Wiltshire: Upcoming courses from the Wiltshire Council Family and Community Learning team - free for Military families

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Information:

Enrolments for online courses must be completed at least seven days before a course starts. New learners need to complete a short, group online induction session to introduce them to the FaCL service. The team will contact new learners to arrange a suitable time to join an induction before a course starts. Enquiry link: Expression of Interest Form - Work Wiltshire

FaCL works closely with Wiltshire Council’s Resettlement team, including offering ESOL courses across the county. Please check with the team for details.

Contact the team for more information or to sign up:

Call: 01225 770478

Email: familyandcommunitylearning@wiltshire.gov.uk

Visit: https://workwiltshire.co.uk/family-and-community-learning/

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVEs

Calne: 'Helping my child build concentration and resilience' course (free for Military families) - Tue 4 Feb

 

Wiltshire Council Family & Community Learning Team have a new season of courses coming up around Chippenham as part of their collaboration with the Calne Parents’ Initiative.

They are kicking off in Calne with 'Helping My Child Build Concentration and Resilience' on Tuesday 4 February 10am – 12pm. This is a lovely course full of practical help and empowering suggestions for parents and carers to support their children’s wellbeing and learning.

New learners need to complete a booking form to join the course, which they can do either on the phone (01225 770 478) or online (Enrolment - Work Wiltshire). Booking is open already and will close a week before the course.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Gloucestershire: Have your say on the future of pharmacies in the county - survey live until Fri 21 Feb

 

Gloucestershire’s Health and Wellbeing Board is asking residents to provide feedback on pharmacy services in the county.

The consultation opens today (Friday 20 December) and will close at 5.00pm on Friday 21 February 2025. Have your say by going to https://haveyoursaygloucestershire.uk.engagementhq.com/pharmaceutical-needs-assessment-pna-consultation.

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Financial recognition and other restorative measures for LGBT veterans

 

For further information, please see the following links:

• LGBT veterans: Support and next steps – This GOV.UK page has centralised information and signposting for pre-2000 LGBT veterans and pre-1967 LGBT veterans. It also contains support services for veterans and families.
• Financial Recognition Scheme: GOV.UK page with information on how to apply, eligibility, scheme rules and FAQs.
• New GOV.UK page about the Qualification of Administration Discharge and Rank Restoration, including FAQs, guidance about eligibility and applications, and public policy.
• ​Pre-1967 veterans: GOV.UK page about restorative measures and FAQs.

Gloucestershire: Fix My Street

 

Please click here to visit the website

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Dorset: Kingston Maurward - Latest Job vacancies, education courses & free animal park/gardens

Click HERE for details of all latest vacancies and to apply.

Kingston Maurward is more than just a college. It is a college, a country estate, a dairy farm, a wedding venue, a conference centre, an arable farm, a tourist destination, a residential provider, the birthplace of Thomas Hardy and, most crucially, the only provider of land-based studies for 60 miles in any direction.

FREE admission to the animal park and gardens. Click HERE for more information. 

To find out about short courses, further education courses, higher education courses and apprenticeships at the college click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Dorset: South West Train services

For Train information, timetables, rail disruptions, planning your journey and purchasing tickets click HERE

For all UK Train Services and timetables click National Rail
Please check for updates prior travelling.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Buckie: Salvation Army Christmas Day dinner

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Christmas Day can be difficult for many different reasons - Buckie and Findochty Salvation Army are holding a community day. 

Come together in a safe, warm environment.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Northern Ireland: New Veterans Commissioner Announced

 

Information provided by Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioners Office

Information provided by HIVE NI

Scotland: Do something inspirational in 2025, do the Kiltwalk

Do something inspirational in 2025, do the Kiltwalk!

Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee & Edinburgh... what are you waiting for?
👉 buff.ly/3423r47

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

South Cerney: AWS youth clubs will return Wed 22 Jan 2025

 

With the holidays fast approaching, the Community Support team and Volunteers wanted to thank everyone who has attended provision over the last 12 months! We’ve had great numbers, more sessions than ever, residentials, holiday trips and looking to providing even more joy in the new year! Please see the attached poster for our return dates to provision in January 2025!

If you would like to join in with the fun and begin your volunteering journey please email RC-AWS-SW-Corsham-CSMailbox@mod.gov.uk or click the link to sign up! – Volunteer Application Form It’s as little as 1 hour a week!

