BFBS to Launch First-Ever AI Skills Programme Exclusively for Military Partners

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) has been awarded a significant grant of £66,884 from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to deliver a groundbreaking AI skills programme exclusively for military partners helping them develop digital skills, grow career opportunities and strengthen employability in an increasingly tech-driven world.

The programme, which will be the first of its kind and part of the BFBS Academy, launches in January 2026. It will combine flexible online learning that participants can complete in their own time, in addition to monthly live evening webinars and four one-off in-person workshops across Cyprus, Catterick, Blandford, and Edinburgh. The entire programme will be fully funded by the grant.

Jackie Collins, Head of Social Media at BFBS (Academy & Creative) who is leading this initiative and will oversee the programme’s delivery said: “The grant is a game-changer for military partners. With so much hype and confusion around AI, this innovative course will focus on delivering practical skills that cut through the noise, giving participants the confidence and knowledge to explore new job opportunities, develop careers or take businesses to the next level.”

BFBS Academy will guide participants throughout the programme, providing one-on-one coaching, to ensure training is meaningful and accessible to all military partners.

The programme will help participants:Build foundational AI skills relevant to real-world projects
Explore how AI tools can support work or business growth
Access training in a format that fits around military life and day-to-day jobs
Understand and navigate AI responsibly

The funding marks a major milestone for BFBS Academy’s mission to provide innovative, accessible training for the armed forces community, empowering military partners with the tools they need to thrive in a digital future.

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

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Almost £1 Million awarded to support more partners of serving personnel

When someone joins the armed forces, it’s a career and a lifestyle that extends to their entire family.

Behind every serving member, whether regular or reserve, is a network of loved ones who quietly support from the sidelines. But for the partners, life in the armed forces can set unique challenges such as relocations, career disruptions, isolation, and the emotional toll from long separations.

Delivered on behalf of the MOD and designed specifically with service partners in mind, the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme provides tailored solutions and dedicated support to help navigate the demands of service life. It recognises that while service members wear the uniform, their partners also serve in their own way – often by juggling family life, careers, and personal wellbeing.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has supported a further 17 projects in the latest funding round, worth almost £1 million to projects that aim to improve the overall provision of support available to partners of serving personnel. Whether it’s promoting skills and experience in the workplace, enhancing access to vital services, or improving wellbeing – these projects are committed to empowering partners to thrive.

Supporting partners across Wales

Adferiad has been awarded a grant to deliver an 18-month, Wales-wide programme aimed at supporting partners into volunteering and employment.

Northern Ireland: Latest Edition of NI4 Kids is out now

 

To read the latest edition on line, please click here

Information provided by HIVE NI

MOD Update: Credit union service for Defence people celebrates 10-year anniversary

Credit union service for Defence people celebrates 10-year anniversary

This month marks 10 years since the launch of Joining Forces – the collaboration of three credit unions, established to help Service Personnel and Defence civil servants save regularly and borrow responsibly.

The Joining Forces Credit Union (JFCU) service – which now supports over 27,000 members – provides a range of simple savings accounts and affordable loans, to help Service Personnel (Regulars and Reservists), veterans, and their families access financial products. Repayments can be made straight from military pay or pension.

Defence Civil Servants can also use the service, with saving and loan repayments made via Direct Debit – rather than payroll deduction.
What is a credit union?

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Latest funding helps change the narrative for servicewomen

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has awarded eight projects a share of over £650,000 under its Service Women: Seen & Heard programme, focusing on the specific needs of women in our armed forces.

As of April 2025, women represented 11.9% of the UK regular armed forces; however, many still describe it as a ‘man’s world’.

From ill-fitting uniform to availability of sanitary products; a lack of recognition of the role many servicewomen play as main caregiver to their family, to a lack of understanding of the symptoms of menopause. Applications to the Trust’s servicewomen-focused programme made it clear that change is needed.

Body talk

Working across the UK, the Defence General Practice Women’s Health Special Interest Group: Academic Department of Military General Practice, will create a series of short, animated educational clips on servicewomen’s health.

The clips will be designed for use in facilitated discussions across recruitment, training, service and leadership, covering topics such as menstruation, vulval health, urination, menopause, reproductive health and more. This work will support awareness and wellbeing, as well as contribute towards gender-informed leadership in military settings – a key theme of the Atherton inquiry.

Surg Lt Cdr Ruth Guest explains: “Servicewomen tell us about struggling to manage periods on deployment, facing stigma around menopause, or not knowing where to seek support for female specific conditions. With this funding, we can turn lived experience into lasting educational tools that will improve confidence and wellbeing for serving women but also create meaningful discussions and culture change across Defence as a whole.”

