Domestic Abuse Factsheet Regarding The Impact It Has On Children

The Wiltshire Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB) is made up of professionals who work in services for children and families including health, education, police, fire and the voluntary sector.

WSCB has developed a Domestic Violence and Abuse factsheet regarding the impact it can have on children.

To view the factsheet, CLICK HERE

To visit the website, CLICK HERE

The Open University - Career Development For The Defence Community

If you are looking to develop yourself or planning to leave the Armed Forces and need additional skills to help with your resettlement, The Open University (OU) can help.

The OU works closely with the MOD to support education and training while with the Armed or Civil Services. The OU’s flexible learning allows service personnel to maximise their use of personal time.

 The OU is proud of its relationship with the Armed Forces, supporting students wherever they are in their studies and wherever they are in the world. This website has been created to provide advice, support and free resources to Armed Forces personnel, as well as information to help you find out more about what it’s like to study with the OU.

CLICK HERE for more information

Do You Know How To Help A Choking Child?

Children, particularly those aged from 1 to 5, often put objects in their mouth. This is a normal part of how they explore the world.

 If your child suddenly starts coughing, isn't ill and has a habit of putting small objects in their mouth, there's a good chance that they're choking.

For tips on helping a choking child please CLICK HERE

Help For Problem Gambling

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Being a compulsive gambler can harm your health and relationships, and leave you in serious debt.

If you have a problem with gambling and you'd like to stop, support and treatment is available.

There are helplines you can call, online chat facilities and local support groups include Bath, Bristol, Swindon.

To read further information on the NHS website,

 CLICK HERE

To view more details of local support groups,

 CLICK HERE

Free Access To Headspace For Serving RAF Personnel

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Support & Advice From The Armed Forces Covenant - Regulars

The Armed Forces Covenant provides you, as serving personnel, and your family with practical support and advice to help you.

Some policies will apply to you and others will not. This section of the website will direct you to the right place on GOV.UK and other trusted resources so that you can see what is available.

To read more online, CLICK HERE

Support & Advice From The Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is here to support you in your role as a reservist, helping you to balance your civilian work with being part of the armed forces.

Your employer can support you in maintaining this balance by signing the covenant. They can pledge specific measures to make it easier for you to meet your reserve service commitments, such as offering extra paid leave to attend annual training or career courses.

To read more on the website, CLICK HERE

Support & Advice From The Armed Forces Covenant - Families

Families offer considerable support to those serving, or those who have served in the armed forces. There are specific initiatives under the Armed Forces Covenant to support family life in the armed forces and for veteran families.

To read more information on the website, CLICK HERE

Support & Advice From The Armed Forces Covenant

For those leaving the Armed Forces, please

 CLICK HERE

For those who have already left the Armed Forces, please

 CLICK HERE

Old Down Country Park

Old Down Country Park is an award-winning attraction set in breath-taking countryside. You and the family can enjoy 66 acres of open space, gardens, woodlands and spend hours of fun in the play areas with a jumping pillow, an adventure playground, trampolines, and more.

You can also meet some of the farm animals who you can stroke, cuddle and handle.

The Park Events Co-ordinator has confirmed that those who present military ID will receive 10% discount.

To visit the website, CLICK HERE

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Homecoming & Reunions

The Army Welfare Service have released new updated leaflets regarding the services they provide as well as specific advice on deployment homecomings.

Leaflets are available from the HIVE either printed or via email-contact colernehive@armymail.mod.uk

The Nuffield Centre - Anglesey

The Nuffield Centre at the Joint Service Mountain Training Centre Indefatigable provides affordable accommodation for Service Personnel and their families in North Wales on the banks of the Menai Strait.  The Nuffield Centre is unrivalled as a base for exploring the coast and mountains of North Wales . Only a minutes drive from the A55 and A5, the access is easy and the scenery stunning.

Beneficiaries- The object of the Charity is to ‘promote the welfare and efficiency of the Forces of the Crown either by the provision of facilities for recreation or by any other means’. The Trust therefore finances recreational and welfare amenities and facilities that will benefit those actually serving in the Armed Forces but which are not provided by public funds and which are beyond the resources of other non-public funds. In this context, the ‘Armed Forces’ does not include Ex-Servicemen or Cadet Forces.

To visit the website, CLICK HERE

Give Us Time Respite Breaks

Give Us Time was founded by former Defence Minister Liam Fox in 2012 and their mission is to give military families precious time together, particularly after a long deployment or exercise. They recognise the vital role family plays in providing a support system for our brave military personnel and that time together is crucial to strengthen this bond.

Holiday accommodation is generously donated by holiday companies or private owners. Give Us Time then matches these with British Service personnel who are in need of rest and quality time to spend with their families.