To see what’s on locally please see our North Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Community Newsletter on SWAY - https://sway.cloud.microsoft/Ufjjp9jf45ziUZbxref=Link&loc=mysways

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Lyneham: Tea & Toast for 8TrgBn Serving Personnel - Tuesdays 1000-1045, re-starting Tue 7 Jan

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Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Lyneham: Charity bingo nights at MOD Lyneham Community Centre - Jan-Apr '25

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Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant - 2024 annual report

The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report has been published today (18 Dec) and is available to read on Gov.uk at this link: Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2024 - GOV.UK​​

The annual reports set out major achievements of the armed forces covenant and highlight remaining challenges and new commitments.

Leuchars: Reporting Police Matters For Non-Serving Personnel

NOTICE from Leuchars Station

If a civil matter arises that requires a Police presence, please contact Police Scotland (999 in an emergency/101 for other related incidents). The Royal Military Police (RMP) have no jurisdiction to deal with any matters that relate to non-service personnel and as of Mar 25, the RMP will have no footprint at Leuchars Station, calls currently made to the RMP at Leuchars Station are forwarded to their HQ in Catterick who will continue to provide advice and support reference any concerns/queries you have.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Lyneham: AWS youth clubs and baby group 2025 return dates

With the holidays fast approaching, the Community Support team and Volunteers wanted to thank everyone who has attended provision over the last 12 months! We’ve had great numbers, more sessions than ever, residentials, holiday trips and looking to providing even more joy in the new year! Please see the attached poster for our return dates to provision in January 2025!

If you would like to join in with the fun and begin your volunteering journey please email RC-AWS-SW-Corsham-CSMailbox@mod.gov.uk or click the link to sign up! – Volunteer Application Form It’s as little as 1 hour a week!

To see what’s on locally please see our North Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Community Newsletter on SWAY - https://sway.cloud.microsoft/Ufjjp9jf45ziUZbx?ref=Link&loc=mysways

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Hereford: Wessington Wildcats Indoor Football for Girls

 Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Money & Pensions Advice Service guidance: Making the Most of your Money

Taking the time to manage your money can make a real difference.

Whatever stage of life you’re at – whether you’re saving into a pension for the first time, buying or renting a home, starting a family or planning to retire – there are always ways of making your money go further.

Find out more on the Money and Pensions Advice Service's Money Helper website at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en​ and you can download the leaflet HERE.

Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download.

Families First newsletter - issue 22

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Click to read this issue of Families First Newsletter (Issue 22) and previous issues: ​Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK​

Vale of Glamorgan: Childcare Offer for Wales

Are you the parent or carer of a pre-school child aged 3-4? Are you working or studying, and looking for help with your childcare costs?

If you are you may be eligible for the Childcare Offer, which provides eligible parents with up to 30 hours of funded early education and childcare per week.

Parents in receipt of certain benefits such as carers allowance, or those relating to incapacity for work may also be eligible*

Additional funding may also be available for children who require additional support to access their childcare setting**

For more information please contact the team on 03000 628628 or email childcareoffer@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

*terms and conditions apply
**subject to referral and eligibility assessment

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 17 Dec

Earlier today, a Written Ministerial Statement was published, announcing that the MOD has reached a formal agreement with Annington Property Ltd to repurchase more than 36,000 Service Family homes in England and Wales.  

This means that the homes that were previously privately owned will return to public ownership. This deal not only delivers long term value for money for the taxpayer but also means future improvements to the SFA estate will benefit Service families directly.

We hope this will be welcome news as DIO will now have the freedom to embark on a substantial programme of redevelopment and improvement of the estate.

While it is too early to discuss the specifics of future works, we will continue to update you through our Families First newsletter and our continuing series of SFA Roadshows in 2025.

​Full details of the announcement can be found here. We appreciate you may have questions and we will update you in due course with further information.

NHS Better Health: Make 2025 the year you quit smoking

• Make 2025 the year you quit smoking for good. There’s lots of free support available to help you.
• Join thousands of other people preparing to quit smoking this New Year.
• Quitting smoking is best thing you can do for your health. Get ready to quit for good this New Year.
• You’re far more likely to quit smoking successfully with the right support. Discover what’s available at NHS Better Health and prepare to quit for good this New Year.
• Getting support from your local stop smoking service gives you the best chance of quitting smoking successfully. Visit NHS Better Health to find your nearest service and get ready to quit for good in 2025.

