www.royalnavy.mod.uk

SEPTEMBER 2014 FOR THE NAVAL & LOCAL COMMUNITY IN & AROUND HELENSBURGH

DEADLINE FOR COMMUNITY NEWS

OCTOBER 2014 EDITION

Friday 19th September 2014.

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/fax to 01436 679526

This month see the start of a new series concentrating on Mental Health issues and the Dept within Faslane that supports personnel with such issues. Surgeon Commander James Harrison RN heads up the team at the Dept of Community Mental Health Faslane and starts the ball rolling on page 3.

A new group has started in the Families Centre, Churchill Square. An afternoon Group, ‘Tea and Toast’ will run on a Tuesday afternoon from 12.45 to 14.30 / School Run.

The first session was a huge success with a packed hall. Warm buttered toast and spring rolls made by one of our own wives plus a stunning teapot cake donated by ‘Fondant Sensations’ rounded off a perfect afternoon. £1 per Adult, come and join us for a chat. All welcome!

The next Base Welcome will take place Wednesday 24 September. This is your opportunity to tour the Base and also obtain a Base Pass. Contact Sophia on 01436 675496 for further information.

Community News Page 2

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Local Policing Plans for the period 2014—2017 are now available to view on the Police Scotland website at www.scotland.police.uk The plans, which are produced for each of the 32 Local authorities in Scotland list the priorities and objectives and how they were identified, local policing arrangements, plus information on National Outcomes, Performance and Accountability, Local Scrutiny and Engagement.

Local Policing Plans Now Online . . .

Understanding Self-Directed Support: what does it mean for me, my family

and my Community?

What is self-directed support (SDS)? Self-directed support (SDS) gives people with disabilities and long-term health problems more choice and control over their care and support. From 1 April 2014, people can choose to continue with their support as it is now (i.e. for the social work department to continue to arrange and manage services) through to people taking complete control of a budget to buy in services, resources and equipment to meet their needs.

Helping you to understand SDS: Community Contacts

The Community Contacts project helps people learn about self-directed support and the options and responsibilities it brings. Our aim is to help others explore opportunities to live a life with more choices and make decisions about SDS that are right for them.

Join us!

Our team is made up of volunteers and project workers. Volunteers play a central role in sharing information, building rapport with people and their families to explore possibilities and to become connected with our community.

We are looking for people from all walks of life to join us as volunteers. As a volunteer you can decide how much time you wish to offer. Full training, expenses reimbursement and ongoing contact is part of the support we offer you return. Find out more… Please contact Becs Barker on 07766 925388 or becsbarker@carrgomm.org. Thank you.

The latest edition of the Naval Families Federation magazine Homeport is still available in the Families Centre and FREE to pick up. It’s a goldmine of important info for Naval personnel and their families and should be on everyone’s reading list each quarter. In the latest edition is more from Major General John Moore-Bick CBE DL, General Secretary of the Forces Pension Society about the great injustice haunting a majority of current and retired Service Wives and future widows who face being stripped of their Service widow’s pension if they live with a man, or remarry. Not quite in the spirit of the Armed Forces Covenant you’ll probably agree. The Rich Picture on pages 24/25 speaks volumes as new Commodore Mike Walliker is interviewed on the subject of the Sustainable Submarine Manpower Programme, a subject close to all of our hearts.

Community News Page 3

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Around the Naval Base, many activities go on to support personnel. Tucked away at the top of the Medical Centre are a small team who provide Mental Health support. DCMH Faslane can be accessed via a GP referral and our remit is wide, from helping people to adjust to a new situation to treatment for conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alcohol misuse, Depression, Anxiety, Phobias and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to name a few. The team is highly experienced and encompasses a Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychologists, Community Mental Health Nurses, a Mental Health Social Worker and therapists supported by an admin team. The team is a mix of civilian and military staff who understand the unique pressures of military life. All referrals to the department are seen within a maximum of 4 weeks (and often much sooner) and if urgent we can see an individual within 24 hours. Accessing therapy is also much quicker than the NHS with often no delay between assessment and treatment. The service is completely confidential like all medical services, but where necessary we have strong links with other agencies to provide a complete package of care. Accessing treatment at DCMH does not put careers at risk, indeed less than 5% of our referrals lead to a medical or other discharge. Most people often only need several sessions to get back on track with their career. As well as traditional treatments, we offer group sessions, alcohol education packages and community outreach to support good mental health and wellbeing for military personnel. You may never need us, but I hope it is reassuring to hear that help and support is very close by when things don’t feel great. Over the next few months I would like to discuss various issues in the community news. If there is anything you would like to know about mental health in the military drop the editor a line and we will endeavour to provide the answer. James Harrison Surg Cdr RN Consultant Psychiatrist

