Showing posts with label Accommodation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Accommodation. Show all posts

October 30, 2025

Grantham: Housing Surgery


Next Housing Surgery at the HIVE Community Centre, Building 162, Thursday 20th November, 1030 - 1230. All welcome!

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

October 29, 2025

October 27, 2025

Dreghorn: Pinnacle drop-in sessions, Tuesdays 1300-1500

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

October 24, 2025

DIO SFA Communications Update:  23 Oct – Defence Homes Colour Palette


Patch Hacks: New painting guidelines for UK SFA

As part of their commitment to modernise outdated policies and give Service families more freedoms, DIO has introduced a new Defence Homes Colour Palette. And they say:

“We understand that being able to personalise your home is important. Whilst previously all interior walls had to be returned to magnolia or white before moving out, our new colour palette offers a broader range of colours for families to choose from.

“Colours within this range are light and neutral and will not require reverting to white. Take a look at our new colour palette along with some inspiration on how they could be styled in your home here.

“To give you as much freedom as possible, we haven’t dictated particular paint brands, colour names or types (like matt or silk). If you’re unsure whether your chosen colour complies with the approved range on the colour palette, you can check with your dedicated Housing Officer.

“As always, you are welcome to paint your interior walls other colours outside of the new palette range, but these will require reverting back to white upon move out.

“More information on this new policy, including a Top Tips guide for painting the interior of your SFA, can be found on the Defence Homes website. This includes helpful guidance on everything from choosing the right type of paint for a room to prepping the walls and aftercare.”

Defence Homes Paint FAQs page

October 20, 2025

Blandford: Garrison housing issues - drop in sessions Nov & Dec


1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month, 0900-1200hrs. At the Pinnacle Office located in the Estates Building, Murdos Road, Blandford Camp.

If you have any issues regarding your Service Family Accommodation and would like to speak to someone face-to-face, pop along, no appointment necessary.

Upcoming dates:

Wed 5th & 19th Nov 2025

Wed 3rd & 17th Dec 2025

Information provided by Bovington HIVE


October 15, 2025

Lyneham: Vivo & Pinnacle Housing Surgery - Thu 13 Nov

 

The remaining 2025 sessions are as follows:

  • Thu 13 Nov
  • Thu 11 Dec

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

October 14, 2025

October 13, 2025

Scotland: Veterans Housing Scotland

Veterans Housing Scotland has over 100 years’ experience in providing homes for Veterans in Scotland who are disabled.

As we celebrate our 110th Anniversary in 2025, we complete a five-year strategy of significant but organised change. The charity now starts the next five-year phase of its strategy that will see huge investment into property refurbishments. We are incredibly proud of our history and the service we have provided to those who have served their country. We are equally excited about our future and how we as a charity will continue to work with and support members of the Veterans Housing Scotland family.

👉 Read the full Autumn 2025 newsletter here:
https://www.vhscot.org.uk/news/vhs-newsletter-autumn-2025

October 8, 2025

London: Victory Services Club

Experience the inclusive camaraderie of the Victory Services Club. It is the only military members' club in London open to all ranks and all services of the UK Armed Forces, NATO and the Commonwealth and their families. 

Membership to the Victory Services Club is entirely free for serving personnel. For former service personnel and their immediate family, the Club offers membership at affordable and highly competitive rates.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

October 1, 2025

Bovington: Garrison coffee morning & DIO housing surgery Wed 5th Nov


If you have any housing issues or concerns, please use this opportunity to come along and speak in person to a housing representative from Pinnacle/Vivo

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

September 29, 2025

DIO Families First Newsletter for SFA Occupants – Issue 30 Out Now

Issue 30 of DIO’s Families First newsletter, dated 25 Sept, is now available to view online or download on the Defence Homes website

September 19, 2025

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 19 September 25


An update on SFA maintenance appointments

The SFA Consumer Charter announced in April 2025 shared our commitment to provide reliable repairs and clearer communication for serving personnel and families.

In response to your feedback and to improve our service to you, we are making a change to the allocated appointment window for SFA repairs and maintenance bookings.

We currently provide a one-hour window when you can expect an engineer to arrive at your property to carry out repairs and maintenance tasks on behalf of Amey or VIVO. While we had hoped this would provide you with greater certainty around the timing of the engineer’s arrival, we have found that providing such a short window can make it difficult to achieve the best outcomes for you.

We understand it can be frustrating when our maintenance teams arrive early or late for appointments, or when tasks are not completed within the allocated time because they need to move onto the next appointment. Similarly, where jobs require spare parts, there is not always time to complete the task within the allocated time slot and follow-up appointments are often required.

From 1 October 2025, you will be given a 4-hour window within which your engineer will arrive to carry out your repairs and maintenance tasks. This aligns line with common industry standards and will allow engineers more time to complete tasks fully, as well as undertaking any additional tasks identified to reduce the need for follow up visits.

Extending the arrival window will mean our teams will get to more appointments on time and enable them to spend longer completing jobs to deliver a better service for you and families.

Requests for repairs and maintenance to your home should continue to be directed to Pinnacle on 0800 031 8628, who will book your appointment and confirm the four-hour window. You will receive a reminder message from Amey or Vivo the day before your appointment.

New complaints process (UK SFA)

DIO and our suppliers are focused on providing the best service we can to you and your families. However, we know sometimes things go wrong and we want to ensure you feel heard and supported.

The SFA Consumer Charter, published in April 2025, outlines a series of commitments we will be making to improve our accommodation service offer. This includes a revised, streamlined complaints process that will shorten the process to two stages in line with industry best practice, so that you have quicker resolution.   

In collaboration with Chief of Defence People Accommodation team, important changes have been made to the complaints process currently outlined in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 464. These changes are designed to make the process quicker, simpler, and more robust, providing you with greater confidence and assurance.

What’s changing?

September 12, 2025

Blandford: Welfare/contact house short term use accommodation

Click on poster above to enlarge

For booking enquiries and to check availability email:

Julie.Osmond100@mod.gov.uk or BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk

Information provided by Bovington HIVE via BGSU Welfare team

September 5, 2025

Lyneham: Contact House booking form

 

Please scan to QR or click here to book online

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

September 4, 2025

Highlands: The Armed Forces Covenant, Armed Forces Support in the Highlands

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The Military Liaison Group (MLG) (Education) provides information, resources, news and updates to inform and support our Armed Forces families, educators, wider teams and organisations across Highland. 

 As a partnership we also work collaboratively with Health and Housing.

Education, Health and Housing are inextricably interlinked and together strive to support the needs our Armed Forces Families in Highland

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

September 3, 2025

Pinnacle Service Families: Virtual Outreach Day on 10 Sep 25

Pinnacle are inviting all Service Family Accommodation (SFA) residents to join our next Virtual Outreach Day on Wednesday 10th September 2025. This online event is a valuable opportunity for families to connect directly with our support teams via Microsoft Teams, from the comfort of their own homes. 

Whether families are dealing with a tricky repair, have questions about allocations, or simply want to better understand the services available to them, the outreach day is designed to provide tailored assistance and guidance. These sessions are part of Pinnacle’s broader initiative to ensure military families have multiple, accessible ways to get the support they need. 

Booking is now open and can be done easily here.  

Scotland: Housing Options Scotland, Military Matters

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

September 2, 2025

Leuchars: Pinnacle Drop-in sessions, Wednesdays 13:00-15:00

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Your local Pinnacle office Drop-in is on Wednesdays 13:00-15:00.


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

August 11, 2025

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 11 August 25


SFA Consumer Charter – greater freedoms for families

Service Personnel and families deserve homes that reflect your unique needs and lifestyles. Outdated, lengthy policies are unhelpful in fostering a sense of belonging where you can make a house feel like your home. This is particularly important given the transient nature of military life, which we know can be disruptive.

DIO is committed to transforming this experience. By modernising our policies, we’re empowering families with greater freedom to personalise and enhance your homes. Defence Secretary Rt Hon John Healey MP announced the latest improvements, which include an update to policies making it easier for you to own pets and run businesses from home. In the future, you will also have more freedom to personalise and decorate your homes, the details of which will be confirmed in due course.

  • SFA pet policy: We know that pets are a big part of family life. Previously, families with pets were required to seek written permission through the National Service Centre (NSC) before acquiring or bringing existing pets into SFA. Under the revised policy, effective from 9 August 2025, pet owners do not need approval. Instead, you simply need to notify the NSC that you have a pet via an e-form.

Permission will only be required if the number or type of pets exceeds the permissible criteria outlined in the Pet Notification Form on the Pinnacle website.