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

Motorfinity: April Newsletter

Motorfinity - April Update

Welcome to the April Motorfinity newsletter! We’re excited to bring you our latest updates, including a Working Well Community podcast with Dr Paige Chana, fresh vehicle insights, theme park competition and helpful new content. This month is all about supporting wellbeing, unlocking savings, and sharing value across your teams.

Clinical psychologist Dr Paige Chana offers powerful insights into supporting wellbeing in complex healthcare environments, showing how psychological approaches can benefit both patients and staff.

New Car Discount with Motorfinity
NHS staff, Armed Forces, Social Care, Emergency Services and Education staff can save thousands on a brand-new car through Motorfinity.

Watch here:
https://youtu.be/PMJHYD8KCUw?si=VfTKzic-BEFLRfLE

👉 We’d love your support—please feel free to share this with colleagues and teams who could benefit from these exclusive savings.

New Vehicle Review: Changan Deepal S07 UK
Explore our latest review of the Changan Deepal S07 and see how it performs on UK roads.

Watch here:
https://youtu.be/LoPebH2IIuE?si=7FEPqI-Qk6F9jf4B

Podcast Feature: Dr Paige Chana
As part of the Working Well Community and Motorfinity’s newly launched Full Tank Thinking podcast series, this conversation was recorded at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Event 2026. It explores NHS workforce pressures, systemic wellbeing, and how psychology can help shape healthier workplaces across sectors.

Topics include:

Defence Update: Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding Overseas Survey 2025 results published

The Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) team commissioned a survey aimed at Armed Forces families living overseas to better understand their lived experience and provide an evidence base to help review current policy processes and develop future policy. The survey was issued to Serving personnel including dual-Serving and spouses/partners assigned overseas.

To view the results of the survey, please go to this link: Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding Overseas Survey 2025 - GOV.UK

Defence Update: Helping our people understand the Armed Forces Covenant’s support and extension

Helping our people understand the Armed Forces Covenant’s support and extension

A grant of £370,000 has been awarded to drive awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant – helping more Service personnel and families to access support and understand how the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty extension, as part of the Armed Forces Bill, will directly benefit them.

The Army Families Federation (AFF) will receive the grant on behalf of the Tri-Service Families Federations, which includes the AFF, Naval Families Federation and the RAF Families Federation. Together, they will develop the Covenant Awareness Programme, coordinating efforts with other relevant organisations.

Funded for two years by the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Covenant Awareness Programme will:

• Significantly improve awareness and understanding of the Armed Forces Covenant by creating and sharing resources and engaging with Service families.
• Enhance the well-being and resilience of Service families through better access to resources and support networks.
• Inform Service families of how the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty extension through the Armed Forces Bill – which is progressing through Parliament – will positively impact them.

What does extending the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty mean for the Service community?

Fife: Citizens Advice and Rights Fife Scam Alert

We’ve been made aware of a scam where callers are pretending to be from Citizens Advice. These scams are becoming increasingly convincing and detailed.

Scammers are contacting individuals claiming they are owed money (e.g. refunds for mortgage or loan interest) and may:

🔹Already know personal details like your address or bank
🔹Offer to deliver cash in person
🔹Ask for bank account information

🚨 Citizens Advice will NEVER cold call you to offer money or ask for your bank details.

If you receive a call like this:

🔹Do NOT share any personal or financial information
🔹Hang up immediately
🔹Contact your bank
🔹Report the incident to the police via 101
🔹Call Advice Direct for further guidance
🔹Change your online passwords, especially for banking

📱 If you or someone you know receives a similar call, please report it and help spread awareness.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Vale of Glamorgan: Soft plastic collections start from Mon 13th April across the Vale of Glamorgan

Vale of Glamorgan Council:

A quick reminder that our soft plastics recycling collection service has now launched across Barry and the rural Vale

You should already have received:

• A roll of blue bags for your soft plastics
• An information leaflet explaining what can and cannot be recycled

If you live in Barry or the Rural Vale and haven’t received your bags yet, please let us know via our online form

For residents in Penarth, Dinas Powys and surrounding areas who took part in the pilot:

During April and May, we’ll be delivering your next roll of sacks.

From 2027, all households will have one roll delivered per year. You’ll also be able to pick up additional rolls from local libraries and Civic Offices if needed.

We've explored a range of options but as the rolls are larger than standard food caddy liners, we’re unable to carry them on collection vehicles for ad hoc requests.

Thank you for all your recycling efforts.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

North Yorkshire: Register to use Household Waste Recycling Centres from 27th April

 
From Monday 27 April, residents will need to register before visiting any of our household waste recycling centres.

Registration is free, takes a couple of minutes, and lasts for three years.

Residents can register online from Monday 27 April and use the centres straight away. Nothing will be sent in the post, and staff will check vehicle number plates on arrival.

Owners of commercial‑like vehicles will also be able to make up to 12 free visits per year to dispose of their own household waste once registered. Commercial-like vehicle registrations will last for one year.

See full details at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/.../new-registration-scheme...