Families from three different boats met up to enjoy a slap up meal and entertainment on Saturday 23rd August at the Cruin on the Shores of Loch Lomond. The day was courtesy of the Boats’ deployment funds, organised by Sophia McArdle and Iain Mackenzie of RNRM Welfare and we believe it’s fair to say a great time was had by all.

Community News Page 4

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

The Neptune Special Needs Support Group has now been running for 5 months and enables peer support for, at present, 26 Armed Forces Families in the HMNB Clyde catchment area. The group member’s families require a wide variety of additional needs and extra support. As a group, we have helped a number of families deal with a number of issues from negotiating the challenges of a new diagnosis to helping with the challenge of being drafted to a new base port area. Armed Forces families also have the added issue of being away from their extended families, so this extra support often proves vital even if it’s just having someone else to talk to in a similar situation. On 2nd August 2014, we held our first group family event which was very kindly fully funded by Braeholm Aggie Weston’s Jan and Gary Alpin and was attended by over 40 people. The BBQ’s venue was changed at the last minute due to inclement weather and was very kindly hosted at Braeholm by Jan and Gary. The kids were thoroughly entertained thanks to Wendy Quinn who ran around on the day to buy a few games and cake decorating materials, along with a kind donation from Helensburgh Toy Shop.

This event proved extremely useful to get our families and kids together, especially for some families who feel they can’t attend regular local events due to their additional needs. All at the Neptune Special Needs Support Group would like to extend a massive thank you to Jan and Gary Alpin for making our first family event a huge success.

The Submariners Association is an Association of ex and serving Submariners which seeks to maintain the special bonds of friendship, loyalty and comradeship, together with a pride in the Submarine Service, formed during service in Her Majesty's Submarines. The objective of the Submariners Association is to promote and support the RN Submarine Service and its heritage. To Foster the friendships and comradeship peculiar to all submariners so that they may continue to share the experiences and association, and to keep alive that pride in the Submarine Branch, formed during their service in H.M. Submarines.

www.submarinersassociation.co.uk

Community News Page 5

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

From the 5th August 14 to the 11th of November the moat of the Tower of London will be filled with 888,246 ceramic poppies, in commemoration of each British and Colonial fatality during the First World War. The poppies are available to buy for £25 each and if all are sold the net proceeds should be £15 million which will be shared among six Service charities: The Legion, Confederation of Service Charities, Combat Stress, Coming Home, Help for Heroes and SSAFA. Entitled 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' the installation will encircle the iconic landmark, reflecting the magnitude of such an important centenary. Throughout the installation period (5 August to 11 November) at twilight, the public will be able to witness from Tower Hill terrace the names of 180 serving military killed during the First World War being read out in a roll of honour. This will be followed by the 'Last Post' bugle call played by a single bugler. Members of the public can nominate a name for the roll of honour using a weekly 'first come, first served' nomination system which will allow those with the relevant information to put a name forward for the roll of honour to be read the following week. Volunteers and members of the public are invited to document their involvement and witness the project evolve via Historic Royal Palaces's social media channels on Facebook (/TowerofLondon) or on Twitter (@HRP_Palaces #TowerPoppies). Members of the public can express their interest in volunteering opportunities, find out more about nomi-nating a name for the roll of honour or register interest to purchase a poppy by visiting www.hrp.org.uk/TowerofLondon General the Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, said: "For this important anniversary year, we wanted the Tower of London's commemorations to serve as a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives during the First World War, whilst encouraging others to reflect on our past."The First World War was a pivotal moment in our history, claiming the lives of over 16 million people across the globe; its consequences have shaped our modern society. We hope that people across Britain, Europe and the rest of the world will join us by being a part of this unique moment which we feel reflects the magnitude of this centenary year." (Info courtesy of britishlegion.org.uk)

Community News Page 6

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Pictured above are some of the local youngsters lucky enough to attend the three day Celtic FC Soccer Camp which took place at the end of July at the Hermitage Academy. The Camp was generously sponsored by the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity and organised by Scott Jackson (RNRM Welfare).

