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Announcements, NFF News, RN/RM Announcements

We are very grateful to Annington Trust for so generously funding our Winter Glow project, for which there has been tremendous demand. However, we regret that this project is now closed.

It wasn’t much of a summer, but the NFF team did our best to Brighten Your Day with a little something to amuse or entertain you.

 

Now, as 2020 draws to a welcome close and we keep our fingers crossed for 2021, we’ve revamped our shopping list in order to offer you a warm, welcoming Winter Glow.

 

Winter Glow is essentially Brighten Your Day in a scarf and gloves – the Annington Trust generously agreed, once again, to support Royal Navy and Royal Marines families (Regular and Reserves) with resources to support resilience, enhance coping strategies and bring a bit of cheer in difficult times, this time tailored to colder weather and longer nights.

 

As with the Brighten Your Day project, Winter Glow aims to provide Royal Navy and Royal Marines families (Regular and Reserves) with resources to support resilience, enhance coping strategies and bring a bit of cheer in difficult times.

 

It is designed to support those families experiencing periods of separation or those impacted by covid-19.

 

Eligibility
  • This project is for currently serving Royal Navy and Royal Marines families (Regular & Reserve) who have been impacted by COVID-19.
  • You will need to provide us with your serving loved one’s Service number for eligibility purposes.
  • The provision of resources is limited to one item per Service number. The provision of resources is subject to funding and availability. Should your item be unavailable, a suitable alternative will be sourced where possible.
  • If you received resources from Brighten Your Day, you are still eligible to apply to Winter Glow.

* Do get in touch with the project team at project@nff.org.uk should you have any questions about your existing order.

 

Posted on: 7th December, 2020
Updated on: 1st March, 2021
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NFF News

*APPLICATION CLOSED – thank you for your interest*
Role: Family Advocate
Full-time post, 36 hours per week based in Portsmouth.
Initial salary £20,000 Per Annum.

 

Here’s who we are:

The Naval Families Federation exists to speak up for Royal Navy and Royal Marines families.  We represent their views and experiences to those who make the policies and decisions that affect them. We meet regularly with the Royal Navy’s Chain of Command, government ministers, other government departments and other key stakeholders.  We also support appropriate and relevant research.

 

Here’s who we are looking for:

Someone who will be the welcoming voice and one of the first responders for enquiries into the NFF. The post-holder has the responsibility of responding to enquiries from serving personnel and their families and advocating on their behalf to engage with issues that can sometimes be complex, ranging across a number of subjects. The ideal candidate will be both patient and diplomatic, understanding the nuances of the Naval lifestyle.  The role will extend into developing a more in-depth knowledge base as a policy lead for an area affecting Naval families.

The successful candidate will have a close understanding and experience of the modern Naval Service lifestyle, and have the ability to build effective relationships in order to advocate on issues affecting Service families, engaging with the Chain of Command and external stakeholders and working closely with the Federation’s subject-area leads. This will be coupled with strong written and verbal skills, accurate record-keeping skills and the ability to organise time in order to prioritise tasks.

This is a key role within a small organisation where everyone’s contribution makes a difference, so the ideal candidate will feel comfortable working as a team member and agile enough to manage several work-strands simultaneously.  If you fit the description and have a tenacious approach, we would love you to put your application forward.

 

To apply
  • Click here to download the job specification. (applications closed – link has now expired)
  • Click here to download the application form. (applications closed – link has now expired)
  • Send completed application forms to contactus@nff.org.uk or by post to the address below.
  • Applications close at midday on Wednesday 6th January 2021.
  • Interviews for the vacancy will be held in Portsmouth on Tuesday 12th January 2021.

