am happy to help make that transition from house to home a bit easier!

BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING A BUSINESS?

BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

TOP TIPS:

Confidence – I can find approaching people hard, but I told myself I am offering a great service, which I am good at. What’s the worst that can happen?

Being my own boss, deciding what hours I do, and the pride in seeing the finished product and having a happy customer leave a great review.

Be social media savvy. Most of the business I have made has been through social media apps. If you have an idea for a business and enjoy it, go for it!

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

SUPPORT NETWORKS

If you’re looking for support and guidance in starting your own business, there are a few organisations who could help you: X-Forces Enterprise X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) nurtures entrepreneurial ambition for the UK military community, and is the appointed armed forces community business support partner for the Government’s Start Up Loans programme. XFE helps those who would like to start their own businesses with a full package of training, finance, networking and mentoring.

GABRIELLA MITCHELL Scattered Blooms scatteredblooms.co.uk

XFE holds regular start-up skills and self-employment discovery workshops online, and also has a Knowledge Exchange Hub which is a one-stop shop for all things related to self-employment and enterprise. x-forces.com

MILITARY CONNECTION: A military spouse.

WHY START A BUSINESS? I was just coming off maternity leave after the birth of my second son, and contemplating the sort of job I’d need to fit in with military motherhood was a daunting task. So I opened my mind to finding something that I could do for myself.

Scattered Blooms makes bespoke seed hearts from the ashes of a loved one or pet, wildflower seeds and a soil compound. Once planted, the flowers create a stunning memorial garden.

“Be prepared for huge peaks and some pretty dire troughs in the beginning. You will get through it, you just need to keep taking tiny steps.”

BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

Carving out the time to work! Currently my husband is able to have the kids in the morning or evening, but I know that there will be times when he can’t be around. I’ll have to be inventive with when I get work done, in addition to all the other jobs around the house!

BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING A BUSINESS?

Being around for my children and knowing that if I’m needed I can be there 100 per cent of the time, through illnesses and school holidays too.

TOP TIPS:

Be prepared for huge peaks and some pretty dire troughs in the beginning. You will get through it, you just need to keep taking tiny steps.

The Milspo Business Network The Milspo Business Network is a global network of business leaders. The network offers peer-to-peer support to all UK military spouses, partners and other-halves by providing training, networking and access to like-minded business owners. milspo.co.uk Heropreneurs Heropreneurs is a military charity offering free business mentoring from experts who have created and grown their own businesses and industry leaders who want to give their free time to help budding and seasoned entrepreneurs within our armed forces community. heropreneurs.co.uk For more information on selfemployment, visit aff.org.uk A

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EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

complete application forms and covering letters In the second of our ‘How to’ series, we asked Sarah Peñaluna, Families Employment Advisor at Forces Employment Charity, for some tips on application forms and covering letters… I need to complete an application form, what are the do’s and don’ts?

Sarah Peñaluna

Do use an up-to-date version of your CV to help build your application. Do write an offline draft first that you can use to check for errors before you submit online. Don’t get halfway through an online application and then come back later. You run the risk of losing what you’ve already started. Do try and answer every question and, if something is not applicable, say so, rather than leaving it blank. GET IN Do answer as succinctly as TOUCH possible. For more Don’t give generic answers, as information visit forcesemployment. applicant tracking systems are org.uk used to shortlist applications, so tailoring the relevant skills and qualities, key phrases and words to your answers is imperative. Don’t proofread it yourself, ask someone else to check it as well. Don’t forget to keep a saved copy of your offline draft so you can refer back to it if you are invited for interview. What should I include in my covering letter? Covering letters should include detail of how your skill set aligns with the role, what you can bring to the team and why you want the position. It’s important that this is authentic, so always research the company and role before you write it.

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It can be useful to structure your cover letter in four parts: 1. The grab – This is your opening statement and your chance to grasp the reader’s attention. 2. The hook – Highlights your relevant experience, including results achieved. 3. Suitability for the role – Showcase your knowledge of the company by outlining: ● why you’re suitable for the job; ● what attracted you to the role; ● why you’re interested in working for the company; ● what you can offer the organisation. 4. Closing statement – Summarise what you would bring to the position. Reiterate your interest in the role and indicate your desire for an interview. General tips: ● Address the letter correctly; ● Include a relevant reference number or job title; ● Keep the letter to one page. Should I say that I am a military spouse/ partner? This depends on whether it’s related to the job or organisation. If the job is with an armed forces-friendly employer or organisation, make sure to identify yourself as a military spouse in your cover letter. For more information visit forcesemployment.org.uk A

ADD MORE STRINGS TO YOUR BOW With free and discounted courses specially for military families

Improve your knowledge Improve your skills Improve your chances

forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk

Forces Families Jobs is delivered by a tri-Service partnership between the Naval Families Federation (NFF), Army Families Federation (AFF) and Royal Air Force Families Federation (RAFFF). Forces Families Jobs is a product of the Army Families Federation (AFF). AFF 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 having its principal office at IDL 414, Floor 1, Zone 6, Ramillies Building, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, Andover SP11 8HJ

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

SECTOR IN FOCUS

cyber and technology Have you ever thought about a career in the cyber and technology sectors? How about IT project management, data analytics, cyber security, programming, network development and design? It’s a sector going from strength to strength, explains AFF Employment & Training Specialist Lucy Ritchie… WHAT ARE THE PLUS POINTS? It’s a growth industry so you’ll be in demand, have job security and able to advance your career along your chosen path. ● There are plenty of remote working opportunities. ● There’s plenty of variety – the work is continually changing, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn new skills as technology develops. ● There are varied work environments – you could be self-employed, freelancing or providing outsourcing services; in the public or private sectors. ● There are plenty of different routes into the sector – tech degrees aren’t essential, and you can get a role by gaining experience and taking specialised courses. ● The pay is good. ●

WHAT ARE THE DRAWBACKS? The hours can be long or you might be on-call; but other roles can offer flexibility. ● Some tasks can be repetitive. ● There tends to be less room for mistakes, so precision is key. ● You’ll need to keep up with new trends and emerging information. ●

TECH SUPPORT

The TechVets programme from the Forces Employment Charity (FEC) offers access to free IT training, an online community and employment support. Go to techvets.co Jisc is the UK’s technology and data body for post-16 education and research. HR Director Georgina Crean says: “Jisc is keen to support people to be the best they can be, which includes allowing staff

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the flexibility to choose, within certain parameters, where and when they work, which suits military spouses very well. While we can’t allow staff to work permanently from abroad, the jobs of any army spouses employed by Jisc would be unaffected if they need to regularly shift around the UK. It means they can develop a career, while we benefit from a committed and thriving workforce.”

goal extends beyond traditional employment, as we encourage and assist military spouses in launching their own tech-focused businesses.” See labs. uk.barclays/what-we-offer

Barclays Military and Veterans Outreach has partnered with Barclays Eagle Labs to give the armed forces community support in growing their businesses.

Alexis Richards, Business Development Manager for the Centrica Ex-Forces Pathway, says: “My advice would be to reach out to me via Forces Families Jobs. I’d be happy to give you half an hour to chat about transferable skills, work life balance and different types of roles.” See centrica.com/ careers/emerging-talent/

“Barclays is committed to supporting and empowering military spouses in their journey into the tech industry,” says Andy White of Barclays. “Through our employment pipeline, we are dedicated to promoting and aiding these resilient individuals. Our

Centrica is working to promote STEM careers for forces families. It offers pathways to enable military spouses and partners to realise their potential.

WORKPLACE VIEWS

We spoke to military spouses working in the sector to hear about their experiences…

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING SARA HILTON

cybersecurity analyst

Sara found support from FEC and went from “the least technical person” to landing a new career in cyber security. Sara, a mother of three, spent 10 years travelling alongside her husband Andrew who served with the Royal Signals. When she decided she’d like to try something new, it was Andrew who pointed her towards the TechVets and Families programmes. “Andrew had been doing a lot of stuff with TechVets and he kept saying, ‘do cyber security, you should do some qualifications,’” she recalls. “Being the least technical person that I’ve ever known, I didn’t think I could.” Originally devised to support veterans, the TechVets programme now includes spouses and partners. “When they opened up their resources to spouses, I thought, why not try one of the basic ones?” she says. “I wasn’t as terrible as I thought. I powered through it, and really enjoyed it.” Sara made the most of the resources available – she used the online community for tips, and sent her CV to her Families Programme advisor for useful hints. She then began her job hunt on the TechVets jobs board, which features roles that you often can’t find anywhere else. That was the case for Sara’s eventual position – “I finally found the dream job,” she says. Sara’s job now fits perfectly around her life. She spends one day a week in the nearby office, and the other four working from home. “Nearly all roles are remote,” she says, “The job I had before, I was working most weekends, so I was missing out on all the family time that we would have had together. Now Andrew and I will be off every weekend.”

SARAH ISLE

service capacity manager “After I was married, I followed my husband around the UK, picking up the odd admin job. Employers were generally put off by the number and spread of jobs on my CV or felt they couldn’t invest in me because I’d be moving in a year or two,” she says. “Luckily, in 2019, I landed a job with Jisc. My line manager was also a military spouse and told me at interview there were offices around the country, so next time we were posted there was an option to just move office rather than leave the company. “Even before the pandemic, the company had a very flexible approach and we are still lucky to be able to choose whether to work from home, or any of the offices. In fact, we can work from any place in the UK where we can connect to the internet. “Being a technical, fast-moving industry, there are a wealth of online training opportunities that I can access from anywhere. And, thanks to Jisc’s flexible approach to working, it meant that when we were posted again last year, I only had to plug my laptop in at the new address and switch it on.”

SHARDAI COSGROVE

founder and director, Fintellity.com

Ten years ago Shardai was one of the first employees of a ‘fintech’ start-up. She was hands-on from the start, designing and building products and she loved it. She says: “I learned loads and made lots of friends, and then the company was bought out. In the new company, I moved from working on alternative payments to card payments, which rounded out my knowledge.” Shardai’s husband had been telling her about the military community experiencing problems with debt and gambling, which resonated with her experience of student debt. This knowledge of the military, coupled with her previous experience in payments, gave her the idea for a new product: Fintellity. She worked on the idea in the background, and was finally able to quit her day job in 2021 to focus on her start-up. Shardai was looking for help with growing her business when she discovered Barclays Eagle Labs accelerator course for entrepreneurs. “It’s a three-month programme with master classes each week. You get sessions with a coach, external and internal mentors. Hannah, my mentor, has been fantastic. She opened so many doors.” With her business poised for the next stage, and plans for future developments of her products, Shardai is confident that a career in fintech is a great place to be. A

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YOUR HOME

HOUSING

what’s changing?

On March 11, 2024 the New Accommodation Offer will come into effect. AFF Housing Specialist Cat Calder explains what the main policy changes will look like and how they will affect you and your family… NEEDS-BASED

Your family accommodation will be based on your family size (generally the number of children you have who are under 18 or under 25 in full-time education).

ESTABLISHED LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS (LTRE)

Service personnel who have registered their relationship as an LTRE will now be entitled to accommodation on the same basis as those who are married or in a civil partnership.

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

If you have children whose main home is elsewhere but they visit you for more than 80 nights a year, they will now be included in your accommodation entitlement so that you have room for them to stay. Family size

Minimum size home

Married, civil partnership or established long-term 2-bed relationship

How does entitlement work under the new offer? The entitlement is a guarantee that defence will always support personnel with a minimum size home, but it will be possible to go above or below that, based on your preferences and availability.

DUAL ACCOMMODATION EXPENSE

If you own or rent your own home and use Single Living Accommodation (SLA) during the week, you may be entitled to the Dual Accommodation Expense (this will be a capped amount).

SUPPORT TO BUY A HOME

We know that communication to families is key and we will share new information as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, here are some answers to your frequently asked questions: How will I be charged for SFA? You will be charged the Combined Accommodation Assessment Scheme (CAAS) band charge of the SFA you opt to live in.

Going forward, you’ll be offered extra support as first-time buyers through a refund of up to £1,500 of your legal expenses. Forces Help to Buy is already a permanent part of the accommodation policy.

How is allocation of SFA changing? The radius from duty stations is increasing from 10 to 20 miles, with the option of going out to 50 miles on request. You will also be able to request an allocation of one above or below your entitlement.