Menopause support

Leuchars: Deployment support for RAF personnel at Leuchars

click on image to enlarge

RAF Personnel stationed at Leuchars are part of the military community, they and their families are welcomed to Station events, coffee mornings and activities provided by the Leuchars Welfare Teams. 

HIVE is also here for the RAF Families and has contact with the RAF HIVE Information Support Officer and SSAFA at RAF Lossiemouth. 

RAF Lossiemouth HIVE have produce the Deployment Support document above for RAF personnel at Leuchars.

If you require further help then please contact HIVE at Leuchars.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Grantham: Contact Welfare House

1 fully furnished 2 bedroom house which can be booked for family & friends.

Maximum sleep is 4 with a travel cot for 1 child.
Bedding provided.
No pets.
No smoking.

£30 per night.

The Contact House is available provided there are no emergency cases.
Emergency cases take priority which may result in immediate vacating.

For bookings and further information please contact the Unit Station Welfare on 07879119195.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

New Award Made under The Armed Forces Covenant Fund: Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme

Bereaved families within the armed forces community will soon benefit from specialist mental health and wellbeing support, thanks to a significant investment from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund’s ‘Empowering Bereaved Military Families’ programme.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) awarded nearly £2 million to Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) to deliver targeted support – including counselling, emotional and practical care - to military families who’ve lost loved ones during or connected to service.

Long-term vison for transformational change

Petersfield: Armed Forces drop-in Centre Winton House Centre first Thurs every month 1600hrs - 2000hrs

Click HERE for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Church Crookham: Hope Hampshire free community breakfast service every 1st Sunday of the month 1000 to 1200hrs

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Mission Motorsport October Newsletter

This edition of the newsletter covers the events from September and what’s coming up in October.

Highlights include:

• Mission Motorsport’s first Hypercar Invitational at Anglesey, combining community, recovery, and motorsport.
• Operations Manager Mark “Chalky” White winning the 2025 Armed Forces Race Challenge.
• The launch of fundraising and outreach initiatives including #YourRoR, the Biathlon of Foolishness, and ink-cartridge recycling.
• Upcoming events: Banter, Brews & Cars (15 Oct), Veterans @ Heritage (24 Oct), and the opening of Race of Remembrance 2025 entries.
• Other news and updates.

To read the full newsletter, view it on the Mission Motorsport website here.

Oxfordshire: Fostering with Oxfordshire County Council

Fostering with Oxfordshire County Council and the difference it makes. 

It might be early days and you're just curious, you may have questions that you would like answering or have been thinking about fostering for a while - take a look at the website for more information. 

Click HERE for more information. 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Leuchars: Scots DG PRI Minibus

click on image to enlarge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Rail industry offers free rail travel to help veterans and Armed Forces attend Remembrance Services

Free rail travel offered for serving military personnel and veterans attending Services of Remembrance on 9 November.

Free rail travel offered for Royal British Legion London Poppy Day volunteers and collectors on 30 October, with an additional one day either side of the event.

Travel includes London Terminals and Services of Remembrance nationwide, with proof of ID required.

For more information, click here.

Lincoln: Veterans & Families Open Day - Veterans Awareness Seminar

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Housing Surgery

Next Housing Surgery at the HIVE Community Centre, Building 162, Thursday 16th October, 1030 - 1230. All welcome!

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Wiltshire: 'Be Flood Ready' campaign

 

With winter approaching and the risk of heavy rainfall increasing, Wiltshire Council is encouraging residents and businesses to take simple steps now to prepare for potential flooding.

Flooding can happen quickly and cause serious disruption to homes, roads, and communities. That's why the council has launched a campaign to raise awareness of local flood risks and promote practical actions that can help reduce damage and keep people safe.

Key steps to prepare can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/be-flood-ready-wiltshire-council-urges-residents-to-prepare-ahead-of-winter-weather

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Catterick: Home-start is calling for Volunteers

Our next Volunteer Preparation Course will be starting in the New Year 

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a volunteer and making a real difference for families in Richmondshire, this is your chance to get started. 

Contact us today to sign up and secure your place! Spaces are limited, so don’t wait too long.

info@homestart-richmondshire.org.uk
 01748 850079

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

St Athan: Remembrance Sunday 2025 at St Tathan Church on Sun 09 Nov 25

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Haverfordwest: Haverfordwest Remembrance 2025

Click poster to enlarge.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.