• Mobile and laptop calamities

    Mobile and laptop calamities

    This article was published on 26 May 2022. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us.

    We all use our mobile phones and laptops way too much. Some people – me definitely included! – can’t see themselves being able to function without checking many times a day. So you think we would be extra careful and make sure they are not damaged. Maybe not based on recent research conducted by OnePoll.  

    The study found that a third of mobile phone users have damaged or completely broken their phones in the last 12 months[1].

    One fifth managed to drop their mobile into the toilet (yes I have friends who have done that!), and 20% either drove over their device or dropped it out of the vehicle window. One in ten stated that their dog bit it. The more active respondents managed to damage their phone whilst playing football with 10% of people having experienced this. Maybe that’s why Messi and Ronaldo don’t play with their phones in their pockets!

    Research undertaken by Mintel[2] found that those aged 16-24 are the most accident-prone age group, with 48% smashing their screen in the last two years. 33% of this age group have sensibly taken out insurance to cover them.

    No-one wants to have a badly damaged or completely broken phone. And given the price of mobile phones it is not something that you want to be funding out of your own pocket on a regular basis.

    Forces Mutual Kit and Personal Possessions Insurance provides worldwide cover for service issued kit. The policy also covers personal possessions including mobile phones and laptops up to £1,500 per item. You can cover your items for more than this but you would have to specify this on your policy. Maybe based on this research this personal possession cover alongside your kit insurance may come in useful!

    You can buy Kit and Personal Possessions Insurance online: forcesmutual.org/kit or over the phone: 0151 363 5290.

    Kit & Personal Possessions Insurance is provided by Ageas Insurance Limited.

    PMGI Limited, trading as Forces Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942. Registered in England & Wales No.1073408. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB. For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

     [1] Most common ways that Brits damage their mobile phones revealed – see the full list – Mirror Online

    [2] 24% of smartphone owners have broken their screen | Mintel.com

    Tereza Macegova

  • Sponsoring the RAF Benevolent Fund: Update

    Sponsoring the RAF Benevolent Fund: Update

    This article was published on 1 April 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us.

    As was recently announced, Forces Mutual have partnered with the RAF Benevolent Fund as Corporate Members.

    As a financial ally to the Armed Forces community, we have committed to helping the RAF Benevolent Fund to stand side-by-side with the RAF Family. Our commitment will help to continue to support members of the RAF Family emotionally, financially and physically for years to come.

    Our donation to the RAF Benevolent Fund will mean they can offer the following services:

    To find out more about the RAF Benevolent Fund visit their website

    Tereza Macegova

  • Time to Talk Day 2021

    Time to Talk Day 2021

    This article was published on 4 February 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us.

    Time to Talk Day is the day to get us all talking about mental health. This years’ time to talk day on 4 February may be different, but during the pandemic talking about mental health is more important than ever.

    The more conversations we have about mental health the more barriers we can break down and the closer we’ll come to ending mental health stigma and discrimination.

    This year’s focus of time to talk day is the power of small, because however you have a conversation about mental health, whether it’s a quick message to a colleague, a virtual cuppa, or a socially distanced walk and talk, it has the power to make a big difference.

    A small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference.

    Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet many people can feel isolated, ashamed and worthless because of this. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to be more open about mental health, to talk, to listen, to improve lives. Every conversation brings us a step closer to ending the feelings that too many of us experience. Poor mental health can affect anyone, of any age, gender or background.

    Starting a conversation with someone around their or your own mental health can feel uncomfortable. You may be worried that you will say the wrong thing but remember saying nothing is far worse. You may have concerns about how others are coping with the current situation.

