Victory Services Club - December 25 Newsletter

To view the Newsletter, Click Here

Month of the Military Child- April 2026 - Winds of Change

For more information and to find out about the competition and how to join, please click on the link below.

www.neversuchinnocence.com/month-of-the-military-child

Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas Allowance - Now Live

Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) Allowance is now live. 

The final phase of the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Scheme is completed and applications can now be made for providing a reimbursement for the costs of before and after school childcare in overseas locations where WAC eligibility criteria cannot be met due to local rules and regulations or because Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) accounts are not available. 

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 from January 2026.

NHS England - Calling all Young Carers!!!

Book your spot: england.nhsthinkcarer@nhs.net

Information from:Central HIVE Hub

Give Us Time - 2026 breaks are live!

Give Us Time first breaks for 2026 are live on the website now – there are dates in March and April across the UK, in both glamping pods (which sleep up to 4) and holiday lodges (which sleep up to 6). There are two new locations this year as well, at Malvern View in Herefordshire, and Glendal in Cumbria.

As always, the criteria for breaks is here https://giveustime.org.uk/what-we-do/faqs/ and the registration form is here https://bookings.giveustime.org.uk/login

Breaks are accommodation only – Give Us Time do not cover the costs of travel, food, or entertainment as part of the break.

Breaks are booked on a first come first served basis and they ask families to wait 2 years between bookings, but will always consider exceptional circumstances.

More dates for the rest of 2026 will be added soon – announcements will be made on Give Us Time socials here https://www.facebook.com/GiveUsTime and https://www.instagram.com/give_us_time/

Catterick: We value your opinion - What extra entertainment would you like to see at Savoy?

 
We've got some extra room in the building, and we're eager to bring something fresh and exciting to Catterick, alongside the cinema!

We value you your opinion, so please share below what extra entertainment you would like to experience at Savoy. 

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

North Yorkshire: Volunteering opportunities with the Little White Bus

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Grantham: Housing Surgery

Next Housing Surgery at the HIVE Community Centre, Building 162, Thursday 15th January, 1030 - 1230. All welcome!

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Scotland: Scots DG Connect app for serving personnel, veterans and their families

The app is for serving personnel, veterans, their families and members from our antecedent Regiments.

Download RAC Connect now and register for free:

iPhone: https://www.scotsdg.org.uk/apple

Android: https://www.scotsdg.org.uk/android

For a step-by-step guide to download visit: https://www.scotsdg.org.uk/app

The one-time unit access code will be sent on private channels and can be requested as part of the registration process. For any technical assistance, please email help@militaryapp.org

Connecting those who serve, past and present, in one strong community!

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Blandford: Welfare/contact house short term use accommodation

Click on poster above to enlarge

£40 per night for a minimum of 2 nights.

Weekend rates Friday to Monday morning £100.

Full weeks are £225.

A full review of costs will take place at the end of April.

For booking enquiries and to check availability email:

 BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk or call 01258 481938

Information provided by Bovington HIVE via BGSU Welfare team

Bovington: Bump, baby & toddler event - Sun 25th Jan 2026 Register your interest now!

 

In partnership with Little Pickles Markets, The Tank Museum is proud to present its first Bump, Baby & Toddler event – featuring special guest speaker Zoe Blaskey.

Visitors can browse the baby & children’s nearly new sale, listen to a range of talks from our guest speakers, enjoy baby & toddler-friendly activities and enjoy exploring The Tank Museum – with its soft play area, perfect for tots!

Plus, for this event, The Tank Museum is delighted to offer 50% off admission – and under 4s go free! Register your interest Little Pickles Market - The Tank Museum to be notified when tickets become available.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Weeton: The Crofter Village Newsletter - Jan 26

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Dorset: New Year bin collection dates until Mon 12th Jan 2026

 

Usual collection day         Revised collection day

Monday 5 January               Tuesday 6 January

Tuesday 6 January              Wednesday 7 January

Wednesday 7 January        Thursday 8 January

Thursday 8 January            Friday 9 January

Friday 9 January                Saturday 10 January

Collection days will return to normal from Monday 12 January.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Wool Parish Newsletter Jan 2026

 

The latest edition is available. Click HERE to read. 

Local information, events, notices & updates

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Monkey World 50% off entry for locals Fri 2nd - Sat 31st Jan 2026

Monkey World is starting the New Year off with a promotion for all locals to the park- half price off entry during January! From the 2nd to 31st, anyone with a BH, DT or SP postcode will benefit from 50% off the entry price to Monkey World.

To take advantage of this offer, simply book online HERE or buy direct from the gate. 

Proof of address will be required on entry. You will get the best prices by booking online! Offer valid from 2nd-31st January ONLY. Promotions cannot be combined.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE 

Grantham: Shine Connect Winter Support 2025

As we approach the festive season and look ahead to 2026, we are pleased to launch our Shine Connect Christmas and Winter Support Magazine which can be found here: Christmas Shine Connect 2025. It’s a practical information guide designed to support people who may be struggling, feeling isolated, or in need of extra help over the Christmas period.
The magazine brings together a wide range of key services from health, care and community VCFSE partners, all in one place.
It includes information on local support available over Christmas and New Year, warm and welcoming spaces for those who need them, free phone helplines offering a friendly voice, and community services that help people connect with others and reduce loneliness and isolation during the holiday period.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Connect to Support Lincolnshire - Armed Forces Community Directory

Following extensive research this directory was co-produced with input from service families, HIVE’s and veterans’ associations. It was without exception that people wanted a directory where they could find not only national information, but regional and local information where they could seek help, support and advice.

This effective directory which lists a wide range of national, regional and local organisations providing support and advice to the Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community. It should not be taken as an exhaustive list of all services on offer across the UK. lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/armed-forces-community-directory/

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Beacon Cafe a space for Veterans - Military - Reservist - Emergency Services

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Royal Navy Sailing Association: FREE sailing courses for 8-17 year olds – 2026 dates now launched

Please note that these courses are only available to serving RN, RM and RFA families. To find out more please go to: https://rnsayouthcrew.org.uk/

Mission Motorsport – Christmas message and December newsletter

The Mission Motorsport team have the following Christmas message, which includes a link to the Dec newsletter:

As 2025 comes to a close, we’ve been reflecting on another successful year of recovery sport. It has been a year packed full of events, some long-standing favourites and some exciting new additions to the calendar. This year saw a trio of exceptional Race of Remembrance events and alongside incredible fundraising for the #YourRoR campaign. Thank you everyone for your outstanding support and commitment. It has been truly wonderful to share so many memories with you all, and we hope you have enjoyed our activities as much as the team has enjoyed delivering them.

Enjoy a read of December's Newsletter as we look over Race of Remembrance, recovery motorsport, some incredible fundraising and ways to get involved with Mission Motorsport in the new year. There is the exclusive first access to the link to sign up to the National Transition Event 2026.

Our staff will be taking some well-earned Christmas leave, and we will be operating with reduced numbers between 22nd December and 2nd January. If you can’t reach the office by phone, please note that the team@missionmotorsport.org inbox will be checked regularly. If you are struggling over the festive period, you are not alone, and we know that reaching out for support can be a big step but there is always an option Mental Health — MISSION MOTORSPORT.

Finally, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you, beneficiaries, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and supporters for your continued commitment. We truly couldn’t do it without you. We’ll be doing it all again in 2026, so keep an eye out for next year’s calendar of events, which will be published soon!

We’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.