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Have you Registered to Vote?
Service personnel and their families are being encouraged to register to vote in this year's upcoming elections.
Individuals may choose to register to vote in one of three ways:
• As a Service Voter - this option is open to all personnel (including spouses or civil partners), but is particularly suitable for personnel posted overseas or likely to be posted abroad in the near future. Service Registration currently lasts for five years.
• As an Ordinary Voter - personnel based in the UK can register in the same way as ordinary electors by filling in and returning the annual canvass registration form. Ordinary voters need to re-register annually.
• As an Overseas Voter - although registering as a Service Voter is the recommended option.
Local authorities will send a renewal notification to Service Voters three months before their registration is due to expire. It is essential that Service Voters inform the Local Authority of any changes to their current address that occur during the period of registration (for instance, when Assigned). If not, the reminder will be sent to the wrong address. If individuals do not register or renew their registration they will not appear on the electoral register and will not be able to vote.
Ships, units and stations should give Service personnel and their families’ assistance to register as voters, through Unit Registration Officers. Many Service units are also holding a Registration Day to inform personnel about the need to register to vote and how to do so.
Registration forms can be obtained from local authority Electoral Registration Officers or accessed and downloaded from the Electoral Commission’s website by clicking on ‘Register to vote’. Alternatively, Service personnel can see their Unit Registration Officer(s) for advice and assistance on Service voting issues. Full details of these options, together with the choices you have when it comes to casting your vote, are contained in DIN 2012DIN01-007 on the Defence Intranet.
 FAB Camps for Bereaved Families
Building on the success of previous years, the Families' Activity Breaks (FAB) are returning this summer, offering bereaved military families fun and challenging activity-based holidays.
The holidays are designed for families with children up to 19 years of age, who have suffered the loss of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces. The holidays offer an adventure for all the family and a welcome break to meet and socialise with others who have experienced a similar loss.
The cost to each family is only £50 and includes full board, meals and a full range of professionally-run activities. The camps will take place at Youth Hostel properties in Coverack, Cornwall and Whitby, North Yorkshire. The FAB team hopes to offer places for 60 families this year. Click here for more information and to apply.
Poppy Family Holiday Breaks
The Royal British Legion (RBL) is offering a free week’s holiday to families from the serving and ex-Service community. The holidays will give families a week of fun and activities away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
The Break Centres are located in traditional British seaside resorts across the country, and the package includes seven night's full board, free activities and entertainment, with travel to and from the centres. To see if your family are eligible for a free break visit the RBL website.
OPERATION OLYMPIC
UPDATED 17 FEBRUARY
In support of the Home Office and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Ministry of Defence will be making a significant contribution to the security and ceremony of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Click here for further details.
Jo’s War An award-winning play, written by a Portsmouth Navy wife is touring the country. Jo’s War lifts the lid on the impact of deployment for an unseen army of wives, girlfriends and mothers. Tickets are £10.00 / £8.50 concessions. For tour dates and further information visit: www.encore01.com
Support Fund for State Schools with Service Children: Has Your Child's School Applied?
2011 saw the launch of the MOD’s Support Fund for State Schools with Service Children. This Fund, which on current plans is £3M pa for four years, has been made available to assist publicly funded schools, Academies and Free Schools throughout the UK mitigate the effects of mobility or deployment of their Service communities; Regular Armed Forces and Reserve Forces. Grants from the 2011 round went to 139 applicants, covering everything from the purchase of equipment to aid communication with deployed parents, to the employment of a transitions officer to cover the rebasing moves within Scotland. The Fund is open to any maintained school in the UK that has Service children whose parents are subject to either frequent mobility or deployment. Click here to read a letter from Directorate Children & Young People which details the criteria, eligibility, and how to apply. Applications must be received by noon on 23 March 2012. For further information visit the MOD website.
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The Naval Families Federation (NFF) was established in 2003 to give Royal Naval and Royal Marines’ families an independent voice. The impact of separation and mobility on naval Service families may present challenges that are not commonly experienced by a civilian population.
The NFF works with the Chain of Command, service providers and the Government in order to make them fully aware of the consequences their policies and decisions make on the naval Service family as a whole. This representation keeps us in line with the other two Services and ensures that Naval Service families’ differences are acknowledged and understood.
The Naval Families Federation works from Castaway House in Portsmouth, alongside principal Royal Navy charities.
The NFF produce a free magazine called 'Homeport', which contains useful information for Service families. Homeport is distributed by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to naval families worldwide. If you would like a copy please pop into the NFF office or complete the online Homeport contact form.
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