Catterick: Kids eat for £1 over the Summer Holiday at Spud Shack

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Beaconsfield: Summertime Adventures at Bekonscot

 

Bekonscot was established in 1929 by Roland Callingham and is the world's oldest original model village and railway

Click HERE for further information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Vale of Glamorgan: Summer of Fun with the Vale Sports Team

Vale Sports Development Team: 

Spaces still available for upcoming Summer of Fun sessions.

Book via: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/summer-2026-4851475

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

 

https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/families/

Gloucestershire: County Council updates July 2026

 

Please click the links below for the relevant update newsletters, and note that new updates may be included as the month goes on:

• Families In Partnership - for Families with SEND
• Employment & Skills Hub - latest news and updates
• Gloucestershire Recycles - info and events

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

MoneyHelper Information: AI and Financial Decisions

 

AI & financial decisions – what you need to know

Introduction

Research surveys suggest AI can boost confidence, but that confidence doesn’t always translate into improved financial decision making or outcomes. A study reported by Fortune found that while many millennials and Gen Z users reported felling more confident after using AI for financial advice, over 50% of them also said it had led them to make at least one poor financial decision. Feeling more confident doesn’t always mean the information is accurate.

Here’s what you need to know before relying on AI for budgeting, saving or investing.

What AI can do

Ask an AI tool to explain a confusing financial term, and it’ll do it in seconds. Want help drafting a letter to your energy provider? No problem. Need a simple budget? It can build one in minutes. AI tools may be able to:

• explain financial terms in simple language
• summarise long documents, like terms and conditions
• help you compare options based on the criteria you give it
• create budgets or savings plans tailored to your goals
• help you role‑play tricky conversations, like negotiating a bill or asking for a refund.

Lichfield: Pinnacle & Amey Housing Surgery - 11 August

Information supplied by: Central HIVE Hub

 

Wiltshire: Free Sensory Play Areas in Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury

If you are looking to get out of the sun then don't forget we have our Sensory play areas in our flagship hubs that can be booked for FREE!

Give us a call on 0800 970 4669 or email Wiltshirefamilyhubs@spurgeons.org to check availability.

For further information please click the links below:

• Family Hub website
• Family Hub Facebook page

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Catterick: Want to make a difference? Volunteer for SSAFA

SSAFA is looking for volunteers who are passionate about giving back to the Armed Forces community to join its new Serving Community Team at Catterick Garrison. Depending on your preferences and the role you choose, you can help with fundraising, managing finances, or supporting marketing efforts.  

Volunteers can give as much or as little time as they can – the roles are designed to be flexible, as we understand many of our volunteers also have work or family commitments. No experience is necessary for most positions, but a military connection or an understanding of the unique challenges that service personnel and their families face would be excellent.

Volunteering with the SCT at Catterick Garrison is a fantastic way to give back to your community, and your time can make a world of difference in the lives of service personnel and their families. To find out more about volunteering opportunities, please email sct.interest@ssafa.org.uk or check out the roles below.

SCT Finance Coordinator (Catterick) | SSAFA Volunteering

SCT Administration Coordinator (Catterick) | SSAFA Volunteering

SCT Events and Fundraising Coordinator (Catterick) | SSAFA Volunteering

SCT Community Connection Champion (Catterick) | SSAFA Volunteering

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Army Benevolent Fund The Frontline Walk 17th October 2026 Petersfield to Southwick Park

Click poster for further information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Forces Employment Charity: Discover careers in consulting and retail banking

McKinsey and Metro Bank have partnered with the Forces Employment Charity to host an event that helps members of the Armed Forces community explore careers in consulting and retail banking and discover how their skills and experience can translate into these sectors.

The event will take place in London on 30 July, from 18:00 to 21:00.

This event is open to all Service leavers, veterans, reservists and spouses and partners within the military community. Spaces are limited, so if you're interested in learning more about careers in consulting and retail banking, apply today!

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 20 July.

Dorset: Army recruitment coordinator job vacancy

Recruiting tomorrow’s Army today. Be the best to support the best!

Supporting candidates throughout their bespoke recruitment journey to join the British Army.

Job Description:
What you’ll be doing:

• Interviewing candidates and working consultatively to support them throughout their bespoke recruitment journey
• Providing an exceptional candidate experience
• Attending and leading attraction events to raise candidate awareness of Army careers
• Working with educational providers to promote awareness of careers within the Army
• Managing relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Using the latest social media tools to attract and engage with candidates

Essential qualifications/skills/experience

Experience of providing excellent Customer Service
IT Literate using Microsoft Office Suite
Must have a full UK drivers licence

Desirable qualifications/skills/experience

Familiarity with Army Careers and/or experience of recruitment, would be an advantage.

Closing date Mon 3rd August,2026

To find out more and to apply click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Catterick: DMWS - Support for Serving Personnel & Families

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Catterick: Serving Female Soldiers Drop In every Thurs with DMWS

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Bracknell Forest Council Wellbeing and Employability Skills courses for adults

 

Click HERE for further information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Dorset: Military coworking hub network free trial sessions - Bovington & Blandford

 

“If you’re getting posted to one of our hub locations this summer, or maybe you’ve been there a while but had no idea we existed, why not book yourself in a free trial to get 3 hours of coworking goodness before you spend your hard-earned pennies?

Book in through the website with your preferred time and date, and we’ll start the process of getting a member to host you, show you about and make sure you know where the free drinks (and maybe biscuits!) are.

Hopefully see you soon!

Blandford | Military Coworking Network

Bovington | Military Coworking Network

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Skatefest - Sun 16th Aug

Join us at Blandford Skate Park for Blandford Skatefest 2026

10am - 4pm

Everyone is welcome! Whether you are young, older, a complete beginner or an experienced rider there will be something for you to see or take part in.

There will be refreshments and an ice cream van on the day. 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE 

Weeton: Woodwork Course - Free 6weeks course starting Wed 9th Sept 26

 Information provided by Weeton HIVE

Weeton: Weetonbury Family Festival - Wed 5th August 26

Information provided by Weeton HIVE

Weeton: Summer Activities within the Force of Nature Community Garden

 Information provided by Weeton HIVE

Blandford: Garrison cinema showing ' Spiderman Brand New Day' - Fri 31st July

Food and drink available to purchase at the door.

Ticket prices

Adult (15+) £4

Senior (60+) £3

Student £3

Cinema Price changes.

From 25 June to 1 September 2026 (inclusive), VAT will be cut from 20% to 5% on eligible activities and items, and this applies to certain cinema tickets.

This saving will be applied to all Family and Child tickets purchased during this period.

                    Was    Now
Child Ticket   £3    £2.63

Family Ticket £11  £9.63

For more information and to watch trailers click https://cinemas.bfbs.com/blandford

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Free stay & play drop in's for families with children age 0 - 6 - Tues 4th,11th & 18th Aug

 

To find out more email northchildrenscentres@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Northern Ireland: Belfast Pride - 17th July to 26th July 2026

BELFAST

Belfast Pride Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Belfast with over 150 events across 10 days. The festival runs from Friday 17th July to Sunday 26th July with Pride Day and the centrepiece Pride Parade on Saturday 25th July. The Belfast Pride Parade is the main event in the LGBTQIA+ calendar, a major city event and the biggest cross community parade in Belfast.

For more information and event guide visit https://visitbelfast.com

Dorset: Family fun show - Mon 27th July (Upton country park)

Join Jamie Jigsaw and DJ Phil to celebrate the start of the summer holidays. 

Comedy, magic, music, competitions, special effects and more.
Shows at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm, approx 1 hour running time.

More details HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Dorset: Country fayre & dog show (Wareham) Sun 9th Aug

 

Credit: Margaretgreenanimalrescue

The annual Country Fayre and Dog Show takes place at the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre in Church Knowle, Wareham (BH20 5NQ).

Gates open at 11:00 AM, and the dog show kicks off at 12:00 PM

The day features exciting dog show classes (like Waggiest Tail and Best Rescue), agility courses, and fun demonstrations. You can also explore local artisan stalls, grab food and drink from the beer tent, and enjoy inflatables and games

For more information and entry details click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Garrison summer family activity programme & trips starts Wed 29th July.

 

Click on poster above to enlarge

Sign up here: AWS Community Support (Blandford & Bovington)

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison family summer activity programme & residential break - Spaces still available.

With the kids breaking up next week, summer is almost here! There are still a couple of spaces left on the summer residential and a whole load of fun to be had for all the family during the school holidays.

Sign up here: AWS Community Support (Blandford & Bovington)

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison shuttle bus service to Blandford town (every Tuesday)

 

Click on poster above to enlarge.

Please see below for estimated timetable, please allow enough time to ensure that you do not miss the Bus.

Pick Up	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Drop off only
Pass Gate House for Security Clearance	0930	1015	1110	1230	1325	1420
South Cresent/Racedown Road (either bus shelter)	0935	1020	1115	1235	1330	1425
Gunville Down Road (either bus shelter)	0940	1025	1120	1240	1335	1430
Ashley Wood Road (opposite bus shelter) [Officer's Quarters]	0945	1030	1125	1245	1340	1435
Black Lane	0950	1035	1130	1250	1345	1440
Drop Off
M&S Foodhall (Car Park, end of Nightingale Court walk-through)	0955*	1040*	1135*	1255*	1350*	-
East Street/Market Place Bus Stop [Drop-off only]	1000	1045	1140	1300	1355	-
Arrive Tesco Supermarket (ATM pull-in)	1005*	1050	1145*	1305	1400	-
Return Journey
Depart Tesco Supermarket (ATM pull-in)	-	1055	1215	1310	1405	-
The Ham Bus Stop (Morrisons Car Park) [Pick-up only]	-	1100	1220	1315	1410	-
M&S Foodhall (Car Park, end of Nightingale Court walk-through)	-	1105	1225	1320	1415	-
	*Drop-off by request

This service will run every Tuesday up to and including 22 December.
Pilot Funded by Dorset Council. Service operated by Dorset Community Transport.

If you need any further clarification, please email blandfordgar-bgsuwelfare@mod.gov.uk.

NOTE: Anyone travelling into town on final run (1330/1340/1345 Camp pick-ups) will need to make their own way back.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE via Blandford BGSU welfare office.