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 Spe-cial Needs Support Group Further details available from David Wynne on 07740 828629

Community News Page 7

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

DIO is no longer accepting requests for Service Families Accommodation (SFA) Pre Move Out appointments from 14 July 2014 – existing appointments are not affected. The difficult decision has been made in order to allow staff to focus on Move In and Move Out appointments. DIO understand that this will be disappointing for some customers. However, the documents normally provided at the Pre Move Out appointment are available online, as they have been for a number of years. All customers should already be aware of their obligation to reinstate the condition of their property if they have made changes, and to prepare the property to the correct standard. If you feel strongly that you would like a Pre Move Out appointment, for example you are relatively new to living in SFA, DIO will endeavour to assist. Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-allocations-service-centre-hasc for the Housing Allocations Service Centre (HASC) contact details. Email the HASC to request an appointment, ensuring that you include the full details of your SFA address and a contact telephone number. What are your thoughts on this? Please inform the Naval Families Federation by emailing: admin@nff.org.uk

The MoD’s Education Support Fund (formerly the Support Fund for State schools with Service Children) was launched in 2011. The fund is currently £6 million per annum and has been extended to 2018. It’s purpose is to mitigate the effects of exceptional mobility or deployment of their Service communities; Regular and Reserve. The Fund is different from the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant scheme which seeks to forge closer ties between the community and the Services who form a part of that community, and which is open to a wider variety of organisations to apply once a local community covenant has been signed. It is also different to the Service Pupil Premium, which is provided within England by the Department for Education in respect of children of members of the Regular Armed Forces. The deadline for applications is 16:00 on 30 September 2014. As Service personnel need to move quickly between post and locations, the Fund seeks to mitigate the effect on schools resulting from: The movement of an entire unit/squadron/base moving at one time and there being a delay before the next unit/squadron/base moves in; or The effect of a constant high turnover of Service children usually experienced by schools located close to a military base. Applications for this Fund would need to demonstrate the type of exceptional mobility experienced by the school, how the funding would mitigate the impact on the school, and what success would look like for the school. Deployment does not necessarily need to be to a conflict zone. Exceptional mobility/deployment are the two key criteria that govern eligibility for the Fund. It may be that a school is still dealing with the impact from a previous deployment and applications will be considered for these situations. With changes to the geographical footprint of the Armed Forces happening over the next few years, the Fund will concentrate on areas where there is going to be a known impact due to re-basing. Are your children’s school aware of the fund. Further details from www.gov.uk

Community News Page 8

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

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 07748 398059

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

Iain Mackenzie RN Com. Dev. (Social Media)

Sophia McArdle Community Dev. Worker

Susan Donaghey 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.

01436 678029

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

Community News Page 9

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

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. (except school holidays )

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

Red, White and Blue Day is a chance for every school in the country to show their support for the Service families in the UK. If each school child can give just £1 to wear red, white and blue, the project will raise millions for soldiers, sailors, airmen and their families. Red, White and Blue Day (RWB Day) will be held on Friday 10 October 2014, but if that date doesn’t suit your school, any day in October or November would work. Why not ask your child’s school to get involved? Pupils can simply donate £1 to dress up, or they can hold cake sales, sponsored events, or any other weird and wonderful fundraisers they can think of! The day is run jointly by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, ABF The Soldiers' Charity, and the RAF Benevolent Fund. RWB Day is open to every school in the UK, as well as military schools based overseas. The first ever RWB Day was held in October 2011, with 54,000 children from 175 schools taking part.

Community News Page 10

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

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): 0044 (0)2392 728777 Fax: (Mil): 9380 25082 (Civ): 0044 (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 Ba-con and Egg rolls, tea and a chat. £2 per adult, 50p per child. Saturday Sanity, come for a cuppa/chat, children welcome, £2 per family. 6th and 20th September — 4th and 18th October. Book Club, Fridays 26 Sept, 24 Oct and 28 Nov. 8pm. Please note you do not need to have read the book, 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. ‘Welcome to the Patch’ drinks evening. Saturday 6th September 8—late. Please bring a bottle and a canapé. A great way to meet old friends and new. For more information about event and what’s happening at The Corner House contact Sophia McArdle at the Families Centre on 01436 675496

Community News Page 11

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

The 9th annual Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival takes place on the weekend of the 6/7th September this year with a host of events to entertain the 20,000+ expected visitors. Live Music. With superb live music from the O’Cajunals from 2pm through until 5pm on both days, your feet will be tapping, hands a clapping and no doubt there will be a few dancers amongst our visitors plus the renowned Glasgow Accordion Band will be along on Sunday morning to kick start the day. We also have some beautiful classical music and a ukulele band playing over the weekend! When we say that there is something for every taste we really mean it! No Mercy Las Vegas are playing on the Saturday night as part of the LOCHtoberfest Real Ale event, this will be a ticketed evening. Kids Fun. From meeting Birds of Prey to getting down with the beasties with the Animal Man mini-zoo – this event has lots of child focussed fun. Also visiting with be our very own 10ft Chef to welcome you and our favourite Chef del Campo who will be whizzing his way around you with his charm and wit!! And of course no festival can call itself a Festival without a talented face-painter, and ours is one of the best. WWII Cookery Demonstrations. The Walking Theatre Company will be running some amazing World War II cookery demonstrations over the weekend. This interactive theatre is both entertaining and educational – suitable for young and old, it is free to come along and join in the fun. How did people feed themselves and their families on rations? Different activities will be taking place each day so that you can visit on both days and find something new each time. James Morton Baking live. Get up close and learn some amazing skills from James Morton, how did he feel being part of the phenomenon that is the Great British Bake Off?. Has fame changed him?! James has also won the coveted prize of “Cookery Book of the Year” this year, so has so much to celebrate. Independent Training Consultants. Meet with the wonderful Ian McCulloch and his team from ITC who will talk you through, and demonstrate, some home cooking secrets. From the basics of sharp knives through to getting a sauce just right, these guys will be running various free demos through the weekend. Haggis Eating Competition. Brand new to our event is the McIntosh Haggis Eating Competition, get your mouths open, stop your chatter and chow down on the haggis and see who can clear their plate, and their mouths, the fastest. Take on the challenge and be the winner of the 2014 trophy. LOCHtoberfest. As a brand new feature of our Festival we invite you to join us in launching Lochtoberfest…yes this September! , so come along to the Real Ale Festival on the Loch to sample some amazing Scottish ale – all of the ale will be cask pumped (you heard it here!)

The Ale Festival will run over both days from 10am till 6pm, but on the Saturday evening it won’t stop there – it will just keep brewing into something even more exciting. With live music from No Mercy Las Vegas, special guest ales appearances and your chance to buy into a proper live tasting session.

Community News Page 12

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

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.

“Bacon Butty Tuesday Special” only £2 for a Butty and a hot or cold drink.

Sharon's Crochet Classes on Wednesday morning's. We will also be starting various different crafts. (still to be arranged)

Want to learn how to make curtains/cushion covers, or basic dressmaking??? then pop into Cosy & put your name down.

