Get Safe Online: Parents Leaflet

Get Safe Online states, “today’s children are growing up in a connected world – but that doesn’t mean they always know how to stay safe in it. As a parent, grandparent or guardian, your guidance can make a huge difference”. Get Safe Online has produced a new leaflet, which provides some practical ways to help your child explore the internet with confidence and care this summer holiday.

Alternatively, take a look at the advice on the Get Safe Online website: Are you in touch with what your kids do online? - Get Safe Online

The leaflet can be read and downloaded from this link: July25_Parents_Leaflet.pdf

Women’s International Defence Rugby – 14 Aug to 4 Sept

For more Information:

https://www.interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk/166/2582/idrc-home-page

Recruit for Spouses Career Academy: Foreign & Commonwealth Programme

Are you a member of the Foreign & Commonwealth community with a qualification from your home country that you need transferring to its UK equivalent?

Then RFS has some very exciting news to share with you!

RFS are thrilled to announce that applications are now open.

RFS will cover the costs of obtaining a Statement of Comparability and facilitate the application process, working with trusted service providers to ensure qualifications meet UK standards.

Eligibility:

- Partner of a Foreign or Commonwealth national serving in HM Forces (Royal Navy, British Army, or Royal Air Force)
- Over 18 years of age
- Partners include spouses, civil partners, fiancés(e), or individuals living with serving personnel in a relationship akin to marriage/civil partnership for at least two years

Application Requirements:

- Partner’s service number
- Date of entry to the UK
- Visa status (if applicable)

To apply for this support and service, sign up to our portal and navigate to 'programmes.'

https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in

University of York Research: Fijian Military Spouses Participation Invite

For more information and to register interest: https://forms.gle/GbeXzXmfLaBAtYoKA

BFBS August Update

 Read BFBS’s latest update, please click HERE

Barclays Eagle Labs: Veteran and Military Spousal Founders Programme starting online on 29 Sept 2025

Designed to support those wishing to start or grow their own business, the FREE 5-week programme is completely online and consists of a series of self-learning online modules as well as access to a Barclays Champion who will act as a mentor throughout. The programme is designed to be flexible as well as virtual to allow those with work or caring responsibilities to complete it at their own pace and at their convenience.

The next cohort will start on 29 Sept 2025 and individuals who are interested in the programme can apply online using the links below (applications close on the 1 Sept 2025).

https://labs.uk.barclays/what-we-offer/diversity-at-eagle-labs/veteran-and-military-spousal-founders/

Lytham St Annes: RNLI Open Day - Saturday 30th August 2025

Come and support their great work and meet the crew.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

St Annes: Kite Festival Friday 29th to Sunday 31st August 2025

(Gregg Wolstenholme photography)

The 2025 award winning St Anne’s Kite Festival will take place in August, this date being identified by suitable tides for everyone’s safety. Joined by kite teams from across the UK and beyond, the event is a unique partnership between Fylde Council and kite fliers Smile Factor 10 with ongoing support from St Annes Town Council. The skies above St Anne’s seafront will be awash with colour on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday as fabulous display kites take to the air on the beach adjacent to the pier. There will be five flying arenas on the beach, including one outside of the dog control zone, so visitors with dogs can get close up to some of the kite action.

There is an illuminated kite flying evening on Friday 29th August. There will be a fairground on the beach and additional food and drink stalls on the Promenade, so if you’re looking for refreshments you are very much encouraged to visit the town centre too or bring your own picnic.

Weather permitting, the event promises a thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable trip out for young and old alike. Timings for kite flying for 2025 are as follows:Friday 29th – 12 noon to 10pm featuring illuminated kite flying
Saturday 30th – 11am to 5pm (N.B. Fairground will operate into the evening)
Sunday 31st – 11am to 4pm

Please note the event is entirely weather dependent and the planned programme may be changed without notice, for safety reasons. The dates have been chosen as the planned tides support this.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

How satisfied are you with family life while serving overseas?

Halfway through Defence’s Overseas Families Survey – have you had your say?

Wherever you are in the world, Defence is here to support you and your family to navigate various aspects of Service life, including:

· spousal / partner employment
· education and childcare
· communications
· Safeguarding.

If you’re serving overseas, it’s important that Defence understands your positive experiences and any challenges. Your feedback will help to improve Defence’s policies and initiatives to better meet your family’s needs.

Take the Overseas Families Survey.

Shape your future

Your feedback will help to enhance Defence’s support for overseas personnel and families, and will build on recent progress:
Global Mobility Allowance (GMA) trial an overseas allowance that offers an easier claims process and greater flexibility on spending.
New Overseas Allowances Reckoner tool – providing personalised allowance calculation estimates, for those preparing for overseas assignments.

· Extending the Get You Home (Travel to Europe) trial scheme – contributing towards up to two return journeys per month, to an eligible Service person’s family home in Europe.
Disturbance Expenses rate uplift – enabling eligible Service personnel moving to the UK from overseas to claim the same, higher ‘overseas rate’ as those moving overseas from the UK.
Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas – helping Service families with up to 80% of costs for before and after school childcare.

Find out more on how Defence is simplifying overseas service finances.

What should I know?

· All Regular and Reserve Service personnel and their spouses / partners are encouraged to take part.
· All feedback is anonymous.
· You can use a personal device to complete the survey.
· You have until 11.59 pm, Saturday 30 August 2025 to make your voice heard.
· It should take you no more than 20 minutes to compete the survey.

The more people we hear from, the better able we are to make informed choices on how to improve your experience of Service life.

If you have questions about the survey, contact the MOD Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding team: people-AFFS-data-research@mod.gov.uk.

To view previous survey results, visit GOV.UK.

Useful information and resources

To explore allowances, opportunities, and benefits for you and your family as part of Your Offer, visit Discover My Benefits.

For useful signposting to information, guidance and support to help navigate Service family life, visit the Families Hub.

To explore Defence’s plan to drive forward positive initiatives for Service families, read the Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022-2032.

For information and support on a wide variety of topics affecting your Service and personal life, including relocation and local area information, contact the relevant HIVE:

· Royal Navy Family and People Support

· Army HIVE

· Royal Air Force HIVE.

Considering an overseas posting? Already overseas and have a question?

You and your family can find information on overseas locations through the international HIVE (iHIVE) - explore the iHIVE.