Bovington: REMINDER - Garrison party in the park event Sat 13th June.

                                                    Click on poster above to enlarge.

A free event for all employees, soldiers, officers, Babcock, Civil Service and their families with lots of entertainment for both adults and their children.

Please complete attendance form HERE as soon as possible so we have a rough idea of  numbers attending.

All family members, friends, and dependents must be registered in advance to ease access to camp.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE
 

Planning to register and claim for the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) from September? Living in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? Volunteers needed for the user testing

Planning to register and claim for the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) from September? The childcare team are asking for volunteers to take part in user testing and provide feedback on some of the products required to register and claim the UKNA reimbursement.

If you haven’t heard about UKNA, read the announcement from March 2026:

Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year - GOV.UK

Criteria for taking part in the testing:

• Service personnel (SP) must be Regular or FTRS (FC)
• SP with children aged 9 months to 2 years old living in Scotland or Wales, and SP with children aged 9 months to 4 years old living in Northern Ireland.
• SP that are currently paying for childcare at a registered childcare provider.
• SP that use a Tax-Free Childcare account to pay their provider.
• SP that have sufficient time available to test the product and provide feedback to the team.

User testing will take place between now and September.

If you fit the criteria and would like to take part in the user testing, please contact the Defence childcare team at people-affs-child-expenses@mod.gov.uk

South: Interview Skills Training with Vivo - Thu 9 Jul

 

Please email tessa.pritchard@vivodefence.com to book your space or to find out more info.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Blackpool: Armed Forces Week Events and Offers - 22 - 27 June 2026

Armed Forces Week, taking place from the 22 - 27 June, is Blackpool's opportunity to say thank you to our heroes.

To mark the national event, we are welcoming serving military personnel, veterans and cadets with a wide range of activities targeted at them and their families, as well as the many thousands of people visiting Blackpool.

Armed Forces Week Flag Raising - 23 June 2026
Location: Blackpool Town Hall, Talbot Square, Blackpool
Blackpool Armed forces week officially begins with the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag above the Town Hall.

Meet members of the Armed Forces Covenant - 22 – 27 June 2026
Location: Houndshill Shopping Centre
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and should not face disadvantages when seeking to access public or private goods and services in the UK. Members of Blackpool’s covenant will be on hand all week to offer advice and demonstrate the wide range of agencies and organisations that provide support for our Armed Forces and veterans.

Coral Island Armed Forces Day - 26 June 2026
Time: From 15:00
Location: The Buccaneer, Coral Island
Tickets: Booking is required, and a fully-refundable deposit of £5 to secure a place is required within 3 days of your booking, call 01253 922182.

As part of Armed Forces Week 2025, Coral Island will be putting on its annual event for veterans from the UK’s Armed Forces on Thursday 25 June from 15:00, with a complimentary two-course carvery and drink on arrival.

Fylde Memorial Arboretum - 26 June 2026
Time: 10:30 arrival, service begins at 11am
Location: Millennium Grove, Moor Park Avenue, Blackpool, FY2 0LY

Founded by Don Aiken, a D-Day Veteran and located in the fields next to Moor park school, the Fylde Memorial Arboretum stands as an area of remembrance that provides the service associations, and the people of Blackpool and the Fylde, a place of peace and beauty in which to remember their fallen comrades and loved ones.

As part of Blackpool Armed Forces week, the Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee will host a service of dedication at the centre of the Memorial Arboretum's Glade area.

Sunday Morning Service & Parade - 28 June 2026

Bovington: Garrison welfare team

The Welfare team aims to provide the best possible welfare advice to all soldiers and their families. The Welfare office is located by Costcutter food store on King George V Road, Bovington. 

• Unit Welfare Officer - Mr Adrian Ingham 
• Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - WO2 Scott Forrester
• Welfare Support Officer - Zoe Van de Zande

Tel: Welfare Office 01929 402239 or 01929 402240

Email: CMC-BovLulSU-WELFARE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk 

In case of emergency - duty welfare mobile number 07971 577282

Please only contact the duty mobile number if it is an urgent welfare matter. 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison welfare support

The Welfare support teams and chaplaincy services offer support and advice to all Soldiers, Officers and families living or working on the Garrison

Should you require help and support or have a welfare issue please contact a member of your Welfare Team during normal working hours on:

Blandford Garrison Support Unit (BGSU)

Garrison Welfare Clerk - BlandfordGar-BGSU-WCSO Tel: 01258 481938

Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - BLANDFORDGAR-BGSU-GWWO Tel: 01258 482694

Garrison Welfare Officer - BLANDFORDGAR-BGSU-GWO Tel: 01258 481936

BGSU Padre - Revd Carl Stokes 

Carl.Stokes103@mod.gov.uk

11 (RSS) Sig Regt Welfare Team

Unit Welfare Senior NCO - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-Welfare NCO Tel: 01258 482619

Asst Unit Welfare Officer - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-AUWO Tel: 01258 482902

Unit Welfare Officer - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-UWO Tel: 01258 482901

11 Sigs Padre - Rev Caroline Rogers 

Caroline.Rogers118@mod.gov.uk 

Out of hours emergency contact the Guardroom on - 01258 482402.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Gillingham: The Strand Playzone - Free Football Sessions for 3 -5 year olds 1630 - 1730hrs Every Tuesday

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): 9 National Crime Agency job vacancies, multiple locations - Closing Date 5 July

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme (9 vacancies in total):

GFIE-490 - Business Management Officer, Investigations, Operational Delivery - National Crime Agency - Tolworth, Gatwick, Slough, Heathrow, Gillingham, Stevenage, Exeter, Nottingham, Sunderland

Job description: Business Management Officer

GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EoI Form (also see Guidance Notes) and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Kickstart Your Career: The National Crime Agency (NCA)
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is the UK’s lead law enforcement agency dedicated to cutting serious and organised crime. We are seeking motivated individuals to join our Investigations Command as Business Management Officers.

The Role
As a Business Management Officer, you will play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of our Multi Threat and Borders Teams. You will support an operational team and the Senior Business Management Officer to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. This is a dynamic role that requires the ability to work at pace, manage busy schedules, and prioritise essential tasks effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Defence Update: Blow the whistle - Domestic abuse support for Armed Forces families

Blow the whistle: Domestic abuse support for Armed Forces families

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June, people are urged to: Stop, Notice, and Act against domestic abuse. Don’t look away.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup – which will take place from 11 June to 19 July – is a time for celebration, community and a shared love for the game. But for some people, this period is marked by increased domestic abuse.

Research shows that domestic abuse incidents rise by 38% when England loses, and by 26% when they win or draw.

Football itself does not cause domestic abuse, but major tournaments can bring factors that raise the risk. This includes emotional stress, alcohol and substance use, financial pressures and gambling.

When something isnʼt right – in relationships, at home, at work, or in our communities – “blow the whistle”. That means recognising abuse, signposting to support, and speaking up if you witness or experience abusive behaviour.
Everyone has the right to feel safe

Domestic abuse takes many forms – including coercive control, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, in couple relationships or between family members.

Anyone can be affected: 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and 1 in 6 or 7 men.

No one should make you feel unsafe. All Defence personnel are expected to treat others with dignity and respect, inside and outside of work. There is no Defence for abuse.
Supporting the Armed Forces community

In a military context, there is a misconception that domestic abuse support services are only for the Service person and not the whole family.

Defence has a clear duty to safeguard our people and their families from domestic abuse and has a range of support services in place – in the UK and overseas – to ensure every person in the Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) community gets the support they need and deserve.

Defence’s Domestic Abuse Action Plan set out actions to tackle abuse through prevention, support and perpetrator interventions – backed by cultural change initiatives, leadership, education and training.
Support services for Armed Forces families
Holistic care and support

The Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) provides independent, trauma-informed support to victims-survivors and witnesses of serious crimes that have been committed by persons subject to Service law, in the UK and abroad.

The unit is independent of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force (single Services’) Chains of Command and supports people throughout their journey in the Service Justice System. They also have independent advisors that specialise in domestic violence and sexual violence.

Specialist welfare services

GamCare: World Cup & Gambling Support

GamCare has published new data (link) this week showing that the proportion of people contacting the National Gambling Helpline with online gambling concerns has reached its highest level in five years. They also saw an 11% rise in contacts following the last men's World Cup.

This recent data from GamCare highlights a growing need for increased awareness and early support, especially during sporting tournaments.

If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, via online chat or WhatsApp at www.gamcare.org.uk .

Lyneham: 5Bn Families Day - Sat 4 Jul

 

Please click here to visit the event Sway page

Please note the Sway page will be updated nearer the time of the event

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Bath & Bristol: What's on in & around the Bath & Bristol area in June

 

Please click the links below for a selection of local attractions and bookmark this page for any future updates! (Updated attractions and seasonal events may be added weekly and will show in bold text to indicate they are new).

Please note the format is slightly different for this list.

Project SALICE: Supporting the people and families behind the NATO mission

Project SALICE: Supporting the people and families behind the NATO mission

Project SALICE addresses practical obstacles faced by UK personnel and their families serving in NATO Command and Force structures – underpinning the Government’s 'NATO First' approach.

When a soldier, sailor or aviator is posted overseas for NATO, their family often goes with them. Their partner may have to give up their job, and their children may need new schools. Life must be rebuilt in a new country.

‘NATO First’ is not just a commitment made in policy documents, but the guiding principle for all our military plans and activities – and Project SALICE is here to address the challenges that can arise with an international move and to support families serving with NATO overseas.

