Merry Christmas from Army HIVE & HIVE Christmas Closure Dates

The Army HIVE online media team are on Christmas leave after duties 20 Dec, so posts will be minimal over the next two weeks.

Emails can be sent to rc-pers-hivecomms-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk where the auto-reply will give urgent support contacts, and we will answer emails when we return on 6 Jan 25.

Army HIVE would like to wish our Service community worldwide a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and we look forward to continuing our information delivery and welfare signposting support to our customers in 2025.

Scotland: Leuchars HIVE closure during the festive period

Wales: Wales HIVE Hub Festive Period Closure

 
We have an online enquiry form at: http://forms.office.com/e/f8mA6n6g5q

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Dumfries & Galloway: Veterans Mental Health Peer Support Worker vacancy

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A great opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of those from the military community and their families.

To apply, please visit: https://dmws.org.uk/.../veterans-mental-health-peer.../

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Chatham: Vivo Housing Surgery, Tuesday and Thursday mornings

 

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

Scotland: The latest NHS Scotland vacancies from the Armed Forces Talent Programme Team as of 18th December

click on image to access links in document

The Armed Forces Talent Programme is an NHS Scotland-wide recruitment initiative for the armed forces community. It supports service leavers, veterans, spouses, partners, dependants, reservists, cadets, and cadet forces adult volunteers to enter our workforce.

You can also find additional information on the AFTP webpage, such as our monthly information Webinars, becoming an Armed Forces Community ambassador, and other AFTP activity across the year.

Folkestone: Family First Aid Course

 

Information provided by Chatham HIVE

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, Wiltshire & Oxfordshire: Don't let fire ruin your Christmas

 

Please click the link below for advice, noting that the advice given will be relevant regardless of where you live:

Don't let fire ruin your Christmas

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.

Scotland: Army Cadets in Scotland January Newsletter is now available

The latest Army Cadets in Scotland newsletter is here: tinyurl.com/ACFScotNews

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Gloucestershire: Fix My Street

 

Please click here to visit the website

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Bristol: Welfare support over the festive period

 

Oxfordshire: Welfare support over the festive period

 

Devon: Welfare support over the festive period

 

Gloucestershire: Welfare support over the festive period

Lyneham: Welfare support over the festive period

Colerne: Welfare support over the festive period

 

Stafford: HIVE Office closed for Festive period and will re-open on Monday 6th January 2025

 

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Preston & Weeton: Christmas office closure

Colerne & Lyneham: HIVE closure over Christmas and New Year

 

If you have any queries over this period, please either email the following addresses or click this link to submit your enquiry online.

For those living or working in Colerne, Corsham, Hullavington or Services Cotswold Centre:

• rc-pers-hive-colerne-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

For those living or working in Lyneham, South Cerney, Innsworth or Shrivenham:

• rc-pers-hive-lyneham-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Please note that the next blog alert will be sent on Friday 3 January.

Wishing you all a happy and safe festive season!

nformation provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Bovington: HIVE office (Bovington & Blandford) festive period closure

Information provided by Bovington HIVE
 

Bovington: Garrison welfare team

The Welfare team aims to provide the best possible welfare advice to all soldiers and their families. The Welfare office is located by Costcutter food store on King George V Road, Bovington. 

Unit Welfare Officer - Mr Adrian Ingham 

Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - WO2 David Oakes

Tel: Welfare Office 01929 402239 or 01929 402240

If you wish to speak to a member of welfare staff outside normal working hours, Bovington Welfare office has extended opening hours on a Thursday 8am - 7pm. 

In case of emergency - duty welfare mobile number 07971 577282

Please only contact the duty mobile number if it is an urgent welfare matter. 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison welfare support

The Welfare support teams and chaplaincy services offer support and advice to all Soldiers, Officers and families living or working on the Garrison

Should you require help and support or have a welfare issue please contact a member of your Welfare Team during normal working hours on:

Blandford Garrison Support Unit (BGSU)

Garrison Welfare Clerk - BlandfordGar-BGSU-WCSO Tel: 01258 481938

Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - BLANDFORDGAR-BGSU-GWWO Tel: 01258 482694

Garrison Welfare Officer - BLANDFORDGAR-BGSU-GWO Tel: 01258 481936

11 (RSS) Sig Regt Welfare Team

Unit Welfare Senior NCO - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-Welfare NCO Tel: 01258 482619

Asst Unit Welfare Officer - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-AUWO Tel: 01258 482902

Unit Welfare Officer - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-UWO Tel: 01258 482901

Out of hours emergency contact the Guardroom on - 01258 482402.

Information provided by Bovington 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

Tidworth: Lifeworks Free Employment Support For Families - 27th-30th January 2025

Leuchars: Experienced site cleaner vacancy

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Northern Ireland: The Wessex Cinema Aldergrove, January Showings

Please ensure you keep an eye on the BFBS Cinemas website for the latest listings and updates to all missing BBFC ratings and running times.

Information provided by HIVE NI

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

Perth: The Black Watch Castle & Museum Robert Burns Day at the Castle, Sat 25th Jan

Join us for a fun-filled Robert Burns Family Day at The Black Watch Castle and Museum, where kids can enjoy a variety of engaging activities inspired by the works of Robert Burns. Kids can experience Scots storytelling with a special reading of The Highway Rat in Scots and they can take part in crafts inspired by Robert Burns ’To a Louse’ poem. 

There will also be thistle-themed crafts and a ‘To a Louse’ themed trail in the museum. 

Your ticket includes all-day entry to the museum, allowing you to explore the rich history of The Black Watch Regiment. 

It's a fantastic way to spend the day with the whole family.

To find out more or book tickets 👉 Robert Burns Day at The Castle - theblackwatch.co.uk

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Fife: S1 placing request applications are now open.

Fife Council S1 placing request applications are now open.

If your child is currently in P7 and you'd like them to attend a different secondary school to their catchment one, you will need to make a placing request. The placing request process for children due to start S1 in August 2025 is now live.

Placing requests for S1 must be received by 17 March 2025.

Check out the criteria and apply online www.fife.gov.uk/schooladmissions

If you don’t have access to a smartphone or computer, you can ask the school you’d like to make the placing request for to post you out a paper copy of the form.

If you want to make more than one placing request, email education.services@fife.gov.uk

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE