Helpful Information For All

1.Walking With The Wounded’s (WWTW) January newsletter can be viewed here.

2. TheForces Additional Needs and Disabilities Forum (FANDF)published a new Guide for Service Families last month, Jan 21. It can be downloaded via this link.

3.Defence Relationship Management (DRM) publish a regular email about Veterans News and Communications. Interested parties can sign up here to receive it electronically. DRM is a single point of contact linking employers with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), partnering with organisations throughout the UK, helping them understand the value of signing the Armed Forces Covenant and building mutually beneficial partnerships with Defence. It provides support on employing Reservists, veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military spouses and improving fairness for the Armed Forces community in the consumer market.

4. The Royal Caledonian Education Trust (RCET) and Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) have launched a new project ‘Your Mind Matters‘ which will work directly with children and young people from Armed Forces families across Scotland to develop a new mental health and wellbeing support service.  Your Mind Matters, which is the first of its kind in the UK, has received funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust to better understand and respond effectively to the unique challenges young people of serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans face with regard to mental health and wellbeing. The project has launched in response to a consultation with over six-hundred young people from Armed Forces families across Scotland, where over eighty percent of respondents told RCET they faced considerable challenges to mental health and wellbeing. More information can be found here.

5. TheForces In Mind Trust (FiMT) have organised a pre-conference event: a Forum Takeover hosted by Nick Wood, creator of the Military Human from York St John University, ahead of their main conference in March. On Mon 22 Feb at 1330 – 1415 this live event, on the theme of Transition of Service People and Families, is hosted by expert Nick Wood who will be on hand to answer all your questions. Conference speakers and FiMT Research Centre staff will also be attending so join in for a stimulating and interactive session on everything to do with this important field. This also presents an opportunity to ask questions of a key expert, as well as meeting other conference attendees prior to FiMT’s main conference. Please note that you need to be a registered Hub user and logged in to use the Forums. Create an account here and sign up for the event here.

6. The British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) have organised a virtual 3-day careers fair for the Armed Forces community starting at 0930 on Tue 23 Feb until 2359 on Thu 25 Feb. Attached is a poster with more details and registration is now open here.

7.Froglife, a national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of reptiles and amphibians, is looking for a project lead in the Stirling area. If you know of anyone who might benefit from an opportunity to put their specialist skills to good use, Froglife are looking for veterans, specifically from around the areas of Raploch, Cornton & Stirling City Centre, whomay be interested in getting involved in practical conservation projects. They have sent me a video that features veteran James McAdie telling his story of how he got started in conservation work after leaving the Armed Forces. If anyone would like a copy – please email me as I don’t want to attach such a large file to this group email. For more information, please contact Chris Knowles;[email protected] or 07949 577 410.

8.Boeing have shared this opportunity for a 3year apprenticeship programme to become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician at various locations throughout the UK. 

9.Forces Families Jobs (FFJ)is the go-to place for training and employment for family members of currently serving UK military personnel. Search the site in order to apply for jobs and access employment and training opportunities with companies and organisations who are forces family friendly. Employers who list jobs on FFJ have signed the Armed Forces Covenant or are able to demonstrate their commitment to the Armed Forces. The site is also a gateway to accessing information about acquiring new skills, upgrading existing skills or applying directly to employers who are understanding of the unique challenges that come with being a family member of a serving person. 

Source: Pensions Agency