AFCAS 2025 is open – make your voice count!

The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) is open!

The annual Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) gives Service personnel the chance to share your views on working conditions, living conditions, and day-to-day Service and family life. Take part in AFCAS and tell us how to better understand your needs in the areas below:

• Service life
• Accommodation
• Catering and retail
• Deployments
• Allowances and pensions
• Service complaints/Service Complaints Ombudsman
• Armed Forces Covenant
• Factors influencing intentions to stay/leave the Armed Forces
• Defence Estate, e.g., training facilities, opportunities for sport and much more

Who can complete AFCAS, and how?

If you are a Service person who has been invited to take part in this year’s survey, you will receive an email with information on how to complete the survey. Your Service number – which is case sensitive – is the token you need to enter. Please be assured that your responses will be confidential.

Every response counts…

The more people we hear from, the better able we are to improve your Service and family life. Your voice matters. To view previous AFCAS results, visit GOV.UK.

Chepstow: Chepstow Warm Welcome Spaces Re-Launch

 
Chepstow Warm Welcome Spaces get ready for this October’s re-launch. The Warm Welcome Campaign (www.warmwelcome.uk) started as a crisis response to keep people warm following the war in Ukraine and the rising cost of fuel. Local spaces were asked to bid for funding to enable them to keep their heating on and invite local people in who might be frightened of the rising cost of keeping their home warm.

If you would like to find out more about our Warm Welcome Spaces in Chepstow please contact; admin@chepstowmethodist.wales

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Haverfordwest: The Edge Youth Centre Timetable

The Edge Youth Centre weekly timetable.

For more information please email: CYT@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or call: 07825365150.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Weeton: The Crofter - October 24 Weeton Village Newsletter

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Norther Ireland: Smalls & Talls at Straidhavern Primary returns from Wednesday 2nd October

 

For more details please click here

Information provided by HIVE NI

Northern Ireland: Causeway Coast & Glens Events 2024

 

Here is the Event Calendar for 2024
For more details please click the link
Events | Whats On | Visit Causeway Coast & Glens (visitcausewaycoastandglens.com)

Information provided by HIVE NI

Weeton: Monthly Book Club in the Community Centre

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Northern Ireland: NIdirect Cost of Living Information and Advice

 

Information and advice about support with the cost of living, including:
• help with energy costs
• help with your income
• help for families and children
• help for older people
• help with housing
• help with other costs
Find out more: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/cost-of-living
Jobs & Benefits Northern Ireland

Information provided by HIVE NI

Northern Ireland - Health and Social Care NI - Phone First Before Going to Accident & Emergency - Antrim or Causeway Hospital

 

For more details please click here

Information provided by HIVE NI

South Cerney: AWS Play & Youth Clubs have re-started!

 

Please note the new timings and change in age groups

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Weeton: The British Forces Foundation proudly presents - Jack & The Beanstalk - 12th November 2024

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Weeton: Take part in a monthly litter picking - keep Weeton tidy

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

 

Lichfield: Whittington Preschool & Nursery - Wreath Making Evening - 30 November

 

Share this event with your family and friends, we'd love to see lots of you there! *Adults only*

If you would like to book your space, please contact Jen or Carrie-Anne!

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Weeton: AWS Youth Club Sessions

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Weeton: HomeStart sessions

Weeton Camp HomeStart sessions

New venue - new times

Every Friday 9am-11am - Weeton children’s Centre

Tuesdays 1.30pm - 3.30pm - Weeton Community centre

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

The Staffordshire Regiment Museum - Winter Events

www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com/
 

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

West Midlands: Donnington Community Hub - Veterans' Lunch Offer

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

 

West Midlands: Visiting Shrewsbury or Ludlow Town Centres Park & Ride £1 return until 31 March

Visiting Shrewsbury or Ludlow town centres?

Park and ride costs just £1 return until 31 March - and in Shrewsbury is FREE for accompanied under-16s.

In Shrewsbury the fare applies to passengers boarding at Harlescott, Meole Brace and Oxon park and ride sites.

 In Ludlow the fare applies to passengers boarding at the ECO park site.

https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/public.../park-and-ride/

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Veterans Gateway Website to be retired - Mon 30 Sep

 

The Veterans Gateway website will retire on 30 September.

Find guidance for veterans and their families: www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-support-for-veterans-and-their-families

Search for veteran support services: www.gov.uk/support-for-veterans

The Military children’s charity, Little Troopers, is celebrating ten years of its ‘Little Trooper of the Month’ award scheme

 

Established in 2014 to recognise children of our British Armed Forces the charity has awarded medals to 120 children who have been especially brave and resilient in the face of adversity.