Expanding on issues and recommendations covered in recent reviews of overseas Service life, the Project SALICE initiative is part of a broader commitment to make military life work, for those who serve – and for the families who serve alongside them. It builds on the Armed Forces Offer, which includes competitive pay, healthcare, accommodation support and funded childcare.

Lieutenant General Eldon Millar, the UK's Military Representative to NATO and the EU and Project SALICE sponsor, said:

“The UK is one of NATO's strongest members. Our Armed Forces work every day alongside allies to keep our country and Europe safe – with the right people, in the right places, at the right time.

“But keeping the best people in our Armed Forces doesn't depend only on good training and kit. It depends on Service life being a good life, for the whole family – and that is the purpose of Project SALICE.

“When our people know that their families are settled, their partners have every opportunity to work, and the practical side of overseas life is manageable, they can focus on their mission – being ready to deter, fight and win.”

The project covers: partner employment, education, accommodation, career management, policies and processes, and the Armed Forces Covenant.

Partner employment

Finding a job in another country isn't easy. Rules vary everywhere, and red tape often makes it extremely hard for partners of Service personnel to work at all.

Right now, particular attention is being focused on tackling these barriers to partner employment, and the Project SALICE team is tackling this in three ways:

1. New guides – explaining the work rules for partners in every EU country: these will be available later this summer on GOV.UK. Where rules are unfair or unclear, the team is pushing for change – talks are already under way with Italy and Denmark.
2. Support for partners in specific professions – the team is looking at what more can be done to support partners who work in healthcare, and other professions will also be considered over the coming months.
3. Changing things at home – International Remote Working (IRW) policies are being reviewed across Government departments. While most departments now have IRW policies in place, approaches vary in how they work in practice. In collaboration with the Government People Group, Defence is therefore undertaking a cross-government exercise to gather and compare IRW policies.

Wider changes...

Armed Forces People Policy (AFPP) and Armed Forces Remuneration Policy (AF Rem) teams have already made improvements to allowances, processes and provisions.

These include:

Kirkham: Club Day - 13th June 2026

The event is a family-friendly celebration featuring a parade of local churches and schools, a fairground, and community festivities. The procession traditionally begins in Wesham and travels through the main streets of Kirkham, with local churches represented by their Rose Queens and attendants. 
The day also includes garden fetes, flower festivals, and an annual fair, making it a highlight of the community calendar. Roads along the parade route are typically closed in the morning to ensure safety, and the event draws visitors from across Lancashire Kirkham Club Day has a rich history dating back over 200 years, originating from worker’s clubs and friendly societies of the 19th century.
For those planning to attend, it is recommended to arrive early to enjoy the full procession and festivities, and to check local updates from the Kirkham Town Council or event organizers for any schedule changes.

Please note Procession times and road closures below:

Information provided by Weeton HIVE

Weeton, Fulwood & Chester: AWS CS Summer Youth Club Day Trips out

• 20th July 26 - Alton Towers

• 22nd July 26 - Cinema & McDonalds

• 6th August 26 - Splashworld & Pizza

To book and register for each trip, please contact your local Community Development Worker.

Information provided by Weeton HIVE

Dorset: Bikefest (Wareham) - Fri 19th - Sun 21st June

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

 

Blandford: Armed forces expo (free) event - Sat 11th July

 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison cinema latest showing 'Scary Movie' Fri 12th & Mon 15th June

Food and drink available to purchase at the door.

Ticket prices

Adult (15+) £4

Child (3-14 years) £3

Senior (60+) £3

Student £3

Family (2 adults + children or 1 adult + 3 children) £11

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

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Tank museum 'On Track' event - Thurs 8th Oct Register now.

Credit: Tankmuseum

On-Track is FREE to attend, and FREE to exhibit. It offers valuable insights on mental and physical health, signposting toward useful communities and organisations that can support the armed forces community, networking opportunities with like-minded organisations, and a Q&A session to address your questions.

The UK Armed Forces community includes:

• Serving Personnel: Regular and reserve members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force.
• Veterans: Anyone who has served for at least one day in the Regular or Reserve Armed Forces.
• Families: Spouses, civil partners, children, and dependent relatives of serving personnel or veterans.
• The Bereaved: The immediate family members and dependents of Service personnel and veterans who have died, regardless of whether the death was connected to their Service.
• Cadet Force Adult Volunteers & Merchant Navy: Adults who volunteer for cadet forces and members of the Merchant Navy who served on commercial vessels in support of legally defined UK military operations

For more information about the event and to register click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Citizens Advice sessions at Bovington HIVE every Thursday - Free advice & support

The mobile advice bus will be parked adjacent to the HIVE building (Corner of King George V Road & Swinton Avenue) Speak to advisors face to face.

Available to all Garrison personnel, spouses, partners, reserves, veterans, civil servants, MOD contractors and local civilian community. Confidentiality guaranteed.

Appointments are not necessary, just turn up. First come, first serve basis.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE