Want to know more about the RAF Families Federation?
Join upcoming webinars at 1500hrs on 1st and 4th Sept.
Register to attend by emailing: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
August 29, 2025
FAO RAF personnel and their family members: RAF Family Federation Awareness webinars
Want to know more about the RAF Families Federation?
Join upcoming webinars at 1500hrs on 1st and 4th Sept.
Register to attend by emailing: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
7th Sept 2025: National emergency alert test and guidance for victims of domestic abuse
There will be a test of the national emergency alert system on 07 September. This will come through to all mobile phones across the country. SafeLives have issued the following guidance for those who are victims of domestic abuse:
📢 A UK-wide emergency alert test will take place on Sunday 7th September 2025 at 3pm. Mobile phones will emit a loud siren and vibrate — even if they’re on silent.
Whilst these alerts aim to protect the public in emergencies, they could put victim-survivors of domestic abuse at risk — especially those who rely on hidden phones as part of their safety plan.
Please know, you CAN opt out of this test.
If you need to disable alerts for safety reasons, follow the steps here: Opting out of emergency alerts - GOV.UK
Milspo: FREE Business Launch Accelerator Course, Online from September
Want to turn your idea into a business that fits around this beautiful thing we call modern military life?
Then apply to join the Business Launch Accelerator Course.
Learn how to launch and grow a successful business around deployments, postings, childcare and all the unpredictability of UK Armed Forces life. It’s a course specifically created FOR military spouses BY military spouses, so flexibility is built in.
This 8-week online course is designed to take you from an initial idea to a full-fledged start-up business and provides a clear roadmap and the tools and support you need to succeed. Plus, you’ll get to know a group of other amazing military spouses and partners with similar goals.
It’s fully funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the MOD, which means it’s completely free for those taking part.
Find out more and apply to join the next course which starts on 15 September 2025:
https://milspo.co.uk/course/
August 28, 2025
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment – EO Work Coach roles, Wales
The Department of Work and Pensions has 33 new DWP Work Coach Executive Officer opportunities in Wales. These are now open for applications until 11 Sept 2025.
Civil Service Jobs link: Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - Wales (Ref: 744) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK
More information on DWP, the roles available and the application process can be found on the DWP EO Microsite.
Sandhurst: Military Co-working Autumn is coming and so are new online events!
🍂 Autumn is coming and so are our new online events! ✨
From September we’ve got a brand-new regular event schedule, alongside our masterclasses and workshops from the community:
📌 Weekly Virtual Coworking
- Every Tuesday: 9:30am–12pm
📌 Content Planning Club
- First Thursday of the month
- This month Thursday 4th September 2025: 10:30am–12pm
📌 Craft & Chat
- First and Third Tuesday of the month: 7:30pm–9pm
- This month Tuesday 2nd September 2025 and Tuesday 16th September 2025
📌 Book Club
- Second Tuesday of the month: 7:30pm–9pm
- This month Tuesday 9th September 2025
- Fourth Tuesday of the month: 7:30pm–9pm
- This month 23rd September 2025
Lyneham: September newsletter
Please click the image to enlarge, or view this page online here
Information provided by Lyneham HIVE
Gloucestershire: Latest 'adult education in Gloucestershire' newsletter
Information provided by Lyneham HIVE
Wiltshire: SEND newsletter including back-to-school information and guidance
Please click here to read this latest newsletter online
Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE
Gov.uk Armed Forces Pensions Update: Pension Scams
The over-arching link for all Armed Forces Pensions information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment – EO Work Coach roles, West Midlands
The Department of Work and Pensions has 100 new DWP Work Coach Executive Officer opportunities in the West Midlands. These are now open for applications until 09 Sept 2025.
Civil Service Jobs link: Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - West Midlands (Ref: 743)
More information on DWP, the roles available and the application process can be found on the DWP EO Microsite.
Serve and Protect Credit Union – Sept Financial Education Webinars
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Serve & Protect Credit Union have the following upcoming financial education webinars:
Topic: Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money
Date: 04 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money | Serve and Protect Credit Union
Topic: Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
Date: 08 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money | Serve and Protect Credit Union
Topic: The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected
Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected | Serve and Protect Credit Union
Topic: Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
Date: 25 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score | Serve and Protect Credit Union
Topic: Before You Borrow: Key Things to Know
Date: 30 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: Before You Borrow: Key Things to Know | Serve and Protect Credit Union
For more information on Serve & Protect webinars, please visit: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/education/webinars/
August 27, 2025
Surrey: Headway
Trained staff offer cognitive sessions to enhance quality of life, recovery and independence, as well as supporting their families and carers.
Click HERE for more information
Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.
London: Veterans Partnership Better Together
Click on image to find out more.
Information provided by South East HIVE Hub
London: Building Heroes The Leading Tri-Service Military to Construction Charity
We are active in other locations across the UK. At one of these locations, we are offering a plant and machinery course. Further details can be found here: Streetworks and Plant Machinery Operative | Building Heroes
Click HERE for more information.
Information provided by South East HIVE Hub
Hampshire: Hampshire County Council Childcare Choices
Changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before. Support from Childcare Choices can give your child a great start while giving you work choices, helping you make the juggle of family life a little easier.
Click HERE for more information.
Information provided by South East HIVE Hub
Kent & Medway: Release the Pressure
Aldershot: Home Start wellbeing group Mondays 1000hrs - 1130hrs
Information provided by South East HIVE Hub
Surrey: childcare provision and funding - Surrey Additional Needs and Disabilities
Childcare providers have a legal duty to offer extra support to meet the needs of a child with a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This might include installing a ramp to allow wheelchair access to their premises, or training staff to use special equipment.
They will also be able to apply to Surrey County Council to access additional support and funding to help pay for extra staff, training or resources that have been identified as necessary to allow your child to attend their setting. More information is available on the Surrey website below.
Click HERE for more information.
Information provided by South East HIVE Hub
Grantham: Lincolnshire Family Services Directory
Lincolnshire Family Services DirectoryHelps you find information on useful local organisations and activities where you live.
The directory also supports Lincolnshire's family hubs and the start for life programme.
Information provided by Grantham HIVE
Grantham: HWLincs Hidden Voices Project - Health & wellbeing support survey for serving Military personnel
Health and wellbeing support survey for serving military personnel
HWLincs has launched a survey to understand the health and wellbeing support experiences of serving military personnel.Supported by an Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust grant, the project will identify barriers to support and identify any gaps in existing support options.
The project report will influence service providers to improve their services for the benefit of all serving military forces and their families addressing the issues that have been identified. Services covered by the survey include Defence Medical Services and NHS/social care services.
It’s vital that serving personnel are supported in the best way possible.
Https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HWLincsHiddenVoices5/
We are particularly interested in the experiences of those staff who identify as belonging to minority groups, such as carers, people from the LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities and people from the ethnic minorities.
Lincolnshire is our focus area, but all responses are welcome irrespective of location. Those who would like to participate can complete the survey online or contact us for a physical copy / arrange to do the survey over the phone.
To ensure confidentiality, all responses will be anonymised and people will not be identifiable.
In addition to the survey, we would also like to find people willing to share their stories, either as a case study or as part of a focus group. This too can be anonymous on publication.
Social media and community networks will be a great way for this project to be shared. If you are a member of any of these, please share via the links below.
If we identify specific needs, we will signpost survey participants to available services for support.
HWLincs is a charity specialising in engagement, research and evaluation to provide invaluable insights and recommendations that drive positive change and impact in health, social care and wellbeing. We deliver the Lincolnshire Healthwatch contract which enables us to collect feedback on health and social care issues to influence the provision of those services, amplifying people’s voice in areas of concern.
Information provided by Grantham HIVE
Staffordshire: Children's/Women's Vitamins are available to buy from your Family Hub
Information from Central HIVE Hub
August 26, 2025
Dorset: Adult learning courses
https://www.webenrol.com/skillsandlearningace/
For details of local courses and information see links below.
Link to our online courses (courses are held online via Teams at specific times with a “live” tutor)
Link to distance learning courses (These are online modules that can be accessed whenever convenient)
Link to courses in Blandford
Link to courses in Poole, Wareham or Dorchester
Information about our employability and careers courses (also known as work skills)
Information about our English for Speakers of Other Languages courses
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
Catterick: Love to Sing? Want to Have Fun and Meet New Friends? Come and join the Military WAGS Choir
Love to Sing? Want to Have Fun and Meet New Friends?
Come and join the Military WAGS Choir – Catterick Garrison!
We are a welcoming community of wives, affiliates, girlfriends, and servicewomen who come together every week to sing, support, and socialise.
No auditions or experience necessary – just bring your enthusiasm!
FREE crèche facility available
A fun, friendly, and uplifting space to unwind and connect
Garrison Memorial Church, DL9 4ES
Thursdays, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Whether you’re looking to try something new, make friends, or just have a great time, we’d love to meet you!
07955 162823 militarywagschoir.co.uk
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube – just search Military WAGS Choir
Come along – your voice is welcome here! We start our new term on 4th Sept
Information provided by North HIVE Hub
Northern Ireland: 1st Northern Ireland Army Cadets , Aldergrove Detachment are looking for new recruits
The 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force are looking for new recruits at Aldergrove Detachment.
Parades are 1900-2100 on Thursday evenings.
Must be 12 years and over to register
For anyone interested in joining please contact Andrea at: 07551 435854
Information provided by HIVE NI
August 22, 2025
Dorset: Job opportunities including Blandford & Poole
Supporting Service Leavers and Military Families into Work.
We’re a local, family-run recruitment agency matching skilled personnel with short- and long-term jobs across Poole, Bournemouth, Blandford, Shaftesbury, Yeovil & beyond.
Latest vacancies:
Administrator – Temporary Role
https://www.swann.uk.com/blandford-forum/administrator/
Customer Service Advisor – Part time
https://www.swann.uk.com/blandford-forum/sales-customer-service-advisor/
Maintenance Engineers
Blandford https://www.swann.uk.com/poole/maintenance-engineer-2/
Poole https://www.swann.uk.com/blandford-forum/maintenance-engineer/
https://www.swann.uk.com/blandford-forum/temporary-van-driver/
Purchaser – Permanent Role, Blandford
https://www.swann.uk.com/blandford-forum/purchaser/
Sectors we recruit for include: -
Engineering
Customer Service & Administration including remote working roles
Production & Industrial Roles
Multidrop Drivers
Senior & Commercial Positions
Let us support you with your next role – Please give us a call on 01258 458 695 or alternatively submit your CV via our website.
To see a full list of our live vacancies please visit our website HERE
Information provided by Bovington HIVE.
To see a full list of our live vacancies please visit our website HERE
Information provided by Bovington HIVE.
Staffordshire: LAYING UP OF 2 MERCIAN COLOURS - SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2025
The event, which will take place between 1300 and 1500 hours, will see the Regiment exercise the freedom of the City of Lichfield, as well as a church service where the Colours of the 2nd Battalion will be laid up at Lichfield Cathedral.
HOW DO I GET TICKETS?There are multiple ways to get tickets for the Cathedral service on the day:
• Via MERCIAN CONNECT
Simply head to the event page below and sign up to the event. When you provide us with your information on the sign-up page, we will use the information to send your tickets closer to the date: https://public.militaryapp.org/.../6863eab4577c055d020eef...
• Via your Regimental Association
Regimental Associations will be asking their members for the names of those who wish to attend the Laying up of Colours. Tickets will be provided to Association chairs for distribution closer to the date.
• Via E-Mail to RHQ Mercian
You may express your desire to attend by sending an E-Mail directly to RHQ Mercian through: RHQ@mercianregiment.co.uk
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Please note: Security measures, including bag checking, will be in operation for admittance to the Cathedral. Please only bring objects with you to the service that you require.
If you have any questions, please contact RHQ Mercian:
RHQ@mercianregiment.co.uk
Hereford: Bike Right in Herefordshire
Adult Cycle Skills
Offer adult cycle skills sessions exclusively for Herefordshire residents and run Dr Bike sessions throughout the year. All courses are funded by Herefordshire Council.
Live, work or study in Herefordshire? 18 or over?
Get tailored training at a level suited to your needs, all based on the National Cycle Training Standards and split in to easy to understand modules, choose from:
Basic for beginners - cycling off the road to build skills in local parks or on cycle tracks
Urban - boost your confidence riding on quiet local roads, back streets and B roads, taking you to the next level!
Advanced - A roads, complex junctions and busy roads require more advanced skills and knowledge, our advanced courses focus on key routes and commutes.
For further information or to book your session please click here.
Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub
Cardiff: Flying Start Cardiff - Free Cooking Course for 9 weeks from Tue 16 Sept 25
Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.
August 21, 2025
Blandford: Garrison welfare newsletter autumn edition
Click on above posters to enlarge.
Warminster: Wiltshire Family and Community Learning - Warminster - ESOL Beginner
Tidworth: Wiltshire Family and Community Learning - ESOL Course Tidworth for Beginners
Outstanding GCSE Results at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School
Students at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School are once again celebrating a year of exceptional success in their GCSE examinations, with nearly a third of all entries achieving a grade 9-7. 79% of students achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and Mathematics. This year’s results reflect the hard work, determination, and ambition of Dukies, with a significant number earning coveted academic and sports scholarships as they move into Sixth Form.
Principal Alex Foreman commended students and staff alike, stating: "We are incredibly proud of our students' achievements. As one of the top-performing non-selective boarding schools in the country, we are delighted to see so many Dukies choosing to continue their journey with us into Sixth Form. Our university-style boarding environment, alongside our academic and enrichment programmes, offers a truly unique education. Students thrive here – not just academically, but as confident, well-rounded individuals prepared for the future path they choose."
This year, 13 students were awarded academic scholarships for outstanding GCSE performance, while 7 received sports scholarships recognising their talent, commitment, and leadership on and off the field. 4 of these students will join the school’s elite Rugby Performance Pathway, delivered in partnership with Ealing Trailfinders – a testament to the school’s dedication to developing athletic as well as academic excellence.
Among the many outstanding achievements this year are Samuel McLay, who earned six grade 9s and three grade 8s; Bijes Rai, with three grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s; Nina Umeh, who achieved four grade 9s, one grade 8 and four grade 7s; Chidera Achomadu, who secured two grade 9s, four grade 8s and three grade 7s; and Parisha Rai, who secured one grade 9, five grade 8s and three grade 7s.
The school’s distinctive ethos, combined with small class sizes, exceptional education, and outstanding opportunities, continues to support students to exceed expectations and reach their full potential.
Applications to the school are welcome, with academic scholarships available for external applicants.
For more information, visit www.doyrms.com
Staffordshire: PANDAS Foundation - Free support - Lichfield
1st and 3rd Monday of every month, 7-8pm
Meeting at Lichfield Family Hub, Purcell Avenue, WS13 7PH
Babies welcome
More information on PANDAS can be found HERE
Information from Central HIVE Hub
2025 Army Families Federation questionnaire on Service pay
The Army Families Federation (AFF), Naval Families Federation (NFF) and RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) are jointly running a questionnaire to hear from Regular Service Personnel and their families about satisfaction with pay and personal financial circumstances over the past 12 months.
The responses will help to:
Better understand the financial challenges faced by service families.
Identify any trends or issues specific to each of the single services.
Provide robust, evidence-based feedback to the MOD, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, and other key stakeholders.
To take part in this questionnaire, which is open to serving personnel, spouses and partners, please click the link below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AFF2025_Pay_Questionnaire
The questionnaire should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and every response helps strengthen the evidence that family federations can present on behalf of families.
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