PRIVATE RENTAL ACCOMMODATION

What happens if there are no SFA available at my duty station? You will be asked to source your own private rental (PRS) from the civilian market. You’ll receive allowances to help support you including a monthly contribution towards the rent and council tax etc. Your personal contribution should be about the same as a CAAS band B charge for an SFA at your entitlement. Serving personnel will

One child

2-bed

Two children

3-bed

Three to five children

4-bed

If no SFA is available and you are placed into his route, there is a dedicated team to guide you through the process. You will be given guidance and financial support to cover the costs associated with renting, adjusted for local housing costs.

Six or more children

Considered on a case-bycase basis

What now? We realise that there are multiple questions

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that remain unanswered at the moment, including associated allowances and the allocations process.

YOUR HOME

TACKLING DAMP AND MOULD

get time off to help source accommodation and the option to nominate a proxy to help the search. SFA will be prioritised for those returning from overseas. My soldier is posted frequently – will we be pushed into the private rental market because all the SFA has been allocated? AFF has been told that DIO will continue to manage and allocate SFA through Pinnacle and will allocate the SFA stock in order to best support the most mobile families. We will be monitoring this closely. Will my SFA option be a choice or remain a preference on application? The allocation process is still being worked through. However, we understand that families’ requested SFA options will remain a preference rather than a choice. I don’t want to live in SFA – can I request to go into private rental? If there is sufficient SFA available at your duty station, then you will be allocated SFA. If you mark PRS as a preference and there is low SFA stock, you may be offered PRS. What is transitional protection? There will be a three-year transition period where those who see a reduction in their entitlement will be offered ‘transitional protection’. However, this will be the same number of bedrooms and not necessarily an old-type officer’s SFA, e.g. if you are a Major and were previously entitled to a four-bed Type IV, you could be offered any four-bed SFA available (including from a D type upwards). If you opt out of transitional protection, you won’t be able to opt back in. For information on individual circumstances, contact the Accommodation Support Cell People-Accom-ASC@mod.gov.uk or email the AFF housing team housingsupport@ aff.org.uk Scan the QR code to go to the New Accommodation Offer page at aff.org.uk A

DIO has told AFF that tackling damp and mould across the SFA estate continues to be a critical priority for the organisation and its contractors. DIO acknowledges that repeatedly removing surface mould is not a longterm solution for families. Following the initial process of assessing all homes with a reported damp and mould issue, DIO has worked with its maintenance contractors, Amey and VIVO, to look at the root causes of damp and mould. A year-long programme of works to address the underlying causes of damp and mould in thousands of homes is now underway. The majority of impacted homes will receive standardised packages of work including increasing insulation, replacing guttering, upgrading extractor fans and resealing windows and doors. These works will tackle the most severely affected homes first. In some cases, these packages should be sufficient to resolve the issues, but in others more substantial works will be required. These more substantial works may include replacement doors and windows; improvements to groundwater drainage and repairs to damp-proof courses; roof repairs/replacement and the installation of external wall insulation. This programme of works began in the summer and has already seen 1,359 homes receive an upgrade. Captain Will Matthews, whose home benefited from these works, posted on X: “Fair play to VIVO, absolutely ‘all over it’ this morning preparing our home for winter. Indoor and outdoor works, loft insulation, new extraction fittings et al. We had some real mould and condensation issues last year, part of the ongoing works for service homes is improving and repairing such issues. Prevention definitely better than cure! Top work folks, appreciated.”

weather, but to ensure services can recover quickly to minimise any disruption to families. This includes:

WINTER PLANNING

If you’re having damp and mould issues, contact Pinnacle in the first instance. If you’re still having issues after this, email contact@aff.org.uk A

In preparation for winter, DIO told AFF it has been working collaboratively with its contractors to establish contingency plans to not only cope with severe

Having the right resources in the right place at the right times as winter progresses. ● Increasing call handling capacity by 55 per cent, with calls on average being answered within 29 seconds as opposed to around seven minutes last year. ● Amey has increased its resource by 40 per cent since last winter. ● VIVO has recruited additional out-ofhours staff to ensure urgent repairs are effectively managed over weekends and bank holidays. ● VIVO has created a customer experience team to manage contact with families, and ensure communications are in place for followon works. ● Better availability of parts, including temporary heaters which are distributed across the UK as needed. ● Using remote technology to help to guide families to resolve simple issues without the need for an engineer callout. ● Establishing indicators and warnings to enable DIO to remain agile in where resource is allocated as the colder months progress. ● Continuously reviewing and testing suppliers to ensure that planning, resource and stock holding is at the right levels. ●

WINTER TIPS

DIO, Pinnacle, Amey and VIVO have worked together to produce a guide on what families can do to help keep their home safe this winter. You can find it at pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/in-myhome/winter-tips

GET IN TOUCH

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OVERSEAS Sharn and family

There are around 150 Defence Attachés (DA) deployed around the globe to work in embassies and High Commissions representing Defence overseas. Attachés come from all branches of the military and can be assigned for up to three years. AFF Overseas Manager Esther Thomas takes a look at the Defence Attaché Foundation Studies course which prepares DAs and their families for their posting…

GLOBAL EDUCATION

The Foundation Studies course includes briefs on security awareness, global strategic trends and cultural awareness. Parts of the course are open to spouses so that they are able to understand the role of their partner, and to help them run a DA’s residence and live in a country that may be challenging compared to the UK, in terms of living conditions, language and culture.

SPOUSE FEEDBACK

Esther has regularly presented to the spouses on the course and recently caught up with some to hear their feedback. Sharon, who is moving to Skopje, North Macedonia, said: “On telling friends I was doing DA’s spouse training most made a joke about lessons on correct cutlery or napkin sculpture but this couldn’t be further from the truth!

Supporting roles “The briefings were informative and it felt as if spouses were being treated as part of the wider diplomatic team. More than once it was mentioned that families were an important part of the Defence overseas network.”

HUGE CONTRIBUTION

Course co-ordinator Lt Col Stuart Cattermull says: “It is recognised by the Vice Chief of Defence and Commander Strategic Command that spouses contribute massively to Defence as well as the wider government in achieving their objectives within the countries they are deployed in. “Unlike some other countries who deploy DAs overseas, there is no formal tasking of spouses by Defence and thus

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the support they provide to their husband or wife is most appreciated.” Spouses are invited onto parts of the course delivered in Shrivenham and MOD London. It is at this stage that the families federations and the Diplomatic Service Families Association also meet the group. Spouses also get the chance to do a specialist driver training course, either with the serving person or on their own.

LEARNING THE LINGO

Depending on the country they are moving to, spouses may be offered language and cultural training. Sharon has been learning Macedonian with an online tutor which she says has been extremely enjoyable. She thinks

arriving with the ability to read, and speak some basic phrases, will be useful so they have also been giving their children independent language lessons. While the wider family have not yet had their cultural training, they’re delighted their three children will be included as part of their preparation.

VALUABLE NETWORKS

Sharon said that the level of administration needed to go overseas to a diplomatic posting is huge so meeting other spouses and creating a network is key. She adds: “By far the most valuable element of this course was that it connected a group who were going through a shared experience. The WhatsApp group is still active

OVERSEAS

Left: Skopje in North Macedonia. Below: The driver training course

FIJI BOUND

and we are helping each other in what can be a posting with unique challenges.” Additionally she can drive better, can speak some Macedonian, has an awareness of allowances and policy but she still can’t fold a swan napkin!

Sharn, who is living and working in Fiji, told AFF that their preparation phase was quite short. Just five months after learning they were posted, Gary attended his Foundation Studies course, and the family left the UK in April 2023. She managed to attend all the spouse elements of the course which she found interesting and helpful, as this was their first posting to a High Commission. She said: “The AFF chat was definitely one of the points I remember from the course and would recommend that if that’s the only one the spouses can make, then do it!” Whilst she felt it was a good amount of time to get things sorted, she was disappointed they didn’t fit in a recce. She said: “Other families coming out should definitely try and do a recce as it would

have been very useful to prepare for what Suva is actually like, as it’s not what I’d imagined!”

SETTLING IN

Once Gary had started in post and their two girls had started at the local school, Sharn was left on her own a lot and struggled initially. Fortunately, both the girls settled quickly and continue to enjoy school. Sharn adds: “While the education system is very different from the UK, this is a good thing as it’s equipping the girls with lots of new and different skills.” Before the assignment the family considered the fact that daughter Hallie had to go back a school year into Year 8, as the school year runs from January to December in Fiji, but on balance they felt it was too good an opportunity to turn down. “For Hallie it was the best decision we have made, she is absolutely flourishing here and has really found her confidence.” The family considered the longer-term implications too and with a three-year posting, Hallie can either start her A-level studies or find a school that offers the International Baccalaureate syllabus so she can continue the IB programme. With Gary’s role as Assistant Defence Attaché, the family have not really had to deal with the representational and

hosting side of life and Sharn said, “we actually have more family time here, as we were married unaccompanied when in the UK”.

JOB CHALLENGES

On the issue of employment, she adds: “There needs to be more said to spouses about how hard it is to get a job here unless you have a specialist subject, just to make them aware before they get overseas.” She says that spousal employment is an issue, “unless you can get a job in the High Commission or have a specialist subject, then I don’t think you would be able to work here. “If they deem the job achievable by Fijians, then you won’t get a work permit,” she adds. For more, see page 12. Being so far away means that the family does miss friends – they manage to keep in contact, although it can be tricky with the time difference. Sharn concludes: “I’m still in contact with all the spouses who attended the DA course, via a WhatsApp group, and we continue to support each other and send pictures of our adventures. “I would encourage anyone to get into the DA Network, as the opportunities are once in a lifetime and all the different experiences you can have are amazing. “I am already asking Gary, where can we go next!” A

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F i ji

A postcard from... Gary (serving), Sharn, Hallie (14) and Jorgie (11)

How long have you been an army family? 13 years. Time in Fiji? We moved here in April 2023. How many other military families live there? There is only one other military family here. What’s your quarter like? Our house is beautiful, it has a big garden where the children can play and we have banana, mango, coconut, papaya and avocado trees in the garden which our girls love! It has an open plan living, kitchen and dining room, four bedrooms and a master with ensuite. Each room has air conditioning, which you do need here. Are there any employment/ training opportunities? There

are not many employment opportunities for spouses/ partners, unless it is within the High Commission or you have a very skilled set of qualifications that locals do not have.

Where do army families get together and who supports you? As there are only two army families we don’t really have anywhere to get together, we do try and meet up outside of work every now and then to catch up. We are always there to support each other when needed. There is also a Community Liaison Officer we can go to for support and advice.

What about schools/ childcare? The International School Suva is the primary/ secondary school that all the children attend, it follows the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and International Baccalaureate. How do you find the cost There are many different of living there? A lot of opportunities here which the things here in Fiji are our girls wouldn’t get to expensive and you have to experience if we had stayed shop around to find the best in the UK, for example they quality. A lot of stuff have had snorkelling and is imported sailing lessons, learnt from New Want to share about mangroves, Zealand your experiences of climate change and or army family life? the Pacific Ocean. The Australia. Get in touch school even has its by emailing own boat! What are aff.org.uk

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the best and worst things about living there? The best thing is the weather, it’s warm all year. The people here are so friendly and always greet you with a smile and a cheerful ‘Bula!’ The travel opportunities are great and the snorkelling is amazing, we have already seen so many things we had never seen before – sea snakes, turtles, fruit bats and so many different types of fish. The worst thing is the distance to the UK and the time difference. Would you recommend it as a family posting? Yes, I would definitely recommend this posting to other families, the pros outweigh the cons! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you should grab it with both hands if it becomes available. A

Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 29

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www.habsmonmouth.org/forces

Remembering through art

Kirsty Chapman is an artist who creates military and remembrance-themed artwork. Based in West Sussex, the poppies within Kirsty’s artwork have been created by her own fingerprints. This is the technique used for her most popular design to date, of two servicemen supporting each other and walking along a path of poppies. Kirsty says: “Each fingerprint represents the individual mark each serviceman, woman and veteran makes on history.” Over the past two years, Kirsty has created a painting called Path to Peace. This was a new direction for Kirsty’s work – instead of using her own fingerprints, she has travelled far and wide collecting fingerprint poppies from serving personnel, along with veterans and military family members in memory of the fallen who have served our country. Adding to the enormity of the task, Kirsty doesn’t drive, so she carried the large painting by hand via public transport to meet service personnel around the country.

