'the imjin' magazine Summer 2020 | Page 18

WELFARE NEWS Team Captain – Station Welfare Officer Gareth Dibble What’s In WELFARE OFFICE 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 Captain Gareth Dibble Station Welfare Officer (SWO) Telephone [phone] (Military 4557) E-mail [email protected] TEAM EFFORT Welfare Office ups support for staff during COVID-19 The Imjin Barracks welfare office has received a boost to its numbers – to help cope with the additional demand for services during the COVID-19 outbreak. Additional military personnel from units based at Gloucester have joined the team assisting the Station Welfare Officer (SWO), Captain Gareth Dibble, to deliver crucial support to staff and their families. The temporary appointments include a ‘Shadow Welfare Officer’, providing qualified cover for the SWO, as well as four additional staff working in two teams focused on supporting ‘International Welfare’ and the ‘Wider Community’. ON-LINE SUPPORT FACEBOOK All staff and families are being encouraged to access the ‘Imjin Station Community’ Facebook page for daily news updates, information and support. And for those in need of some help with the shopping or prescription collections are urged to join ‘Imjin Gophers’ on Facebook, to either ask for or offer support during this difficult time. The International Liaison Office (ILO) is available to help all non-British staff and families both before, and during, their posting to Headquarters ARRC on issues such as: • Official status (where an individual is asking for a letter to be produced) • Housing (including SFA allocation, rules and regulations) • Utilities and local service providers (e.g. TV & internet, etc) • Education (including information on local For the latest information visit the ‘Imjin Station Community’ group pages on Facebook or call 01452 362564 (extension 4564). • Access to the National Health Service SUMMER 2020 the imjin Captain Abel Mataitini Shadow Welfare Officer via SWO contact details Warrant Officer Class 2 Tony Heatlie Station Welfare Warrant Officer (SWWO) Telephone [phone] (Military 4552) E-mail [email protected] Padre Richard Smith Telephone [phone] E-mail [email protected] Major Martyn Fulford Major Francesco Giacometti Wider Community Focus Team Telephone [phone] (shared phone) WELFARE Q&A E-MAIL [email protected] The welfare team also has an independent e-mail address where your Q&As can be addressed to the team. This has been introduced as the Facebook page does not allow comments. Please note that this e-mail address should not be used if you have a personal welfare question. Individuals should instead contact the SWO or SWWO directly. International Rescue Committee COVID-19 UPDATE – Due to social restrictions imposed by the coronavirus, at the time of going to print all public events organised by the Welfare Office are postponed. 18 During silent hours the duty welfare officer can be contacted via the Station Duty Officer (SDO) on 07770 702648. nurseries, schools and colleges, access to school places and the appeals process) • Opening a U.K. bank account • Vehicle registration (including information on importing/exporting vehicles) (medical and dental care for dependants) INTERNATIONAL LIAISON OFFICE Fiona Traina – International Liaison Officer Telephone [phone] E-mail [email protected] Richard Moore – ILO Clerk E-mail [email protected] (9am-5pm) Paul Wheable – Housing Officer Telephone [phone] E-mail [email protected] (7.30am-4.30pm) Sue Miles – International Welfare Liaison Officer Telephone [phone] E-mail [email protected] (8.30am-4.30pm) Squadron Leader Lorna Bearsby Major Tomasz Dering International Welfare Focus Team Telephone [phone] (shared phone) 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 Imjin Station Community