www.royalnavy.mod.uk

DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015 FOR THE NAVAL & LOCAL COMMUNITY IN & AROUND HELENSBURGH

From 1 April 2015 all survivors’ pensions awarded to armed forces spouses and civil partners will be for life. Those already in receipt of a survivor’s pension will be entitled to keep their pension for life if they decide to remarry, cohabit or form a civil partnership after this date. Previously, some may have had to surrender their pensions upon such changes in their circumstances. The decision highlights the government’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant by recognising the difficulties many partners of armed forces personnel face in earning their own occupational pensions, often due to having to relocate their homes within in the UK as well as overseas. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: It’s vital that we do right by those who put their lives on the line for their country – that’s why this government enshrined the Armed Forces Covenant in law. These changes reflect the huge commitment which service families make to our country. We recognise that the unique nature of service life has left widows, widowers and surviving civil partners of members of the armed forces at a disadvantage. The changes, which apply to members of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 (AFPS 75) and the War Pensions Scheme, will allow those who qualify after 1 April 2015 to retain their armed forces pension for life – regardless of whether the AFPS 75 member’s death was caused by service or whether the surviving partner remarries or cohabits. TheForces Pension Society and the War Widows’ Association which sought to harmonise pension rules from 1 April 2015, have welcomed the move. This change will come into force in conjunction with the launch of the new Armed Forces Pension Scheme 15. The Armed Forces Covenant is a key commitment of this government. It was introduced into law to ensure that personnel and veterans, and their families, do not suffer disadvantage due to service.

Will be conducting a presentation in the

Drumfork Centre 10 December 1:30-2:30pm

The presentation involves a dynamic introduction of video packages which illustrate what the RN does around the

World and how amongst other things, we look at the role& structure of the RN,

current and future equipment, our people, international relations and training.

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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS 2014

Or contact Sophia on 01436 675496 or Iain on 01436 673234

Please monitor the Community Section of the Royal Navy Website to check for Community Events which will be updated on a regular basis.

www.royalnavy.mod.uk/forums/

calendar.aspx

• If you are currently serving in the Armed Forces, either regular or reserve or a Dependant.

• If you have served in the Armed Forces, either regular or reserve or a dependant.

• If you were a member of the Merchant Navy who served in a commercial vessel in support of legally defined UK military or a dependant. We have information on a comprehensive range of issues, including

Produced by Scottish Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux—Citizens Advice Scotland (Scottish Charity SCO16637) Published September 2014

• Post—Traumatic Stress Disorder • Benefits • CSA • War Pensions • Debt and Money Advice • Employment • Housing / Homelessness • Relationships •

Your Regional Support Officer is: Sandra Staniland 01546 605555 - SStaniland@ABCAB.casonline.org.uk

Some Scottish secure tenants have a right to buy their home. This right is due to end on 1 August 2016.

If you have the right to buy your home, you will be able to exercise your right to buy if the application is made before 1 August 2016. The purchase does not need to be completed before this date.

The Scottish Government website has information on the right to buy, including information on what ending right to buy means for tenants, at www.scotland.gov.uk.

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SSAFA In Service Committee Members held a Big Brew event in the Families Centre on 3 November to raise funds towards the great they do in the local community in support of Service Personnel and their families. £135 was raised on the day with the sale of home made baking, tea and coffee and SSAFA shop items. Tracey Megson the local SSAFA Fundraising and Publicity Officer who organised the event would like to thank all her helpers on the day and all those who donated and supported the event.

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The DIO Consultative Group meeting is a meeting which is held once a term in the Families Centre with representatives from each of the Estates, DIO / Carillion Rep / DCPO / Hive and chaired by the Base Warrant Officer. It is a chance to raise Estate Issues (Not individual problems) with key players and also allows the latest information from the Base / DIO / Carillion to be disseminated through the estate social media set ups. Currently there is no Upper Churchill or Colgrain Representatives. If you keen to make a difference and enhance your Estate and are interested in being a representative for Upper Churchill or Colgrain then your interest should be highlighted through the Families Centre (01436 679526) to the Base Warrant Officer.

Service personnel and their spouses/civil partners may continue to choose to register to vote in one of three ways: as a Service voter, as an Ordinary voter and, where relevant, as an Overseas voter. Service Voter If you register as a Service voter you will only have to re-register every 5 years but you must inform your local Electoral Registration Officer if the address to which voting/ballot papers are sent to you has changed. To register online as a Service voter you should visit: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote-armed-forces and complete the online application.

Service Families Accommodation Occupants are responsible for ensuring that their home is protected from cold weather and must report any issues with their service provider (see above) before the winter weather sets in. To read hints and tips in a helpful guide from DIO and save yourself the hassle of dealing with a flood or other cold weather damage go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/260963/20131118_ SFAProtectingyourfamilyhomeWinter.pdf

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Family Passes will only be issued to the family of RN and MOD civilian personnel serving/working at HMNB Clyde who require access to the Base.

This includes the Permanent Pass holder’s spouse or long term partner providing that they reside with the Permanent Pass Holder for the duration of their service at HMNB Clyde.

Application forms are available from Sophia McArdle in the Families Centre on

01436 675496 or 07753 577731

or the Base Personnel Security Authority on

01436 674321 ext. 5475 or 6509.

If a Tour of the Base is required on completion of security pass forms contact Sophia McArdle on either of the numbers above.

1. Do you lose time from work due to gambling? 2. Is gambling making your home life unhappy? 3. Is gambling affecting your reputation? 4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? 5. Do you ever gamble to get money with which

to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

6. Does gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

7. After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

8. After a win do you have a strong urge to return and win more?

9. Do you often gamble until your last pound is gone?

10. Do you ever borrow to finance your gambling? 11. Have you ever sold anything to finance

gambling? 12. Are you reluctant to use gambling money for

normal expenditure? 13. Does gambling make you careless of the

welfare of you family? 14. Do you gamble longer than you planned? 15. Do you ever gamble to escape worry or

trouble? 16. Have you ever committed, or considered

committing an illegal act to finance gambling? 17. Does gambling cause you difficulty in

sleeping? 18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations

create an urge within you to gamble? 19. Do you have an urge to celebrate any good

fortune with a few hours gambling? 20. Have you ever considered self - destruction as

a result of your gambling ?

Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same. GA is not a campaigner against gambling, it neither endorses or opposes any causes or lends its name to any outside agencies. The Primary Purpose of GA is to carry the message to the compulsive gambler who is still suffering wherever they may be. GA is self supporting and receives no grants, donations from government or any outside agency. If you are having a problem controlling your gambling we’re here to help you. Our Helpline is open 24 hours a day on 0370 050 8881, our meetings are on every night of the week across all major towns and cities in Scotland, if you answered yes to any questions above why not visit www.gascotland.org.

Your closest meeting is held at Ben View Resource Centre, Strathleven Place, Dumbarton, G82 1BA.

Mums, Dads and children from Colgrain Community House raised £150 towards Group funds when they completed a sponsored Halloween walk around the football pitches next to Colgrain Estate. Of course with Mary Poppins leading the way (see centre of picture below) everyone probably found it quite easy to float around a couple of mere football pitches. What was a bit disappointing was that amongst all the fancy dress costumes—not a chimney sweep in sight!

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www.secretearth.com If you want to discover the more fascinating and spectacular places to visit around the globe Secret Earth has it all. With the ability to plan it out and get it booked through relevant tour operators. Well worth a look if you’re into culture rather than sand.

Menunited.prostratecanceruk.org The opportunity to take a short five question test to check your awareness of prostate cancer to raise awareness of the disease that can affect so many men’s lives. Do the test, get a badge and help reach the survey target audience.

www.hotukdeals.com Hot discount deals posted by the folk who find them. Seems to cover just about anything and includes vouchers, freebies with instructions on how to get them and forums to discuss. Quite a handy site especially in the lead up to Xmas.

www.smart-kit.com A site full of school-safe puzzle games that should keep youngsters and adults amused for many an hour. Includes logic, physics, maths, brain teasers, hidden objects, word puzzles, jigsaws, word and picture puzzles. Parents will love it.

www.classicbritain.co.uk Bargains and deals on short breaks away in classic hotels throughout Britain. Subscribe to their email list or check in regularly for weekend or midweek breaks at some really good discounts. Plenty of great hotels.

www.foodwishes.blogspot.co.uk This site is quite a gem if you can put up with Chef John’s accent. Plenty of great recipes and how to do the basics all in video format which makes everything easier to follow. Best for foodies of course but makes you want to give it a go.

www.passiveaggressivenotes.com If you have spare time have a look and you’ll probably be able to relate to the humour on this site. Though it’s American, I have the excuse that I found it through the Daily Telegraph. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

www.uk4u.org/make-a-donation Square Christmas Stockings which will be gifted to all members of the Royal Navy deployed on Operations at Christmas. Visit the site to find out more and how to donate to make a difference to those on duty at Christmas.

Mondays 13.00 - 15.00 Group / Arts & Crafts

Wednesdays 09.30 - 12.30 Group / Tea & Coffee & Hot Rolls

Fantastic bespoke garden and children’s play area Further details from Marie/Amy/Louise on 01436 679526

The house is also the meeting place for the Neptune Special Needs Support Group

Further details available from David Wynne on 07740 828629

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The following was taken from FS Rachel Preston’s last editorial in the November Housing Matters magazine before moving to her new post. It emphasises the importance of prioritising Housing in the thoughts of Service personnel from Day 1. In an ideal world Servicemen and women would recognise that their accommodation is much cheaper than civilian housing (including social housing) and put the difference aside so they can afford deposits and pay for a mortgage or private rent later on. A plan for the future could include taking advantage of schemes such as the Forces Help to Buy and the Government Affordable Home Ownership Schemes. The MoD are working with the Joint Service Housing Advices Office and other agencies such as Moneyforce to ensure that Service personnel know how to get financially fit for the future. Some Service personnel experience difficulties when they apply for a mortgage that can be avoided by having the right information and in the November issue of Housing Matters I have included an article highlighting some of those problems. When you buy a house you will need to have a solicitor or conveyancer to assist with the legal paperwork. House purchase may be the first time you have had to choose a solicitor and it is difficult to know which will be the best for you. Of course not everyone will be able to buy a house and they may not be able to rent privately and so will need to apply for social housing. This should not be the default setting for Service leavers, the demand for social housing in some regions is very high and even with an obvious housing need there may be a long wait to get a home; very often temporary accommodation is all that is available. My top advice is no matter who you are or what you do, whether you have been in the Armed Forces for years or if you have just started, think about where you are going to live now and start making plans—time flies.

Housing Matters Magazine is distributed monthly with double editions in the summer and winter. It is available from military units, HIVE offices and the Families Centre.

Back copies are also available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-matters-magazine-2014.

ADVICE LINE TELEPHONE NUMBER is 0800 328641 (24hr answer machine)

Civ: 01252 787 574 Mil: 94222 7574

AWS-JSHAO-Mailbox@mod.uk

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Churchill Square, (behind the Shop) HELENSBURGH, G84 9HL Tel: 01436 679526 / 678029

Iain Mackenzie RN Com. Dev. (Social Media)

Sophia McArdle Community Dev. Worker

Magdelane Edmonds

HIVE Information Officer

Ricardo Keller Com News Editor Business Support

Marie Drummond Family Support

Worker

Amy Boulton Family Support

Worker

Louise McSporran Family Support

Worker

Monday - Thursday 0830—1200

The HIVE Information Service is an information network available to all members of the Service community - serving personnel both married and single, together with their families and dependants as well as civilians employed by the Services.

Faslane HIVE Information Office The Families Centre Churchill Square Helensburgh 01436 678029

DINKY DOLPHINS CRÈCHE

Families Centre, Churchill Sq.

Monday – Friday 9:15 – 11:14

Birth - 5 Years

Places available Only £7 per session

Further info from Lee / Nic

Places available & still only £7 a Session—Wow!

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We’re a friendly Group who meet up every Thursday & Friday between 09.15 and 11.15 in the Hall in the Families Centre behind the shop in Churchill Square. On Thursday we have Arts & Crafts for the under 5’s and on Fridays we enjoy Hot Rolls, a cuppa and a chat. • Trips organised • Short Courses • Fundraising Activities • Friendly Atmosphere New members are always welcome. First visit is free, thereafter just £1

The Tea and Toast Group are a new afternoon Group which started up on 28th August in the Main Hall of the Families Centre.

We’re on each Tuesday from 12.45 until the school run around 2.30.

You’re very welcome to come along for tea and toast and some friendly company and chat.

Only £1 per week per adult is charged to cover costs

Free funtime sessions For children 0 - 5 years with songs, rhymes and stories The children benefit by learning whilst they have fun.