“I had collected poppies from 167 individuals, from all branches of the military and all different age groups. One chap I will always remember is a 103-yearold Burma veteran from the Royal Engineers Chindits. “There is also a book that accompanies the painting which each contributor has signed and written a message in. Each entry has a number which corresponds to the numbered poppies on the canvas,” Kirsty adds. Kirsty has recently donated this poignant piece to the Chavasse clinic in Brighton which treats veterans and service personnel for musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. It is run by Lt Col Benjamin Caesar and is one of only two such facilities in the country. Kirsty said: “I hope that the painting can help inspire those receiving treatment and show them they are not alone.”

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Kirsty has just started work on her next piece, which she hopes to auction and

MUSICAL YOUTH SHAPE is set to lose one of its most popular volunteers, reports Debbie Fallaha, Youth and Community Development Worker at HQ Global Support Organisation. Craig Mulvihill has served with the Royal Marines and the army for 37 years, in positions ranging from rifleman to lieutenant colonel and will leave the forces this year. His interest in the forces was sparked at age 14 when he was an Air Cadet. He says: “I had a fantastic adult training team and thoroughly enjoyed it.” As an adjutant, he saw the amazing work being done by volunteers, helping out at events such as ski trips, summer camps and family days. Seeing this work and how he was helped in the Air Cadets resonated with Craig. During the pandemic he turned his interest in music into a hobby, DJing, which he says

was “….my daughter’s advice, not my own choice!” As his skills progressed, and restrictions began to lift, he attended a beginners’ course at the London Sound Academy in Camden, which gave him the idea of passing on his knowledge to young people. He initially brought his own equipment to sessions for young people to learn and

COMMUNITY

donate the proceeds to a military charity. She is looking for people to get involved and is appealing for service personnel to add some poppies to the new painting. She has set up a PO box address so that poppies can be stamped onto paper and posted to her, if you live too far away from West Sussex and are unable to meet Kirsty in person.

MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to contact Kirsty to discuss adding a fingerprint to her painting, email poppyartuk@gmail.com. Alternatively you can find more information at poppyartuk.co.uk or find Kirsty on X and Instagram @poppyartuk A

practise on, which gave them the skills to play short sets in front of audiences at events where Craig was the hired DJ – mainly mess functions. From there, they gained confidence to go on to play at bigger events to audiences of up to 500. He has raised thousands of euros by playing at military events and local functions for free – asking only for donations. These donations have enabled him to buy a full set of equipment that the young people of SHAPE can use, meaning they can practise as often as they like. One youngster said: “The sessions were fun as it didn’t matter if you made mistakes. DJing was really fun and I feel very proud of myself.” When asked about the positives of volunteering with young people, Craig says: “I would recommend families look at giving some of their free time to something like this, as it is really rewarding and fun to see them develop and tap into a creative side in their persona, that otherwise may never have been found.” A Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 31

FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH

Non-UK team success The Foreign & Commonwealth team at AFF responds to approximately 3,000 enquiries every year through our emailbased service. F&C Specialist Katherine Houlston outlines a few cases where the team helped the non-UK community last year.

MEETING THE MINIMUM INCOME REQUIREMENT (MIR)

Malakai contacted us in September last year. He wasn’t earning enough to bring both his wife and four-year-old son to the UK, so his wife had left their child with her mother and had come to the UK to get a job. Unfortunately, her mother was then admitted to hospital so their son had to move in with another relative. F&C Advisor Beckie established that the couple would meet the MIR by November and worked with the soldier to ensure that all documents were completed and uploaded correctly. Beckie then forwarded a request to Regional Command to have the application expedited and the visa was granted 10 days later. Malakai says: “We have no words but to express our utmost appreciation for your advice and assistance.”

BEREAVED FAMILY HELP

Mandie contacted us last year asking for help in returning to the UK with her British daughter. Mandie is a widow, her late husband Pte John Botha was killed in Afghanistan in 2007. As a South African national on a partner visa, 32 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

Mandie was entitled to remain in the UK under the armed forces bereavement rules, but she chose to return to South Africa with their daughter to be with family. Now, 16 years later, and wanting her daughter to finish her education in the UK, Mandie was struggling to work out how she could accompany her. Katherine was able to establish that Mandie was still eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK but she needed to provide evidence that she had been living with her husband at the time of his death. As she was unable to provide this evidence, Katherine turned to the bereavement support team at Army HQ who checked their records and wrote a letter to confirm cohabitation. Mandie was granted ILR not long after and is now in the UK with her daughter. She said: “Thank you for all the help, guidance and support you have given me and my family. All the work you do is highly appreciated and your professional approach to everything is just amazing.”

VETERAN GRANTED LEAVE TO ENTER F&C Assistant Suli was contacted by the Royal British Legion in November last year. They were assisting a veteran in Botswana who wished to return to the UK. Tsitsi had served for more than four years, discharging in 2007, but had not remained in the UK because she wasn’t aware that she was able to. Suli was able to establish that she had never been properly discharged from the system so as far as the Home Office was concerned, she was still serving. The RBL agreed to fund her application for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) but Tsitsi

had no access to the internet so couldn’t make the application. Suli was able to complete the application on her behalf. The F&C team supplied a letter in support and a few months later Tsitsi was granted her ILE. She has now arrived in the UK and says: “I’m still in shock and disbelief. I thank you Suli and Susan at RBL who fought for me to be here, to have this second chance. I appreciate it so much!”

WRONG APPLICATION FORM

Patricia initially contacted us in December 2021, she had submitted an application for limited leave for her son 12 months earlier but had had no response. After establishing his immigration history, F&C Advisor Sarah informed him that he was eligible for ILR and liaised with contacts at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to ask that his current application was put on hold whilst an application for ILR was submitted instead. Unfortunately, a few months later, it transpired that Patricia had completed the wrong form for her son. UKVI informed her that she would have to submit another application and pay another fee (refunds are only given once the new application has been processed). Thankfully, after liaising again with UKVI, Sarah was able to get the caseworker to agree to use discretion to continue with the current application. ILR was eventually granted in July 2023. Patricia said: “Having AFF assist us really got things rolling. We knew there was hope because of all you were doing to help.” A

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MONEY & YOU

Benefits abroad AFF is often asked what benefits you may be able to claim or continue to claim overseas as a non-serving partner, if you’re trying to find work for example, or if you’re a single serving parent who needs help with childcare costs or to supplement your income.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT (UC)

UC is based on household income and other factors – you can check your eligibility via benefits calculators online. It can be claimed overseas despite many army families struggling to find guidance or being told it can’t be. Emma is an army spouse and her family were claiming UC but she was told their claim would be stopped when moving on an overseas assignment. She says: “I tried to find information but everything I read on government sites told me it could only be claimed in the UK. I didn’t feel this was fair and that we would be penalised by being overseas.

“Often going overseas can mean your dual income may come to an end, so it’s important to look at what benefits can be claimed before going” “AFF helped me with the process and guidance needed so my claim continued but it is frustrating that I cannot access it easily myself and my husband did not know a DIN existed.” AFF highlighted the issues faced with UC overseas and the fact that BFPO postcodes 34 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

could not be accepted by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) system. Interim guidance is available which helps army families understand the process and the specific postcode they need to use. However, this is only accessible via a DIN on MODNet. A longer-term solution is planned which we hope will enable families to access this information more easily. Difficulties can still arise with UC overseas if you separate from your partner. As it can only be claimed jointly, if you separate while overseas, it could mean that the non-serving person cannot put in an individual claim until they’re back in the UK.

NEW-STYLE JOBSEEKER’S ALLOWANCE (JSA)

USEFUL LINKS Universal Credit DIN 2022DIN01-050 can be accessed on MODnet and has information on points of contact at DWP for UC overseas. The International Pension Centre can advise jobseekers overseas gov.uk/ international-pension-centre Information on National Insurance credits for partners of armed forces personnel overseas is on gov.uk

This may support you if you’re out of work and need support in between jobs for up to six months. It’s not based on household income or savings but on your previous contribution history. In the UK, you can claim if eligible and prior to Brexit it could be claimed in certain EEA countries or countries that had agreements, but only if claiming in the UK four weeks before moving. However, following Brexit, changes were made. We asked DWP how these affect army families and they told us that there are no exemptions for spouses accompanying their soldier on postings overseas in respect of new-style JSA. In certain situations, individuals can continue to receive new-style JSA for up to three months while looking for work in the EU. We would advise you to seek benefits

advice well in advance of going overseas if you want to investigate this. Money & Allowances Specialist Claire Hallam says: “Often going overseas can mean your dual income may come to an end, so it’s important to look at what benefits can be claimed before going, as there may be differences in what can be claimed between overseas and in the UK, or the process. If you’re having difficulties, you can seek advice from a DWP Armed Forces champion at your local job centre.”

CLAIM NI CREDITS

Before returning to the UK, remember that you can claim Class 1 National Insurance Credits for periods spent overseas. These can help towards your state pension or benefits when returning. They do have

MONEY & YOU

CAR FINANCE OVERSEAS Families often ask AFF if they can take their car on an overseas posting if it has outstanding finance or if they have to pay it off before departing.

timelines and the earliest you can apply is four months before the end of an assignment. Families have reported to AFF they have experienced long delays in getting their NI credits applied. We have raised this and are waiting for a response. In the meantime we would advise you to apply sooner rather than later. If they have not been applied and will impact a benefit claim when returning to the UK, let us know.

Using the information, they raised a formal complaint and were eventually advised they could take the car.

The good news is that if your finance provider is a member of the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), there is a motor finance protocol which was developed with the FLA and the MOD Covenant team.

The family said: “We were in limbo and had to consider taking out a loan to pay off the vehicle and terminate the agreement early – which would leave a mark on my credit file – or pay half of the agreement and return the vehicle with no penalty.

The protocol ensures that service personnel face no disadvantage compared to other people in the sale and operation of motor finance agreements.

“This would then have left us without transport and any way to collect my daughter from boarding school unless we used public transport or bought a second-hand car outright!

It will allow serving personnel and their families to ask to take their vehicle overseas, if it is comprehensively insured, or come to a suitable agreement if they don’t wish to take it.

“AFF was brilliant in the advice and support they delivered, by providing us with the relevant information and then acting on our behalf when the complaint was rejected.

SWART FAMILY EXPERIENCE

“About two days after they informed us they would raise this with the company, we got an email informing us that they had made a mistake and they apologised for any inconvenience caused.

The Swart family were assigned to Belgium and had a car on finance. They contacted their company and asked to take their car overseas. Unfortunately, this was refused, but they contacted AFF, and we were able to send them information on the motor finance protocol and they found out that the company was a member.

If you feel that you have been disadvantaged AFF TIP: due to not being When you get a car able to access a on finance or personal benefit which contract purchase, inform the you could dealership and finance provider in the UK or you are an army family. Also check what their policy is on taking a car are having overseas and if they are a member problems, of the protocol. If you experience contact us at any difficulties, contact moneysupport@ moneysupport@aff aff.org.uk A .org.uk

“They were content for the vehicle to be de-registered in the UK and subsequently registered in Belgium for the duration of my overseas posting.” Whilst the Swart case had a positive outcome as the company were signed up to the protocol, this is not always the case. If a company has not signed the protocol, it can be more problematic and may be at the discretion of the provider.

MORE INFORMATION

A copy of the protocol can be found at bit.ly/FLA-protocol and you can check if your company has signed by clicking on the Members’ Directory at fla.org.uk/about-us A Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 35

HEALTH

Give a child a brighter future AFF often receives enquires about fostering and this is something that is encouraged by both the MOD and the chain of command as they recognise the demand for loving, secure homes for looked after children.

Often army families don’t think they can foster because of their mobile lifestyle, so Karen Ross, AFF Health & Additional Needs Specialist, spoke to Maria White, Fostering Marketing & Recruitment Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, to explore what support they can give armed forces families who want to foster.

TYPES OF FOSTERING

Short-term placements can be from a few weeks to two years. The expectation is that you can commit to a child for that time – you’ll need to confirm that you won’t be moving out of the county for two years. During this time the decisions are being made about the child’s long-term future, which might be adoption or long-term fostering. If you’re thinking about the child remaining with you long term, the council would support you with this. We would then continue to offer support even if you moved out of the county. We also support kinship carers who are caring for an Oxfordshire child. Kinship care is when a relative or friend of the family offers to care for a child they know.

