Tips to help navigate this blog:
- TOP: Blog posts by area; subject-specific information sheets; links to HIVE's Social Media, and a map of contact details for our worldwide information centres and their Location Guides.
- LEFT COLUMN: Use the search engine; sign up to receive our weekly email updates, or find information by subject.
- RIGHT COLUMN: Contact HIVE with your specific query.
- CENTRAL SECTION: All the latest posts in date order:

January 31, 2024

Fife: Citizens Advice and Rights Fife have 3 new vacancies

We currently have 3 vacancies in our Money Advice, Client Representation Unit (CRU) and Frontline teams! These positions are critical to CARF's success and we are seeking individuals who are highly motivated and committed to making a difference to the people of Fife;

Generalist Adviser:
As a Generalist Adviser you will provide advice and support to clients primarily by telephone but also face to face in CARF frontline offices. You may also be required to provide advice via webchat and video-conferencing. You will be expected to keep your skills, knowledge and experience up-to-date in all key areas of service delivery and advice.
Full-time 35hrs
£28,762-£34,562
Apply👉https://www.cabfife.org.uk

Leuchars: AWS Adult beginners guitar lessons

click on image to enlarge

Contact susanguitardundee@gmail.com or Jane.allen208@mod.gov.uk for more details.


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Staffordshire: SnowDome Tamworth - Defence Discount Offer



Save 30% off recreational lift passes, 2-hour group ski and snowboard lessons and 3-hour fast track lessons.  🎿⛸🏂
 

Click HERE for all the information

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Kincardine: Andys Man Club

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Moray: Bin collection calendars updated

Bin collection calendars have been updated to revert to the previous style of having different patterns for different collection types.

House names and route numbers have also been added back on.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to feedback on the newer style of calendar and we apologise that it wasn't suitable for some householders.

Moray Council have updated the calendars you can now view and download online: http://bindayfind


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

January 30, 2024

Penicuik: Scots Corner Community Centre Hall

click on image to enlarge

The painting of the hall has been finished and the hall is open for military personnel and families to enjoy. We are hopeful of more improvements in the coming months.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Scotland: Abused Men In Scotland (AMIS)

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AMIS is Scotland’s leading charity and helpline for male domestic abuse. Everyone is welcome to contact us for help by phone or email: contact@amis.org.uk


Our national helpline is open every weekday from 9am to 4pm. You can call us on 03300 949 395. Calls are welcome from friends and family too. Calls are free from UK landlines, UK mobiles and BT payphones. This number will not appear on phone bills.


information provided by Leuchars HIVE

January 29, 2024

Leuchars: AWS Community book swap

Leuchars AWS have set up a book swap corner int the Community Centre, encouraging you to take a book to read in the new Station Tea Room or at home. Then when you've finished return it or replace it with another in it's place. 

Grantham: Let's Move Lincolnshire

 

Find an activity to suit you? Let's move Lincolnshire

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Contact Welfare House

1 fully furnished 2 bedroom house which can be booked for family & friends.

Maximum sleep is 4 with a travel cot for 1 child.
Bedding provided.
No pets.
No smoking.

£30 per night.




The Contact House is available provided there are no emergency cases.
Emergency cases take priority which may result in immediate vacating.

For bookings and further information please contact the Unit Station Welfare on 07879119195.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: It's OK to not be OK



Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Grantham: Parkinson's Support Group




For Grantham meeting dates and upcoming activities: Local Support Parkinson's

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

January 27, 2024

Northern Ireland: NIDirect Care Registers and registering for additional support

Care registers

Older people and people with a medical condition or disability should think about joining the Northern Ireland Water and NIE Networks care registers.
The registers help to identify people who need extra help or support if there is an interruption to supply: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/.../consider-joining-nie...

Information provided by HIVE NI

January 26, 2024

NHS England - help us to ensure Veterans receive the very best healthcare support in 2024

 

In 2019, NHS England commissioned the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to develop and introduce the Veteran Friendly Practice Accreditation scheme, a free support programme designed to help GP practices in England to deliver the best care and treatment to patients who have served in the UK Armed Forces. Since then, over 2,760 practices have signed up.

To help encourage more practices to sign up, the Royal College of General Practitioners, NHS England and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs are working together to increase awareness of veterans’ healthcare needs and any challenges that prevent people who’ve served in the Armed Forces from seeking help from their GP.

If you have served in the Armed Forces and live in England, we would be grateful if you could spare 10 minutes to fill in this online survey. If you are a veteran support organisation, please could you share the survey with your veteran members who live in England.

By filling in this survey, you are ensuring that your thoughts and experiences are more likely to be understood and acted upon. This will help to encourage more GP practices to sign up so they can help veterans get the best healthcare support.

Wiltshire: Street Tag is coming to Wiltshire!

