AFF Cyprus - Useful Information
On this page:
06 Feb - Tips on sourcing funding for play areas
Increase to Get You Home flight rates
Royal Air Force or Royal Navy family in Cyprus?
The Open Arms TPMH Cancer Patients Support Group
BFPO deliveries
Are you Fire Safe?
Travel Insurance
Turtle Watch
Claiming Tax Credits
Are you trooping to Cyprus through Gateway House at RAF Brize Norton?
Tips on sourcing funding for play areas
AFF recognises that access to good play facilities for children is vital for their well-being (and your sanity). Liz Murray was disappointed when she found local play facilities in Larkhill were insufficient. She launched an excellent campaign to raise funds for a new play park. Liz has kindly given an overview as to how you can source funding for your play area.
So if play is central to patch life, why isn’t the provision any better?
- Financial constraints: In 2009, DIO/MHS’s budget from the MOD for new play parks was limited to £300,000 - for more than 400 play parks across the UK. To put this into context, a decent, well thought-out play park for 100 homes for a wide age range costs anything from £40,000 upwards although a project on the patch in Wimbish, Essex is aiming to raise £100,000 for 250 quarters and the Larkhill project raised more than £155,000..
- The budget for play spaces is now combined with that for housing upgrades and repairs. So if a piece of equipment breaks, such as a swing, the cost of a replacement part and the labour, this is considered against kitchen upgrades. MHS’ obligation is to keep play spaces safe, so where the cost is too great, this will and often results in equipment being removed. Over time his has left many of the 400 withering on the vine with little or no usable equipment.
- Local authorities do not consider play spaces within garrisons in their ‘scope’ despite all Service families paying CILOCT (Contribution In Lieu of Council Tax).
So what are the options?
- The easy answer is to lobby the MOD to prioritise more funding
- Ignore the issue
- Raise funds yourself
Remember that working with the council to buy the playpark equipment will save on all VAT costs.
Click here for a useful ten point plan.
Useful places to find funding:
- Local Parish or Town Council
- County Council (your local councillor can advise on who to talk to about possible sources of money)
- Organisations such as ‘Community First’ - there are many of these across the country - they have funds and funding advice for grassroots projects across the country.
- Garrison Welfare Funds
- Annington Homes (typically give a few hundred pounds but will give more if the project is significant)
- SSAFA Local Committee
- ABF The Soldiers’ Charity (they are keen to show support for the families of serving soldiers not just those who are injured)
- Armed Forces Covenant Scheme
Increase to Get You Home flight rates
Great news - with effect from 1 April 2011 the rate for the 'Get you home' allowance from Cyprus changed from £285 to £336 per person. This means that all applications submitted for flights that take place after 1 April 2011 will attract the new allowance rate.
By way of reminder, the 'Get you home' allowance may be claimed by each eligible Service person serving in Cyprus and each eligible member of their immediate family travelling with them once per year (although in some circumstances they may be authorised to travel separately). The allowance can be claimed against the cost of your return flight to the UK and our understanding is that your terminal travel costs (i.e. Motor Mileage Allowance at the Converted Leave Rate between your duty station and the local international airport of embarkation and between the UK arrival airport and the qualifying address multiplied by the number of eligible immediate family members travelling) may be claimed in addition to your flight costs.
There are quite a few other rules, regulations and definitions which define when and how the 'Get you home' allowance can be claimed. Your local admin office will be able to advise you on your entitlement to claim this allowance. Information is contained in JSP 752 - however it is always worth referring back to your local admin office to ensure that you have met all necessary criteria.
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Royal Air Force or Royal Navy family in Cyprus?
Remember that the Army Families Federation in Cyprus acts on behalf of all Service families, not just Army families. So if you are an RAF or Royal Navy family and there is something that you think AFF could help you with please get in contact with us. If your question or concern is specific to your Service, we might put you in contact with the RAF or Naval Families Federation.
We have copies of the most recent RAF and Naval Families Federations magazines (Envoy and Homeport respectively) so please pop in to see us in Episkopi if you would like a copy of either magazine. Alternatively, if you are unable to get to Episkopi please give us a call and we will send a magazine to your unit address in Cyprus.
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The Open Arms TPMH Cancer Patients Support Group
Open Arms is a charity in Cyprus committed to offering support to all BFC Service personnel, entitled civilians and their families. From the time a diagnosis of cancer is suspected and onwards, Open Arms aims to offer help and advice on emotional and practical levels.
The Open Arms committee meets on a regular basis to discuss the needs of patients, to act on their behalf when necessary and to manage the charity’s funds. Where needed, the committee can call on health and welfare professionals with a particular interest and experience in the field of oncology. Counselling can also be arranged for the patient or a family member. Click here for more details.
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BFPO deliveries
Are you based in Cyprus and frustrated that you cannot have something delivered here because the company you are trying to buy from will not deliver to a BFPO address? If you are then we would like to hear from you as part of our ongoing efforts to collate your views and opinions on BFPO. Please let us know the names of companies which you have found will not deliver to a BFPO address and we will lobby them on your behalf to try and get them to change their ways. As we all know, sending something to a BFPO address requires little effort on the part of the sender so there is no reason to refuse to send items here. You can call us on 2596 2110 or email us at cyprus@aff.org.uk to let us know who we can lobby for you.
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Are you Fire Safe?
Many houses in Cyprus do not have central heating and have to use other forms of heating which should be used with care. During the winter months, please take extra care and if you have any concerns or queries about fire safety in your home, contact your local Fire Station for advice. Here are some basic tips to keep you safe, warm and toasty during the winter:
Gas Heaters - The majority of SFA are issued with gas heaters and it is vitally important to ensure that they have been serviced prior to use. Heaters that do not have an in-date service sticker should not be used and should be returned to Accommodation Stores for a replacement. Guards for gas heaters are available from your Accommodation Stores. Always remember that gas heaters should not be used in bedrooms.
Electric Heaters - Always ensure that heaters are placed firmly on the floor and cannot topple over. Never place items of clothing directly in front of a heater to dry and be mindful of children when using stand-alone heating appliances. Always use a guard if possible.
Log Fires - This type of heating, whilst effective and aesthetically pleasing, presents its own specific hazards. Once established in the grate, ensure that the guard is always in place to avoid sparking wood embers from the fire igniting the carpet or hearth rug. Additionally, you might be charged for damage to your carpet on move out if you do not take adequate precautions to prevent wood embers from burning your carpet. Always remember to extinguish the fire or ensure that it does not represent any danger before you go to bed.
Smoke Detectors - Smoke detectors are provided in all SFA – if you do not have one or it is unserviceable then contact Interserve immediately for a replacement. You can contact Interserve on Freephone 8000 2400 or military number 2596 2477. Furthermore, your local Fire Station has instruction leaflets on the testing and upkeep of detectors.
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Travel Insurance
Families living in BFC should inform visitors of the need to have comprehensive travel insurance in addition to their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Visitors who require urgent medical attention might be seen at the Station Medical Centres, but must have travel insurance as visits are not covered by the EHIC and will have to be paid for.
The EHIC only covers treatment in hospitals in the Republic of Cyprus (full details can be obtained from www.ehic.org.uk) but does not cover private hospitals. Visitors should also ensure that they have adequate medication for the duration of their stay. If you have any further queries contact your local medical centre. All applicants should also be aware of the following points:
- Each family member needs their own EHIC;
- You should have both an EHIC and travel insurance since the EHIC does not cover all medical costs; and
- The Service Families Task Force website states the following, ‘The MOD will supply free medical treatment at your posting location but you will not be covered for travelling elsewhere. Please check what you are covered for.'
Turtle Watch
British Forces Cyprus has three Turtle Watch groups in Akrotiri, Dhekelia and Episkopi. They consist of groups of volunteers who work together to protect the Green and Loggerhead turtles that nest in Cyprus. Volunteers monitor nesting adults, remove their tracks, protect the nest area through its incubation period and estimate its hatching date. A cage is placed over the nest to protect them from predators such as dogs, foxes and humans. The nests are watched and the cage is lifted so that the turtles can go naturally towards the sea.
Families are invited to watch the excavations of the hatchlings and dates will be advertised. It is an experience enjoyed by adults and children alike. If you would like to volunteer contact your local HIVE.
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Claiming Tax Credits
The Army Families Federation would like to remind anyone applying for Tax Credits that LOA should NOT be included on your application form. AFF Cyprus has, through AFF Central Office, been assured by SP(Pol) on this point.
LOA is a non-taxable allowance, paid to Service Personnel to compensate for the increased costs incurred with living overseas.
If you are having difficulties with an application you are making, if you have been turned down, or been told you have been overpaid Tax Credits, please talk to your local AFF Coordinator or to AFF Branch Office in Episkopi on 2596 2110.
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Are you trooping to Cyprus through Gateway House at RAF Brize Norton?
Click here for information about the Gateway House Hotel at RAF Brize Norton.
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