Give Us Time: February Half Term Break Available in Scotland

Due to a cancellation, details are:

Friday 13 – Friday 20 February 2026

Amat Manse, Ardgay, IV27 4HD – dog friendly!

Amat lies inland from the east coast about 50 miles north of Inverness. The nearest villages are Ardgay (9 miles) and Bonar Bridge (10 miles). By road, the journey time from Inverness is about 1 hour. The remote location of the property, on a no through road, lends itself to a relaxing break, although there is phone signal and broadband if needed!

The property sleeps up to up to 8 people - three twin-bedded rooms and one double room with an accompanying ensuite shower room. There are a further two bathrooms, one on the ground floor near the main entrance and a second on the first floor.

There are more details and pictures at http://amatsalmon.com/manse.php

This break is being booked by email, so please contact enquiries@giveustime.org.uk with any queries.

To find out more about Give Us Time please go to: www.giveustime.org.uk

Family Welfare Matters Newsletter – Jan 2026 Issue Out Now

For more information on any of the Family Welfare Matters content, please contact your nearest HIVE or our HQ on: RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox (MULTIUSER) RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Give Us Time: Latest Update now published

Give Us Time’s latest briefing includes details of tickets for the Birmingham International Tattoo in February, and all remaining March breaks.

To find out more please go to: www.giveustime.org.uk

Defence Infrastructure Organisation: Families First Newsletter Issue 34 (21 Jan) Now Published

The latest issue of the Families First newsletter, dated 21 Jan, is now available to view on the Defence Homes website.

Career Transition Partnership – Upcoming Employment Fairs in Newcastle and Lincoln

CTP Employment Fairs are open to:

• Service leavers
• Veterans
• Reservists
• Partners and spouses

Service leavers/veterans/Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

To view all 2026 CTP Employment Fair locations and dates, please go to: https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2026/01/career-transition-partnership-2026.html

Primary School Aged Children's Overseas Allowance - Q&A Session 22 Jan 2026

The launch of the PSACO Allowance means eligible Service families will have access to before and after school childcare funding in all overseas locations.

PSACO eligibility criteria and guidance can be found on the Discover My Benefits website.

Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) Allowance – Q&A 22 Jan

There is a Q&A for SP and families on 22 Jan at 13.30. Those interested in attending can complete the MS Form and the joining details will be emailed to them.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 16 January 2026

New Armed Forces Bill to drive the biggest renewal of Service Family housing in a generation

Service families will benefit from the newly introduced Armed Forces Bill which promises better housing, better services and better protections for our forces and their families.

The Bill will create a new Defence Housing Service, which will have a simple ethos – to put the needs of forces and their families first and drive the biggest improvement in forces accommodation for a generation.

Read the full article on Defence Homes here.

BFBS’ MiPlayer Platform Turns Ten: A Decade of Innovation Entertaining UK Armed Forces Worldwide

16 January 2026: BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) today celebrates the tenth anniversary of its MiPlayer platform, the powerful service created to keep UK Armed Forces connected to home and entertainment, when they’re serving in the most remote and hostile environments.

What began in January 2016 as a modest onboard system delivering ten TV channels and six radio stations to HMS Iron Duke has grown into one of BFBS’ most significant and far-reaching innovations, now operating across the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleets, operational bases, remote islands and soon, even on submarines.

Reflecting on the milestone, Nick Beer, Director of BFBS Development and Strategy, said: “MiPlayer started as a bold idea to solve a seemingly impossible problem: how do you bring home to people serving in the most remote and demanding environments on Earth? And how do you do that in the way users demand: on their personal devices and with catchup when there is little or no internet available?

SSAFA Short Breaks for Children with Additional Needs & Disabilities - now OPEN!

What Are SSAFA Short Breaks?

SSAFA Short Breaks are free, residential activity breaks for families currently serving in the Armed Forces who have a child (aged 5–18) with an additional need and/or disability. These breaks offer families a chance to spend quality time together, enjoy inclusive activities, and build confidence and resilience. Families will be responsible for their own travel costs; however, if this presents a challenge, the SSAFA team may be able to support.

Who Can Apply?

• Families with children aged 5–18, where at least one child has an additional need and/or disability.
• Children must be dependents of a current serving person or reservist.
• At least one parent must attend the break.
• Families must not have attended a SSAFA Short Break in the last five years.

Two-Stage Application Process

This year, SSAFA is introducing a two-stage application process for Short Breaks applications. We will prioritise families where the need is greatest. This assessment helps us understand your situation and make sure support is offered fairly and where it can have the most impact. Every family deserves access to support that reflects their lived reality. For military families with children who have additional needs and disabilities, that support must be flexible, respectful, and emotionally safe. This assessment helps us understand what that looks like for you and your family and helps us determine if SSAFA’s Short Breaks can meet that need at this time, when considered in relation to other applications.

Stage 1 – Basic Eligibility
Families complete an online form to confirm they meet the core criteria. Only those who pass Stage 1 will be invited to Stage 2. Apply for Stage 1 SSAFA Short Breaks 2026.

Recruit for Spouses: Free Jan–Feb support & events for military spouses, partners and veterans

 Learn More Here

Sign Up Here

To find out more please visit RFS: Stronger Families. Stronger Workforce. Stronger Defence.

BFBS: New Tri-Service Documentary launching on Friday 16 January - For The Love of (Power) Lifting

For The Love of Lifting follows service personnel from all three services who are part of the UK Armed Forces powerlifting team, as they train, compete, and prepare for an upcoming UK vs US Armed Forces powerlifting competition.

The short documentary highlights the culture, motivation, and sense of community that powerlifting has created across Defence. It’s a human, inspiring piece that looks at strength, not just in physical terms, but also in resilience, confidence, and teamwork.

The documentary will go live this Friday 16 January, and the link in advance is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m-VOdCSDU8

For further information please go to: https://www.bfbs.com/

January Quest Magazine is Out Now

To read this issue online (and previous issues), please go to: https://www.questonline.co.uk/magazine-archive

BFBS Launches First-Ever AI Skills Programme Exclusively for Military Partners

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) has officially launched its AI Skills For Military Partners programme, an innovative course designed to help military partners build practical digital skills, expand career opportunities, and strengthen employability in a fast-changing, tech-driven world.

The programme, delivered through BFBS Academy, blends self-paced online learning with monthly live evening webinars and four one-off in-person workshops to be held in Cyprus, Catterick, Blandford, and Edinburgh. Fully funded by a £66,884 grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the programme is tailored specifically for the needs of the armed forces community.

Jackie Collins, Head of Social Media at BFBS (Academy & Creative) and lead on the course, said: “Launching this programme at the start of the year is the perfect way to help military partners set themselves up for success in 2026. With practical AI skills, participants can confidently explore new opportunities, grow their careers, or enhance their businesses, turning the promise of new year in real action and results.”

Throughout the programme, BFBS Academy will support participants with tailored guidance, practical applications, and one-to-one coaching to ensure the training is meaningful, accessible, and immediately applicable.

The course will enable participants to:

• Build foundational AI skills relevant for real-world applications
• Understand how AI tools can enhance work or business growth
• Learn at their own pace with flexible online options, supported by live webinars and workshops
• Navigate AI responsibly and confidently

The launch marks a major milestone for BFBS Academy, reinforcing its mission to provide innovative, accessible training for the armed forces community, and empower military partners with the tools they need to thrive in a digital future.

Launch video: https://we.tl/t-ev4RgxmD9a

For further information, visit: BFBS Academy.

For general updates, follow BFBS Academy on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Supporting the Unsung Hero: Business Start-up Programme - Starting 28 Jan

Link for more information and to register:  https://x-forces.com/supporting-the-unsung-hero/

NHS Healthy Choice Quiz: What's your score?

We are supporting the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS on a new campaign encouraging all adults to take the Healthy Choices Quiz. This health and wellbeing quiz aims to empower adults to take control of their health by making small changes day to day.

Taking around 5 minutes to complete it asks questions about your lifestyle in the areas of eating, movement, alcohol consumption, smoking and vaping, mental health and sleep. You’ll receive an overall score based on your answers. This score indicates how your lifestyle could be affecting your health and wellbeing.

You’ll also be directed to guidance and advice for areas you could improve including a range of free NHS apps and tools. From a 9-week running programme for absolute beginners, to an anxiety reducing email programme, the NHS has a range of support on offer.

Whether you want to eat better, move more or sleep deeper, the Healthy Choices Quiz can be your first step towards a healthier you.

Take the free NHS Healthy Choices Quiz today: https://www.nhs.uk/hcquiz

Food Standards Agency: Consumer Recall Notice – Nestlé SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula

On 05 January 2026, Nestle voluntarily recalled 12 SMA infant formula products as a precaution due to potential contamination with cereulide toxin from Bacillus cereus bacteria. Bacillus cereus infection or cereulide toxin poisoning most commonly causes rapid onset (between 15 minutes and 6 hours) vomiting and diarrhoea that is self-limiting and generally resolves in 24 hours. No cases had been microbiologically confirmed as of 08 January 2026.

Advice for parents, carers and guardians:

• If Nestlé SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula are used, check the batch codes to determine whether the product fall under the remit of the recall (see website below).
• If there is a match, stop consumption of the food product and report it to Nestle via https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/getintouch or call the careline on 0800 081 8180.
• Consumption must stop even if the infant has not displayed any signs of il-health (nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps).
• For health concerns, please seek advice from healthcare professionals, i.e., health visitor, GP, NHS 111.
• If the formula or follow-on formula was prescribed by a health professional for your infant, consult a pharmacist or other medical professional before changing formula.

The batch codes for the affected food products are listed in the Food Standards Agency news alert which is also being updated regularly.

The National Transition Event 2026, Delivered by Mission Motorsport - 2 Mar

The National Transition Event (NTE) returns for its 7th year on 2nd March 2026, set against the iconic backdrop of Silverstone Racetrack and it’s bigger, bolder, and more empowering than ever.

This year’s theme, “NTE – Celebrating our national asset: the UK’s Armed Forces community,” reflects exactly what this event stands for: recognising your value and supporting you to find THE job, not just a job.

Whether you’re just starting your resettlement journey or you’re a seasoned veteran already exploring your next move, NTE is designed to give you a clear, honest, and objective view of the civilian workplace and the communities that support it. Our aim is simple: to leave you feeling empowered, informed, and confident about your future.

Delivered by Mission Motorsport in association with Mission Community, NTE brings together over 1,900 participants, including Service Leavers, Veterans, Reservists, Cadets (16+), family members, employers, Armed Forces charities, and key decision-makers. You’ll have direct access to organisations such as the Ministry of Defence, Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Gold Alumni Association, and dozens of service charities, all in one place, on one powerful day.

BFBS to broadcast live Betfred Challenge Cup matches for Armed Forces communities

Credit: John Shirras

BFBS enters major broadcast line-up alongside BBC and The Sportsman for Betfred Challenge Cup as coverage expands to Armed Forces.

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) will join the BBC and The Sportsman as an official broadcast partner for the Betfred Challenge Cup, bringing live coverage of first-round matches involving UK Armed Forces teams to service personnel worldwide.

It begins at 1.45pm (UK) on Saturday 10 January, with the British Army taking on Wests Warriors live from Aldershot, presented by BFBS’s Cath Brazier, with commentary from BFBS’s Simon Hunter.

BFBS coverage will be available live on BFBS Forces News YouTube channel and BFBS TV. The BFBS YouTube channel continues to be the primary destination for live military sport, with 71 broadcasts in 2025, reaching over 1.8m views, while BFBS TV enables personnel on bases and ships worldwide to watch their teams perform.

Pinnacle Service Families Virtual Outreach Day 14th January 2026

If you wish to book an appointment with the virtual outreach team, please use the QR code on the poster.

Serve & Protect Credit Union: 2026 Upcoming Webinars

 

Upcoming Webinars for 2026

To find out more and to register Click Here