    Here are some tips on helping others:

    • Ask others how they are feeling.
    • Ask someone twice how they are feeling, this will give them the opportunity to be honest and to realise that you genuinely want to know.
    • Listen and don’t judge, it’s great that people are happy to talk to you about how they are feeling, so ensure you really listen to them.
    • Ask how long they have felt this way.
    • Ask if there is anything you can do to help.
    • Ask what support they need. Provide them with details of professional organisations, who may be able to help.
    • Treat them in the same way, don’t change the way you act towards someone once you are aware of their poor mental health.
    • Little gestures can have a big impact, this may be just having a virtual cuppa or watching a film together.

    With the majority of children not currently going to school, they may be missing their friends and struggling with home schooling. Like adults, children will respond to this situation in different ways, such as being more clingy, anxious, withdrawn or angry. Try to respond to your child’s reactions in a supportive way, listen to their concerns and give them extra care and attention. Remember to listen to your children and re-assure them. For more details on supporting children click here.

    Time to Talk day isn’t just about helping others, it’s also about thinking about your own wellbeing.

    Here are some tips on helping yourself:

    • Think about your purpose: be clear about why you are doing this job.
    • Be clear on expectations: make sure you know what is expected of you and whether it is realistic.
    • Keep your boundaries: establish clear boundaries between work and personal life, don’t take work home with you.
    • Talk to colleagues: make time to talk to your colleagues about your experiences and share fears and concerns.
    • Value your own family and relationships: while work is important, your family and relationships need to be valued.
    • Keep active: regular exercise can boost your self-esteem, can help you concentrate, relax and increase your overall wellbeing. This can be as simple as a regular walk, being outside in nature can also help improve your mental health.
    • Get plenty of sleep: sleep helps regulate the chemicals in our brain that transmit information. These chemicals are important in managing our moods and emotions and an imbalance in those chemicals can result in us becoming depressed or anxious.
    • Eat well: nutrition is now more important than ever, having a balanced diet helps to ensure we have the correct nutrients.
    • Avoid alcohol: The numbing effects of drinking are only temporary and can often lead to mental health issues. Alcohol can also damage the immune system. Try to adopt positive coping strategies such as talking, going for a walk or listening to music instead.  If you do drink, try to stay within the recommended unit guidelines.
    • Keep in touch: it’s good for you to catch up with friends and family on a video call or over the phone.
    • Take a break: a change of scenery or pace is good for you. Make sure you take time to relax and re-charge.
    • Do something you’re good at: doing something you enjoy and you are good at can give you the ‘feel good’ boost that everyone needs. Enjoying yourself can help beat stress.
    • Care for others: supporting others uplifts you as well as them.
    • Ask for help: sometimes you need help from others, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, from a family member or friend, your GP or a professional organisation, see the list at the end of this guide for more details.
    • Get the best out of the ‘new normal’: it may be hard but we all still need to live in the best way we can during these unusual times. This may be creating your own routine of things you enjoy doing, running, cycling, binging on Netflix, helping others in the community or learning a new skill, it doesn’t really matter what it is as long as you feel like you are achieving something and spending time looking after your own physical and mental wellbeing.

    Mental health conversations have the power to make a big difference, but sometimes these conversations can bring up some difficult things that people may not have spoken about before. This might mean that they need some support. If you feel a loved one, colleague or yourself need additional support, contact a GP, a counselling professional or one of the organisations listed below:

    Samaritans

    Mind

    NHS

    AnxietyUK

    Mental Health Foundation

    Tereza Macegova

  • Children’s Mental Health Week

    Children’s Mental Health Week

    This article was published on 4 February 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us.

    Children’s mental health week is run through Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity that provides counselling, support and training in UK schools. The first Children’s mental health week was held in 2015 and was set up to highlight the importance of children and young people’s mental health. This year’s theme is Express Yourself and will be running during 1 to 7 Feb. This week is about finding ways to share feelings, thoughts and ideas through creativity. Finding a way for children to feel good about themselves. For more details of Children’s mental health week, click here.

    According to Place2Be around one in six children and young people have a diagnosable mental health problem, which may continue into adulthood. 50% of adults with lifetime mental health problems first experienced symptoms by the age of 14.