Give Us Time holidays are almost always accommodation only, except in exceptional circumstances.

For further information and to register online,

 CLICK HERE

Shape Up 4 Life - Free Weight Loss Support In Wiltshire

Shape Up 4 Life (SU4L) a FREE 12-week weight management programme that supports people to lose weight and keep it off long term.

It's run in groups of 12 – 15 people both daytime and evening in community settings or completely online; sessions are interactive, practical and discussion based.

Each 1.5 hour weekly session consists of a 45 minute nutrition workshop covering topics such as snacking, portion sizes, fats and sugar. This is followed by 45 minutes of light exercise such as circuits, boxercise, resistance bands and seated exercise.

Wiltshire Council is pleased to announce updates from our weight management provider Solutions 4 Health who deliver the Shape Up 4 Life group weight management programme. Shape Up 4 Life is now accepting referrals from 14 years old and have recently launched an online weight management support service.

To find out more online, CLICK HERE

UK Education Systems - A Guide For Service Families

To read this guide online at the Gov.uk website,

 CLICK HERE

Support From The Army Families Federation (AFF)

Did you know AFF have an Employment, Training, Allowances & Money specialist?

You can find her details on the AFF website, or to read more about job hunting, training, funding and initatives,

CLICK HERE

Alternatively our local rep Leah Ann will be at regular coffee mornings in 2019. You can talk to her about anything related to Army family life and she will know if AFF can help in any way. If you'd like to get in touch with her now, her contact info is below (click image to enlarge)

Your Guide To Living In Service Family Accommodation (SFA)

To read the guide online, CLICK HERE

Free Distance Learning Courses In The Care Sector

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To visit the New College Swindon website,

 CLICK HERE

The Hollie Guard Personal Safety App

A free app for smartphones has been designed to protect both men and women from possible danger.

"Hollie Guard" turns your smartphone into an advanced personal safety device at the touch of a button.

Launched in October 2015, the "Hollie Guard" app is taking the mobile world by storm with more than 20,000 downloads and users since its release.

Taking a proactive approach to your safety, the team encourages you to turn on "Hollie Guard" BEFORE you are in a potentially dangerous situation – for example BEFORE walking home on a night out. 

The app is currently being used by:

-Children & Teenagers

-Lone workers

-Stalking & Domestic Violence Victims

-Lone runners/Athletes

The "Hollie Guard" app was developed by Panic Guard Ltd for the Hollie Gazzard Trust. The Trust was set up after the murder of Hollie Gazzard at her salon in Gloucester in 2014 by her then boyfriend who had actively stalked Hollie during an abusive relationship.

To visit the Hollie Gazzard Trust website,

 CLICK HERE

To visit the "Hollie Guard" website,

 CLICK HERE

Weekly Wellbeing Checkup - Address Your Stress

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To visit the Mental Health Foundation's website,

 CLICK HERE

First Aid For Children & Parents

Camomile Cafe (Corsham) -

 CLICK HERE

Daisy First Aid (Swindon/Cirencester) -

 CLICK HERE

Mini First Aid (Bath/Swindon/North Wilts) -

 CLICK HERE

British First Aid -

 CLICK HERE

St Johns Ambulance -

 CLICK HERE

First Aid For Life -

 CLICK HERE

NCT -

 CLICK HERE

Some of these websites also offer online training or can send you a free first aid guide.

Pet First Aid Courses

Woozelbears, Melksham -  CLICK HERE

Dog First Aid Ltd - CLICK HERE

The Canine First Aid Company - CLICK HERE

Friends For Pets - CLICK HERE

Bath Canine Academy - CLICK HERE

Some of these websites also offer online training.

You can also order a free first aid guide from PDSA via the website. To do this, CLICK HERE

Get The Free Defence Discount Service App For Offers & High Street Savings

Child Safety

"Safe children: together we've got this"

Child Safety Week 2018 may have been and gone but these hints and tips are handy to know all year round.

Please CLICK HERE for more information or to read the action pack, CLICK HERE

Wiltshire Mind - Mental Health Support

Are you struggling at work?  Are you in need of Mental Health support?  At some point in our lives we are all likely to struggle and things may reach breaking point.  At Wiltshire Mind we want to reach people at the earliest point to provide help and support. 

Wiltshire Mind, your local Mental Health Charity holds an Evening Support Group to support those, primarily who are in work but feel stressed, depressed, lacking in confidence or are just in need of mental health support. 

The weekly group offers support, information and signposting to other services as well as friendship.  The group is held at our offices in the High Street, Melksham from 6pm to 8pm on a Tuesday evening.  There is no need to book, just call in.

