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Person presenting an award, celebrating forces families awards.

Celebrating Forces Families awards 2024

BFBS is proud to be the media partner for the Celebrating Forces Families awards (CFF) and the nominations for 2024 are now OPEN!

The awards shine a light on the Armed Forces community and helps celebrate those who have triumphed over adversity, those who support the employment of military spouses and highlights the amazing projects families have undertaken.

 

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Graphics of a ship, tank and jet on a navy blue background.

Sitrep has been nominated!

BFBS' Sitrep has been nominated for an AIB Award in the Human Interest category for our episode 'Understanding Suicide.' We're honoured to be a finalist for this episode that focuses on such an important topic and we want to thank everyone that made it happen.

You can listen to the episode right here and, if you or anyone you know is affected by any of the issues raised then check out our Audience Support!

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BFBS STAMPS DOWN ON CYBER CRIMINALS SCAMS

BFBS stamps down on cyber-criminals

Listeners of BFBS the Forces Station have become the latest victims of this type of attack and BFBS Radio is keen to reassure the audience that it will never ask for any personal information such as bank details.

To help raise awareness of this scam, broadcaster Amy Casey spoke with Karl Roberts, head of cyber security at BFBS, to find out how the scams work and how we can all protect ourselves.

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Image taken from an awards ceremony.

Finalists revealed for LGBTQ+ Defence Awards

The shortlist has been revealed for the UK defence sector’s first ever LGBTQ+ Defence Awards – with finalists from all three branches of the Armed Forces, the civil service, defence firms and suppliers.

The awards will be the first time the broad spectrum of UK Defence comes together to celebrate, showcase and promote the power and vital importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion.

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Wraparound

Updates to Wraparound childcare

Join more than 5500 Service families who are currently benefitting from claiming up to £3,400 per child, per year of before and after school childcare costs.

The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old who are in school or being home schooled in the UK. Almost 8000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC.

 

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Hooded figure with an X over each eye. Purple/black background.

Cyber Confident in Defence

This month, Cyber Confident will be focusing on Secure by Design – a new approach that the MOD is now implementing into all new programmes and capabilities as a way of ensuring that they are cyber secure from the very beginning.

Over time, this will become standard business behaviour – you won’t even have to give it a second thought.

For more information, visit the Cyber Confident in Defence SharePoint, Defence Connect, or get in touch with the team at [email protected].

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Digital icons of two people waving, one of them in military clothes.

Join our audience panel

How do you fancy being the first to test out our new products and services?

Well you can, simply join our panel and become part of an exclusive community - you can even get incentivised for your time!

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Get your fantasy on!

Are you playing fantasy football this year? If so, then make you join our BFBS league!

If you know you know and if you don't know then click below!

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ERS GOLD AWARD 23.

So proud to take the gold!

BFBS’s commitment to the armed forces community has been recognised under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).  

Ben Chapman CEO, BFBS, said: “As a military charity and media organisation our support and commitment to the whole armed forces community is at the heart of what we do, so we’re delighted to be recognised for our work with this Gold Award. 

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Two hands holding a phone with the new BFBS Radio app on the screen.

The BFBS Radio App

Our BFBS Radio app is available for all Android and Apple devices.

As well as accessing all our BFBS radio stations, wherever you are in the world, you can now listen and download your favourite BFBS Podcasts, listen to our Catch Up services, browse our scheduling information and more!

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Crowd photo at the Shorncliffe Trust Heritage Walking Tour.

Shorncliffe Trust's Heritage Walking Tours

The Shorncliffe Trust are pleased to announce dates through to September where you can enjoy hearing about history on your doorstep by joining a guided tour of the former military training land around the Shorncliffe Military Cemetery and learn more about its hidden heritage assets. 

The Trust’s knowledgeable Trustee guides are Steve Head and Chris Shaw and you book your place by clicking below

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Headspace licences for serving personnel

Headspace is a personal guide, with hundreds of meditations and exercises for sleep, focus, and movement. Due to existing partnerships, you could get a FREE licence, usually £49.99/ year.

To find out more head to the following websites: Royal Navy, Army or RAF.

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Digital graphic for the BFBS survey.

Fancy winning £200 of shopping vouchers?

How do you fancy winning £200 of shopping vouchers? It's very simple and will take no more than 10 minutes.

If you are serving in the Armed Forces, an employee of the MoD or a dependent then let us know your thoughts about our services and, in return, we'll enter you into our prize draw!

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Front cover of the book Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box.

Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box

Military life is filled with challenges so adding a business into the mix can create even more chaos.

However, author Jess Sands is here to guide military partners through the journey of building a successful business with her new book, "Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box."

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Access news from around the world

Want to have access to over 7,000 newspapers and magazines wherever you are?

With PressReader you can and, exclusive with BFBS, you can get enjoy a special discount too!

Domestic Abuse Awareness

The Ministry of Defence has launched its strategy to tackle domestic abuse within the Armed Forces and defence civilian communities. All forms of domestic abuse are not acceptable in any situation.

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, in any form, then it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help - the video above has more details and, to find out more, click the link below!

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Magician performing in front of Armed Forces audience.

Producing live events around the word

Our BFBS Live Events team create award-winning entertainment for our armed forces.

From small mess functions to family days, large scale outdoor concerts to award ceremonies, and everything in-between, speak to the team to see how they can help.

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Veteran and care worker looking to to the sky and celebrating.

Boosting military charities

The BFBS Big Salute is our annual campaign that raises vital funds for armed forces charities.

Each year we invite forces charities to apply for grants to support specific projects for the serving military, families or veterans with every penny raised goes to the beneficiary projects.

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Pension Remedy update

The MOD Armed Forces Pension Scheme Retrospective Remedy Consultation is now open. The consultation applies to Regular, Reserve and Veteran UK Armed Forces personnel who were in pensionable Service on or before 31 March 2012 and on or after 1st April 2015 and did not have a gap in Service longer than 5 years.

It’s an opportunity to provide feedback directly to the MOD on the legislation and remedy polices and their impact. You’ll be able to submit your responses by following the consultation response link to Microsoft forms and then answering the consultation questions listed.

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London city skyline.

Welcome to the Union Jack Club

Have you heard of the Union Jack Club? The charity is a Tri-Services Members' Club and accommodation that is in the very heart of London.

It's exclusively open to serving and veteran enlisted members of His Majesty's Armed Forces.

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Forces families to benefit as dedicated fund returns

Projects supporting military families can bid for a share of funding as the latest round of the Armed Forces Families Fund opens for applications.

The Fund, which is administered on the MOD’s behalf by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, is available to organisations who want to launch projects that have a positive impact on the lives of military communities.

Applications for the 2023 fund can be made now and for more details click below!

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FDIS contract change

The new FDIS Accommodation contracts has come into force which will replace the current National Housing Prime (NHP) contract.

Improving the lived experience for Service Personnel and customer service are at the heart of the new FDIS Accommodation contracts.

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Gurkha soldiers standing to attention.

Join BFBS Gurkha on TikTok

BFBS Gurkha is now officially on TikTok - with exciting stuff planned around entertainment, news, as well as the 200-year history of supporting the British Army, make sure you give the team a follow!

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Piggy bank poking out of a pile of coins.

Universal Credit claims (living overseas update)

For anyone currently or due to be stationed outside the UK who may be eligible to claim Universal Credit, there is now additional guidance available to make the process of selecting an address clearer.

The MOD has worked to improve support, including allocating one DWP team to manage all overseas armed forces claims. To get help, or support, then email using the link below!

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Digital image showcasing the cost of living rise, piggy bank, shopping cart, light bulb and an arrow pointing upwards.

DDS Savings Amid Cost of Living Crisis

The Defence Discount Service has partnered with big name brands to offer the UK’s armed forces, defence community, veterans, spouses and partners some much needed savings on household and utility purchases.

They’ve teamed up with the likes of BT, Boxt, O2 and Sky to provide exclusive offers from boilers and MOTs to home insurance and phone contracts. This is to thank the defence community for their continued dedication and to help with the current economic situation.

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A row of cars in a parking lot.

Motor Finance Protocol

A new policy, introduced on the 1st of June, by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) should remove any disadvantages faced by serving personnel who have a motor finance policy for a vehicle in the UK but are required to deploy overseas.

This is only for members of the FLA and it's essential that any personnel taking out a lease-hire ensure they make it clear that they are a member of the Armed Forces to ensure the protocol applies.

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Digital map of Scotland, showing where you can listen to BFBS.

More ways to listen to BFBS Scotland

BFBS Scotland is now available on DAB in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Glencorse, adding to the already existing FM services across the regions.

The latest entertainment

Through BFBS Selected we give you the latest information about things happening on the big screen, TV, radio and more!