    Like adults, the emotional wellbeing of children and young people is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health will allow them to develop the resilience to cope with life’s ups and downs and to grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.

    Growing up is not easy, and sometimes it’s hard for children to cope with what is going on in their life.

    Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that more children and young people have problems with their mental health today than 30 years ago. It’s suspected that this is probably because of changes in the way we live now and how that affects the experience of growing up.

    Some of the mental health problems that can affect children and young people are:

    • Depression is more common in teenagers than younger children, but affects more young people today than it did a few decades ago.
    • Self-harm is where somebody intentionally damages or injures themselves. It is a common problem amongst young people.
    • Anxiety can be triggered when changes happen in children’s lives, for example, changing schools. If anxious thoughts affect a child’s every day thoughts and behaviour, they may need professional help.
    • Eating disorders is when you have an unhealthy attitude to food, types include anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. The condition is most common in young women aged between 13 and 17.
    • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects your behaviour and those with it tend to be restless and struggle to concentrate.
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder caused by an extremely frightening or stressful event or situation, for example, physical abuse, witnessing or being the victim of violence or extreme bullying.

    Things that can help keep children and young people stay mentally well include:

    • being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
    • having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
    • being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
    • going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
    • taking part in local activities for young people
    • feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
    • being able to enjoy themselves
    • being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
    • accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
    • having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
    • feeling they have some control over their own life
    • having the strength to cope when something goes wrong and the ability to solve problems

    How to help your child

    As a parent you can help your child by having an open relationship, which encourages your child to talk to you if they are troubled. Listening and taking their feelings seriously is the most important way you can help. They may just want you to listen or to have a hug, or they may want more practical help.

    If you child’s negative feelings don’t pass over time, you may want to consider obtaining some professional help, initially talk to you GP and see what they suggest. It’s also a good idea to talk to your child’s teacher at school, to establish if how they are feeling is affecting their school work or friendships. They may have a school counsellor that your child can talk to. Different professionals often work together in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) run through the NHS.

    During the Coronavirus Pandemic children and young people need more emotional support than ever.

    It’s important to minimize the negative impact the pandemic is having on your children. You can do this by explaining the facts to them, answering their questions truthfully and being there to support them.

    Like adults, children will respond to the current situation in different was, such as being more clingy, anxious, withdrawn, angry or agitated. Remember to listen to your children and re-assure them. Keep routines where possible or create new ones, building in time for learning, play and relaxation.

    The best way to communicate to your children is by talking about worrying news with open, confident, clear and truthful facts. Here are some helpful tips:

    • News – the important thing about seeing or hearing the news is balance. Don’t force children news or shield them from it. Discourage overexposure, small doses of real life news are helpful, whereas large doses may have a negative impact on children.
    • Questions – answer you children’s questions truthfully and let them know the facts about the situation. It is common for children to have misunderstandings about traumatic events so encourage them to ask lots of questions, so you can correct any confusion. If you don’t know the answer to a question they ask you, explain this to them and then find out the answer and let them know.
    • Support – make sure you are there to support your children and let them know they are safe and loved.
    • Worry – let them know that it is normal to be concerned. Let them know that bad things can happen, but they don’t happen very often, so they do not need to be scared.
    • Time – ensure you find the right time to talk about what is worrying your child. If your child starts asking questions at an inconvenient time explain to them that you would like to talk to them about it later and invite them to remind you, so they know you really are interested.
    • Repetition – remember that children tend to repeat themselves when they are feeling uncertain or worried. They may need to ask the same question a number of times until they are feeling more reassured.
    • Truthful – be as truthful as possible. It can be tempting, when children ask a direct or tricky question, to avoid it by bending the truth. This can be unhelpful when they are talking to others about what happened. It is often more helpful to be as honest as possible.
    • Age appropriate – tailor the conversation to their age. All children have different temperaments and sensitivities. Their ability to understand the world, take in and react to bad news will depend on their age. If you have more than one child, you might want to talk about the news with them individually and tailor what you say to their needs and level.

