Dorset: Unwanted free household collection service for local residents

Are you due to move soon and would like to donate unwanted furniture, household goods?

Dorset Reclaim is a not-for-profit furniture re-use project offering electrical and household goods donated from local people & businesses to the general public with additional discounts available for households on low incomes.

Click HERE for more information or to donate unwanted household goods (in good or working condition) 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

South East: Reserve Forces' & Cadets' Association for the South East

South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (SERFCA) is one of 13 RFCAs UK-wide, SERFCA is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Arms’ Length Body, responsible to the Defence Council, but separate from military chains-of-command. SERFCA supports the Reserve Forces and Cadets from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force in the Counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and East and West Sussex. SERFCA also helps connect Defence with Society.

If you are interested in becoming a 'Reservist' please click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Scotland: Leuchars HIVE Easter closure

Leuchars HIVE will be closed Friday 3rd April and re-open Monday 13th April. 

 

If your enquiry is urgent please contact our North HIVE Hub via email 

📧RC-Pers-HIVE-NorthHub-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk 

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Ministry of Defence’s survey for Armed Forces families closes soon…

Ministry of Defence’s survey for Armed Forces families closes soon…

The Ministry of Defence’s Families Continuous Attitude Survey closes in two weeks, on 15 April 2026. Don’t miss the chance to have your say on life as an Armed Forces family.

Armed Forces families make extraordinary sacrifices and contributions to support serving personnel and keep Britain safe. Your dedication and support underpin the operational effectiveness of the UK Armed Forces.

At a time of rising global uncertainty, your support has never been more important. With increasing demands on serving personnel and families, it is essential that the Armed Forces community feels safe and supported at home.

The Ministry of Defence’s Families Continuous Attitude Survey is an opportunity to share thoughts and shape policies to enhance your family’s experiences, as valued members of the Armed forces community.

Catterick: North HIVE Hub Easter Closure

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

 

Highlands: Month of the Military Child Design a Logo

Armed forces families in Highland will be recognised, and celebrated, throughout April during the Month of the Military Child.

This year Highland Council’s Military Liaison Group (education) ran a ‘Design a Logo’ competition, asking children and young people to help create a visual reminder of the military children being supported.

This logo will now be used every April, in the Month of the Military Child which celebrates those children and young people from Armed Forces Families who are learning new ways, settling into new places and doing their best while their families serve, or when they did serve.

The competition attracted entries from across Highland, and judges were amazed by the creativity and artwork of all entries.

There were category winners for school stages, but the overall winner came from an upper primary pupil from Drakies Primary School, Inverness.

To read more 👉 Highland marks Month of the Military Child - Highland Council

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Vale of Glamorgan: Easter news, events and updates from across the Vale of Glamorgan

 
Vale of Glamorgan Council Easter Update:

Dear Resident,

As we welcome the lighter days and look ahead to Easter and early summer, here’s a round‑up of news, events and updates from across the Vale:

New Llwybr Cymru Trail – First Section Opens in Porthkerry

The first 80km section of the Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail, part of the National Forest for Wales, officially launched in Porthkerry Country Park earlier this month.

This new long‑distance route celebrates Welsh nature, woodland and local heritage. Find out more: Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail | GOV.WALES

If you're out and about across the Vale this Easter you might also notice we have upgraded the public toilet facilities at Porthkerry Country Park and Cosmeston Lakes Country Park recently with further upgrades underway in our four main town centres:

• Llantwit Major - complete
• Cowbridge - complete,
• Barry - underway,
• Penarth - coming soon

Bovington: Wool Parish Newsletter April 2026

 

The latest edition is available. Click HERE to read. 

Local information, events, notices & updates

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Leuchars: East of Scotland Combined Medical Practice (EoSCMP) – Service Update

The practice will soon be relocating to the new Leuchars Health Centre, and we thank our patients for their tolerance during this disruptive moving period. 

We have now received further updates indicating that we should be able to move into the new Health Centre in the coming weeks. This will require a temporary reduction in clinical services during the transition to enable the final stages of the move.

Service changes during the transition:

From 7 April 2025, the practice will operate an emergency-only provision. Urgent and unscheduled care, as well as urgent operational medical support, will continue unaffected. However, routine and non-urgent appointments will be delayed until the week beginning 27 April.