 


Street Tag is an interactive app which you can use to explore your local community and to understand more about your health and physical wellbeing. You'll be able to download and start using it from Monday 29 January.

The app allows you to scan virtual tags at locations across Wiltshire to record the distance that you have walked, cycled, run, or used a wheelchair between the locations. You will collect points for visiting Street Tag locations and you can compete as an individual, team or with your school to win prizes.

Activity trackers and blood pressure monitors will be available to use alongside the app. These are available to borrow for free from Trowbridge or Chippenham libraries as well as the North and South mobile libraries.



Download via Google Play

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE's

West Midlands: Mind Telford - Calm Cafe for Veterans





Calm Cafes for Veterans. No need to book, just drop in

Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

Chester: AWS Community Support - Volunteer with AWS

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Blackpool: Free Entry for a day out at Penny Farm


Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre is open 11am – 3pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Things to do at Penny Farm:
  • Meet the horses
  • have a bite to eat
  • enjoy a farm walk
  • regular special events
  • looking for children's party ideas?
  • private hire
Why do I need to book my visit?

Booking is essential and means we know how many people are visiting each of our Rescue and Rehoming Centres.

There are set limits for visitor numbers each day – if your preferred date is not displayed in the list the maximum number of visit tickets has already been booked for that day. We do hope you can find another suitable date!

For more Information and how to book a visit, please Click Here

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Chester: Yoga in the Hughes Centre - Dale Barracks



Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

January 25, 2024

Leuchars: Army Welfare Service Kids Beginners guitar lessons

click on image to enlarge

Contact susanguitardundee@gmail.com or Jane.allen208@mod.gov.uk for more details.


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Stafford: Family Information Service Staffordshire County Council

Click on these links for information:-

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Highlands: Colder days are upon us, how to find out about school closures from Highland Council

❆ With colder days upon us, take a note of our school closures webpage and details of the school closure freephone number  

💻 www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures

📞 0800 564 2272 Have your school's PIN ready when you call. PIN available on the website.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

January 24, 2024

More support for Service Leavers transitioning to civilian life

 

Personnel leaving the Military are to receive more support for finding jobs in civilian life thanks to a new contract between the Ministry of Defence and Reed.
  • Number of professional training courses for soon-to-be veterans more than doubled.
  • New Career Transition Partnership (CTP) with Reed in Partnership will continue the award-winning work supporting service leavers.
  • Training in areas ranging from transport to cyber security will give service leavers the best opportunity of finding employment.

Military Coworking Network - hub expansion

 

The Military Coworking Network (MCN) is thrilled to announce a huge advancement in its mission to support military partners and spouses. Following a successful evaluation of the pilot project, the MCN - through partners the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) - has secured substantial funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund (AFCTF). This grant marks a turning point for the MCN, enabling us to transition from a pilot phase to a permanent and expanding fixture within the military community.

The AFCTF's generous support will facilitate the opening of at least three additional Military Coworking Hubs in 2024, further extending our reach and impact. These new hubs will embody the same spirit and objectives that have driven the success of our existing locations, offering a supportive and collaborative environment tailored to the unique needs of military spouses who want to create independent professional lives alongside military life.

Lancashire County Council: How to claim 15 hours free childcare including how to get your code


Applications are now open for eligible working parents of 2-year-olds to receive 15 hours funded childcare, starting from April 2024.

If you have a Tax-Free Childcare account you can apply for a code within your next reconfirmation window.
Find out more at: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/.../how-to-claim-15.../.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Grantham: Family Services Directory & Local Offer Lincolnshire



Information provided by Grantham HIVE


 

Grantham: South Kesteven District Council - Cost of living support for families

To ensure that residents have access to all the information they need, SKDC is sharing facts and pointers on a wide range of help and support available that could benefit them, a relative, friend or neighbour.



Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Starting school this year?

If your child was born between 1 Sep 2019 and 31 Aug 2020, they will be eligible to commence school from Sep 2024.

You will need to apply for a reception place even if your child already attends a nursery or pre-school. Easiest way being online: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions, however, you can also call: 01522 782030 to make a telephone application or request a paper form.

For further advice email:  schooladmissions@lincolnshire.gov.uk or speak to your local school. Also check if your child is eligible for school transport by visiting: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/education


Information provided by Grantham HIVE




Grantham: we are withyou in Lincolnshire


We are a free and confidential service for people affected by drugs and alcohol.


Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Chester: Cheshire's Natural Health Service (Health Walks, Healthy Conversations, Gardening for All, Mindful Contact with Nature)

Cheshire’s Natural Health Service uses the west of the county’s green space assets to help tackle local health inequalities.

Following our postponement of activities due to the pandemic, we are gradually starting up again. Each activity has been risk-assessed and there are some changes to how we’re operating.