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Grantham: Free 12 week Walking Tennis Programme at Wyndham Park

We are excited to let you know that we have teamed up with Grantham Tennis Club to deliver an external physical activity group – Walking Tennis! This 12 week programme is for anyone currently undertaking less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week. It will start on Monday 11th May (1.30pm – 2.30pm) and will take place at Wyndham Park.

To get signed up, clients can use this form Grantham Tennis Club & One You Lincolnshire - Walking Tennis Programme at Wyndham Park or can contact Grantham Tennis Club directly via their phone number (01476 591391) or email address (Darren.taxis@granthamtennisclub.co.uk).

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

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

Grantham: Ladies & Gents Hairdresser, Community Centre Building 162, Wednesdays 10am - 2pm

All welcome - walk in trade & mobile bookings available!

Contact the HIVE for further details: 01476 578881.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

North Yorkshire: AWS Summer Residential - closing date for interest is 1st May

2026 AWS SUMMER RESIDENTIAL.

The residential is for 8 to 16yrs olds from military families and is from Mon 10th - Friday 14th Aug with transport from Catterick Garrison, Dishforth Airfield and Alanbrooke Barracks Topcliffe.

This is an initial expression of interest form and does not guarantee your child a place. If successful you will be sent a full registration and medical form closer to the time.

This allows us to fill our allocated spaces with participants in appropriate age and accommodation groups.
Any questions please contact your Community Development Worker or email
rc-aws-e-catterick-csmailbox@mod.gov.uk

The Expression of interest form is available here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/nBAzY7ews0

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

St Andrews/Cupar: North East Fife Basketball Summer Term 23rd Apr to 21st May

click on image to enlarge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Blandford: Garrison Carpet cleaner hire

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Ripon: Ripon Disability Forum

Who hates digging through websites to find links to things like bus passes and blue badge applications?

Save yourself the the headache and use the following link to the RDF Website

www.ripondisabilityforum.co.uk/resources-services/

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Bovington: Garrison Coworking Hub for Military spouses to work & connect

               

"Need a break from the kitchen table office/study setup?"

We’ve got just the spot! The MCN (Military Coworking Network) Bovington hub. Your little slice of calm, focus and unlimited tea/coffee heaven. 

For just £30 a year (yep, a whole year!), you’ll get:
✅ Access to a professional office space

✅ 900 hours of coworking, about 75 hours per month

✅ Screens ready to go

✅ Free use of a colour printer/scanner/photocopier

✅ Good, reliable Wi-Fi

We offer a FREE trial session (3 hours)! Would you like to get booked in for a look around and a proper test-run of the space? Drop us a message if you’ve got any questions, we’d love to help.

Click Bovington | Military Coworking Network to find out more and grab your spot! 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison mini bus for hire

The mini bus can be driven by anyone over the age of 25 years with a clean driving license that has been held for at least 24 months.

Contact Carl.Burman144@mod.gov.uk 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

BFBS Returns as Official Broadcast Partner for the 2026 Inter Services Rugby Championship

Credit: Alligin Photography

BFBS Returns as Official Broadcast Partner for the 2026 Inter Services Rugby Championship

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) is proud to return as the official broadcast partner for the 2026 Inter Services Rugby Championship, delivering comprehensive coverage of both the men’s and women’s competitions this spring.

Celebrating one of the most historic rivalries in military sport, the annual event brings together the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force in a series of fiercely contested fixtures showcasing elite sport, service pride, and unrivalled atmosphere. BFBS will provide exclusive livestreamed coverage of all six games, ensuring audiences around the world can follow every moment of the action.

FamCAS 2026: Last Chance to enter - Survey closes 15 Apr - Daily life as an Armed Forces family - What’s it like?

Daily life as an Armed Forces family: What’s it like?

Credit image above: UK MOD © Crown copyright

If you’re married to – or in a civil partnership with – a member of the Regular Armed Forces, you may have been invited to take part in the Ministry of Defence’s Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS).

Here, you can share your views and experiences about daily life as part of an Armed Forces family, including what you like and any challenges.

Your feedback helps Defence’s policy makers understand how initiatives, support and policies can better meet your family’s needs. Whether that’s with healthcare, housing, training, employment, or childcare and education.

Can I take the survey?

Each year, a random, representative sample of civil partners and spouses of Tri-Service Regular serving personal are invited to complete the survey.

To check if you can take the survey, visit the online tool. To use the tool:

· Enter your partner’s Service number. This is needed for security reasons only; all responses are anonymous and confidential.

· If invited, the tool will take you to the survey. If you aren’t, you can still share some thoughts.

This survey takes around 30 minutes to complete and closes on Wednesday 15 April 2026.
Making life better for Armed Forces families

Armed Forces families are the cornerstone of the Armed Forces. By supporting serving personnel, you play a vital role in Defence’s operational effectiveness. In return, it’s important that you feel heard, supported and know that Defence remains committed to enhancing your experiences.

Recent progress

Bovington: Garrison mini bus hire

Click image above to enlarge

 

You can book the mini bus online via: https://forms.office.com/e/d3miDTGhP9

The driver must have full clean Cat B licence and be over 25 years of age.

Information provided by Bovington 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