    At the end of each day talk about the things in the day that you have been grateful for, it will very quickly become a habit and help children to find the positive, no matter how small, in even the worst of days.

    Organisations that can help

    ChildLine

    YoungMinds

    Contact a Family

    Family Lives

    Bernardo’s

    NHS

    Mental health foundation

    Penumbra (Scotland)

    CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

    PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide)

    Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC)


    Useful links:

    Childrens guide to coronavirus

    Storybook for children affected by coronavirus

    Helping children to cope with stress

    Coronavirus advice and support for parents and families

    List of online educational resources for home learning

    Ideas to help fight boredom

    Tereza Macegova

  • How to keep your phone protected

    How to keep your phone protected

    This article was published on 28 January 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us.

    Mobile phones and smartphones are an essential part of our lives. They provide precious contact with family when away from home, keep you up-to-date on all the latest news (and gossip) and allow you to keep on top of your finances without having to go to a bank branch. But, as a consequence of our phone’s being with us at all times, it means there’s more chance it can get damaged. Having to repair or replace a phone can be expensive, so we’ve put together some handy tips for keeping your phone and personal information stored on your phone safe:

    Protect your phone

    1. Invest in a screen protector and case
      The more technology they put on our phones the bigger they seem to get. Which means there’s also a bigger chance of scratching your screen or damaging the phone. An affordable way to help prevent this is to invest in a screen protector and case.
      A sturdy phone case will not only improve your grip on the phone (making it more difficult to slip through your hands), it will help protect your phone from damage and scratches if you do end up dropping it.
      Screen protectors are also a good purchase as they help preserve your phone’s touchscreen sensitivity.
    2. Keep your phone dry
      Whilst phones are more resilient to a little water than ever before it doesn’t mean you should be taking it for a dip anytime soon. You should still take precautions to protect your phone from water damage. If it’s raining or snowing heavily make sure you keep your phone securely in a bag or inside pocket of your coat. Better yet – a waterproof or water resistant case is another way to keep the water away.
    3. Protect your phone from extreme temperatures
      Your mobile can be a sensitive creature and can have trouble if it becomes too hot or too cold. Exposing your phone to the extremes in temperatures can harm internal workings like the battery and can lead to data loss or needing a new phone altogether.
      The best way to avoid temperature damage is to treat your phone like you would yourself. You wouldn’t go outside on a cold, winter day without your coat, hat and gloves on – so make sure you keep your mobile wrapped up and warm in a bag or your inside pocket. Similarly you wouldn’t stay in the baking sun without sun cream – so keep your phone in the shade and out of the heat.
      If your mobile does overheat or freeze it’s important you allow it to get back to a normal temperature gradually. Don’t blast a hair dryer on your cold phone for example, as this can cause condensation to build up inside your device which can then cause water damage. The best thing to do is to allow your phone time to adjust gradually back to room temperature.

    Protect your personal information stored on your phone

    1. Downloading apps safely
      Dangerous malware often get its way onto your phone via illegitimate apps downloaded from third-party app stores. So it is always best to use the official app stores when getting a new app – that’s the App Store for iOS users, Google Play for Android phones or any other official app store you clearly recognise.
      It might also be worthwhile investing in a mobile security app. They are designed to keep your phone clear of malware and to stop you becoming victim to phishing scams. There are even apps designed to help you identify your phone’s location and to block unauthorised access to your personal data if it gets stolen.
    2. Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi
      It might seem like a no-brainer to use available Wi-Fi when you’re out and about to save on wasting your data. Unfortunately these free networks can be open invites for hackers to steal your personal information including your logins, passwords and financial information. So it’s always best to stay off your online bank account or from using your debit or credit card if you do use public Wi-Fi. If you’ve got no choice but to, it’s best to just use your data instead – it’s the safe option!
    3. Keep things private
      We’ve already talked about the importance of getting a screen protector to ensure your screen is scratch free, but they can also be perfect to keep your details private too. Privacy screen protectors are designed to keep your screen black to prying eyes trying to look over your shoulder. They have side-view filters so only you can see your screen, perfect if you have to access your online banking out in public (using a secure Wi-Fi connection of course!).