WHAT DOES SUPPORT LOOK LIKE?

These are a few of the ways that Oxfordshire County Council foster carers are rewarded: A set-up payment of £1,500 to help make the transition to foster carer. ● Generous fees, paid in addition to the child’s allowance, based on experience and skills. ● 24/7 dedicated social worker support and links with support groups, ●

36 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

specialised training and therapeutic advice. ● Access to professionals involved with the child or children.

WHAT’S THE PROCESS?

After your initial conversation with us and on completion of your application, your assessment begins. Stage one involves checks and asking for references, so we can get to know more about you. Stage two involves around eight visits and it can take from four to six months to complete the whole assessment.

I’M ALREADY A FOSTER CARER AND WANT TO MOVE TO OXFORDSHIRE You can transfer over to us. The process is very easy, we would ask your current fostering agency to share your Form F (your assessment document) with us. We would update it and you could then be approved by our fostering panel. You might need to update your training, but the process will not take too long. We could then start liaising with you about the children who are looking for families.

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING FOSTERING

There is also more general information about fostering at gov.uk (England), mygov.scot (Scotland), fosterwales.gov. wales (Wales) and adoptionandfostercare. hscni.net (Northern Ireland). There are also several private fostering agencies that provide advice and support.

SARAH’S STORY Sarah and her husband always said that they would foster but it never seemed the right time. When the war in Ukraine began and there were a lot of news stories showing children left without families, they agreed that it was time to explore this. Sarah said: “We are a very active family and decided that we had enough room in our hearts and house for some more children. We spoke to our children and decided to start the process the next day.” Sarah fosters two children through an agency called TACT, which is a fostering charity. Sarah explains: “I have a dedicated supervising social worker who is available for any issues that may arise. TACT also provides lots of training for all my family members, including my children.”

There is a specific policy that can be The fostering process took accessed via MODnet (2018DIN01-130) Sarah and her husband USEFUL that covers adoption and fostering about eight months LINKS Foster C – this is currently being updated. and in that time she arer Asso c ia te s had to provide a thefca.co .uk Many families who are lot of information. Po polarisco laris considering becoming foster Sarah explained: mmunity .co.uk TACT carers will initially contact their “As long as you’re tactcare .org.uk local authority – each one has a quite organised AFF fostering service. it’s not that bad. aff.org.u k

HEALTH Obviously, we had to sit down as a family and discuss the process before we had any other children, to make sure we were all ready to go through this experience together. My two youngest children (aged 22 and 17) are still at home so it impacted them as well.”

CHALLENGES

Sarah has completed 30 years in the regular army and has now moved onto a full-time reserve service (home commitment) contract. Sarah’s husband left the army quite a few years back to look after their youngest child, which enabled her to deploy whilst she was in regular service.

Sarah says: “The army now has great flexible service options that allow you not to deploy for certain periods. So I don’t really have any challenges at the moment. “My employer has been amazing, both when I started the process (at a prior unit) and then when we actually got through the process and got our two boys. They have not stopped supporting me throughout, whether that is giving me time to attend meetings or training or just taking an interest in what activities we’ve been doing.”

BENEFITS

Sarah says her children “have been

SUPPORT FOR CARERS AFF deals with questions and concerns from families who are either parent carers or are caring for an extended family member. One of the issues that carers face is support from their employer. There are several options for support for both immediate family members and serving personnel.

CARER’S LEAVE

The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 has now received Royal Assent and the law governing this will be enacted in 2024. Employers will then be required to consider how they will provide support to all unpaid carers in their employment. Under the new law there will be: The introduction of a new and flexible entitlement to one week’s unpaid leave per year for employees who are providing or arranging care for a relative or dependant, available from the first day of employment. ● An allowance for employees to take the leave flexibly for planned and foreseen caring commitments. ● An offer of the same employment protections associated with other forms of family-related leave, so this means carers will be protected from dismissal or any detriment because of having taken time off. ●

CARER PASSPORT SCHEME

A carer passport is a record which identifies a carer so they can be supported and recognised in an organisation or community. The carer passport will also provide links to support, services and benefits. Carers UK is working with Carers Trust on an initiative that will help introduce carer passports into hospitals, and employment, community, education and mental health trust settings. More information can be found at carersuk.org

CARER’S ALLOWANCE

If you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits you may be eligible to claim Carer’s Allowance. More information is on gov.uk In Scotland you may also be eligible to claim Carer’s Allowance Supplement, which is an extra payment for people who get Carer’s Allowance on a particular date and is paid twice a year. For more information, visit mygov.scot A

empathetic to our other boys and always willing to help out, whether that’s cooking or reading a bedtime story”. She adds: “I believe it has made our family even closer as my children realise that we are a good family unit and understand how lucky we are to have each other.” Sarah concludes: “It’s very rewarding to foster. There are so many children out there who need loving families. “I would say go for it and take the plunge. I’m not saying everything is plain sailing, but getting a cuddle and seeing them come alive doing an activity for the first time is a reward in itself.” A

ARMY SPECIFIC SUPPORT The Army Carers Advocate, Lt Col Brian (Edd) Gordon, and Col Tim Symonds identified a need for serving personnel and immediate family members who are carers to receive some peerto-peer support in a safe space and the opportunity to share experiences and information. They have recently set up a closed army carers’ group, Army Carers, on Facebook. Armed Forces CanDiD Network The Armed Forces Chronic Conditions and Disability Network (CanDiD) was created to connect, empower, educate and support service personnel, family members and veterans diagnosed with a life-changing or life-limiting condition, impairment or disability and the network also offers support to carers. The network can be contacted via Facebook or by email: AFNetworks-CANDID0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 37

YOUR FAMILY

Help with emotions Little Troopers runs a free tri-service therapy programme offering militaryspecific support for school-aged children in England from reception to age 18.

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the programme offers a course of six, one-to-one sessions, delivered by a qualified therapist, face-to-face at the child’s home or in a local space agreed with each family. Each session focuses on a different topic related to military life, including emotional regulation, uncertainty and change, relationships, resilience and life-story work. There is also an option for community groups and schools to book a group workshop for military teens.

HARRY’S STORY One child who has been helped by the programme is Harry*, who is nine and lives with his mum, dad and younger brother.

When Harry started to open up about his feelings at home, Harry’s mum was able to contact the therapist who offered her additional support and reassurance. Harry was also able to take print-outs of the activities home to work through with his mum.

His dad serves in the army and since Harry was born, has only been home for two of Harry’s birthdays. His dad was deployed for six months in both 2018 and 2019. Then, during the pandemic, Harry had to move in with his grandparents for six months because his mum is a nurse and she was caring for COVID patients. Following this stressful time, Harry’s dad was deployed again in 2021 and 2022. Since 2018, the family started noticing problems with Harry’s behaviour. This was disruptive at school and also stopped the family from going on days out or booking a holiday.

AT A LOSS

Harry’s school already had lots of support in place for military children. His Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) worked with the family, but when his referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) was rejected, both his family and school were at a loss as to what to try next. 38 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

It was then that the SENCO found out about the Little Troopers Therapy Programme and, with Harry’s family’s permission, referred him to the one-to-one scheme. Within just a few weeks, Harry was allocated a therapist from the Owl Therapy Centre who worked through the programme. The sessions delved into Harry’s feelings about his dad being away and encouraged him to reflect on his experience of being a military child.

MANAGING FEELINGS

Harry and his therapist completed activities in the sessions including drawing, writing and mindfulness and Harry learnt new techniques to help manage his feelings whenever he feels sad and overwhelmed.

Harry’s mum explains: “The programme has made a huge difference. He has opened up a lot more at home. He’s been using the techniques he picked up on the programme and is much better at expressing how he is feeling. “The programme has made such an impact on our lives; we’ll be grateful for a long time.”

JACK’S STORY Another child who has benefited is Jack*, who is seven. Jack’s dad, who serves in the special forces, is regularly deployed overseas, usually at short notice and sometimes on consecutive assignments. He regularly misses Christmas and Jack’s birthdays, and Jack rarely gets to speak to his dad while he’s away. Jack and his family were settled in one location with a good support network

YOUR FAMILY until summer 2022 when the family were posted to the other end of the country and Jack had to move for the first time. Jack found the move upsetting and stressful. He began to get angry, have tantrums and cried, asking to move back to his old house. His mood meant that it was tricky for him to make new friends at his new school, especially as none of his peers were military children. This quickly led to Jack not wanting to go to school.

BUILT-UP STRESS

Jack’s mum explains: “The move triggered a change in Jack’s behaviour, but I think a lot of what he was feeling was built-up, high levels of stress from constant change and uncertainty over the years.” Jack’s mum approached the school for help and was referred to the SENCO team for an assessment, but she felt that Jack really needed support that was specific to military life. During this time, a nursery worker from Jack’s brother’s nursery mentioned the Little Troopers Therapy Programme to

Jack’s mum and she self-referred him to the programme. Within a few weeks, Jack was assigned to a local therapist from the Owl Therapy Centre. She met Jack in person every week for six weeks to deliver a bespoke programme of one-to-one therapy that explored the challenges he has experienced, including deployment, separation and moving home and school. The one-hour sessions were delivered in the comfort of Jack’s home so that he felt comfortable enough to open up and share his feelings.

TAILORED SUPPORT

His mum says: “The programme has been amazing and I am so thankful that the nursery mentioned it to me. It was really easy to self-refer and within a few weeks Jack was getting the help he needed. “Every week he would look forward to his session and it made him feel special that his feelings and experiences were being acknowledged and heard. The therapist went out of her way to get to know Jack

and make the sessions more personal. “The sessions have made him feel proud about being a military child and I think they will help him cope with change in the future. I think that every single military child could benefit from something like this.” The family is now planning to use the parent video series that is part of the programme to continue exploring Jack’s feelings together at home. Referrals can be made by a parent, school, community group or welfare worker. For more information, see littletroopers.net *Names have been changed. A

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near yet so far In the autumn the army united thousands of troops on Iron Titan, a large-scale exercise across England and Wales. It was the largest land exercise for 20 years, bringing together 3rd (UK) Division to test the army’s fighting capability and identify areas to improve

CENARIOS were created to examine decision making under realistic conditions, testing equipment and logistic support in a controlled yet demanding environment. Brigadier General Matthew Brown, US Army, Deputy Commanding General 3rd (UK) Division, said: “How we fight in the near future is a product of how we prepare ourselves today – and we couldn’t be prouder of the way the entire team is leaning into this training.” Opportunities like Iron Titan allow units and individuals to come together and contribute their specialist skills towards a much bigger goal under the direction of the divisional headquarters.

The exercise was designed to test troops in realistic warfighting field conditions. This required them to operate from challenging locations and to disconnect from social media and routine communications. Lessons from current conflicts highlight the vulnerabilities mobile phones bring to both serving personnel and their families, so making troops physically disconnect created the right mentality for real-life scenarios. Exercises inevitably take serving personnel away from home and this can disrupt family dynamics and add stresses to those left at home. Iron Titan generated unique challenges as the exercise was largely on the Salisbury Plain Training Area – close to many

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of the homes and families of those taking part. Cpl Mike Frances said: “It’s important that the guys get “How we fight in used to getting their home the near future is a affairs in order before they go. “That way they don’t have product of how we to worry about what’s going prepare ourselves on back at home, which is today – and we really important for this sort couldn’t be prouder of level of exercise. If the of the way the entire morale at home is low, it has an impact on the exercise team is leaning into and the way the soldiers are this training.” working.” 2nd Lt Connie O’Grady said: “Exercise can be really tough for the first few days, especially on troops because you come out of camp and you go into exercise. There is a change of routine and you don’t get to see your family. “A long exercise allows units to get into a routine and gives everyone the time to really get to know their team. We’ve seen each other every day for 18 to 19 hours a day for the last four weeks.” A

SPACE FOR FLEXIBILITY

AFF was recently able to view a new accommodation concept – Flexipod, a rapidly deployable unit for a range of military uses, which is currently being trialled. On the outside they look like 20-foot standard shipping containers, but on the inside, they have been engineered into a range of different configurations, from six-bed spaces with toilet facilities to operations rooms or even a gym. The Flexipod concept can be used off the grid as they have solar panels on the roof. This power can be supplemented by a generator or mains power where it’s available. The accommodation spaces come with underfloor heating, and they are all insulated. Each pod can come with USB sockets, individual lighting, smoke detectors and airconditioned filtered air. Soldiers can select either white or red light for tactical purposes. And alternative configurations can be selected such as dropdown seats, rack space, hooks and sockets to charge battery packs. Once the units are finished with, they can be packed up and shipped off to be used at another location. A

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The Annington Challenge, the project run for military youngsters in partnership with the Outward Bound Trust, was the highlight of last summer for 100 military youngsters, including 42 from the army. The initiative provides UK-based military youngsters aged 10-19 with an opportunity to experience an Outward Bound course and is aimed at those who would benefit from an experience proven to improve self-confidence, team working skills and resilience – all whilst having loads of fun!

A R O F Y D A RE ? E G N E L L A H C

Annington funds up to 90 per cent of the cost and last year’s group chose between four courses at centres in Aberdovey in mid-Wales, Ullswater in Cumbria and Loch Eil in Scotland.

GETTING OUTDOORS

The youngsters enjoyed lots of outdoor activities, including sailing, abseiling and rock climbing as well as wild camping, canoeing and gorge walking. All aspects of the courses were overseen by Outward Bound’s team of qualified outdoor instructors – many of whom have worked with previous Annington Challenge participants. They encouraged the young people as they tackled activities designed to take them outside their comfort zones. One participant was 10-year-old Archie Sherwin, whose father is a lance corporal in the Grenadier Guards. Archie’s mum Hannah had been brought up enjoying outdoor pursuits and was keen for Archie to apply, knowing how beneficial it could be. She also wanted Archie to enjoy something just for him. “Unfortunately, Archie has had to take a bit of a back seat as our youngest son Charlie was ill for the first three years of his life,” she explained. “When Charlie was transferred to Portsmouth Hospital, we had to leave Archie with his grandmother and that was tough.” 42 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

CONFIDENCE BUILDING

Archie has moved several times during his school career and told us that he really wanted to tackle the Annington Challenge because he thought it would help build on his confidence when meeting new people as well as improve his communication skills. He says: “I was nervous about going as I didn’t know anyone but at the bus station in Birmingham, I met Tommy and now he’s my best friend! “The coach journey was the worst part – it took ages! The best bits were the Jog and Dip and the abseiling – it was awesome!

“One night we camped out on the mountain, and we got to choose whether we wanted to stay in the cabin or put up a tent. Me, Tommy and Harry chose to sleep in the tent and although it was raining and my hat got wet, it was great fun!” What would Archie say to anyone considering applying for a place in 2024? “Try it! It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I was sad to go home.” Hannah adds: “We’ve seen a real change in Archie – he’s much more confident. He got off the bus, told us he’d missed us – and then said that he wants to tackle the 19-day course when he’s older!” Lt Col Fergus Sullivan, the parent of another participant, said: “One of my children took part and had a fantastic time. She did an overnight expedition, leapt into lakes and built rafts. “When she came home she was on a high and felt a huge sense of achievement. That feeling lasted all summer long and I believe that the memories and the friends that she made will last a lot longer.” To register for the 2024 Annington Challenge, visit outwardbound.org.uk/theannington-challenge A

INQUISITIVE | AMBITIOUS | INDEPENDENT BOARDING AVAILABLE

“Welcoming day students and boarders from age 11-18.” Get in touch to find out how we can support your family.

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EDUCATION & CHILDCARE

A juggling act Juggling childcare and working can be especially tricky during the school holidays and many families ask AFF for signposting to holiday activities in their area. Unfortunately, there isn’t a onesize-fits-all solution – AFF often directs families to look in the following places as most areas offer something.

advertise their sessions far earlier than the holidays begin so once you know you might need some cover it’s worth looking early. One family mentioned that they couldn’t get into a local club as it had filled up for October half term by the end of the summer holidays.

SOCIAL MEDIA

LIBRARIES AND SCHOOL

Spending time looking at local pages can highlight a range of activities to suit your children. Many clubs allow non-members to join them for holiday sessions, these include but are not limited to, sports and hobby clubs including football, crafts, rugby, tennis and gymnastics. Many private schools operate holiday clubs too and are often open to non-students. Other avenues are local theatre and drama groups, some of these may even be advertised by your local theatre company. Don’t forget to look for organisations which may offer outdoor activities in places such as farms, forests and parks.

LEISURE CENTRES

Tap into your local leisure centre, many across the UK offer low-cost activity sessions for children during the holidays as well. Information is usually found on their website or on their social media page or pop in, as there are usually posters advertising holiday activities. Remember that holiday clubs usually 44 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

Don’t forget to check your local library notice boards as they may have information on clubs running locally. Many families report finding out about holiday clubs by asking around in the school playground or asking in the class WhatsApp group. By asking those who have been in the same area for a while you might tap into clubs which fill

up exclusively by word of mouth. Many schools use external organisations to operate after-school activities for their children, some of these will also run holiday clubs. One family currently based in Hampshire said: “We checked with the science club that our son attends after school to see if they offered a holiday option and they did, for full days as well. It was great as they even had the same staff who ran the termtime sessions running the holiday club.”

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Each local authority in England should have a ‘family information service’ where you can find information about childminders in your area. Many also have information about holiday clubs. You can find the service for your area by searching for it along with your authority’s name. Similarly, in Wales, ‘family information services’ hold information about the holiday clubs running in each local authority area. More information can be found at childcareinformation.wales In Scotland families are advised to check their local council webpages. You can find info at forceschildrenseducation.org.uk Families in Northern Ireland should contact the NI Children’s Education Support Officer on RC-AWS-N-38X0mailbox@mod.gov.uk A

EDUCATION & CHILDCARE

YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HOLIDAY CHILDCARE Is there any financial support for army families with children under school age during the holidays as government funded hours are typically for term-time only? There is no specific funding for service families who have children under five. Additional childcare support that families may currently be entitled to is outlined on childcarechoices.gov.uk. Do have a look at this website to check you are claiming all you are eligible for.

What childcare funding will I receive if the serving parent is away on exercise or deployment? There is no additional funding available to service families. We would recommend that families get prepared in advance of deployments. Early engagement is important especially if a deployment includes the Easter and summer breaks and you need to use holiday clubs. You could speak to your unit welfare officer to find out about local childcare options

they are aware of. In some areas the Army Welfare Service offers holiday clubs for service children. I haven’t got enough leave to take all the school holidays off and there aren’t enough clubs to cover the entire period, do I have any other options? Yes, you could look into taking ‘parental leave’ which is there to give eligible parents unpaid leave to look after their child’s welfare. This could be used to cover school holidays or help them settle into a new school, for example. Each parent is entitled to a total of 18 weeks of unpaid leave up to the child’s 18th birthday, with a limit of four weeks in any one year. There is more information about this and other working options on aff.org.uk A

TOOLKIT EXPANDS The Thriving Lives toolkit, developed to help teachers boost their support for service children in primary and secondary schools, is being expanded to cover early years and higher education. The project builds on the highly successful toolkit developed in 2019 by the Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP) and partners, with an online version launched in 2022. The toolkit is currently supporting hundreds of schools across the UK, with students from all branches of the armed forces. The expanded toolkit will now cover children and young people aged up to 25. It will reflect the early years and higher education sectors whilst being in line with the current toolkit. For more information, contact Debra Barton, Early Years Specialist Lead in the MOD Education Policy Team, by email people-affseducation-mailbox@mod.gov.uk A

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EDUCATION & CHILDCARE

Childcare challenges Single parent Sgt Linda MacFarlane explains how she manages a busy role with the Army Welfare Service and caring for her young daughter. “I joined the Army 15 years ago as a flautist in the Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM). I fell pregnant with my daughter during COVID-19. “I was in a rut and decided to embark on a career change to the Army Welfare Service. This was the best decision I have ever made, and I have not looked back, on a personal level and as a mother. “I transferred for different reasons, but looking back now, as a single parent, I know that I couldn’t have continued in RCAM due to the instability and diary commitments of army bands. I am now in control of my own diary and can manage my life and commitments around work. “My biggest childcare challenges are, firstly, financial, paying for my SFA, and the cost of full-time

childcare for a two-year-old. Secondly, having no support for any last-minute work or life commitments, child illness or attending courses. I am fortunate that my mum has retired and can help out, but due to distance, any assistance requires planning, and is expensive due to rail fares.

EARLY POSTING

“I am fortunate and thankful that my chain of command is understanding and empathic to my circumstances. They are so supportive that I have been granted an early posting further north to be closer to my mum, to enable her to help me with childcare more easily. “I honestly do not think I would be in the army now if I had not transferred. I do believe the chain of command can play a big part in an individual’s experience, and I understand that not everyone is as lucky as I am currently.

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“Life as a single parent can be lonely and isolating, and I would encourage others to reach out and try to increase their social and support network – there will be others in a similar position. Local army family and community Facebook pages have been helpful for me, and attending family events at my garrison community centre has been a great way to meet others.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

“At times I struggle to keep on top of my workload, housework, trying to be the best mum I can be, before I even consider any sort of self-care. I would say to other single parents, I feel your struggle, keep going, be kind to yourself and make the most of five minutes’ peace when you get it. “Recognise your self-worth, and if others fail to do so and you feel unsupported, find the courage to speak out and seek support. The Army Parents’ Network and Army Servicewomen’s Network social media pages are an excellent source of information and support.” A

SPONSORED FEATURE

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School

T the school which nurtured sporting greats such as England international rugby union player Maurice Colclough, excellence in sport is pursued wholeheartedly; with the ambition to instil a life-long love for sport and the values it embodies. Students are given the opportunity to play competitive fixtures and have access to extensive sports facilities including floodlit AstroTurf pitches, a floodlit Olympic standard athletics track, indoor heated swimming pool, floodlit netball courts, hard and lawn tennis courts, a fully equipped sports hall and fitness centre, climbing walls, outdoor fitness trails and squash courts. Sport is pivotal to life at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School and the school aims to provide an enjoyable and challenging experience for all students, irrespective of age or ability. Offering a plethora of major sports including rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, athletics,

and tennis, as well as over 80 clubs and activities a week including sports such as horse riding and swimming, students are able to discover and pursue a sport which suits them. Students are encouraged to broaden their horizons and push beyond limitations with pre-season camps and travel opportunities – the annual ski trip is a popular choice for students and has been offered for more than 40 years of the school’s 220-year history.

sports scholarships bring excellence and dedication to their chosen sport and make a full contribution to the school’s ‘Dukie’ community. The school, open to 11-18-yearolds, is immensely proud of the sporting opportunities and successes offered to students. To find out more about the school, please visit www.doyrms.com

Dedication and excellence in sport is demonstrated by fantastic sporting results. The school’s 1st rugby team are in the top 25 per cent of schools in the country and benefit from an elite player pathway with Ealing Trailfinders. While the hockey teams benefit from out of season training from the White Rose Hockey Academy. Offering scholarships across the major sports, students awarded Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 47

SPONSORED FEATURE

Millfield Preparatory

ILLFIELD Preparatory is a leading, coeducational day and boarding school for ages 2-13, in Glastonbury, Somerset. The school has earned an excellent reputation for sporting success, having been named the UK’s Best Sports School for the ninth time in ten years by School Sport Magazine, but its competitive achievements are only part of the picture. Pupils are taught a balanced programme which is tailored to each individual and prepares children for a lifelong involvement in sport, promoting confidence, health and wellbeing.