The Little Troopers winners are all children who have parents serving in the forces and understand first-hand how challenging life can be growing up with a serving parent. Many of the youngsters have experienced long periods of separation from their serving parent due to deployments and military exercises, as well as frequent house and school moves, on top of other challenging life circumstances at home.

Previous winners have included eight-year-old Rubi Smith from Scotland, who has permanent hearing loss in one ear and has amazed her family by continuing to compete in singing competitions; as well as three-year-old Austin Porter from Chippenham who copes with daily pain caused by chronic pancreatitis and has undergone surgery on several occasions while his Dad has been deployed overseas multiple times.

Stafford: Staffordshire County Council new careers website

 Where you can make a difference!

Our new careers website is live! It has a new design and a new ambassador programme that lets you hear directly from our employees about what it's like to work here.

The website, which is the best place to learn about all the jobs and opportunities we have on offer.

On the new website, you can:

➡ Explore our different departments and find out what we do
➡ Search for jobs that match your skills and interests
➡ Learn more about our benefits and career development opportunities
➡ Meet our ambassadors, real employees who talk about their experiences working here.

We're especially excited about our new ambassador programme. We asked colleagues to tell us their career stories, and we were blown away by their passion and dedication.

See link here

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Blandford: Garrison volunteers needed

Click on poster above to enlarge

Information provided by Bovington HIVE
 

Northern Ireland: Blue Light Card Discounts in Northern Ireland

 

Blue Light Card provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in-store.

Blue Light Card also works with small and large companies across the UK to get involved in supporting the blue light community through offering their members discounts through Blue Light Card.

For more details on what discounts are available and to sign up, click here

Information provided by HIVE NI

Staffordshire: Staffordshire network for mental health - 'New journey to wellbeing programme'

On behalf of Staffordshire network for mental health, I am delighted to share with you all our exciting news of our new 'Journey to Wellbeing programme'.

I have attached our flyer with details and we are now accepting referrals.

Please feel free to share with your colleagues or anyone who may benefit from our support.

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Non-UK Nationals: Settlement fees waived for bereaved partners facing destitution

 
A news article was published recently on Gov.uk, highlighting that people dealing with the death of their partner and facing financial hardship will soon be able to apply to have the application fee for settlement waived.​ The implementation date in the article is 9 Oct 24.

This update applies equally to the Armed Forces community including veterans: "Bereaved partners of members of HM Armed Forces, Gurkhas or Hong Kong military unit veterans (discharged before 1 July 1997) may also benefit from this fee waiver.​"

To read the article in full, please go to: Settlement fees waived for bereaved partners facing destitution - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Army HIVE's Non-UK National team can be contacted for further information via this email address: rc-pers-hive-nonuknat-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Wales: Careers Wales - Booking an appointment with an expert careers adviser

Does your child need support with their next steps? Book an online appointment with an expert careers adviser

Click here for more information and to book an appointment.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Haverfordwest: The Edge Youth Centre - Friday Drop Ins

 
We're back open on Friday afternoons!

Rydym yn ôl ar agor ar brynhawn dydd Gwener

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Pembrokeshire: Become a Volunteer with Play Inc!

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

West Midlands: Are your a Key Worker? - Barratt or David Wilson Homes - Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme

www.dwh.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands/shropshire/shawbury/

www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands-homes/shropshire/

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub
 

Basingstoke: Ready Steady Mums walking group every Wednesday

Ready Steady Mums walks are free, fun and informal social walking groups for new parents. Giving you the social support and motivation to get out in the fresh air. 

We will meet you at the War Memorial Park Bandstand, we will be stood in or next to the Bandstand ready to greet you and will be wearing bright green Barnardo's lanyards.

Click HERE for more information. 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Chepstow: Free Swim for Under 16's at a MonLife Leisure Centre

Under-16’s can enjoy a free swim at your local MonLife Active Leisure centre during the following times:

Chepstow Leisure Centre: Saturdays from 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Abergavenny Leisure Centre: Sundays between 10.30am – 11.30am
Monmouth Leisure Centre: Saturdays between 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Caldicot Leisure Centre: Saturdays between 11.30am – 12.45pm

Find out more by clicking here.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Celebrating the exam success of our Defence Children Services schools

Proud GCSE students at St John’s School

Mr Richard Sproson (Head Teacher) and Myles at King Richard School (GCSE student)

Defence Children Services (DCS) schools, which support Service children in education and care, are pleased to share the recent exam success of their pupils.

Defence Children Services schools, which are attended by children while their parents are stationed overseas, have some great news to share…

St John’s School and King Richard School in Cyprus are proud to announce the Summer 2024 exam success of their secondary school pupils. These results represent the dedication, resilience, and hard work of students and staff alike.

Applauding the A Level and BTEC results 

The results for both schools demonstrate improvements for Year 13 students, made up of 17 and 18 year olds. This year, the average A Level grade for both schools is a grade C. While this has been maintained by King Richard School, it is an improvement for St John’s School, which scored an average D grade in 2023.

Similarly, the outcome for Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) students at both schools has increased from last year and is above the average English national score for 2024.

All students at these schools have been successful in securing a place in their further educational choices, with 98% of students getting their first choices.

Weeton: Mini Mover in the Family Hub - every Tuesday during term times

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Fleetwood: Meet Father Christmas at Farmer Parrs Animal World

Meet Father Christmas at Farmer Parrs Animal World this December.....

As a special offer we have reduced the price of admission for some of our midweek time slots to help with the increasing cost of Christmas.

Tickets for the week commencing the 2nd of December will be a cheap as £5 per person and under 1s go FREE.

www.ticketsource.co.uk/farmer-parrs-animal-world

HOHOHOHO!

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Chester: Discover a HALLOWEEN like no other at CHESTER ZOO this autumn!

Spooky autumn half-term fun!

THIS HALF-TERM create your own mythical BEAST and see if your creature can help our amazing zoo rangers complete their mission along the GIANT pumpkin trail! Join one of our daily animal talks to help inspire your beastly creature creation.
EVERYDAY 26 OCTOBER – 3 NOVEMBER

For more Information and how to book Click Here

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Brecon: Brecon Food Bank Opening Times

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Northern Ireland: Pension Credit Information available from NIdirect.gov

 

Are you getting Pension Credit?

You could be eligible, find out more by clicking here

Information provided by HIVE NI

Vale of Glamorgan: Visit a Library of Things

Visiting a Library of Things is an easy, hassle-free way to borrowing – whether you need gardening tools, crafts or cleaning products. There are many Libraries to borrow from across Wales, including Penarth and Barry.

To learn more about making more sustainable choices click here

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Chepstow: The Chepstow Good Afternoon Choir

 Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Vale of Glamorgan: Applications to apply for Secondary School in September 2025 are now open.

Applications to apply for Secondary School in September 2025 are now open.

Parents and guardians of children who are due to start Secondary in September 2025 can apply now until the deadline of 22nd November 2024.

Please apply for 3 schools in order of preference. We recommended that one preference is for your child's catchment school.

For Welsh Medium Education you are not required to submit 3 school preferences. Please select Ysgol Bro Morgannwg as the only school of preference.

Here's the link to the Secondary School Admissions page - You can apply by clicking on the Login To School Application link.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Brecon: Citizens Advice Powys - Fourth Wed of the Month

 Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Service families - help us to better understand the needs, wants, and wishes of children, young people, families, and individuals overseas

Service families, have your say!

Defence Children Services (DCS) has responsibility for the functions, in support of service families related to education and care, previously undertaken by Defence Children and Young People (DCYP). DCS provides a single focus for all issues related to Service children and young people, providing high-quality education at 22 schools and settings in locations around the world. DCS also directly supports Service families, providing advice on a wide range of educational, safeguarding and social care matters both overseas and in the UK.

On behalf of the Defence Safeguarding Partnership Board (DSPB), DCS are undertaking a Local Needs Analysis to inform the future delivery of social work, family support and personal support for all children, young people, families and individuals whilst both assigned and accompanying on overseas postings.

The existing social work and personal family support is provided through a contracted provision by British Forces Social Work Services (BFSWS) who seek to replicate UK (English) “statutory type social care support”. The DSPB wish to consider alternative delivery models to focus on early intervention, prevention and family/individual support, still ensuring the safety and protection of our most vulnerable individuals.

To help DCS consider what the support service needs to look like, we need the help of those who we seek to support. By completing the Local Needs Analysis Feedback Form, which should take no longer than 7 minutes, you can help to shape the future of social care, family support and personal support for you, your family and any entitled individuals overseas.

Please submit your forms by Friday 4th October 2024.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New Trust funding programme dedicated to supporting specific communities of Veterans

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are proud to introduce the Fulfilling Futures Programme, part of our ongoing rollout of Covenant Fund programme launches.

Based on feedback from the Trust’s consultation findings, this programme has been designed to fund projects to improve the quality of life for Veterans who have experienced significant, negative impact which is evidenced to be related to their experience during Service.

What is the Fulfilling Futures programme all about?

The Trust ran a public consultation in 2023, which identified that one of the key areas to focus on was ‘ensuring our Armed Forces communities are not disadvantaged.’ This new programme will focus on supporting Veterans who have faced significant and evident challenges during their Service, which has created barriers or compromised their ability to have a fulfilling Service experience. The consultation findings are available to read on The Trust website.

West Midlands: Volunteers needed for AWS Donnington's Youth Forum

 

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub