Staffordshire: Aiming High Activities for Young people and children with SEN

 

February 2026 Aiming High activities will be available for booking from Thursday 1st January 2026 at 7:30am on the EEQU booking platform: Eequ · After school. In place of school. Beyond school.

You can browse February’s activities now, but you won’t be able to book until 1st January at 7:30am. Please note that we will not usually send reminder emails each month before bookings open, but we wanted to reiterate that bookings will always open on the 1st of the month at 7:30am, regardless of whether this is a weekday, weekend or bank holiday.

If you would prefer the booking team to make bookings on your behalf, please call 0300 111 8007 (option 2, then option 3). However please be aware that phone lines will not open until Friday 2nd January at 9:00am. Other people can make online bookings on your behalf via the EEQU booking platform.

If you want to cancel a booking, please log in to your EEQU account to do this as soon as possible. This helps providers plan their sessions and enables your space(s) to be offered to other young people and their families.

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

Staffordshire: Lichfield Leisure Centre opens 2 January

For membership information, please click the JOIN NOW button  https://orlo.uk/HJIlg

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

 

Grantham: Shine Connect Winter Support 2025

As we approach the festive season and look ahead to 2026, we are pleased to launch our Shine Connect Christmas and Winter Support Magazine which can be found here: Christmas Shine Connect 2025. It’s a practical information guide designed to support people who may be struggling, feeling isolated, or in need of extra help over the Christmas period.
The magazine brings together a wide range of key services from health, care and community VCFSE partners, all in one place.
It includes information on local support available over Christmas and New Year, warm and welcoming spaces for those who need them, free phone helplines offering a friendly voice, and community services that help people connect with others and reduce loneliness and isolation during the holiday period.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Carers UK Winter Magazine

Carers UK have just shared their Winter Magazine, it has some great carer stories and information -Carers UK

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Connect to Support Lincolnshire - Armed Forces Community Directory

Following extensive research this directory was co-produced with input from service families, HIVE’s and veterans’ associations. It was without exception that people wanted a directory where they could find not only national information, but regional and local information where they could seek help, support and advice.

This effective directory which lists a wide range of national, regional and local organisations providing support and advice to the Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community. It should not be taken as an exhaustive list of all services on offer across the UK. lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/armed-forces-community-directory/

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Beacon Cafe a space for Veterans - Military - Reservist - Emergency Services

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy

 
Defence sets out commitments to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in a new cross government strategy published on 18 Dec.

To view the Strategy documents, please go to: Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy - GOV.UK

Celebrating the Success of SSAFA’s Togetherness Overseas Parenting Programmes

SSAFA are delighted to share the success of their Togetherness (Solihull NHS) online parenting programmes, since launching in April 2025.

Togetherness is available to the Service community living overseas, including UK-based extended family members of Service families assigned worldwide. The BF1 postcode linked to the overseas location where the serving family are based will be needed to access.

What is Togetherness?
Togetherness is designed to support parents at every stage of their journey from pregnancy through to adolescence. These courses empower parents to:

• Understand their child’s brain development and emotional health.
• Decode behaviours and respond effectively to foster positive interactions.
• Develop strong communication skills to nurture confidence, kindness, and emotional awareness in children.

Royal Navy Sailing Association: FREE sailing courses for 8-17 year olds – 2026 dates now launched

Please note that these courses are only available to serving RN, RM and RFA families. To find out more please go to: https://rnsayouthcrew.org.uk/

Wiltshire: December recycling newsletter including Christmas tree collections in January

 

Welcome to the special Christmas edition of Wiltshire Council’s waste and recycling e-newsletter!

This issue is packed with jolly tips and clever ideas to help you reduce waste, recycle right, and keep your celebrations green and bright. Let’s make this Christmas magical for you and sustainable for our planet!

This festive edition includes:

• Household waste, recycling, and garden waste collections over Christmas
• Garden waste collections pause over Christmas
• Recycling centre opening times over Christmas
• How to recycle your real Christmas tree
• Still shopping? Sustainable shopping tips for last-minute buys
• Make sure you’re on the nice list by recycling right this Christmas
• Let’s sort advent calendars
• Festive monthly myth buster

Please click here to read this edition online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Mission Motorsport – Christmas message and December newsletter

The Mission Motorsport team have the following Christmas message, which includes a link to the Dec newsletter:

As 2025 comes to a close, we’ve been reflecting on another successful year of recovery sport. It has been a year packed full of events, some long-standing favourites and some exciting new additions to the calendar. This year saw a trio of exceptional Race of Remembrance events and alongside incredible fundraising for the #YourRoR campaign. Thank you everyone for your outstanding support and commitment. It has been truly wonderful to share so many memories with you all, and we hope you have enjoyed our activities as much as the team has enjoyed delivering them.

Enjoy a read of December's Newsletter as we look over Race of Remembrance, recovery motorsport, some incredible fundraising and ways to get involved with Mission Motorsport in the new year. There is the exclusive first access to the link to sign up to the National Transition Event 2026.

Our staff will be taking some well-earned Christmas leave, and we will be operating with reduced numbers between 22nd December and 2nd January. If you can’t reach the office by phone, please note that the team@missionmotorsport.org inbox will be checked regularly. If you are struggling over the festive period, you are not alone, and we know that reaching out for support can be a big step but there is always an option Mental Health — MISSION MOTORSPORT.

Finally, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you, beneficiaries, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and supporters for your continued commitment. We truly couldn’t do it without you. We’ll be doing it all again in 2026, so keep an eye out for next year’s calendar of events, which will be published soon!

We’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Shropshire Veterans Clinic 2026 - 21 January 2026

 Please book via QR code

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

Shropshire Armed Forces Outreach Events - January 2026

Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

New Awards Made under The Armed Forces Families Fund: The Early Years Programme

600K Early Years Funding Supports Youngest Service Children

Speaking at the SciP Alliance conference in November, Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones reminded attendees that “Service is rarely an individual act. It’s a collective commitment shared and shouldered by a wide network of people who themselves have to develop the same qualities of strength and resilience that we ask of those family members serving in the military.”

But how does this translate to our youngest service children aged 0-5 years?

In the latest round of the Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years programme, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has awarded 11 projects a share of just over £600,000 to tackle this challenge.

From SEND support and sensory spaces that build emotional wellbeing, to creating stimulating outdoor spaces that extend the learning environment for young service children at childcare settings. The Fund has once again shown the breadth of work taking place to ensure service children get the best start, despite the challenges of being part of a military family.

Getting out and active

Supporting service families at various sites across the country including RAF Valley, RAF Honington and RAF Shawbury, RAFAKidz is the largest provider of early years childcare to the RAF. They’ve received three awards in this latest round of funding to transform the outdoor learning environment at their settings - something they have recently received a National NMT Nursery Award for their Medmenham site in High Wycombe.

Josie Mapes, Executive Director of RAFAKidz, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the AFCFT and the MOD for awarding us these generous grants. We’re dedicated to creating environments where the children we care for can grow, play and thrive, and this funding will help us do that. We know from our other settings that having access to outdoor spaces is vital for children’s development and for teaching them about the natural world. RAFAKidz Valley and Shawbury are relatively new to the RAFAKidz family, so we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to enhance the outdoor spaces at these settings, giving our children space to enjoy outdoor play.”

Supporting military families ‘needs

Scotland: Poppy Scotland Cycle Challenge

Take our Poppy Cycle Challenge and help raise vital funds for veterans and their families in Scotland. 

Your challenge is to cycle between different War Memorials in Scotland. 

There's an incredible 4,900 to choose from! 

You set the distance, the pace and the difficulty level and decide whether you want to cycle the physical route or complete the distance on a gym bike.

For more information visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-involved/poppy-cycle-challenge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Gloucestershire: Christmas Treecycling - register now!

 

South Cerney
Gloucestershire Longfield Community Hospice

Innsworth
Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice

Please click here for further details of these and other Treecycling schemes in Gloucestershire and beyond

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Wiltshire: 'Story Garden' Winter Mini Challenge with Wiltshire Libraries

 

Children can take part in this year’s Winter Mini Challenge by reading three books by Friday 20th February 2026. They’ll earn a special badge, certificate, and the chance to win a bundle of amazing books.

Click here to find out more!

Want to take your Children to your local Library? Click here to find a Library close to you!

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Grantham: Community Pharmacy Lincolnshire

Pharmacy

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Scotland: The latest Newsletter and vacancies from the NHS Scotland AFTP Team as of 17th of December

NHS Scotland is offering up to 6-month paid placement starting this September/October across a range of roles within the Health Boards. These placements are designed to help transfer your unique skills into a meaningful career in healthcare.

AFTP NHS Vacancies

See the AFTP newsletter here

For more information about the AFT programme - webpage

Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2025

The Ministry of Defence published the 14th Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report on 16 Dec.

To view the Report documents, please click this link: Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2025 - GOV.UK

For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant, how it can support you and the upcoming Legal Duty extension, visit the Covenant website.

East Fife: Mobile Library Timetable for 5th January - 3rd April 2026

click on images to enlarge

For any queries about the Mobile Library service, please email fife.libraries@onfife.com.


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Wiltshire: SEND newsletter - December 2025

 

Highlights this month include:

• Six ways to support your child over the Christmas period
• Have your say: SEND reform national conversation
• Help shape health and care services for children in Wiltshire - last workshop
• Discover what's new on Wiltshire's Local Offer

Please click here to read the newsletter online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Weeton: Get involved with AWS Community Services - Volunteers needed

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Gloucestershire: Coming to Gloucestershire Libraries in January

 

This months update also shares a number of regular activities that happen in the various Libraries across Gloucestershire.

Click here to read more online!

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Gloucestershire: Employment & Skills Hub - December newsletter

 

Please click here to read this latest issue online

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Wiltshire: Family and Community Learning - Understanding School Anxiety - online course

Information provided by South West HIVE Hub 

Recruit for Spouses Upcoming Session – Wellbeing Programme

Wellbeing Programme:

• Expert-led support
• Genuine peer connection
• Practical tools for mental wellness

Register now to secure your place or join the waiting list:

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

Recruit for Spouses Upcoming Session – “Routes into the Industry" webinar

Recruit for Spouses upcoming sessions:

 "Routes into the Industry" webinar.

Start 2026 with clarity, direction, and a solid plan for entering the National Cyber Force ecosystem.

What's included: 

•  Complete training pathway overview 
•  Application process demystified 
•  Real opportunities for 2026 
•  Community and support networks

Tuesday, 10th February 2026 | 12:30 PM 

Final places: https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk

Lyneham: AWS Youth Clubs and Baby Groups - 2026 return dates

 

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

New Awards Made under The Armed Forces Covenant Fund: Hidden Voices Programme.

Major Boost: The Hidden Voices Programme awards almost £600K in 26 New Grants

For generations, many within the armed forces community have carried burdens few could see and even fewer fully understood. LGBT+ veterans, foreign and commonwealth personnel, survivors of military sexual violence, and older veterans in care homes have faced challenges that too often went unspoken.

Their stories were whispered in quiet rooms, softened or silenced beneath the louder narrative of service and sacrifice.

But today, those voices are rising.

In the latest round of the Hidden Voices programme, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) have awarded nearly £600,000 to 26 projects dedicated to changing that narrative for good.

Across every corner of the UK, remarkable organisations are stepping forward with compassion, courage, and innovation - ensuring that no one who has served is left without support, understanding, or community.

From trauma-informed courses that help veterans rebuild after difficult experiences, to weekly fitness and wellbeing sessions tailored for female veterans; from amplifying the voices of children affected by domestic abuse to early intervention programmes addressing loneliness among older veterans in care - these projects are paving the way toward a more inclusive and supportive future for all who have served.

Scotland: The latest Army Cadets in Scotland newsletter is here

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

Published by the Scotland Branch of ACCT UK.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Fife: Nursery Applications open for children born between 1st March 2023 and 29th February 2024

Was your child born between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024?

If YES, Early Learning and Childcare funded hours can be accessed through Fife Council nurseries as well as private nurseries, playgroups and childminders working in partnership with Fife Council.

Applications for three- and four-year-old children are now open and must be received by 31 January 2026.

Find out more and apply online: www.fife.gov.uk/earlyyears

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Blandford: Garrison church - Worship Wednesdays & Thursdays bible study/fellowship group.

 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Boddam: Part-time cleaner vacancy at Cadet Training Centre closes noon Wednesday 31st December 2025

A vacancy has arisen with the Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (HRFCA) for a Cleaner at the Cadet Training Centre at Boddam, Aberdeenshire. The position is part time, 10 hours per week. Applicants should reside within easy commuting distance of Boddam.

This is a Crown Servant (Civil Servant Band SZ1 equivalent) and the salary is £6,581. The successful candidate will be eligible to join the Council of RFCA’s Pension Scheme which operates on a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) basis and has a personal contribution for members of 5% of pensionable earnings. Annual leave, excluding Public Holidays, is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service; previous public sector employment may count towards qualifying years’ service. The successful applicant will undergo a six month probationary period.

Catterick: RESET - Helping Military Personnel address problematic behaviours and addictions every Tues

Information provided by North HIVE Hub
 

North East England: Mental Health Charity for Veterans

 

Anxious Minds is a mental health veterans charity based in the North East.

Their counselling centres in Wallsend, North Tyneside and Blyth, Northumberland offer free counselling to veterans and family members for an agreed period.

Services are accessed through referral to the Anxious Minds Veteran Recovery College.

Programmes include tailored therapeutic courses, one-to-one counselling, peer-led groups and outdoor therapy such a woodland walks.

Their Hope Recovery Centre runs drop-in events open to all, with events including mindfulness and Tai Chi, along with a veterans and community kitchen offering nutritious, low-cost meals and a weekly breakfast club

North East Counselling & Community Mental Health Services

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Gloucestershire: Latest Adult Education news

 

Are you or is someone you know looking to boost confidence with using a computer or phone?

Join Gloucestershire County Council's Beginners Digital Skills courses to help take the next steps into the digital world with ease!

(Please note courses are free subject to eligibility - contact Gloucestershire County Council for details)

Please click here to find out more!

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Bath, Swindon & Wiltshire: Free Wellbeing Workshops with BSW Recovery College

 

The course list for January '26 to March '26 has now been published on the BSW Recovery College website.

Upcoming online courses include:

• ADHD - Minds Of All Kinds
• Managing Anxiety
• Building Resilience
• Managing Intense Emotions
• Self Kindness

Other sessions are also available face-to-face in Swindon, Bath and Trowbridge.

Click here to find out more

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Wales: Launch of the new Welsh Government Additional learning needs (ALN) parent and carer toolkit

 

Launch of the new Welsh Government Additional learning needs (ALN) parent and carer toolkit

Developed with parents, carers and professionals from across education, health and social care, local authorities and third sector, it explains how the system works and where support is available for children, young people and families.

All resources are available in English and Welsh, with accessible versions including Easy Read.

Additional learning needs (ALN) parent and carer toolkit

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Vale of Glamorgan: Christmas Recycling and Waste arrangements in the Vale of Glamorgan

🎄Christmas Recycling and Waste arrangements ♻

This is a quick summary of recycling and waste arrangements over the festive period. For full details please visit: Vale of Glamorgan Council – Christmas Recycling Information

🗑 Black Bag Limits:

Up to 6 bags allowed: 29 Dec 2025 – 16 Jan 2026

Normal limit of 3 bags resumes: 19 Jan 2026

Wrapping paper goes in black bags

♻ Recycle These:

• Food leftovers
• Cardboard
• Tin foil

Not allowed in Black Bags:

• Wrapping paper
• Glitter
• Tinsel & decorations

Advance into Justice: Careers in Prisons and Probation for the Service Community

 

One Remarkable Life to Another – a second career for the Armed Forces Family

What is Advance into Justice?

Advance into Justice is a campaign exclusively for the Armed Forces family, which provides second career opportunities within our frontline roles within prisons and probation.

You can apply for a role via the Advance into Justice scheme if you are:

• an Armed Forces service leaver within your resettlement period and due to leave the services within 18 months
• a veteran of the Armed Forces
• a spouse or civil partner of an Armed Forces service leaver or veteran (your current partner must either be still serving or have been discharged within the last 12 months)
• an Armed Forces Reservist

To find out more please visit: Advance into Justice

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