Making a service complaint
Serving or former members of the UK armed forces can make a complaint if they feel they have been wronged on a matter that arises when they are subject to service law. This can include complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination and biased, improper or dishonest behaviour.
Read moreThis October, Forces TV, the home of entertainment and military life, releases a host of new programmes, to mark its launch on Freeview channel 96. The new schedule will combine Forces TV’s unique blend of military and action-themed drama, comedy and factual programming, with news about UK Forces.
Programmes will include: new, exclusive and powerful behind-the-scenes military documentaries Warrior Women: Making US Marines and In Kabul: Britain’s Military in Afghanistan. Cult classics Knight Rider and Street Hawk return to our screens and military favourites including Hogan’s Heroes and Goodnight Sweetheart.
The University of Winchester worked with SCISS (Service Children in State Schools) to host the South East SCISS conference. SCISS is an affiliation of the 6000 plus state maintained schools in England that have children of service personnel on roll. The SCISS National Executive acts as an advisory group to the government on issues around educational disadvantage and promotes good practice in the provision of education for service children.
Read moreA magazine editor from Surrey is currently training to compete in Revolve 24, the Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge, for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Chris Bennett, 54 and from Bookham, has been a supporter of Blind Veterans UK for a number of years now, through the partnership that his magazine, Optician, has with the charity. He explains: “Optician works with eye care professionals on the high street and in hospitals.
“We’ve been with Blind Veterans UK for a while now. The work they do in providing practical assistance to those in need and looking to adjust to sight loss is essential and it’s a cause we’re proud to support.”
Read more7.30pm, 12 October, Churchill War Rooms
The life of former Prime Minister and war time leader, Sir Winston Churchill, is the subject of a fascinating lecture being hosted by Stoll, the leading provider of supported housing for Veterans. Sir Winston’s grandson, The Rt Hon Sir Nicholas Soames MP, will give the lecture at the Churchill War Rooms in London on 12 October at 7.30pm.
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Veterans’ Gateway, a new service for veterans, is ready to assist veterans with pension problems this Pension Awareness Day, with some key pieces of advice on Armed Forces pensions.
Providing a first point of contact for veterans who need support, Veterans’ Gateway connects users with the right organisation that can help on a range of issues including housing, finance, mental health and employment.
Since the launch of the service, pensions advice is one of the most common subjects that individuals using Veterans’ Gateway have sought help and guidance on.
Read moreA Second World War blind veteran from Churchill has been formally presented with the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur for his part in the liberation of France.
Peter Johnson, 91 and from Churchill, was presented with the prestigious honour by Josette Lebrat, the Honorary French Consul of Bristol, on behalf of French president Emmanuel Macron. The special ceremony took place at a reunion lunch in Bristol organised by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, from whom Peter receives support.
Read moreSecondary Legislation to enable charitable companies and Community Interest Companies to convert into CIOs has been laid in Parliament. Subject to Parliamentary approval, phased implementation of CIO conversions could begin from January 2018.
In 2013, the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO) was introduced as a new legal structure to meet the needs of small charities in England and Wales. Since then, it has proved popular with over 12,500 new CIOs registered by the Charity Commission.
Read moreThe Not Forgotten Association has recently run two highly successful breaks for groups of injured service men and women: a 4 day trek across Iceland for 22 people and an outdoor activity week in Scotland for 15 people.
Each group included veterans of all three services and a number of Marines undergoing rehabilitation
They represented partner charities and organisations such as Blind Veterans, SAMA82, Band of Brothers and Scottish Veterans; and campaigns from the Falklands to Afghanistan. Coincidentally, the youngest serviceman in each group was aged 22 and the oldest veteran was 62.
Read moreTwo separate groups of teenagers, one based in Exeter and the other from the Blackpool area, recently took part in a community action programme run by the National Citizen Service called Project Brave.
They each set themselves the challenge of raising funds for The Not Forgotten Association (both groups included children of NFA volunteers) and through a whole host of activities including a cake bake, raffle, car wash, football match and fun run, together raised more than £2,000 – a fantastic achievement!
Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