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Each week, all pupils spend at least three and a half hours within the curriculum on PE, games or individual sports, delivered by five full-time specialists, alongside individual training. Sport is supported by industryleading coaches and outstanding facilities, including a 25-metre swimming pool, equestrian centre, tennis bubble and courts, sports pitches, athletics track, sports hall, indoor and outdoor cricket nets and a nine-hole golf course. Millfield Prep also benefits from Millfield’s facilities, just a sevenminute drive away, which include an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

SPONSORED FEATURE

Some of Millfield Prep’s recent achievements include: ● U13 girls football squad winners of the English Schools Football Association (ESFA) National Final ● Girls IAPS swim champions for the 35th consecutive year ● Boys IAPS swim champions for the 21st time ● National Prep Schools Cross Country champions ● 33 Millfield Prep cricketers were selected onto county performance pathways ● Millfield Prep pentathletes won a combined seven medals for Team GB at the World Biathle/Triathle Championships in Bali ● Three netball teams (U11, U12 and U13) qualified for National Finals

Trampolining squad winners of the IAPS Finals ● Boys’ tennis performance squad winners of their National Club League tournament Inspiration isn’t short to come by with many former pupils becoming successful sports men and women. These include Olympic and Commonwealth gold medallist James Guy, Formula One driver Lando Norris, former England Rugby player Chris Robshaw, England netballer Hannah Passmore, England and Great Britain hockey player Stuart Rushmere, international hockey player Megan Lewis-Williams and cricketer Will Smeed, amongst others. millfieldschool.com ●

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SPONSORED FEATURE

Gordon’s School in Woking

HE rugby boys on the Harlequins/Gordon’s Partnership Programme ended the sporting year on a high, winning the ACE Rugby South Group, the pinnacle of school boy rugby, and coming third in the national league. The season has proved to be their most successful yet and has included four England call ups and one for Wales for students. The school’s partnership with Harlequins was launched four years ago and provides talented rugby players with a pathway to a career in the game. As well as benefitting from a first class education, they train in a professional rugby environment

while competing in the RFU ACE League. Across the sporting board it’s been a bumper year for achievements at Gordon’s, with students making their mark in rugby, golf, netball and rowing. Former students, known as Gordonians, (and staff!) have also excelled. Gordon’s Boat Club recorded their best season for rowing with medals in every regatta and a silver medal in a national competition. Golfers have continued to turn the country’s leaderboards green, winning three national titles in the Independent Schools Golf

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Association (ISGA) HG Trophy at the Warwickshire Golf Club competing in the National HMC Foursome Finals for the third time in four years; the British Schools and Colleges National finals and the National Schools golf finals. Millie Cottrell, who also secured a golf scholarship to an American university this year, achieved a hat-trick of wins in the National HMC and was crowned overall champion of the Order of Merit for the 2022/23 season. Netball players enjoyed a tour to South Africa and competed in the World Schools Netball, winning the U13s cup and coming away with the MVP of the age category. The U15s were Plate Champions

SPONSORED FEATURE and U19s Cup Finalists in the competition! In hockey, the Gordon’s U18s are reigning National State Boarding Schools Champions and have hat-trick wins for the past three years in the Lord Wandsworth College 7-a-side and the King’s College, Wimbledon 11-a-side Tournaments. Two students were selected for Bedser Scholarships for Cricket and two female students played (and won!) at Lord’s Cricket Ground for Guildford Hub in the MCC National Hub T20 Competition. It’s not just the mainstream sports where students have excelled, individuals have competed nationally in the sports of karting, cable and wakeboarding, discus, kayaking and sailing. In January the school welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, who officially opened the new Sports Hub and unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion. His Royal Highness toured the new Fitness Suite and Rowing Centre and watched football and rugby on the sports pitches.

Sport and co-curricular activities are a vital part of life at Gordon’s, which offers students a choice of over 128! As well as their importance for student wellbeing and health, sport is seen as crucial for equipping students with the skills, knowledge and qualities for work and life. The value Gordon’s places on sport is shown through the Platinum Mark awarded to the PE and Sports Department for the development of competition across the school and into the community. Every student is encouraged to ‘have a go’, whether for their House or School teams and the school provides every opportunity to progress in their chosen field through the extensive facilities and coaches, many of whom have played on the international arena. As well as the Harlequins/Gordon’s Partnership Programme, the school also partners Superleague netball club, Surrey Storm; Vanarama League Football Club Aldershot Town FC and the National Shooting Centre at Bisley. Sports scholarships are now available to talented students coming into the school’s Sixth Form

in rugby, football, hockey, netball, golf, rowing, tennis and cricket. Staff too have made their mark with Gordon’s PE teacher Emily King completing the London Marathon and raising over £6,000 for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. Former students, known as Gordonians, have excelled with Ellie Boatman, part of the GB Women’s Rugby Sevens Team, winning gold at the European Games. Gordonian brothers Michael and Cameron McDonald became the first pair of brothers from Army Rugby in the modern era to represent an international team at the same time, with Cameron going on to win Sportsman of the Year in the Army Sports Awards. Netball player Jayda Pechova was in the top ten of 1,000 athletes for the SportsAid One to Watch Award and in the shortlist of ten for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award. She received her first senior call up for England for the international test series in New Zealand in September and then took part in the home series against South Africa in December 2023. gordons.school Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 51

SPONSORED FEATURE

Farleigh School near Andover

UPILS at Farleigh School, near Andover, enjoy a huge range of sporting opportunities. In the spring term alone they can choose from 43 after-school activities (not to mention those available during the school day!), of which many are sporting, including gymnastics, dance, table tennis, lacrosse, water polo, running club, basketball, golf, indoor cricket, boys’ hockey and girls’ football. Farleigh’s programme is broad and varied. There really is something for everyone! Hardly surprising, therefore, that Farleigh pupils also achieve great success in the field of sport. Last summer, the Under 13 girls were crowned National Prep School Champions in cricket while the Under 13 boys had a fantastic run to the final of the same competition, beating Taunton, Millfield and Caldicott before losing to Bedford in the final. Hockey, too, is flourishing. The Under 11, Under 12 and Under 13 teams regularly qualify for the national finals; this season, the U13 and U12 teams

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both finished in the top eight in the country. Netball has always been strong and Farleigh hosts a popular annual tournament in which 20 teams participate. The annual Farleigh football festival opens the football season in September and is a brilliantly inclusive tournament which sees 500 boys of all ages and abilities taking part. Rugby and rugby 7s are also thriving, with participation at the Millfield Sevens and Rosslyn Park the highlights of the season. Away from traditional games, there has been plenty of success at national level in athletics, cross country and swimming. We aim to have each and every child playing a match each week, no matter the level. Those with exceptional ability are prepared for sports scholarships to their chosen senior school, such as 2009 leavers and former co-captains of Farleigh’s 1st XV who are now professional rugby players; Will Stuart (Bath and England) and Rory Jennings (Newcastle). farleighschool.com

SPONSORED FEATURE

Dauntsey’s pupils prepare for DW Race

The countdown is now on for the 2024 annual Devizes to Westminster canoe race, with 14 Dauntsey’s pupils selected to represent the school over the Easter weekend.

VER the past few months, Dauntsey’s has been trialling pupils in the Lower Sixth for a place in the renowned “DW” race, known as ‘The Canoeist’s Everest’. The race involves paddling the 125-miles between Devizes to Westminster in three and a half days over the Easter weekend – the equivalent of more than a marathon a day.

Dauntsey’s was one of the first schools to be involved in the DW race and has been entering teams for more than 40 years. The Dauntsey’s team this year consists of seven boats, including the fastest female crew, fastest male crew, fastest mixed crew, next three fastest crews, and a wildcard crew chosen by the coaches. It is a hotly fought competition to get

selected, with many pupils keen to take part – but pupils are under no illusion about the effort and determination that is required to participate in this challenge. Throughout September and October, each pair practised paddling their lightweight canoes, which are unstable due to the speed at which they travel, and then took part in trials to secure a coveted place in Dauntsey’s DW team for the race. Once selected, the pairs will train three times a week, regardless of weather, throughout some of coldest and wettest months of the year. In 2024, the Dauntsey’s crew will paddle in aid of Guide Dogs, the school’s chosen charity. Sam Moore, Head of Adventure Education, said: “Unlike some schools who train their crews over several years and only select the fastest paddlers, Dauntsey’s selects team members after trials open to all in the first half of the autumn term and full training begins in earnest in the spring term. This intensive training programme is made up of three water-based sessions a week, in all weathers, which quickly brings the paddlers up to a good standard. “It’s not all about winning. Dauntsey’s ‘have a go’ attitude doesn’t lessen the arduous nature of what crews achieve and we do have plenty of top 10 finishes in all categories. However, the focus of the race for the School is to develop students and help them get the best out of themselves.” dauntseys.org

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SPONSORED FEATURE

The Thomas Adams School in Shropshire One of the most common questions I am asked is ‘how does state boarding differ from the independent model?’, writes Lee Irwin, Director of Boarding at the Thomas Adams School in Shropshire.

TATE boarding schools come in many different sizes and we recognise that what may be right for one family, may not be the ‘best fit’ for another. State boarding schools are spread across the UK and are based in large cities as well as small towns. However, one thing that unites us all is our shared belief of the power of boarding and how it positively impacts on every individual child that walks through our doors. Each year, state boarding schools regularly out-perform other state schools with many topping academic league tables around the country. The combination of the excellent statefunded education and a stable

boarding community enables students to make the most of their talents and abilities. At Thomas Adams School, we are one of the top performing state schools in the Midlands, coupled with outstanding boarding facilities, this allows us to maintain a friendlier ethos and are often described as ‘Shropshire’s largest family’. Headmaster of Thomas Adams School, Mark Cooper is a keen advocate of boarding, having run the boarding house for a number of years alongside his wife. “I am so proud to say that Adams House is a totally inclusive environment where boarders from around the world live and prosper together, developing friendships for life.

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Boarding allows us to ensure that the boarders have the perfect preparation for university. Our most recent OFSTED recognised that: ‘Students at this school are strongly encouraged to develop their individuality. Staff support them to grow personally, academically and socially. Staff are committed to students and this is reflected in the positive relationships that exist between students and staff.’ I couldn’t be prouder of the impact that both boarding and my staff have on the lives of our students.” Moving to a boarding school from another country can sometimes be a worry for both parents and the child. You want to ensure that the transition is

SPONSORED FEATURE handled as smoothly as possible and for me, that process starts way before you visit in the first instance. Visiting a tranche of boarding schools is not an option for many families living away from the UK, and the internet will always be your first starting point for shortlisting. Your criteria may be varied; location, vicinity to family or friends, academic results, size of boarding houses, single or mixed education, fees and the list goes on. However, what is harder to quantify is the ‘feel’ of a boarding environment and whilst websites, reports and videos will help you shortlist, only meeting with the staff and boarders will help you ascertain what makes that boarding house special. As I mentioned before, starting the transition early is the key to success. We take pride in pairing prospective boarders with existing students at Thomas

Adams. Our current boarders serve as ambassadors and can provide first-hand insights into the boarding house environment. This personal connection often eases the transition for new students and their families. Our boarders are our biggest assets, they will frequently ‘sell’ our boarding house way before you turn up at our door for a visit. I will often be showing prospective students and parents around the house and point out various features or explain one of the many extra-curricular clubs that we offer and the parents and their child will know exactly what I am talking about and will contribute to the conversation, having had the full low-down from their ‘boarding buddy’. Increasingly, parents are considering state boarding schools ahead of boarding in the independent sector as they see they can get the education, facilities and pastoral care they are seeking for a fraction of the cost. State school fees are often only a third of their independent competitors, as you are only paying for the boarding and not the education. The appeal of receiving top quality education combined with state of-the-art boarding facilities at an affordable rate is easy to see. For families stationed abroad, finding a boarding school in a safe and nurturing environment

is crucial. The right location can provide opportunities for students to explore the world while remaining within the supportive structure of a boarding house. We often serve as a transitional bridge between ex-pat lifestyles and the UK. Coming from bases away from the British Isles, parents do not want their children to be ‘too exposed’ to city living at such an early age. Whether it’s for the lower years moving from a small primary school into the secondary environment or for the post GCSE student moving towards university, making the right choice that allows your child to flourish and grow within boundaries is key for a sound night’s sleep for parents often thousands of miles away from their children. Choosing a school based in a small town gives boarders a range of opportunities whilst still keeping their interests at heart. Small towns are a nice place to ‘grow up’ away from the pressures of big cities. One thing that is hard for all boarders is homesickness. This will always be the case and as staff, it is something we monitor closely and work with the students to help them settle quickly. Homesickness is a very human emotion and is tough on both pupil and parent. It can affect any pupil at any time in their boarding life and the majority will have a few

Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 55

SPONSORED FEATURE

teething problems when they first start. Whilst separation from home builds independence, selfconfidence, resilience and social skills, missing home is completely normal. Children will experience varying degrees of homesickness, no matter what their age. For some pupils it is relatively mild and passes after a few days and for others it may take weeks. We are very lucky, the boarders love being with us and will often say that being here is great as you can ‘live with your friends’. The boarding house prides itself on a family ethos, though this may be a popular claim within most boarding schools, at Adams House we are able to achieve it and was identified as one of our strengths in our latest inspections. Choosing the right boarding environment is key to a contented child. I always remind the parents when they are looking around a boarding house to look at it through the ‘eyes of their child’. Whilst we, as adults, may require a ‘hotel’ style arrangement if we are staying away from home, children need to have shared experiences to bond. Separate rooms, whilst ideal for older pupils, may be isolating

for younger children. We are fortunate that the boarding house at Thomas Adams is spacious in nature with a range of single, double and small dorm style bedrooms. In addition, we have our own refectory, common rooms, games rooms, kitchens and study areas. The younger boarders are within the main house and the older pupils are housed separately. However, we all come together throughout the day to meet and socialise. This ‘family time’ is the key to our success and allows us to have such a popular establishment with an international demographic. Most parents may not want a ‘larger’ boarding house experience for their children, but would instead relish a more smaller, comforting environment that is more akin to home or staying with a family member. Your child will make lifelong friendships within boarding. They will span continents and last forever. We often have exstudents come back, some well into their later years, and they will talk romantically about their time in boarding and how they still keep in touch with their friends from 50 years ago. Whether you are considering boarding for the first time, or

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have experience of boarding as a young person yourself, remember that making an early start will always give you plenty of opportunities to get it right. As a Director of Boarding that has spent many years helping parents make the right decision, I always tell families to take your time, visit lots of schools, but ultimately trust your instincts as ‘when you know, you know’. To help you make the right decision, visit www. thomasadams.net.