Unlike toddlers’ groups and nurseries, the children’s families stay and join in structured activities with the children therefore this also benefits the family as a whole.

(Not including school holidays ) Finishing 4th December to restart when the schools go back.

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Our Mission

‘To provide accessible support services that strengthen and enhance the resilience and resourcefulness of Naval Service personnel, their

families and communities in order to contribute to the Moral Component and optimise Operational Capability.’

After a comprehensive review over the past two years of the way the Navy delivers welfare and other services the new RNRM Welfare Organisation came into force on 3rd March 2014.

Major staff restructuring and a flattened management chain gives us better national coverage and a greater ability to focus our resources where and when they are needed.

We now have a single point of contact called the RNRM Welfare Portal which will mean one telephone number and one email address to gain access to our qualified and trained welfare staff

The contact details for the RNRM Welfare Portal are:

RNRM Welfare Portal Team, Swiftsure Block

HMS NELSON, Portsmouth, PO1 3HH

Tel: (Mil): 9380 28777 (Civ): +44 (0)2392 728777 Fax: (Mil): 9380 25082 (Civ): +44 (0)2392 725082

DII: NAVY PERS-welfare (MULTIUSER)

Every Tuesday – Brew @ Rhu meet from 1-3 pm at The Corner House for tea, biscuits and a chat. £1 per adult, 50p per child. Every Thursday – Breakfast Brew @ Rhu meet from 0930-1200 at The Corner House for Bacon and Egg rolls, tea and a chat. £2 per adult, 50p per child. Saturday Sanity, the last before Xmas is on 6th December—come for a cuppa/chat, children welcome, £2 per family. Book Club, 18 Dec. 8pm. ‘My life in Books’, all welcome, host provides nibbles, please bring a bottle! Stitch and Blether, Every Wednesday 9.30—11.30. Bring along your craftwork, sewing, knitting, crochet, whatever you are working on or want to. We hope to share ideas and give help to each other.

December 6th and 11th Christmas Wreath Making, 13th 2—4pm Kids Christmas Craft

For more information about events and what’s happening at the Corner House contact Sophia McArdle at the Families Centre on 01436 675496

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DEADLINE FOR FEBRUARY 2015 EDITION

Friday 16th January 2015.

Please contact the Editor with local news and items or pictures of interest

Items can be handed in to RNRMW Staff in the Families Centre, posted to the Editor, Families

Centre, Churchill Square, Helensburgh, G84 9HL, emailed to richard.keller469@mod.uk or simply

phone 01436 679526

Forces Family Friday Annual Halloween Event packed the Drumfork Centre at the end of October raising more funds for their own future events and FAFDU (Family & Friends of Deployed Units. Some very scary folk were in attendance as you can see but unfortunately many of the pictures we received were far too scary for a Family Newsletter.

http://thetoweronline.com/

Set Fire to the Stars John

The Birds Alice in Wonderland

The Big Lebowski Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Elf Frozen

Love Actually The Muppet Christmas Carol

It’s a Wonderful Life The Wizard of Oz

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Mama Mia

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/

thetowerhelensburgh

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New to the area & feeling lonely? then come into ‘Cosy’ Coffeehouse in Churchill Square (next to the Shop) & meet new friends in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Everyone very welcome. We’re open Monday to Friday (see notice board for times).

We have delicious Coffee/Hot Chocolate/Tea, still only £1.

Sewing classes every Wednesday 1—3pm

We have free internet service. Takeaway service available. For more information please contact: Jan (Pastoral Worker) on 01436 672537 or 07818 278221 or pop into Cosy.

On March 15th 2015 Defence Discount Service will be hosting Services Day 2015 at Alton Towers Theme Park. A private day only available to members of the services and their families. As a celebration of our Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community Defence Discount Service has exclusive use of the entire Alton Towers theme park which will host the day and the theme park gates will remain closed to the general public. Service members and family will be able to pre book this event at a fraction of the normal retail cost at just £17 for an adult (tickets must be purchased before February and are £18.50 after this point), children’s Tickets are £15.00 and under 4’s remain free of charge. The Theme Park car park usually £6 per ticket will be free for the day. Tickets will not be available to buy on the day.

Please Call 0871 222 3330 and quote SERVICES DAY

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“The Neptune Special Needs Support Group has now been running for 9 months and now enables peer support for over 30 families within our area with additional needs/disabilities. This support has been a lifeline for a lot of the parent’s involved and has proved of real benefit. The group has had 3 family events to date, the latest two being a Bowling Afternoon on the Naval Base, kindly donated by Babcock and a Cinema Night, kindly

donated by Braeholm Aggie Weston’s, hosted by Jan and Gary Alpin. These events offer an opportunity for some of our families to go to events where sometimes, due to their restrictions, they would feel unable. It also gives them a chance to meet and chat with parent’s in similar situations in a secure environment. The kids have a lot of fun at the events and it’s great to see so many fantastic smiles on faces. These kids and families go through an awful lot, often away from extended families and with partners deployed. The support in the area from other families is a necessity we quite literally could not manage without, so a massive thank you from us all. The group still meets every other Thursday at Colgrain Community House and maintains a ‘Closed’ Facebook Peer Support Group. We are developing close ties with various third sector organisations in the area and are now being approached on a regular basis for help and advice. Our group has recently received an amazing donation of £550 from We Remember Submariners (WRS), to support our events, funded by the sale of their Poppy Pins in our area. Thanks to WRS and thank you all for supporting us. Have a fantastic Christmas.”

From 5 December 2014 the blood–alcohol limit is going to be reduced from 80mg in every 100ml of blood to 50mg in Scotland. In practical terms this means that someone drinking alcohol and driving could be ‘over the limit’ to drive after a relatively small amount of alcohol. As the normal method of checking how much alcohol is in your system is a breath test you should be aware that the new limits for the breath test are 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. This has been reduced from 35 micrograms. How long it takes for alcohol to leave the body You should be aware that the morning after a night out when you were drinking alcohol you may still be over the new lower limit very easily the next day, particularly in the morning. Cross border rules and entering Scotland The new limits are only being introduced in Scotland. If you are in England and Wales and Northern Ireland the drink driving limits are still 80 micrograms in 100ml of blood. If you are within the alcohol limit for driving outside Scotland and cross the border into Scotland in your vehicle you may fail a breath test. This may be particularly important to be aware of over the Christmas and New Year breaks as many people visit family and friends all over the UK. Remember that drinking the night before can mean you are over the limit the next day because it takes some time for alcohol to leave your system.

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Numbers which may come in Useful

B.A.S.I.C. (Court Martial Suite) 01436 679666 MoD Police - Churchill Office 01436 678046

Braeholm 01436 671880 Naval Families Federation 02392 654374

Council Offices - Helensburgh 01436 658887 NHS 24 Freephone 111

Citizens Advice Bureau 01389 765345 RN RM Welfare Portal 02392 728777

Defence Infrastructure - Allocations 0800 707 6000 Rape Crisis - for women 0800 121 4685

Defence Infrastructure Faults/Repairs 0800 707 6000 Rape Crisis - for men 0800 032 0399

Drumfork Club 01436 670910 Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley 0141 887 9111

Electrical Emergency 0845 2727 999 Royal Navy Police HQ 01436 673452 Families Centre, Churchill Square 01436 679526 Short Term Families Accommodation 01436 670910

FRANK - Drug related helpline 0800 77 66 00 SPVA - Veterans’ Welfare Service 0141 224 2709 Gas Emergency 0800 111 999 SSAFA Confidential Support Line 0800 731 4880

Helensburgh Library 01436 658833 SSAFA Office - Dumbarton 01389 730513 Helensburgh Police non-Emergency 101 Vale of Leven Hospital 01389 754121

HMNB Clyde 01436 674321 Veterans UK 0800 169 2277 Helensburgh Medical Centre 01436 672277

673366 Water Emergency 0845 601 8855

HIVE, Families Centre, Churchill Sq. 01436 678029 Helensburgh & Lomond Women’s Aid 01436 677434

3 Bedroom House £35 per night £225 per week

4 Bedroom House £38 per night £245 per week

* FUNCTION ROOMS AVAILABLE TO HIRE * PARTIES, CHARITY EVENTS, CHRISTENINGS

GYM FACILITIES & MEMBERSHIP USER GROUP AVAILABILITY FUNCTION ROOM HIRE HALL HIRE BAR FACILITIES FOR FUNCTIONS BUFFET CATERING & DJ HIRE

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