Generic and local information for the UK Military community including Serving Personnel, Families, Veterans, and MOD Civilians.
This is best viewed through a personal device because the MODnet firewall may prevent access to some links.
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July 31, 2025
Northern Ireland: UDR Benevolent Fund Therapeutic Activities

Working alongside our delivery partner @Brooke House in Fermanagh, UDR Benevolent Fund offer their veterans and their families a range of therapeutic activities including a fantastic and unique opportunity to take part in equine activities.
Participants are able to interact with former racehorses, a rescued gypsy cob, a retired top-level show jumper and two wonderful ponies!
By creating special bonds with the horses, the equine assisted learning activities has helped our veterans improve their mental and physical health.
To find out more Call: 07720677838 or Email: udrbenfund@outlook.com
*Proof of service required
#UDRBenFund #KeepTheBenFundNumber
July 30, 2025
Cardiff: Careers Wales - Next Steps event for those aged 16 - 25 at Cardiff Careers Wales Centre on Wed 20 Aug 25
Are you aged 16–25, local to #Cardiff and:
- Leaving school or college?
- Not currently in education, employment, or training?
- Unsure about your next steps
We also have a quiet space and sensory zone available.
Wednesday 20 August, Cardiff Careers Wales Centre
11am-2pm (with 6 bookable half hour sessions)
Register your attendance at: https://ow.ly/k78K50WsAXx
Merthyr Tydfil: Free Swimming Sessions for Under 16's at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre during the Summer Holidays
Make a splash at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre this summer with FREE holiday swim sessions for under 16s!
Thanks to funding from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, we’re offering extra swim sessions throughout the holidays to help young people enjoy a healthy, active summer, separate from our usual Free Swim provision.
🗓️ Mondays & Thursdays
🕚 11:00am – 12:00noon
🧒 Free for under 16s – general prices apply for adults
Book now via the Halo app or call us on 01685 727 476
Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.
Wales: Careers Wales Professional Learning Events for Teachers
Careers Wales:
Teachers
Looking for support embedding careers and work-related experiences (CWRE) in your curriculum?
We can help
Our professional learning events can help you plan and design meaningful CWRE opportunities for your pupils.
Register for Professional Learning Events here.
Chepstow: Join our Summer Dragon Trail - Start at Chepstow Tourist Information Centre
Come and visit Chepstow Tourist Information Centre during the Summer holidays to pick up your trail sheet and start your adventure!
Discover hidden dragon clues around town and local businesses. It's a fun adventure for everyone!
Come along and join in the fun! Running from July 19th – 1st September, £3.50
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Ymunwch â’n Llwybrau Draig! Join our Dragon Trails! 🐲
Dewch i ymweld â Chanolfan Croeso Cas-gwent yn ystod gwyliau’r Haf i gael eich dalen llwybr a dechrau ar eich antur!
Gallwch ddarganfod cliwiau draig cudd o amgylch y dref a busnesau lleol. Mae’n antur llawn hwyl i bawb
Dewch draw ac ymuno yn yr hwyl! Cynhelir rhwng, 19 Gorffennaf – 1 Medi, £3.50
Catterick: Garrison Giggles Playgroup every Friday
We run every Friday 09:30-11:30, Loos road community hub
09:30-11:30
LOOS ROAD COMMUNITY HUB
DL9 4HT
£1.50 Per Family
We have lots of exciting things planned from planting your own seeds to take home and grow to dressing up, sensory play, arts and craft AND MORE !
We hope to see you there !
Information provided by North HIVE Hub
Kent & Medway: Release the Pressure, 24-Hour Support Service
Release the Pressure is a free, confidential 24-hour service. Support is available whenever you need it.
To get in touch you can:
Text the word 'Medway' or 'Kent' to 85258
Use the Release the Pressure webchat services
Call 0800 107 0160.
Release the Pressure is provided by independent charities and funded by Kent County Council and Medway Council.
July 29, 2025
SafeLives: Service community domestic abuse - Welfare staff interviews request
SafeLives are also keen to speak with Army Welfare Officers and Unit Welfare Officers who have experience of supporting victim/survivors of domestic abuse. They want to understand your experiences of providing welfare support, and hear your views on the barriers victim/survivors from military families and relationships may face when trying to access help.