Aldershot: Mum to be swim - Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre

 Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Aldershot: What's on in Wellesley Woods

 

What’s On at Wellesley Woodlands

Highlights include:

Health Walks: Join us for a gentle stroll every Friday morning from 10-11am starting from different points each week. Enjoy the beauty and diversity in our woodlands with a small friendly group. Children & dogs on leads welcome.

Wellesley Woodlands Sensory Trail: The basic route with suggested sensory stopping points is live on Sensory walks in nature | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk) Further enhancements such as audio recordings and signage will follow as the project develops.

As with nature, we are constantly evolving. If you have any suggestions for events or activities, or you would like to volunteer within Wellesley Woodlands, please do contact us at Wellesleywoodlands@tcv.org.uk .

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Hampshire County Council money worries

Please click on the link below to access the HCC website that provides vital information for families who may be struggling due to the cost of living crisis with lots of useful links.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Domestic Abuse - Help is at hand

 

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HIVE also has an information sheet on Domestic Abuse support, which can be downloaded from the Information Sheets section of the Army HIVE UK Blog.

Fife: Do you need help with debt?

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Leuchars: Scots DG PRI Minibus

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Monmouthshire: Finding it difficult to pay your mortgage?

Finding it hard to make your mortgage payments?

The Help to Stay scheme might be able to help.

Check if you’re eligible and find out more

Get help paying your mortgage with a Help to Stay shared equity loan | GOV.WALES

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

BFBS Update December 2024

 

BFBS Update December 2024 | About BFBS​

Two weeks to go until the 2025 Dry January® challenge

 

The New Year can also be a challenging time for many. Increasing peer pressure to celebrate by drinking at parties and, in some sectors, demanding workloads can contribute to people drinking more around this time of year.

There is also a growing realisation that alcohol can prevent us from achieving our best. From headaches, sleepless nights, and feeling ‘off’ the next day to long-term health issues like high blood pressure, anxiety and cancer, alcohol impacts us in so many ways.

Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - Crime prevention campaign re-launched

Today (16 December), we have re-launched our dedicated campaign that sees us continue to tackle serious acquisitive crime across Staffordshire.

Serious acquisitive crime includes burglary, robbery and theft and our campaign will see our officers continue their efforts to protect the public from the devastating impact this type of crime has in our communities.

The campaign comes as residential burglary in six areas of Staffordshire have seen increases in the last 12 months. The Stoke-on-Trent south area has seen an 9.7 per cent increase, while the Staffordshire Moorlands has seen 153 reported burglaries up from 100, Stafford has seen an increase from 237 to 303 and Tamworth has seen an increase from 206 to 248.

“Although we tend to see an increase in these crimes over the winter period, unfortunately they still occur all year round – so we want to encourage people to remain vigilant, report anything suspicious, keep an eye out for each other and if something doesn’t feel right, let us know.”

For more crime prevention advice, visit: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

Gloucestershire: Support for the Armed Forces Community

 

Please click the following link to find out more about how the Armed Forces Covenant is implemented in Gloucestershire, as well details of the support available for the Armed Forces Community: The Armed Forces Covenant | Gloucestershire County Council

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

East Riding of Yorkshire: Bus No.41 replaces 121

 Information provided by Leconfield HIVE

Wiltshire: How and where you can apply for support from Household Support Fund 6

Wiltshire Council has confirmed that it will continue to work in partnership with a number of local organisations and internal departments to distribute the £2.7 million Household Support Fund 6 from UK Government. Information on how and where to apply is available on the following page of the Wiltshire Council website:

How and where you can apply for support from HSF6

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

South West: Credit advice from the Money & Pensions Service SW team

 

Credit can help you manage your money - whether you're looking to cover planned expenses or need to meet unexpected costs. The vast majority of us will use some form of credit at various points in life, but it's really important to use it in the right way. There are many different channels of credit, and they all have a similar purpose.

Click here to read more from the Money & Pensions Services South West team

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Wiltshire: Upcoming and ongoing free Multiply maths courses

 

Please click here to read this document in full online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE's

Wiltshire, Dorset & Somerset: Wessex Water community drop-in's

Please click here for further information including dates and timings

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - over £70K awarded to help mitigate the impact of separation for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £70,000 to five fantastic projects designed to mitigate the challenges posed by long or frequent involuntary separation on families, spouses, and serving personnel.