Brecon: Free Learn Welsh Taster Course - 29th & 30th June in Brecon

For those who are interested in learning Welsh, there is a FREE taster course being held over two days on 29+30 June 26 in the Barn at Brynich. Please see the photo for the QR code which will give you all the details you need.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Shorncliffe: Army Welfare Service Improve your IT skills every Wed & Fri 1000hrs - 1300hrs Age 17+

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hereford: Is your child with SEND starting secondary school this September?

The move to secondary school can feel like a big step — for both young people and their families.
A FREE short specialist online course is available for parents, relatives, and carers of children with additional needs / SEND, designed to help support you and your child through this transition.

Gain practical advice

Feel more confident about the move
Better support your young person
If you live in Herefordshire, you can access this course (and others) completely free.
Find out more and register here: https://orlo.uk/Dx4Q2
Use password: APPLEHERE

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Recruit for Spouses Webinar on 7 May: Breaking Down Imposter Syndrome

On Thursday 7th May at 12:30pm GMT, RFS is hosting:

Real Confidence for Real People: Imposter Syndrome

Delivered by the expert coaching team at Aletheia — Sam Ryder, Zoe Hughes, Saskia Hart, and Estelle Bailly — this free, practical session is designed specifically for military spouses and partners navigating self-doubt, career gaps, and the unique challenges of Service life.

Attendees will explore:

• Where imposter syndrome comes from and why it's so common in our community
• How to identify genuine strengths and challenge the narrative holding them back
• Practical strategies to build authentic, lasting confidence
• Tools to take confident action — whether exploring new roles, going for promotion, or starting something new

Thursday 7th May 2026
12:30pm
Virtual
Completely FREE

The session will be recorded but attendees need to register to access it, so we'd encourage anyone interested to sign up even if they can't join live.

Register here: https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in or email e.hartshorn@recruitforspouses.co.uk

Wales: Teacher Professional Learning Events with Careers Wales

Careers Wales:

Teachers - 
If you’re looking for support embedding careers and work-related experiences (CWRE) in your curriculum, we can help.

We have a range of professional learning events throughout the year to help you design and plan careers and work-related experiences (CWRE) in your curriculum.

Find our next event here

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Supporting service children to thrive - a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open

Supporting service children to thrive: a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open

Service life can bring unique challenges for children and young people. Frequent moves, disrupted learning and periods of separation can all add up - and they can affect how children feel, learn and achieve.

Delivered on behalf of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Service Pupil Support programme (SPSP) funds practical, evidence-led projects that respond to these challenges and strengthen educational outcomes for service pupils. With a new round of funding now open, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are inviting schools and local authorities across the UK to apply, so more service pupils can get the right support to feel settled and succeed at school.

How much funding is available?

Grants of £5,000 to £150,000 for projects lasting up to two years are available. Projects must be evidence-led, clearly planned and time-limited, and work already covered by statutory provision won’t be funded.

North Yorkshire: Swaledale Alliance - NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Northern Ireland: Home To School Transport Applications - Department of Education

 

Some children may be able to get help with home to school transport.
Parents can apply online.

For more information, please click the link
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/home-school-transport
Department of Education NI Education Authority

Information provided by HIVE NI

Forces Employment Charity: Submit your Heropreneurs Awards nominations today

 The Heropreneurs Awards are now open for nominations across six award categories:

• Heropreneur of the Year
• Micro Enterprise of the Year
• Product Business of the Year
• Start Up of the Year
• Tech Business of the Year
• Warwick Business School MBA Scholarship Award

The annual Heropreneurs Awards celebrate exceptional achievements within the Armed Forces business community. Winners and finalists gain public recognition, expanded networks, and increased visibility for their ventures, opening doors to new opportunities.

Each year, the awards bring together founders and leaders from across industries, highlighting the talent and professionalism of veterans and their families.

To find out more please visit Heropreneurs Awards nominations | Forces Employment Charity

Vale of Glamorgan: Teaching Assistant Training package with Adult Learning Wales, Open day on Fri 8th May 26

 

Thinking about a career in education? 

Take the first step towards becoming a Teaching Assistant with our supportive training package - delivered in partnership with Adult Learning Wales 

Includes:

• Understanding Autism Level 1
• Introduction to Teaching Assistant Level 2

Open Day: 8th May, 10am – 12pm at Palmerston Learning Centre.

Attendance required to enrol, book your spot here.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Wales: Home Educating Parents Week - Free appointments with Careers Advisers

Careers Wales:

Is your child aged 15 or 16 and approaching the end of their statutory education? Not sure what comes next? We’re here to help.

From 20–24 April, you can book a FREE one-to-one appointment with a qualified careers adviser at a time that works for you – via phone or video call.

• Discover support available from Careers Wales and other organisations
• Explore local and national opportunities
• Get guidance on entry requirements, finance options, and referrals
• Enjoy an impartial, personalised conversation focused on your child’s future

Spaces are limited so book your free appointment today

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Grantham: Biker Down - free, interactive workshop

Biker Down is a free, interactive workshop designed for motorcyclists of all levels run by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue. The session provides essential skills and knowledge to help riders stay safe on the roads and support others in the event of a collision.
The course typically includes:

• Scene Management: How to protect yourself and others at the scene of a motorcycle collision.

• First Aid Skills: Including CPR, managing trauma, and practical steps to assist an injured rider until emergency services arrive.

• Motorcycle Visibility & Safety Awareness: Tips and education to reduce your risk on the road and help other road users see you.

This training is delivered by the Community Fire Prevention team and aims to improve rider safety and confidence across the county.

The Biker Down events are open to the public and bookable via the below links:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lincolnshirecountycouncil/2136095

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lincolnshirecountycouncil/2136103

Follow this LINK for further information.

Further correspondence to bikerdown@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Defence Infographic – Primary School Offer Day information and support for Service families

To support Service families with further information on Primary School place offers, Defence has provided this infographic. A PDF version with accessible hyperlinks is at this LINK, or please see links below:

Starting Reception website

General Gov.uk guidance on school admissions and appeals

Defence Children Services (DCS)

Education Advisory Team email address: RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk

Defence’s Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme

Catetrick & Richmond: FREE Digital Skills For All courses

A reminder of our upcoming Digital Skills For All courses happening at our Catterick and Richmond Libraries. 

The courses are split into sessions, covering everything from using the NHS app, to WhatsApp and social media.

You can find lots more information and the dates for each library in the posters below.

Be sure to book your place by calling or emailing Abby Armstrong: abby.armstrong@northyorks.gov.uk 01609 533906

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

April is the Month of the Military Child – get involved!

April is the Month of the Military Child – an annual initiative to recognise and celebrate the remarkable children and young people in our Armed Forces community.

This campaign is led by the Education Policy Team within the Defence Children Services (DCS), who are responsible for the equality of delivery, support and outcomes of education and safeguarding for Service children and MOD entitled civilians in accompanied postings overseas.

The new Head of the Defence Children Services said:

"Our Service children are a valuable part of our Armed Forces community. Giving them a stable, supportive environment isn't just the right thing to do – it's critical to Defence’s operational effectiveness. When families are in good hands, personnel can serve at their best.

“Service children continue to prove their resilience and adaptability. Whether it’s moving schools, relocating, or managing time apart from a parent on deployment.

“As global uncertainty rises, so do the demands on serving personnel, which results in a commensurate impact on Service families, especially children. This is evidenced by the recent events in RAF Akrotiri, where although schools and early years settings have experienced some disruption, staff, families, and Service children have demonstrated incredible resilience, strength, bravery, and versatility.

“Innovating their approach, staff continue to provide safe education and care elsewhere on the Island. Meeting the needs of our Service children is a key component of Defence’s offer and must recognise their unique circumstances.”

Get involved

Led by DCS’ Education Policy Team, with support from charities, schools, and fellow MOD departments, this initiative raises awareness of the unique experiences and challenges faced by children of Armed Forces personnel around the world. It is also a time to thank them and highlight their positive impact in schools, society and our Armed Forces community.

Show your support by getting involved in the many activities taking place this month. Here are some simple, meaningful ways that you and your family can get involved:

• Discover activities and events at local military bases and schools by contacting your local HIVE (Royal Navy Family and People Support, Army HIVE, RAF HIVE) or Families Federation (Navy, Army, RAF). Charities and other organisations are also holding events.
• Spread the word about the Month of the Military Child with other Service families and your wider community. Use the following hashtags on social media: #MotMC and #MonthoftheMilitaryChild.
• To help your child’s school recognise and raise awareness of Service children, share information, ideas and resources with them.
• Wear purple on Friday 24 April 2026: Wearing purple is a simple but powerful way to show solidarity with Service children. Remember to use the hashtag and encourage your colleagues to join in, too. You can even turn it into a purple-themed bake sale or activity.
• Why not encourage your child to enter Never Such Innocence’s art and poetry competition? This year’s competition closes on 1 May 2026, and the theme is: Winds of Change.

For information on how schools and settings are marking this month, and to explore ideas and activities, visit the DCS’ website.

Hampshire: Forces Connect South East

Forces Connect South East

Hampshire County Council is proud to be part of Forces Connect South East

Forces Connect South East is a cross border partnership comprising Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex County Councils, Brighton and Hove, Medway Councils and Sussex NHS.

It is a two-year Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant Funded Programme aimed at making it easier for servicemen and women and their families, as well as reservists and veterans, to access public sector services including healthcare, housing, schools, financial advice and support to find jobs.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Fulford: Free 5 week course with Family Learning in June

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Fulford: FREE family Learning Courses from April

Sessions are held in the Low Moor Community Centre on Bray Road, Fulford Y010 4JG (next to Beehive Pre School on the SFA patch).

These include a one-off ‘Spring Crafts’ session on Wednesday 15th April - kind of a taster and introduction to York Learning’s courses.

Mixed Crafts with Lisa-Marie will then be running in the mornings as from Wednesday 22nd April. In the afternoons, Kate will be running a Science-focus course ‘Discover and Grow’.

After May half term the afternoon sessions will be a Maths focus course ‘1,2,3 Go and Play’.

Wales: Free online courses for partners & spouses of Armed Forces Personnel from The Family Foundation - Starting a Small Business

 

The Family Foundation - Project Restart

Looking to start a business or learn new skills?

We’re excited to share a range of FREE online courses designed specifically for Spouses & Partners of serving personnel

Whether you’re exploring a side hustle, thinking about starting a small business, or want to build practical skills — there’s something here for you

• Starting a Small Business Courses
• Turn an idea into a real opportunity
• Learn how to plan, launch and grow
• Build confidence to take that first step
• Bookkeeping Courses
• Understand the numbers behind a business
• Learn essential financial skills
• Perfect for supporting your own business or boosting employability
• Study at your own pace, online and flexible around family life

Access everything here:

https://lea-s-site-4be5.thinkific.com/bundles/project-restart

We’re also exploring a face-to-face workshop at St Athan for anyone who would like extra support — let us know if this would be of interest!

Any queries please contact: 

info@thefamilyfoundation.co.uk 

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Introducing the Continuity of Education Allowance advisory helpdesk

Introducing the Continuity of Education Allowance advisory helpdesk

A new team is ready to help you with questions about Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).

Moving around for your work in the Armed Forces can make it hard to keep your children's education on track. This is where CEA comes in – helping your children stay settled in education, even when Service life means your family must move.

Here to help

Sometimes, working out if you’re eligible to claim CEA – or how to claim it – can feel complicated and confusing, as every situation is different. That’s why we've set up a new team in the Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) to assist.

From 1 April 2026, the CEA advisory helpdesk will provide a group of experts to help you, your family, or your Unit HR team with any tricky questions about the allowance.

Whether you're trying to understand the rules or need help with a complex case, the team will point you to the right people and make sure you get clear guidance.

The new helpdesk works alongside the Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK) service within Defence Children Services (DCS). This remains available to provide professional, independent advice, guidance, and support to Service families on children’s education – covering school admissions, Special Educational Needs Allowance (SENA), and boarding school applications (including schools not currently on the Boarding School Database).