    Kit & Personal Possessions Insurance

    While you can do everything in your power to keep your phone damage free, accidents will still happen. So it’s always smart to have your phone insured just in case. Forces Mutual Kit & Personal Possessions Insurance covers your mobile for accidental loss or damage, as well as your service issued kit and accommodation. Find out more about Kit & Personal Possessions Insurance here

    Kit & Personal Possessions Insurance is provided by Ageas Insurance Limited.

    PMGI Limited, trading as Forces Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942. Registered in England & Wales No.1073408. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB. For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

    Tereza Macegova

  • Transfer to Royal London completes

    Transfer to Royal London completes

    This article was published on 1 October 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us.

    Following regulatory approval, we are delighted to announce that we have today completed the transfer of the Police Mutual group of companies to The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited (Royal London).

    As you are aware, Forces Mutual is part of the Police Mutual group of companies which have transferred to Royal London.

    The transfer was approved by the Prudential Regulation Authority on the basis that it is satisfied that it is in the interests of members, taking into account any concerns raised during the member and customer representation period.

    Here is a short welcome video from Jerry Toher, Chief Executive of the Consumer Division at Royal London:

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=vhMsLCqGgmQ%3Frel%3D0
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=vhMsLCqGgmQ%3Fsi%3DyctG5Hn3M82hYd1k

    Why has Police Mutual and Forces Mutual transferred to Royal London?

    Becoming part of Royal London provides a sustainable future for the Police Mutual group of companies as part of a larger, stronger business and preserves what our customers value most about Forces Mutual.

    Our mutuality is an important part of who we are.

    Like us, Royal London is a non-shareholder organisation, founded on strong ethics and values, where profits are reinvested to create financial and social returns for members, customers and the wider community.

    The transfer to Royal London provides a strong financial base for our business, along with a broader business mix and wider range of products for our customers.

    Royal London is committed to the Forces Mutual and Police Mutual brands.

    Why is this positive news?

    Today’s news will enable us to continue to serve, and improve the financial wellbeing of, our customers in the Military family for the long-term.

    Partnering with the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company provides the opportunity to create better customer offerings and allows improvements to service and propositions, as well as providing wider support for the Military family.

    What does this mean for products?

    As a reminder, the terms of existing products do not change. There will be no change to the contractual benefits for any policyholders as a result of the transfer.

    Naturally, over time and in the future, products and services will evolve and change to meet market needs.

    Tereza Macegova

  • Proposal for Police Mutual to become part of Royal London

    Proposal for Police Mutual to become part of Royal London

    This article was published on 30 April 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us.

    As you are aware, Forces Mutual is part of the Police Mutual group of companies. Police Mutual is proud of its long heritage serving the Police family and is ready to take the next vital step in its journey.

    That next step is a proposal that the Police Mutual group of companies become part of The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited (Royal London), the UK’s largest mutual life insurance, pensions and investment company. Royal London is a strong mutual organisation that has committed to our goal of improving the financial wellbeing of the Military and Police families.

    Policies unchanged
    The terms and conditions of your policies will not change as a result of the proposal.

    Better offerings
    The proposal would make us part of a larger, stronger business that has a broader business mix and offers a wider range of products. This partnering with the UK’s largest mutual insurer gives the opportunity to create better customer offerings and allow improvements to service and propositions and wider support for the Military and Police families.

    Next steps
    We will write to our members and customers with more information in mid-June, following a vote on the proposal by our network of Police Mutual member representatives in all the Police forces across the country.

    Tereza Macegova