Please CLICK HERE to see the full programme

Information provided by Chester HIVE 

Leuchars: Social Security Scotland at the Community Centre

click on image to enlarge

Social Security Scotland will be holding a clinic in the Community Centre on Thursday's 1:00-5:00pm every fortnight.

January 23, 2024

DIO - Service Family Accommodation (SFA) communications update

 

XL Bully dogs in SFA

XL Bully dogs have been added to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence for anyone, including SFA residents, to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a Certificate of Exemption. Further details on preparing for the ban can be found here.

Families living in SFA who own an XL Bully dog must re-submit a pet request form alongside a copy of their Certificate of Exemption to Pinnacle no later than 31 January 2024.


Afghan Relocation and Resettlement policy (ARAP)

Leuchars: InPost Parcel Lockers now available at the Community Centre

InPost Parcel Lockers have arrived at Leuchars so you can collect your online orders 24/7!

Where are they?
At the side of the Leuchars Station Community Centre beside the outdoor play area.

Who can use them?
Everyone in the community both Military & Civilian!


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

New Accommodation Offer explained by the 'Savvy Squaddie'

 

The 'Savvy Squaddie' has released a YouTube video explaining the New Accommodation Offer in a comprehensive, informative and informal way. To watch the video on YouTube, please go to this link: Military Housing Revolution – The New Accommodation Offer - YouTube

West Midlands: Come Clay Pigeon Shooting - Buller Gun Club Army Shooting Ground, Donnington



 Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Colerne: 'Hair by Sarah' new Salon now open at Colerne Station Community Centre!

 

Please click here to visit Sarah's website

Information provided by Colerne HIVE

January 22, 2024

New Accommodation Offer - new accompanied established Long Term Relationship overseas pilot now live

 


A new pilot launched today will give Service personnel in registered Long Term Established Relationships (LTR(E)s) greater access to subsidised accommodation abroad. This is another positive step in modernising Defence accommodation policy abroad and our commitment to improve the offer to Service personnel.

The way people live is changing, and Defence’s UK accommodation policy is starting to reflect this. As a result, a disparity between UK and overseas policy has emerged. This overseas pilot, which initially runs from 22 January 2024 to 31 March 2025, aims to tackle this and will give Service personnel in an LTR(E) the opportunity to serve accompanied in the Falkland Islands and Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas using Service Family Accommodation on the same basis as those who are cohabiting or married.

January 19, 2024

Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2024 - finalists include two HIVE staff

 

Army HIVE are very proud to announce that two members of staff are finalists in the 2024 Celebrating Forces Families awards!

Jo Ratabuli works in Cyprus and is a finalist in the 'Away From Home' category, and Emma Passant is a finalist in the 'Family Volunteer of the Year' category.

To find out more about the Celebrating Forces Families awards, and to buy tickets for the Awards Night in April, please go to: https://www.celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk/​

New Accommodation Offer update - draft JSP now available


Whilst the New Accommodation Offer policy will not come into effect until 11 March 2024, the draft of the new JSP 464 'Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations' is being shared with Service personnel now so that they have access to detailed policy information to help inform any future accommodation decisions they may be making. The JSP will be re-issued as 'live' policy on 11 March 2024 to replace the current version of JSP 464.

Parts 1 to 8 of the draft JSP are available on Gov.uk. Parts 9 to 11 will cover Forces Help to Buy, the Combined Accommodation Assessment System for SFA and Four-Tier Grading for SLA – these are not being released now as the policy remains the same as under the current regulations. Part 12 will cover the complaints processes which will be published when the new policy comes into effect.

Link to Draft JSP: Draft tri-service accommodation regulations (TSARs) (JSP 464) - March 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Link to New Accommodation Offer SWAY: New Accommodation Offer Update release 19 Jan 2024 (cloud.microsoft)

Corsham: Repair Cafe 2024 dates

 

Please click here to visit the website

Information provided by Colerne HIVE

January 18, 2024

Blind Veterans UK - volunteer with us

 

www.blindveterans.org.uk/volunteer

New iHIVE poster

 

Please click image to enlarge

Did you know that contacting iHIVE is listed in the 'key actions to be taken' on the Overseas Location Compatibility Checklist?

For Service Personnel and families moving overseas, the Overseas Location Compatibility Checklist provides an initial list of personal and domestic factors to be considered pre-application for an overseas assignment, to determine the suitability of the overseas location, for the Service person and their immediate/close family.​​

For more information on this, or for any questions you may have on any location worldwide, contact iHIVE via RC-Pers-HIVE-iHIVE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk or +44 300 167 6864

You can also find ​the iHIVE Blog at: https://internationalhive.blogspot.com/. This platform hosts worldwide location information, including Overseas Location Guides, to enable Service personnel and their families find out more about a potential or current overseas assignment.

Our iHIVE HIVE Information Support Officer can also answer any questions that you may have, including regarding supportability for any specific in-country family requirements.