Are you looking for a Reception Year placement for your wonderfully curious child? Apply for a place at Eagles- the school for the curious child!

Open Mornings for Reception 2024 intake on: 11th January 2024 (0915-1015) This is an opportunity to have a tour of our wonderful facilities and meet the Leadership team. Other year groups are also welcome to attend. On-site breakfast and afterschool club provision from 0730-1800hrs for nursery - Year six aged children, in collaboration with JAG. To make an appointment for a tour, contact the school directly by phone 01264 316400 or email admin@wellingtoneagles.org.uk

wellingtoneagles.org.uk

LEARNING TRUST

Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 57

SPONSORED FEATURE

A Bursar’s Perspective on Education

N my last few years in the Army, I attended several courses and heard and learnt lots about modern business practices and how these could improve the Service, writes Steven Hawley of Orwell Park School. It was therefore a surprise that when I started my first civilian job in commercial logistics (head of distribution for a brewery) to find the practices and attitudes archaic; they were redolent of attitudes and experiences of the 1970s. As I left this role some two and half years later the business was in a very different state, so much so that a multinational company was happy to purchase it, but achieving this had not been easy. Through this experience I learnt a lot about the real differences between the military and civilian workplaces. A short while after the takeover I changed sectors completely and moved into education as a business manager in a state school, experiencing a similar learning process to my initial change. After ten years working in state schools, I moved into a senior role in an independent school. Working in the independent schools’ sector made me even more aware of the well-rounded and complete education provided: small class sizes, a broad curriculum and access to specialised teaching. Sport was encouraged with a full programme involving weekly fixtures, several weekly training sessions and a fulsome coaching team. In the Arts, there was a similar offer of a full range of subjects, great teaching, exhibitions, performances and recitals. I have now worked in

independent schools for over eight years and my experience of the sector has been extended by putting my own children through independent education and five years of coaching youth rugby at a community rugby club. Unsurprisingly, I have found that not all independent schools offer the same broad approach to an education. In addition to the services described above, the best independent schools also offer experiences and opportunities to further develop the child; they offer regular opportunities to challenge, think differently and for children to express themselves and, of course, to fail and so learn. Not every school offers this or the opportunity to experience critical thinking, debating, public speaking, study of classics, nor do they encourage every child to represent their school in some sport at whatever level, join the school choir and perform in drama or music productions. I currently work at Orwell Park School, near Ipswich, which is a leading independent prep school. Coming from a state school background I was not really aware of what preparatory schools did before I arrived in my role. Of course, it seems so logical now: children are educated to the end of Year 8 (age 13 years) and then move on to senior schools. The format allows

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children to develop and have the confidence to be themselves without the pressure to conform to the entrance standards of an aligned senior school or the social pressures of older children in Years 9 upwards. It allows children to avoid the stress and tension of establishing themselves in a busy senior school in Years 7 to 8, because in these years they know they are “top of the tree” in maturity terms within the prep school. They are performing as prefects, house captains, team captains and fulfilling those responsibilities and setting an example to younger pupils in the leadership responsibilities that come with the senior years of a school. Furthermore, because the best independent prep schools are not beholden to one senior school, they are also able to advise families on the most suitable senior school. Like children, all schools are different; it is important to consider the match-up of person to school fully so that the young person has the best opportunity to be happy and to succeed. The Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is such a benefit to military personnel if used wisely. Having experienced independent schools as a parent and as a workplace, having spoken to many military families and observed at close

proximity how schools operate, I can see that it is not always easy for military parents to ensure that they get best value possible for their CEA. There is a fundamental consideration which is centred on the child: establishing the best opportunity for them to develop so that they can then confidently decide the best fit senior school for themselves. I have observed this process at my school – it is impressive to see the children develop these skills and to articulate where they would like to go next and why. My school, Orwell Park, has a great track record in helping pupils through this process and the proof is in the range of schools the children choose every year (typically over 23 schools) and the number of scholarship and awards received by them (typically around 25 each cohort). Hearing how well our pupils do at these schools always gives the staff a great sense of pride in their achievements. On a final note, regarding my personal journey from the Army to the civilian workplace it would be remiss of me to not mention schools as a workplace. Like the military, schools offer a wide variety of challenge and experiences in any role. The children ensure that schools are interesting, busy and vibrant places to work. Whilst there are commercial pressures to working in an independent school, you feel that you are part of an enterprise that is serving an important role in our society, helping children to become the best version of themselves and keeping them safe as they go through this process; good schools are great places to work. orwellpark.co.uk

Armed Forces Pathway At Mott MacDonald, we’re committed tted ping, to recruiting, transitioning, developing, and retaining Armed Forces community munity members within our organisation. Our Armed Forces Pathway symbolises ou ur ambition to provide fulfilling, rewarding, and brilliant careers for serving personnel, vetterans, reservists, and their families right across o our business. For further information, scan the QR code e or contact the team:

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www.dauntseys.org ArmyandYou-Winter-2023.indd 1

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BLOG Spot

Welcome to Army&You’s Blogspot. Write your thoughts about army life and send them to editor@aff.org.uk

Musical movements In 2013, my husband Archie was getting ready to leave the army and retrain as a gas engineer, while I worked as a teacher. However, there was something missing from our lives. A few years later, following several failed IVF attempts in the UK, we secretly planned and privately paid for one last attempt in Nicosia, Cyprus. To our delight we were rewarded with two gorgeous sons, William and Vincent, and since then life has never been the same! Having twins was busy but we had plenty of fun, including enjoying Moo Music classes with them. Meanwhile, my husband embarked on yet another job as a mechanic with National Express (back to his REME roots). All was going well until COVID hit and he was made redundant. He applied to the

army and was accepted! We discussed our options and agreed that he should rejoin on a fixed contract, providing we could stay in Tidworth or try to get an overseas posting. Fast forward to 2023 and we have recently moved from Tidworth to Dhekelia, Cyprus with our now six-year-old twins. While the boys have been settling into their new school, which they love due to the small class sizes and focused additional support they receive, I have been busy interviewing for a supply teaching post which will fit around family life perfectly. I’ve also been volunteering for HomeStart, delivering sensory music sessions, and I am planning to set up Moo Music classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, offering holiday and themed

BY LOUISE MCINTYRE activity sessions for the community. I am also dipping my toes into gaining additional skills such as Makaton. Currently our lives seem to be following a regular rhythm but as an army family we remain prepared to move whenever the beat of the music changes!

Image: Lauren Munro Photography

SPINNING PLATES Military life can be challenging when it comes to meaningful spousal employment – military bases aren’t always in areas with easy connections to nearby towns or cities, and childcare is often tricky. In my case, I’m married to an army officer who serves unaccompanied in Yorkshire, while we live on the west coast of Scotland in our own home. We are lucky that our three children attend a fantastic school and nursery where they have many good friends. I have a full-time role in engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald. Having joined what I thought was ‘just another little admin role’, I gained a good rapport with our clients and was promoted to assistant project manager. I had a mentoring opportunity with one of our commercial directors, who saw the potential in my background and skills (a

60 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

law degree and good analytical ability) and created a commercial management role for me within our energy unit. I managed to turn this developmental role into an essential one, as it speaks directly to what I enjoy doing and what I am good at, a rarity where spousal employment is concerned! I’ve been promoted once in this role and am on track to do so again in the not-toodistant future. It’s safe to say I am in demand, which is actually a great feeling and a real confidence booster. However, balancing a busy working life and a home life where I’m often solo parenting can be tricky. I’m incredibly fortunate that my employer takes its wider Defence Employer Recognition Scheme commitments seriously. I also have the freedom to work from wherever’s convenient: our Glasgow

BY JULIA BARR office, the local Military Coworking Hub (great for meeting fellow working military parents and having a mutual moan!) or at home when the chores have built up. I decide whether or how much I feel able to work if one of the children is unwell. This flexible approach means that ‘mum guilt’ is minimal and knowing that I can be me and develop my career alongside raising a family is fantastic.

BURSTING WITH PRIDE Whilst posted in Brunei my two eldest sons completed their GCSEs, gaining excellent results. One wanted to join the RAF like his friend, the other a football sports college. Neither of them enjoyed having to go to school. One kept changing his mind about which A-levels he wanted to do, whilst the other could no longer attend his college of choice as our posting was cancelled at the eleventh hour. My sons were unsure on their next steps, so we decided to steer them towards the military. After we came back to the UK, they applied through the army careers website, they went for assessments and started! At all of these points it was very exciting, then reality struck. I was saddled with worry and anxiety. I felt like a terrible mother for parting with my sons. I was scared of being judged and questioned – had they been pushed into it too much? I cried many a time and my fears kept rearing their ugly head. Being a military wife is one thing, but a military mother is a whole new level of stress.

When your 17-year-old lad passes through basic training with grown men, that brings a whole new level of respect. My middle son was at Harrogate – he really struggled with the admin and the berating under pressure. It broke my heart to hear him worry, doubting he was good enough. He dislocated his knee on the final exercise but continued on and passed. Both have now passed out. Thank goodness it’s over! I couldn’t be prouder if I tried, and all the worry and stress has melted away. One is now 18, out all over the country most weekends, playing football weekly, as sport is his passion. The other passed his driving test not long after his 17th birthday and is waiting to start his ammo tech course, having just passed selection, where he can learn about niche things and tinker. As a military mum I can honestly say the forces has been a blessing in disguise and promotes independence.

BEST BLOG

BY ROUSHANA CHERRYHOLME It’s a great starting point for future life choices, especially for those who don’t always fit the traditional educational model of school, college and university. Roushana is our Best Blogger for this edition – she wins a £25 Amazon voucher. Congratulations!

Being there for families I’m the Army Welfare Service Community Development Worker (CDW) in Woodbridge, Suffolk. I’ve been here for nine years and did the same role in Germany for 10 years before moving back to the UK. My responsibilities include planning, co-ordinating and running play, youth and community projects, as well as clubs, residentials and work in schools, supporting service children, young people and their families. Much of our term-time provision is offered after hours. Then the school holidays are hectic! It’s a full-time role and it’s important to maintain a good worklife balance, especially with two young children at home myself! The thing I enjoy most about my role is engaging with young people and providing them with activities and opportunities. Recognising the passion and enthusiasm young people have for

influencing change and taking ownership in their community, and helping to facilitate that, can be so rewarding. It’s also really cool to think up new, fun things for young people to do! I was inspired by my dad, who was in the army, serving for 37 years with the Royal Tank Regiment. I remember going to youth club in Germany and it was a great place to get support when I needed it. Growing up, I didn’t know exactly the type of work I wanted to do, and this was a change from what I thought I wanted to do, but I had positive influences in my life who inspired me to pursue a career in youth work. I know what it’s like when a parent goes away on tour for six months, or is away on exercise a lot, so to be able to support young people and families going through the same thing is really fulfilling. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to working with young people and

BY MICHELLE MORG AN families and each group you work with needs a tailored, planned approach. It isn’t as simple as just opening up and playing table tennis and pool, there’s much more to it than that, especially with the transient nature of the communities we find ourselves working with. My job has taught me to be empathetic, understanding and patient. You also need to be a good communicator, organised, creative and, most important of all, to be fun! A Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 61

Dandelions

FOR THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF YOUR ARMY FAMILY

AWARD WINNERS

The first Service Children Awards Cymru were held in the autumn, organised by the Veterans Awards CIC, in partnership with SSCE Cymru. The awards ceremony was held at the Infantry Battle School, Brecon, supported

THE POWER OF LOVE

Despite being oceans apart, Tug and Ship are connected by strong bonds in Anchored (EK Books), a tale of love told through the relationship of a tugboat and a cargo ship. Debra Tidball was inspired to write Anchored by the watercraft she observed, on harbourside walks, especially the tugboats that send huge ships out into the open ocean and welcome them back again after long, sometimes perilous journeys.

WELCOME BREAK

“It’s been one of the best things we’ve ever done as a family” – that was the verdict of one family member who went on the recent short break, organised by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and sponsored by Annington. SSAFA’s Short Break scheme caters for serving families who have a child with an additional need or disability. The breaks are free to those attending them and are an opportunity for families to spend quality time together. Calvert Trust Lake District, and its sister site on Exmoor, offer adapted and inclusive opportunities for adventurous activities including kayaking, rock climbing, horse-riding and archery. Another parent added: “I can’t convey just how positive the experience has been and how grateful we are. We wouldn’t have been able to go on holiday otherwise and the difference it’s made is huge.” For more information, see ssafa.org.uk 62 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

by the army and RAF engagement teams and included music performed by the band of the Prince of Wales. Congratulations go to all of the winners, including the overall Service Children Awards Champion Riley Barn. Find full details of all the winners at sscecymru. co.uk The event also celebrated the schools in Wales who have achieved their Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru status.

“As a parent, it made me think about the sustaining power of love – how holding someone in your heart can make you more courageous, and make the world seem like a better, brighter place despite not being together,” she says. Anchored is a reassuring book reminding children that the love they share with their parents can sustain time apart. Scan the QR code to be in with a chance of winning one of three copies of Anchored. The closing date is 18 February 2024.

AUTHOR TACKLES ANXIETY

A young author in Cyprus has written and published Lizzie and the Anxiety Fairy Gem, her first book. Savvia Christodoulou, 11, says the book – aimed at youngsters up to age eight – is to help children manage their fears and anxieties, and includes many of the coping strategies she found useful. She has recently read her book to children in the Dhekelia Early Years setting and also at a Queen Berengaria School assembly. Both readings were enjoyed by the children who also shared their own experiences. Latoya Sutherland, a nurse with the SSAFA Community Health Team in Cyprus, said: “This is a great resource to educate children and young people about anxiety and fears, by making them aware of the physical symptoms and introducing coping skills to help.” The book is free, available in early years settings, primary schools, libraries and medical centres across Cyprus. Savvia adds that there are also plans to publish the book on Amazon. For more information about SSAFA’s Community Health Team, contact ssafa.org.uk.

WIN

Send a pic of yo ur children’s creations – of an ything related to military life – to editor@aff.org.u k to be in with a chan ce of winning a £25 Amazon vouche r and to feature in a future edition of Army&You. If yours doesn’t m ake it into print, we’ll post it on social @ ArmyandYou

SUCCESS ON THE PITCH

Connor Grace, 14, whose dad is in the army, started Moorland School in Lancashire three years ago due to having the attraction of a footballing academy. Up until this point Connor had lived in Scotland, Canada, Germany and then back to Scotland, attending four different schools. Since joining the school, Connor has excelled academically and has also had great success on the football pitch. Connor was part of the team that made it to the English Schools Football Association (ESFA) final in May 2022, which was held in

West Bromwich Albion’s The Hawthorns stadium. The team just missed out on a win, achieving a silver medal. The following season Connor was selected again as the team captain for his school football team and they managed to progress again, all the way to the ESFA final in May 2023. This time in the final, the team confidently won, taking home a gold medal and lifting the trophy to be crowned ESFA U14 champions. Well done to Connor and all of the team!

A HERO TO KEEP

CREATIVE WINNER

This moving poem about the First World War was written by Hope, aged 10, whose dad is in the army. War Even though the pilots were flying, Their passengers were dying, As the bombs dropped, The tanks stopped. In fear they wouldn’t make it out alive, The passengers cried. Hope is the winner of this edition’s creative competition and wins a £25 Amazon voucher. Congratulations!

FRIENDS WHO GET IT

Elizabeth Wilson, 16, whose father is in the army, has set up a support group for young people from military families with charity Hull4Heroes. Elizabeth explains how her idea became a reality: “The idea of having an armed forces youth group came about because, after I had moved house, I missed the support and friendship gained from having a friend with parents also in the armed forces. “So, when I became a deputy member of the Youth Parliament, I really wanted to help others who felt the same as I did and here I am now with my own youth group. “Recently, I started college and without

Huggable Heroes are cuddly fabric toys which can help military children get through difficult days when parents are away. They can be personalised with a special photograph front and back, so they make a comforting and cuddly keepsake. One lucky Dandelion can win a Huggable Hero of their own. Enter by scanning the QR code – the closing date is 18 February 2024. For more information, visit huggable heroes.co.uk

knowing I made a friend who also had a parent in the army, and I think there’s something really special having someone who gets the parts of you that not everyone always understands. “This helped to remind me of why I originally set up this youth group and what I hope for it to become, which is a place where young people can make friends with people who understand, have a laugh and enjoy their own space. “This youth group means so much to me and I believe it will grow into something really special.” The group meets on the first Saturday of the month from 12-2pm at the Hull4Heroes drop-in centre, Unit F27, 3rd Floor, Princes Quay, Hull, HU1 2PQ. Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 63

All things baby THE BABY SHOW with Lidl GB is returning to ExCeL London from 1 to 3 March 2024. The show is perfect if you’re expecting for the first time, are new parents to a beautiful bundle of joy or have an ever-growing family that you need to shop for. More than 350 brands will be exhibiting, such as iCandy, Tommee Tippee, Leclerc, Stokke and Silver Cross.

WIN

Whether it’s a new car seat you need, a cot, a carrier or a new buggy, the show is the place to go. You’ll also be able to listen to parenting experts on the Live Talk Stage. For more information visit thebabyshow.co.uk

Pack

in the protein

FUEL YOUR DAY with delicious snacks which offer a good dose of protein, fibre and vitamins in every ball. They’re perfect for before or after the gym or simply to cure that sweet craving! We’ve teamed up with no added sugar protein ball brand The Protein Ball Co to offer two readers a starter bundle of its Protein + Vitamin Balls.

64 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

The bundle includes a bag of all ten of the best-selling flavours, with each bag containing six tasty protein balls. You can choose from flavours such as Peanut Butter, Cacao & Orange and Lemon & Pistachio – vegan flavours are also available. More information is at theproteinballco.com

FIVE READERS WILL EACH WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS WORTH £52. The closing date for entries is 5 February 2024.

N I Giveaways W Click the giveaways tab at armyandyou.co.uk. Entries close on 18 Feburary 2024.

Lift your fitness CRAZY STRENGTH is focused on delivering high calibre powerlifting, weightlifting and strength and conditioning coaching both remotely and in person at its headquarters in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Crazy Strength was founded in 2015 after head coach and founder Craig Spicer’s previous work with the army and British Drug Free Powerlifting Association. Having been in the industry himself since 2003 and competed in numerous disciplines to a high standard, he finally developed a love for barbell sports through the strength, conditioning and CrossFit environments. ONE LUCKY READER CAN WIN TWO MONTHS OF REMOTE COACHING OR PROGRAMMING. Find out more about Crazy Strength at sites.google.com/ view/crazystrength/ home or follow them on Instagram @crazystrengthhq HOW TO ENTER: Click the giveaways tab at armyandyou.co.uk and follow the links. One entry per household per giveaway. Closing date for entries is 18 February 2024 unless otherwise stated. See page three for competition rules. Your information will not be used for marketing purposes. Winners’ names and T&Cs are published on the Army&You website.

Pup tale Military spouse Amanda Foote decided to write her first children’s book based on the mischievous pup that had recently entered her family’s lives. Darwin is a short story told in rhyme that captures the very essence of the playful and slightly naughty eponymous character, who loves nothing more than to be having fun and making friends. Available on Amazon, it’s filled with gentle humour and beautiful illustrations, and is a wonderful bedtime story that is suitable for pre-school aged children. Three readers will each win a copy of Darwin. Army&You Winter 2023/24 | armyandyou.co.uk | 65

Book Club

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

Full of twists and turns In this edition’s Army&You and Reading Force Book Club, service young people tell us what they thought of And Don’t Look Back by Rebecca Barrow…

Published by: Hot Key Books, paperback £7.99.

I REALLY enjoyed this book. It is very exciting and I couldn’t put it down. There were so many plot twists, nobody would guess how it ends. I liked how it would go back in time, it makes it into two stories that join together at the end. I would definitely read it again and recommend it to a friend.

If your children would like to r the vi re ew books fo ail em , ub A&Y Book Cl rg.uk .o ce or gf in hattie@read es with their nam and ages - UIBD - UI UIBD D \BDGYHUWB$57 SGI \ \BDGYHUWB$ \B DGYHUW $57 SGI $57 SGI

BETHANY (16) &

Have fun with your family

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Share a book and chat

aI loved doing Reading Force with all my family because it brought everyone together!b

MOLLY (15)

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

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aThe stickers and the theme of the journal are perfect.b

www.readingforce.org.uk and we’ll send you FREE books and resources for your children and teens

Follow our Facebook page for book giveaways ReadingForce

THE STORY was compelling and exciting as well as having mystery and multiple plot twists. I loved how it explored the main character’s sexuality, as I feel you don’t see this unless it’s in romance novels, so it was refreshing. My only criticism is that the flashbacks could get a little confusing and disrupt the flow of the story despite it giving some important insights. I also feel the bits we were told left some loose ends about how Cora felt and her thought process. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes mystery and adventure.

HAVE FUN SHARING BOOKS

ELIZABETH (16)

HARLOW AND her mum, Cora, have been running all their lives from an unknown, unseen enemy. We see how Harlow changes her personality, as easy as a chameleon changes colour, to blend into new social climates. The time comes again to pick up their meagre belongings and run again. They are involved in a car accident which ends up killing Cora. Cora uses her last words to direct Harlow to a safety deposit box. Here Harlow finds a deed to a mysterious house. She meets (and starts to crush on) a pretty girl who starts to help her. The story has so many twists and turns that your head spins.

readingforce

ReadingForce

Reading Force is a registered charity No. 1159890

66 | armyandyou.co.uk | Army&You Winter 2023/24

Win

Enter our giveaway to win a copy of And Don’t Look Back and a Reading Force teen journal. See page three for entry rules. Already read it? Tell us your thoughts @ArmyandYou

Kit & Personal Possessions Insurance

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Visit forcesmutual.org/kit Call 0151 363 5290 ^Electronic devices such as laptops and mobile phones are covered up to £1,500 per item as standard, and valuables and pedal cycles up to £3,000 per item. Items above these values need to be specified on your policy schedule. Kit & Personal Possessions insurance is arranged by Motorplus Limited t/a Coplus and underwritten by Collinson Insurance Limited (a trading name of Astrenska Insurance Limited). PMGI Limited, trading as Forces Mutual, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The firm is on Financial Services Register, registration number 114942. Registered in England & Wales number 1073408. Registered Office: 80 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BY. ADVKIP000ȋ KITADVERT (Ȇȅ23)

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We support soldiers and their familiesҼ

Sergeant James Nugent’s daughter, Elsieҿ was born with a rare condition limiting her to a wheelchair. Serving soldier Sergeant James Nugent received a grant of £12,000 to support his daughter, Elsie, who had been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. This funded an extension to their house, a mobility scooter and a ramp, providing Elsie and family with a comfortable living space.

To find out more about our work visit:

armybenevolentfund.org

For Soldiers. For Life. Army Benevolent Fund is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) and Scotland (SC039189) and registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (07974609).