 

Naval Families Federation

CEO: Anna Wright

Building 25, HMS Excellent, Whale Island, Portsmouth, PO2 8ER

Tel: 023 9265 4374

 

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Overseas

Considering/ just received an overseas assignment? Here are some articles pulled from our Homeport magazine to provide you with more information:

Screenshot of Homeport article (Autumn 2020) - Polaris take over - but it's business as usual
Cyrpus & EJSU (Autumn 2020)
Homeport (Summer 20) article about SHAPE
SHAPE (Summer 2020)
Homeport article from Autumn 2020 - Working from Home - 600 miles away
Working from Home (Autumn 2020)
Posted on: 10th November, 2020
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Finance, NFF News, RN/RM Announcements

*SURVEY CLOSED – we will keep you updated via our website and social media channels once the report has been published.*

The NFF meets annually with the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB) to present feedback from Service People and their families. The AFPRB makes recommendations to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence on military pay, allowances and charges. This year’s AFPRB will meet later this month.
Please help us to speak up on your behalf by answering this short survey.  There is a free text box at the end for any further comments you may wish to make. It will close at 23:59 on 9th November, 2020.
Posted on: 2nd November, 2020
Updated on: 10th November, 2020
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NFF News, Spousal and Family Employment

The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) have announced the launch of their brand-new Partner Career Support Programme – providing exemplary career support to spouses and partners of members of the UK Armed Forces.

 

Whether you’re already in employment, have been out of work for some time, or are based overseas and are looking to understand your suitability for a UK based role, CTP are here to help you find a future career that suits your individual needs and experience.

Your support will be flexible to allow you to understand your career path options and develop the confidence to progress along your desired career path, all while still having time to meet the demands of Service and family life.

 

This 6-month programme will be entirely accessible online, and it is fully funded by the Ministry of Defence so there is no cost to join. There are 750 places on the programme.

 

Registrations are now open until January 2021. You can find out more about the programme/ sign up here.

 

Posted on: 1st November, 2020

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Education, NFF News

 

The Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP Alliance), has worked with partners across the UK to develop a self-reflection tool for schools to consider their support for children in Armed Forces families. Underpinned by rigorous research and thoroughly tested in school, the Thriving Lives Toolkit provides schools with a framework of 7 principles through which to reflect on their practice and suite of resources developed in collaboration with a range of partners across the UK.

This tool provides policy makers and practitioners with a clear picture of the number and distribution of Service children by local authority, based on English Service Pupil Premium data.

Kath Lawrence, SCiP Alliance Head of Operations, said “Children and young people in Armed Forces families have unique strengths and challenges. Discontinuity in learning, relationships and opportunities due to the complex and highly individual interplay of school transition and separation from parents can affect Service children’s achievement, progression and wellbeing. This toolkit will help teachers to reflect on their approach to supporting Service children and give them the tools to plan and deliver effective support. The SCiP Alliance’s network of Hubs will be organising a series of training conferences to further support schools in engaging with the Toolkit.”

 

Service parents are encouraged to share this with their child(ren)’s school.

 

Posted on: 29th October, 2020
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Overseas, Regional

 

When assigned overseas the International Hive information service (iHIVE) will provide Tri-Service support and up to date and relevant information for all oversea locations. Through researched information, overseas location guides will provide easy access to relevant information regarding the overseas location and include researched information on several key topics including health, education, welfare and local facilities plus details of the various policies that support those overseas. The guides, available to view or download via the web, also include useful contacts. The guides are developed to help personnel and their families understand more about locations overseas and can be used to decide if specific location are suitable for overseas assignment for the Serving person and their family.  

 

 

Posted on: 23rd October, 2020
Updated on: 21st January, 2021
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Overseas, Regional

Are you considering/ due to move overseas for an assignment?

 

Your future overseas admin unit/Embassy are responsible for providing you with all overseas information, such as housing, schooling and pertinent local information.  This will normally be in the form of a pack or you are given a sponsor to liaise with.

 

Below are some general information for your reference:

Accommodation

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) will assign suitable housing for you and your family once an MOD e1132 (application to occupy Service Family Accommodation) has been completed.  

The Royal Navy has a Relocations Officer who will be able to provide you with the Family Overseas Removals and Travel Pack.  Relocations is only responsible for removals and travel to your destination.   