If you are interested in taking part in an interview, please scan the QR code on the poster to find out more.
Alternatively click on this link: Army Personnel ABF
SafeLives: Service community domestic abuse victims/survivors interviews request
SafeLives, with support from the Army Benevolent Fund, is looking to improve the domestic abuse response for victim/survivors from serving and veteran families.
SafeLives want to hear directly from victim/survivors who have lived experience of domestic abuse in military families or relationships. Their voices are central to this work.
Victim/survivors who take part will also receive a £25 voucher as a thank you for their time.
If you are interested in taking part in an interview, please scan the QR code on the poster to find out more.
Alternatively click on this link: Survivor ABF
Forces Employment Charity: Job Vacancy in Southern England
Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people from Armed Forces families? 🎓💼
In this rewarding role, you’ll:
✅ Provide 1:1 & group support to young people navigating their #career and #education choices
✅ Work with schools, colleges, and organisations to inspire the next generation
✅ Help break down barriers and open doors to brighter futures
✅ Raise aspirations & build confidence
💡 They are looking for someone compassionate, proactive, and ready to empower service children with the guidance they need to thrive.
ACORN programme run by ManKind for male survivors of domestic abuse who are looking to move on to new relationships
Please click image to enlarge
This course has less that six months left to run, so please take full advantage of this opportunity.
For more information please see link below:https://mankind.org.uk/for-professionals/pattern-changing-course-male-survivors/
Give Us Time: Welfare Summer Update
Alternatively follow on social media at https://www.facebook.com/GiveUsTime and https://www.instagram.com/give_us_time/
Leuchars: Station notices - Centralised Feeding/Aramark retail/Station Tailor/Education Centre
Aramark retail timings for the Summer leave period from Sat 26th July to Sun 17th Aug are:
Premier shop:
Mon-Fri 0800-1800hrs
Sat 1030-1800hrs
Sun 1030-1600 hrs
Normal hours resume Mon 18th Aug
191 Cafe:
Mon 28th Jul - Fri 1st Aug closed
Mon 4th - Fri 15th Aug 0730-1400hrs
Barrel & Bean:
Mon-Sat 1200-2100hrs
Sun 1200-1900hrs
Normal hours resume Mon 18th Aug
Army Education Centre:
The 27 Army Education Centre will be closed the week commencing Mon 18th Aug, normal service will resume on Tue 26th Aug.
Tailor:
The Tailor will be on leave from AD Thurs 24th Jul to Thurs 14th Aug at 1000hrs.
Information provided by Leuchars HIVE
Scotland: MyGov Scot Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods
About Best Start Grant
The 3 Best Start Grant payments are:
Pregnancy and Baby Payment
Early Learning Payment
School Age Payment is a payment of £319.80 per child. It helps with the costs of preparing for school when your child is first old enough to start primary school.
Northern Ireland: RAF Bangor Town Show - 5th-6th September
Information provided by HIVE NI
Stafford: Your Highways Newsletter for Stafford Borough
Stafford: My Staffordshire: Family days out for under £30
With the school summer holidays in full swing, there’s no better time to get out and enjoy everything Staffordshire has to offer. Our county is packed with things to do and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Visit Staffordshire’s 30 Days Out Under £30 campaign is a brilliant starting point for ideas. From country parks and animal attractions to fun museum activities and library events, you’ll find plenty to keep the whole family busy without breaking the bank.
I hope you and your family enjoy discovering more of what our wonderful county has to offer this summer.
Blackpool: Ride The Lights - An exciting preview of Blackpool Illuminations - 26th August 2025
Ride at any point along the promenade from Starr Gate at South Shore to Red Bank Road in Bispham. You can ride as much or as little of the route as you are able.
Ride the lights is not a bike race, it's a fun and FREE bike ride open to all. A great opportunity to get out and about on your bike with both family and friends.
In order to keep safe, there are a few things to remember:
- All bikes must have a minimum of one white light at the front and one red light at the back.
- It is highly recommended that all participants should wear a cycle helmet.
- A responsible adult must accompany all children.
- Please be aware that the tramway will be operational throughout the ride, take special care in the area around North Pier/Metropole Hotel
- Marshalls and First Aiders will be on hand along the route.
- Bike Doctors and support vehicles will be on hand to look after breakdowns.
- The road will re-open to traffic at 10pm. Please try to plan your ride to reach your destination by this time, and be aware of traffic after this time.
As you get on your bike to ride the lights, why not join in the creative fun by designing your very own Illuminations display on your bike? Decorate your ride with colourful lights, lamps and lanterns to show off your illuminations design ideas. Light your ride... then ride the lights!
Please note that there will be live filming and photography at this event. Any pictures provided maybe used by VisitBlackpool for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be included, please contact VisitBlackpool Web Team
Officials close the Promenade throughout the full length of the Illuminations, usually between 6pm and 10pm on the night.
Yellow signs and cones appear from tea time, with traffic diverted off the Promenade between Red Bank Road at Bispham and Squires Gate Lane at Blackpool South Shore.
July 28, 2025
London: Home Start London
All parents struggle at one time or another and Home-Start is ready to support London families through their toughest times.
Home-Start trains and supports volunteers to work alongside parents in their own home giving compassionate and confidential support, tailored to each family. Home-Start London is a consortium of 12 local Home-Starts operating across 24 London boroughs.
Information provided by South East HIVE Hub
Surrey: become a registered childminder
Surrey: funded childcare in Surrey
From April 2024, funded early education will be expanding. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The new entitlements will be introduced in phases:
- From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child's 2nd birthday
- From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months
Aldershot: Safe Haven NHS
Click HERE for more information.
Information provided by South East HIVE Hub
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Family Focus Programme reopens for applications
Ongoing support is essential. Its helps carers recognise their own needs and ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved.
In 2024/25, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) awarded more than £1.3 million to 16 projects under the Family Focus programme to improve the lives of family members of Wounded, Injured or Sick personnel and veterans.
Focus on family members
Today, the Trust are opening this programme and inviting applications for projects that will achieve one or more of the following outcomes:
• Family members of those who are wounded, injured or sick feel better informed and more able to access relevant information, advice and guidance, applicable to their situation.
• Family members of those who are wounded, injured or sick feel less lonely/isolated, more resilient and better equipped to deal with their circumstances.
• Family members of those who are wounded, injured and sick have developed their skills for work, or have greater confidence to pursue volunteering or employment when it's right for them.
Gov.uk: Emergency Alerts Sunday 7 September at 3pm
Your mobile phone or tablet will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent. The alert message will confirm this is a test and that you do not need to take any further action.
Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency. Find out more at gov.uk/alerts.
You can opt out of the Emergency Alerts, including the national test, but you should keep them switched on for your own safety.
Emergency Alerts will warn you via your mobile or tablet if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. Only the government and the emergency services are able to send them.
There are simple and effective steps we can all take to be more prepared for an emergency. Visit gov.uk/prepare for advice on how you can prepare.
Forces Additional Needs & Disability Forum (FANDF): Carers and Careers Survey
FANDF is collecting lived experiences through a short survey, and the results will be shared directly with the MOD and policymakers at our next committee meeting.
Complete the survey now—it only takes a few minutes but could help shape the future: https://forms.office.com/e/zT65EDwM9
Glasgow: Are you a veteran in Greater Glasgow and Clyde?
• Find support that is right for you
• Talk confidentially about your worries and concerns
• Help support you through your treatment or while you wait
Our service is confidential, non-judgemental, and free to use.
Reach out for a chat – either call 0800 999 3697 or email us at referrals@dmws.org.uk
St Annes: Yoga in the Square - Free session every Saturday starting 9th August 25
Yoga in the Square
Exciting news for Fylde yogis - starting Saturday 9 August, join us in our newly refurbished St Annes Square for free yoga sessions!
Sessions will run every Saturday from 8:30-9:30am until the end of September and are funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in partnership with Fylde Council.