Stafford: Upbeat Families Help Us Name Our Upbeat Giraffe!!

Do you attend our Stafford Upbeat sessions at The HIVE?

We have a brand-new cuddly giraffe who needs a name—and we want YOUR little one’s creative ideas! 😁

Enter our Giraffe Naming Competition, kindly sponsored by David Wilson Homes, for a chance to win a special prize and help our giraffe find its forever name.

How to enter:
1️⃣ Think of the perfect Giraffe name
2️⃣ Share your child’s idea with us by filling out our competition form (available from The HIVE ) or DM us
3️⃣ Stay tuned for the big reveal at the 16th December Upbeat session at The HIVE

We are sorry to say that this is only open to the families who attend the Stafford sessions due to the sponsorship.

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

Grantham: Grantham Museum's Christmas Market - Free entry to the Market

 

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Festive Week Ahead at the Museum

Make sure to get booked in online at: granthammuseum.org.uk/event/

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Shropshire Family Info Service - Christmas Edition of the Family Info Service newsletter

Welcome to the Christmas edition of the Family Info Service newsletter 

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

West Midlands: Telford Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets

 Full details can be found HERE

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

Lichfield - Park free from 18.30-19.30 All Lichfield District Council car parks

Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

 

West Midlands: Telford & Wrekin Knife Crime Parent Workshop - 8 December and 12 February

 Register via the QR code

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

Hereford: Free Activities for Eligible Children this Christmas

Parents and carers in Herefordshire can now book up to 16 hours of free, fun-filled activities for their children during the Christmas holidays.

The Here for Herefordshire Christmas Activities Programme, funded by the Department for Education and coordinated by Herefordshire Council’s Talk Community Team, is designed to support families and keep children active and engaged during the festive season.

Children from Reception to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals are eligible to take part.

Activities include:Cheerleading
Parkour and breakdancing
Football camps
Christmas cooking and crafts
Digital skills and coding

Every child attending will also receive a free healthy meal.

Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We’re delighted to continue this programme for eligible families this Christmas.

“With the help of our fantastic providers, children can learn new skills, make friends, and enjoy fun activities during the festivities.”

Parents and carers can book their child’s activities online at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/haf

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Hereford: Free school meals for the Christmas holidays

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | Free School Meals Support Continues for Herefordshire Families This Christmas
Thousands of children and young people across Herefordshire will continue to receive free school meals support during the Christmas school holidays, helping families manage rising living costs.

Over 4,700 primary and secondary school pupils entitled to benefits-related free school meals will receive a food voucher worth up to £30 (or equivalent) directly through their schools.
This voucher is designed to cover the cost of a lunchtime meal during the holiday period.
Children eligible for the early years pupil premium who are not in a school setting will receive their voucher posted directly from Herefordshire Council

For more information about the Herefordshire free school meals scheme for the Christmas holidays, visit: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/holidaysfsm
· The free school meals food voucher scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through the government’s Household Support Fund.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

MHLO West Midlands and Staffordshire: JSP 464 Confirmation: Process for Leaving/Moving Out of SFA:

3.6.1.1 Pre-move out advisory visit. It is a mandatory requirement that a pre-move out advisory visit takes place up to 2 months before the expected date of vacation.

In order to provide sufficient time for families to prepare for the Move Out appointment, and to allow the Industry Partner the opportunity to schedule enhanced works that may be required, it is essential recommended that the visit is at least 30 working days before a booked or potential Move Out. It is the Service Licensee’s responsibility to arrange the date of the visit with the IPHD. The IPHD is to seek assistance from the Local Service Commander in cases where it proves difficult for Service reasons to arrange a visit.

Please find guidance for best practice :SP/Families are to Communicate early with Pinnacle (Visa/Versa) to secure Pre-Move Out bookings. (As soon as your SP receives new assignment order / Pinnacle receive an application to move – prompt to book PMO)
Please see JSP464 policy for more information.

SP/Pinnacle attempt resolution by adjusting move-in or securing an earlier PMO.
If unresolved, book the earliest appointment outside 30 working days.

Concerns about dual charges: you can challenge charges once received or submit a complaint via Customer Solutions (CS). 

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

Hereford: Light up a Life Service - Sun 14 Dec, Hereford Cathedral

 

We warmly invite you, your family, and friends to join us for a Light up a Life service.

Sunday 14 December at 6pm.

Light up a Life offers a chance to come together with others who understand the experience of grieving the loss of a loved one. At the service, candles are lit, each representing the life and memories of someone special.

The service is an inclusive and beautiful occasion featuring music, readings, refreshments, and a moment of reflection for those who have held a special place in our hearts. Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of their connection. The service is suitable for the entire family and we welcome people of all ages.

It’s free to attend, but as always, we’d love you to consider making a donation on the night if you are able to, to help us continue caring for people this Christmas.
After the service, you will have a chance to view the Books of Remembrance. This contains the names of those who had a dedication made to them before 27th November.

This service is very popular, so we’d suggest you arrive by 5.30pm to secure your seat/s. We’d ask that you pre-register to let us know you are coming so that we can accommodate numbers, but please be aware that this does not guarantee seating.

Book

Hereford Cathedral, Hereford Cathedral, Hereford, HR1 2NG

Start: 14 December, 2025 at 6:00pm

End: 14 December, 2025 at 7:30pm

Hereford: Family Nativity Trail - Hereford Cathedral

 

We will start with a Nativity Family Trail on Thursday 11 December 2025 until Saturday 10 January 2026, families can take part in our Nativity Trail across the cathedral to discover more about the story of Christmas.

Pick up a free leaflet from the Welcome Desk as you arrive and follow the trail around the cathedral to find the different parts of the nativity story. Answer the questions as you go around, take the highlighted letters from your answers and you will be able make a festive word at the end of the trail!

Once you’ve found the answer, take your sheet to the Welcome Desk or Ticket Desk to claim your sticker!

We'd love to see pictures of you taking part in this year's trail - please feel free to tag us on social media!

The trail will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and is suitable for KS1 & KS2 (and their grown ups!). The trail will not be available to take part in when worship is taking place.

Hereford Cathedral, Hereford Cathedral, Hereford, HR1 2NG

Start: 11 December, 2025 at 9:00am

End: 10 January, 2026 at 5:00pm

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

MOD Stafford: University of Staffordshire visits 2026 - Make your military career work for your future

Scan QR code or visit HERE

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub 

Staffordshire Police - Look out for each other and trust your instincts

With the winter season full of events such as festive markets and Christmas shopping, we want to ensure that you enjoy the fun safely.You can play a vital role in helping to keep everyone safe. When you’re out and about, make sure you stay alert for:

Anyone filming exits, entrances or CCTV.
Any unattended bags.
Anything you hear or see, which doesn’t feel right.

Tell a member of staff, security or police. You won’t be wasting our time.

In an emergency call 999.

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Staffordshire: Illuminated Arboretum at the National Memorial Arboretum from 5 December

 On Friday 5 December, the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will launch the latest edition of its annual winter lights trail, Illuminated Arboretum.

Full details can be found HERE

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

Shropshire: A free, confidential 24/7 mental health text support service - NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

A free, confidential 24/7 mental health text support service. This is available for all ages in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and is delivered by qualified mental health professionals.

Information: Central HIVE Hub

Staffordshire, West Midlands and Shropshire: Are you on the move soon??

 Are you or someone you know due to be posted to Lichfield, Stafford, Birmingham, Donnington, Ternhill, Bramcote or Kineton soon?

If so contact the Central HIVE Hub to request pre-arrival information.

Email: RC-Pers-HIVE-CentralHub-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Core information sheets are available from the HIVE and contain useful information on accommodation,employment,health & wellbeing, finance, childcare,schools & adult education as well as location overview of community amenities, facilities and activities etc. There is also help with general queries regarding the local area.

Central HIVE Hub can also provide you with information sheets on other locations across the UK and overseas. Please call in to speak to the Area HIVE information officer or use the contact details above.

Information provided by  Central HIVE Hub

Staffordshire: Men's Mind Makeover - Free Project in Tamworth starting 21 January 2026

 Register HERE

Information: Central HIVE Hub

Staffordshire: Zest Education - Are you interested in working in Secondary Schools?

Full details can be found HERE

Information from: Central HIVE Hub

Staffordshire: Whittington Primary School Christmas Fayre - 5 December

Information provided:Central HIVE Hub