 

  • Joint Service Publication (JSP)  

JSP64 – Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations Volume 1: Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and Substitute Service Family Accommodation – UK and Overseas 

 

  • Long Term Relationships (LTR) 

Overseas do not have surplus accommodation, therefore, long term relationships are not eligible to apply for SFA.  If you wish to accompany your partner on an overseas assignment you must be married.   

British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

All BFPO numbers have been allocated a shadow postcode e.g Naples = BFPO8/BF1 2AB 

Up to date information about BFPO can be found here on the Post Office website. Also, additional information can be found on the government’s website here. 

 

  • Shadow Postcodes 

Full list of current shadow postcodes can be found here. 

 

  • Smartphone apps 

You can find BFPO numbers, UK retailers who post products to BFPO addresses and calculate you postage costs by downloading the BFPO app for Apple and Android devices.  

 

  • BFPO/Brexit

BFPO customers in EU locations are advised that mail subject to recent delays is continuing to work its way through an extremely busy civil mail network system. BFPO have experienced an interruption with deliveries to, and UK return services from, Naples and Milan. BFPO customers in these locations are advised that parcel services and UK return services via the Naples Forces Post Office are temporarily suspended with immediate effect. Moreover, changes to UK and international law will affect how mail and parcels will be cleared in the future and these new laws, which are driven by aviation security and fiscal requirements, will be getting much stricter throughout 2021. You can find a BFPO service update here.

Childcare

In overseas locations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides services (or access to services) that, so far as is reasonably practicable, conform in type, scope and standard to that required by legislation in England.  

 

Parents will have access to the following: 

  • In MOD nursery setting overseas parents with children aged 3 and 4 years old can access 15 or 30 hours free childcare (depending on eligibility).  30 hours free childcare applies when registering for the additional entitlement.   
  • Recently renamed to Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA), Parents of 3 and 4 year olds in overseas locations, where MOD schools and setting are not available, can apply for reimbursement of nursery fees  

 

Applications (from all three services) should be sent to armyres-armyhq-blb-mailbox@mod.gov.uk  

Education

The education provision for Service children overseas can be categorised as Ministry of Defence (MOD) Schools and Settings or non-MOD schools locations. Please click here for more information.

Employment

Employment criteria can differ from country to country.  Opportunities can be limited, especially in areas that are more isolated.  Job vacancies are posted on the Tri-Service platform, Forces Families Job, as well as opportunities to upskill. 

 

Further support:

Finance

Depending on your personal financial situation, you may find information within the following links useful when considering an overseas assignment.  

 

Local Overseas Allowance (LOA)

From 1 July 2021, the way in which the Armed Forces’ Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) is calculated will be changing. The changes will make the allowance more transparent, fairer to all Service personnel, and improve oversight. They do not impact eligibility or other allowances and are not a saving measure but designed to be cost neutral. Click here to find out more about the updates. We have received several enquiries on the new package and have put together a quick guide/FAQ here.

Where to find in country information
  • British Defence Staff US – www.bdsus.info  
  • British Forces Social Work Service (BFSWS) and Community Support Cyprus – www.forcessocialwork.com/cyprus 
  • British Forces South Atlantic Islands families’ handbook – Click here
  • European Joint Support Units –  www.ejsu.net 
  • Tri-Service International Hive (iHIVE)  – nff.org.uk/ihive/
    • When assigned overseas the International Hive information service (iHIVE) will provide Tri-Service support and up to date and relevant information for all oversea locations.  Through researched information, overseas location guides will provide easy access to relevant information regarding the overseas location and include researched information on several key topics including health, education, welfare and local facilities plus details of the various policies that support those overseas.  The guides, available to view or download via the web, also include useful contacts.  The guides are developed to help personnel and their families understand more about locations overseas and can be used to decide if specific location are suitable for overseas assignment for the Serving person and their family. 
Posted on: 22nd October, 2020
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Announcements, Wellbeing, NFF News, Communications, Mental Health, RN/RM Announcements

NFF News: World Mental Health Day (10th October, 2020)

Updated on National Stress Awareness Day (4th November, 2020)

 

Introducing Headspace – a new project specially for you

Dealing with challenges is part and parcel of Naval family life, but in these strange times, some non-serving members of our Naval families might benefit from some extra support.