Hereford: Herefordshire’s new Garden Waste Collection Service starts Mon 30 Mar

If you’ve signed up, make sure to check your collection day online and have your bin out on time.

You can recycle:
Grass cuttings
Hedge clippings
Leaves
Small branches

All turned into compost to support local green growth.

Not signed up yet? It costs just £60 per year, with flexible options to share or add extra bins.

Check your collection date and find out more here: https://orlo.uk/LmzjR

 Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Tourist Information Centre

Aldershot Tourist Information Centre has a wide range of information to help you enjoy your stay in Aldershot. The staff will be pleased to help you plan your visit and provide advice on where to stay and what to do.

For further information and opening times please click HERE

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Catterick: X Forces Supporting the Unsung Hero Business Start-Up Course 14 - 16 April

 

There are still a few places left, for more information please go to www.x-forces.com/supporting-the-unsung-hero

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Reading Force: Request your FREE books for Month of the Military Child

 

With Month of the Military Child just around the corner in April, Reading Force are encouraging families to sign up for their free books and resources, available to all Forces families, serving, veteran, reservist, or ex-serving (including those affected by bereavement, separation, or divorce), with children or grandchildren aged 0–18.

Find out more at: https://www.readingforce.org.uk/

Military Connected Children and Young People – Survey invitation: Our Health, Our Community, Our Voice

We need your help! We're asking children and young people from military families to answer some questions and we'd really love to hear from you!

What is it all about? We want to find out what life is like for children who have a parent or guardian in the military. We're asking questions about your home, your school, your friends, and how you feel. This helps us understand what's great about military life, and where young people might need more support.

What are Social Determinants of Health? These are just the things around you that can affect how healthy and happy you feel, like where you live, who you spend time with, whether you feel safe, and whether you can get help when you need it.

What will I need to do? You'll be asked to fill in an online survey. It's not a test and there are no right or wrong answers! It will take about 10–15 minutes and you can do it at home or at school.

Everything you say is private. Your name won't be shared with anyone.

Why should I do it?

• Because your opinion really matters!
• To help other children in military families get better support
• Hundreds of young people all over the UK are doing it too and you'll be part of something really important

Please use the relevant QR to your age group in the poster attached. Or follow the links below to the survey:

Age 8-11 – Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Age 12-15 – Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Age 16-18 - Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New funding opens to help young service children get the best start in life

New funding opens to help young service children get the best start in life

Young children in serving armed forces families often experience change in their early years before they even start school.

Frequent moves, long periods of separation, and the pressures of service life can all affect a child’s sense of stability at a critical stage of development.

A new round of funding has now opened to help early years providers and local authorities respond to these challenges and give service children the strong, nurturing start they deserve.

Early Years Programme

The Early Years programme delivered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, is part of the Armed Forces Families Fund. It supports projects that improve childcare provision for children aged birth to five from serving armed forces families. Focus is on helping early years settings develop practical projects that reflect the realities of military life, ensuring young service children can access safe, consistent environments that support their learning, wellbeing and sense of security before they begin primary school.

What funding can support

Grantham: Housing Surgery

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

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Catterick: New Phone Number for Catterick Medical Centre in Cambrai Lines

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Bovington: Winfrith drama group

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

St Athan: The Gathering Place Community Survey Open

Click poster to enlarge

The Gathering Place: 
Shaping the Future Together - The Gathering Place Community Survey

The Gathering Place is a welcoming, accessible building at the heart of St Athan. Built as both a Methodist church and community space, it has grown into a valued local hub. Around 200 people use the building each week for activities that support connection, wellbeing and community life.

We are currently making plans for the future and are keen to hear from local people about their ideas for activities that could take place in the building. We'd be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete our community survey.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub. 

Leominster: Coffee with a Cop drop in sessions in Leominster - 26th & 30th March 2026

Leominster Safer Neighbourhood Team - Coffee with a Cop.

Do you have a burning local policing question that you would like to ask a member of the Leominster Safer Neighbourhood team? In the next few weeks, we are hosting several coffee with a cop events, where you can pop along and share any policing concerns or pop and meet a member of the team.

• 26th March 2026 at 1130-1230hrs The Grange Court, leominster
• 30th March 2026 at 1400-1500hrs 35 West Street, Leominster

We look forward to seeing you there!
On behalf of Leominster Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.