To find out more, 

CLICK HERE

Keeping Children Safe When Away From Home

It's something every parent experiences. The day that their child starts asking if they can go out on their own or with friends. It's just a natural part of their growing independence and, like every part of growing up, it can be a challenging hurdle for a parent to overcome.

CLICK HERE for advice from the NSPCC

Have You Been A Victim Of Fraud Or ID Theft?

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud or identity theft, report it by or by calling 0300 123 2040

or CLICK HERE

DDS Discounts On New & Used Cars

EMC Forces Cars are Europe’s largest Military and Diplomatic dealership specialising in the supply of new and used vehicles to our Armed Forces, Ex Forces and their families in the UK and Overseas as well as Diplomatic personnel, Missions and Agencies worldwide.

To take advantage of this offer, CLICK HERE to visit the DDS website and type 'cars' in the search box. Scroll to the bottom of the page where you will see the EMC Forces Cars logo.

If you haven't already, you can sign up to the Defence Discount Service for free online, or pay a small fee to receive a card you can use on the High Street.

To visit the EMC website, CLICK HERE

Splitz Support Service

Splitz is an independent charity and leading provider of domestic abuse support services in Southwest England. Splitz has a key role in shaping strategy and policy through participation in local strategy groups, domestic abuse forums and by lobbying local, regional and national government.

As a service user-led provider, Splitz work with partner agencies and the local community to research and forecast support needs, and develop and deliver a range of quality services and other solutions. Their services are developed with input from service users and others in the local community.

2018 saw the official launch of Splitz latest venture in Wiltshire – The Phoenix Project. Phoenix is the new domestic abuse and sexual violence support service for Wiltshire and Swindon.

To find out more about the support services Splitz provides in Wiltshire, including The Pheonix Project, please CLICK HERE

*Please note that you can pick up a leaflet or access the internet confidentially on a public computer in the HIVE. Opening times Mon-Thurs 0830-1630,

Fri 0830-1510.

Little Troopers Homecoming Support

Homecoming is so different for every family and that’s just fine, if you meet them or if you wait at home for your serving person to return, every family finds what works for them and as we all know it is very much subject to change when you get a homecoming date so try not to build up to one day to be disappointed.

To read more advice and hints from Little Troopers, CLICK HERE

To see the activity sheets available, including a template for 'Welcome Home Bunting' CLICK HERE

The Veterans & Reserves Mental Health Programme

If you have served in the Armed Forces since 1982 and have as a result suffered from mental health problems, the Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme (VRMHP) may be able to help you.

For further information, CLICK HERE

Armed Forces (Modernised Guidance) About Visas & Immigration

Modernised guidance about how UK Visas and Immigration deals with members of the armed forces.

For further information, CLICK HERE

SSAFA Support For Reservists

Volunteer Reserve Forces from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force are respected for their flexibility, including their ability to serve across a range of operation.

SSAFA know that the pressures of holding down a jog, along with active military service, may also be challenging for Reservists and their families.

To find out more about the support SSAFA can offer,

 CLICK HERE

Support For Reservists

As a reservist, there’s a great deal of support available to you. If you have any questions relating to civilian employment that haven’t been answered in the rights and responsibilities for reservists and employers section on this site, or you are experiencing difficulties with your employer, you can contact your Unit Employer Support Officer.

Each unit has an Employer Support Officer who is the main authority on employer issues. Your detachment commander or Permanent Staff Administrative Officer (PSAO) will be able to put you in touch. Employer Support Officers can give you legal advice or tips on how best to talk to your employer to encourage them to support your reserve service.

You can also contact us for advice on the DRM helpline (0800 389 5459) or report disadvantage at work online.

To visit the Defence Relationship Management website, CLICK HERE

The Contribution Of The Reserve Forces Over The Last Century

For over a century the reserve forces of the United Kingdom have made an essential contribution to the defence of the nation. As the UK armed forces take on a greater contingent of reserves to train and deploy together with regulars as part of a ‘whole force’, ‘A history of our reserves’ reflects on the heroic contributions of individual reservists over the last century.

To read more online, CLICK HERE

Deployment Support For Reservists & Families

For those in the Reserves, being deployed on operational duty can be a life-changing experience - they are pitched into an environment that can be both hostile and totally alien to them. For those left behind the absence can also create problems which they may find difficult to deal with.

To read more on the website, CLICK HERE

Joining Forces - Access To Credit Unions For Military Personnel

The Ministry of Defence is supporting three of the UK’s leading credit unions to join forces and make saving simple and loans more affordable to the Armed Forces and its Veterans. The money is deducted straight from your pay or pension so you don’t have to think about it.

To read the full details, CLICK HERE