Covid-19 has brought many additional new challenges. What if there was something you could carry in your pocket to help you navigate through whatever you are facing?

We believe that the Headspace App can help, by giving you the skills you need to be able to focus on your own health and wellbeing.

That’s why NFF, supported by RN FPS, are delighted to offer non-serving family members free access to the Headspace App for a twelve-month pilot, starting on 4th November 2020.

We hope Headspace can help you find a little joy in your everyday.

 

What is Headspace?

Headspace is a platform for mindful living, meaning you can take it with you on a walk, a run or you can even do a workout with one of the Headspace trainers. You can use it to help you get to sleep with guided sleepcasts and music, as well as all the mindfulness courses on any topic you can think of. There are even topics and courses for children. Headspace also partners with many sports institutions to support developing a performance mindset for athletes. It’s really a gym membership for your mind. Click here to read an information leaflet. More information can be found on their website.

 

 

What you need to do

Please read the note below before you click the button to sign up for your free Headspace account. There is also a FAQ section at the bottom of this page to guide you through the application process.

 

Important note – please read before signing up
  • Up to 3,000 Naval Service (regular and reserve) families will have free access to Headspace; our priority is for those families who will be most receptive to this support and most likely to make full use of it.
  • The licence gives registered family members free access to the Headspace app for 12 months starting from 4th November, 2020. The earlier you create your account, the more beneficial it will be.
  • You will be asked for a Service Number on the registration form, so that your eligibility as a non-serving member of a RN/RM/RFA family can be confirmed by the RN.**
  • Due to the limited numbers, we are only able to allocate one licence per Service number.
  • Once you have registered, and your eligibility has been confirmed, you will be contacted within 2 weeks with a link to create your account.
  • Only your name and email address will be shared with the Headspace team so that your account can be created.
  • More details about our privacy policy can be found here.
  • If you would like to know more about the support services that are available for families,  please visit our Mental Health pages.

 

**This particular service is only open to non-serving family members. If you are part of the serving community, you can access the free HeadFit for Life programme.

Sign up now
FAQ

We are aware of a small number of family members who have encountered some issues with their access to the Headspace App. If you do have any problems, please check the list below as hopefully the answer is here:

I’ve submitted my application but I’ve not received the link yet.

Q: I’ve submitted my application but I’ve not received the link yet.

 

A: If you have submitted an application for the App and haven’t heard from the NFF within two weeks, please check your junk/spam mailbox – once we have confirmed your eligibility, we are sending out the special enrolment link in an email which comes from noreply@nff.org.uk

I’ve received the email with the link, what do I do now?

Q: I’ve received the email with the link, what do I do now?

 

A: When you receive the email, please make sure that you click on the link and activate your account so that you can start to benefit from all of the great support that Headspace can offer.

How do I set up my account?

Q: How do I set up my account?

 

A: Please follow the below steps –

  1. Click on the enrolment link which can found at the bottom of the email we sent you (please check your spam inbox)
  2. When you get to the NFF page on the Headspace website, click on Login
  3. Enter your Headspace login details – remember to use the same information that you provided when you completed your application form
  4. Click Next
  5. When you reach step 2 of the verification process, make sure that you use the same email address that you entered on your application as this is what we used to enrol you on to the Headspace system
  6. You will then receive an email asking you to verify the account – you need to follow the steps right up until completion
  7. Now log out of the app and then log back in again.
  8. Now you can access 1000’s of different sessions and courses!

 

If you are still having problems once you’ve tried this, please contact the NFF team at contactus@nff.org.uk and we will get in touch with you to resolve it as soon as we can.

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