'the imjin' magazine Autumn 2019 | Page 22

WELFARE NEWS Up and Go The Welfare Office is based next to Innsworth Station Community Centre What’s In INNSWORTH STATION WELFARE OFFICE The Welfare Team provides a support service for service personnel, civil servants, and families from the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), ARRC Support Battalion, and 1st (UK) Signal Brigade, as well as to JSSU & JCU Cheltenham, and 721 EOD & Search Squadron based at Ashchurch. We also have a number of welfare facilities available – many of which can also be booked for private use via the Welfare Reception. COMMUNITY CENTRE Located next to the Welfare Office, this is a large hall, used primarily by groups (for coffee mornings, Beavers & Scouts, etc.) during daytimes and evenings. The Centre is available to be booked for family parties and other events. CONTACT HOUSES The Welfare Office maintains two ‘contact houses’ on the Innsworth estate. Both houses are fully-furnished with 3-bedrooms, and can accommodate up to 6 people. They are mainly for separated/divorced parents to see their children, but may also be booked by other people for family visitors, depending on availability. Requests via the Welfare Officer. LOCAL ATTRACTIONS TICKETS See the panel opposite for further details. BOUNCY CASTLES Two bouncy castles are available for use at parties in the Community Centre, at home or any other venue. MINIBUS We also have a minibus available for periods of 1-14 days. The minibus driver must make the booking, be over 25 years old and hold a valid driving licence. For further information about these facilities and to book, contact Welfare Reception 01452 362 550 (extension 4550), e-mail [email protected] What’s on INNSWORTH STATION COMMUNITY CENTRE Monday 9.30 - 11am Parents & Tots 5.50 - 8.45pm  Beavers & Scouts Tuesday Mornings  AIC Coffee Morning (monthly) Wednesday 9.30 - 10.30am Thursday 6 - 8pm Friday 9.30 - 11am Yoga (Contact Ellie Stafford 07801 653862) Cubs Coffee Morning Other events are organised during the week, and these will be advertised on the Facebook group pages Imjinstationcommunity For more details call 01452 362564 (extension 4564) 22 AUTUMN 2019 the imjin The Station Welfare Officer Captain Mike Thomas MBE leaves the Welfare Team, on much-deserved promotion to Major, after five years of supporting personnel and their families here at Imjin Barracks. We wish him well for the future, he will be missed. At a final charity fund-raiser before departing, he took part in the ‘London Nightrider 2019’ bike ride. This is a 100-kilometre route around London, starting and finishing at the Lee Valley Velo Park in East London. The route has four different 25-kilometre legs, with rest points at the Imperial War Museum. Starting at 10.30pm on the Saturday night, Mike completed the 100km ride at 5am on Sunday morning. He rode for MacMillan Cancer and out of 50 riders for the charity he was the On Yer Bike – Welfare Officer Mike Thomas is off top sponsor, raising £628.33. He would like to thank all those who sponsored and supported him. Well done, Mike! The Welfare Team Calling all Participating Nation personnel… The International Liaison Officer is available to help you and your family both before, and during, your posting to Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps on issues such as: • • Housing (including SFA allocation, rules and regulations) • • Utilities and local service providers (e.g. TV & internet, etc) • • Education (including information on local nurseries, schools and colleges, access to school places and the appeals process) • • Opening a UK bank account • • Vehicle registration (including information on importing/exporting vehicles) • • Access to the National Health Service (medical and dental care for dependants) For advice on any of the above, please contact: Fiona Traina International Liaison Officer HQ ARRC Tel: 01452 718000 Email: [email protected] Further information on a wide range of issues can also be found in the ‘community’ section of the. ARRC’s website www.arrc.nato.int/ community CHEPSTOW AND INNSWORTH HIVE The HIVE Information Service provides information on behalf of the chain of command to the Service community and welcomes enquiries from all members of the wider service community serving at Imjin Barracks. Sarah Stokes HIVE Information Support Officer The HIVE BLOG is an internet-based electronic notice board, and includes the most up-to-date news, events and important official Service community information. It can be accessed at www.chepstowhive.blogspot.com Website www.army.mod.uk/hives Telephone 01291 645354 E-mail [email protected] HIVE Opening Hours Monday-Thursday 8.30am-4.30pm, Friday 8.30am-4pm Imjin Station Community