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

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS 2014

3 September FOST(N) Staff and families, you thought the sum-mer was over, well break out your Hawaiian shirts and shorts again for FOST(N) are guaranteeing the weather, as they can! and throwing the BBQ of the century at Helensburgh Rugby Club on Wednesday 3 September starting at 14:30. How much is it I hear you cry... Adults - £2 Children - £1 Unbelievable... Proceeds go to Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity Tickets available from FOST Registry 01436 674321 Ext 3392 5 September Forces Family Friday 1900 - 2230 The Drumfork Club Churchill Sqaure 15 September Neptune—Great Office Bake Off Not to be missed! Bake a cake, cup cakes, a tart, or a cheese cake or any delicious desserts and donate to Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity. Or just come along and pig out! Contact Natalie Ashman on 01436 674321 Ext 3107 21 September HMS Ambush Families Visit to Lochgoilhead Still in the process of organising hence no timings yet. This is a brilliant day out for the kids so contact Sophia on 01436 678 029 and get your name down 25 September—MacMillan’s Coffee Morning 10.00—12.00 Families Centre Further details from Sophia, Community Development Worker on 01436 675496

Please monitor the Community Section of the Royal Navy Website to check for Team Around the Ship Events which

will be updated regularly.

Community News Page 13

www.royalnavy.mod.uk 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 02392 728777

Defence Infrastructure - Allocations 0800 169 6322 Rape Crisis - for women 0800 121 4685

Defence Infrastructure Faults/Repairs 0800 328 6337 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

Call Argyll & Bute Early Years Service 01369 708517/708503

Community News Page 14

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Whilst the ladies of the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir were busy performing in Clydebank at the Queen's Baton relay celebrations on Friday (18/7/14), 2 of their members were in London rehearsing for a special performance of their own. Sian Gomersall and Tricia Imrie of the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir joined Gareth Malone at a special Prom to commemorate the First World War. The sell-out concert, which is part of the BBC’s annual Proms series, took place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 3rd August, the eve of the 100th Anniversary of the day Britain entered the war. In a first for the BBC Proms, the choir were also joined by life-size puppets from the National Theatre’s production of ‘War Horse’ by Michael Morpurgo. The 100 strong ‘Proms Military Wives Choir’ were directed by Gareth Malone and made up of singers from 42 different choirs in the Military Wives Choirs Foundation network. The choirs contain wives, partners and servicewomen from Navy, Royal Marine, Army and RAF families, joining together from military bases across Britain and overseas including Germany and Cyprus. The story of the Proms Military Wives Choir coming together for the commemorative concert is also being made into a two-part documentary, to be shown on the BBC later in the year. Sian Gomersall said: “We are delighted to be performing in the Proms Military Wives Choir and are honoured to be part of this very special event. It’s really appropriate that the concert will also remember the role that women and music played during the First World War. Tricia Imrie ( pictured right, outside the Albert Hall ) said, “HMNB Clyde is the home of the UK's submarine fleet, so we are representing every woman attached to it, as well as the other armed forces. We hope we do them, our husbands and our choir proud." In addition to music from the period, including pieces by Elgar, Holst and Ravel, the Proms Military Wives Choir gave a modern day premier to the ‘New War Hymn’, written by Sir Henry Wood, founder of the Proms. The piece, which was composed in response to the First World War, was recently discovered in the archive of the Royal Academy of Music. The Proms was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 3rd August. The Military Wives Choirs • The Military Wives Choirs Foundation is a network of 75 choirs that brings women in the military

community from across the world closer together through singing. • West of Scotland Military Wives Choir was formed in March 2012 and consists of nearly 50 women

from the local military community. • For more information about the Military Wives Choirs Foundation please visit:

www.miltarywiveschoirs.org or email wosmilitarywiveschoir@hotmail.com

Community News Page 15

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

* 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

Ordering new passports, booking driving tests and renewing car tax discs are just some of the ways that people are unwittingly being left out-of-pocket by fraudsters who operate copycat websites. Copycat websites are designed to trick you into parting with your cash by charging you for services that are provided cheaper or free-of-charge through official government channels. TOP TIPS to avoid being conned include: • use GOV.UK. It is the easiest and most secure

place to find government services and information online

• instead of searching for the services you need via a search engine, go to GOV.UK and use the search function there, then you’ll know you’re on the official site.

Contact the Citizens Advice consumer service to report copycat websites and online scams.

Tel: 03454 04 05 06

Registered Charity No. 201760 ESt 1885 Reg Charity No. (Scotland) SC038056

Community News Page 16

www.royalnavy.mod.uk