Give Us Time – Welfare breaks for late April, May, and June

Please see our newest Spring update, highlighting our breaks for late April, May, and June. All the breaks are available on the website, except for the Kidlandlee breaks which can only be booked via email

• All our breaks and days out are donated, so are usually off peak. We are unable to request alternative dates or locations from those donated
• Bookings are made on a first come first served basis
• Families must be signed up on our website before making a booking

We will be adding ‘Give Us A Moment’ days out shortly for the summer, and our September and October breaks will be added onto the website in the summer

www.giveustime.org.uk

Wilshire: Latest updates from Families Out Loud

Families Out Loud is a Wiltshire charity working with families challenged by someone else’s drug and alcohol dependency, supporting them to bravely build a better life.

When the first signs of Spring begin to appear, many of us notice a shift in the world around us, and also within ourselves, too. Spring can bring a sense of renewal, but it can also highlight how heavy things have felt over the winter months.

If you're supporting a loved one through drug or alcohol use, this time of year can be complicated. You might feel pressure to feel 'better' or more optimistic, while stilll carrying the same worries, exhaustion, or uncertainty.

Wherever you are right now, please know this: you are not alone, and you are not expected to have everything figured out. We see you and we're here to walk alongside you, in every season.

Please click here to read the latest news from Families Out Loud, which includes details of the local event below.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Bovington: Garrison contact houses for short term accommodation use

To check availability or to book click HERE

or email Zoe.VandeZande667@mod.gov.uk Tel: 01929 402239 during office hours

For all bookings, a £50 deposit will be required within 7 days of making the booking and the full balance is to be paid 28 days prior to stay. The rate is set at £50 per night for the first three nights, then £25 per night thereafter.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Citizens Advice sessions at Bovington HIVE every Thursday - Free advice & support

The mobile advice bus will be parked adjacent to the HIVE building (Corner of King George V Road & Swinton Avenue) Speak to advisors face to face.

Available to all Garrison personnel, spouses, partners, reserves, veterans, civil servants, MOD contractors and local civilian community. Confidentiality guaranteed.

Appointments are not necessary, just turn up. First come, first serve basis.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Hounds for Heroes: Latest Newsletters

Click image to enlarge.

Hounds for Heroes latest newsletters are now available:

Winter edition

Autumn 2025 edition

The Hounds for Heroes mission is to provide specially trained assistance dogs to injured or disabled service personnel and veterans, helping them to regain independence, confidence, and companionship.

To find out more about Hounds for Heroes please go to: Hounds for Heroes Assistance Dogs | Hounds for Heroes

Celebrating 30 Years of Army Welfare Service

On 01 April 2026, the Army Welfare Service (AWS) marked its 30th anniversary - three decades of dedicated support to soldiers, their families, and the wider Armed Forces community in the UK and overseas. Since its re‑rolling in 1996, AWS has grown into a dynamic organisation that unites Specialist Welfare, Community Support, and Business Support, bringing together civil servants and Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC) personnel under one mission: delivering exceptional welfare support to the Army family.

The AWS has its origins in the Families Housing and Welfare Service (FHWS), established in 1977 within the AGC. The first male SNCOs joined FHWS in 1993, and the service became the AWS on 1 April 1996. The introduction of civilian Army Welfare Workers (AWWs) in 1999 strengthened the civil–military partnership, while the 2001/02 Welfare Review shaped the modern structure recognised today.

Fife: Cafe Inc is back in your are for the School holidays 6th April to Friday 17th April

Café Inc will be back across Fife during the Easter holidays (Monday 6 – Friday 17 April) for children and young people under 18.

It provides free tasty, healthy meals while our schools are closed. Please be aware that meals are only available while stocks last.

No need to book, just turn up.

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Any adult accompanying a child (under and over 10) can also have a meal if they wish, subject to availability.

Leuchars

The Coach House The Coach House, Main Street, Leuchars
Cold packed lunches
Availability:
Tuesday and Fridays
Throughout holidays
11.45am-1pm

Kent & Medway: Domestic Abuse Support

 

Trigger Warning: Domestic abuse can lead to a person feeling like there is no escape and having suicidal thoughts. 30% of suspected suicides in Kent and Medway have domestic abuse as a factor (@KentPolice).

Support services are there for anyone experiencing abuse and can provide practical and emotional support including refuge, safe accommodation, specialist programmes and 1-2-1 help.

Find help and resources:

Domestic Abuse (domesticabuseservices.org.uk)

Mental health - Kent County Council

Every Mind Matters - Kent County Council

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub 

Recruit for Spouses – Latest Newsletter with FREE support resources and upcoming events

The latest newsletter from Recruit for Spouses includes the following articles:

• Free counselling support for military personnel, veterans, and families
• Upcoming online events, such as Making Sense of Pensions: Support and Guidance for Military Families on 22 Apr, and Breaking Down Imposter Syndrome: Confidence Building Workshop on 7 May
• Information and a survey invitation regarding the Foreign & Commonwealth Programme

To view the newsletter in full, please go to: Recruit for Spouses Newsletter – Mar 26

Army Welfare Service – Contact Number Changes for Intake & Assessment Team (IAT) and Services Cotswold Centre

Please be advised that the Army Welfare Service has introduced updated contact numbers for two key services. These new numbers are now active and replace the previous lines, which have been permanently disconnected.

Intake & Assessment Team (IAT)

07813 019 490

The IAT remains available for queries, phone referrals, support, and contact from units, partners, and Service Users via:

• Telephone: 07813 019 490
• Email: RC-AWS-IAT-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
• Referral Form: via the standard AWS referral process - Army Welfare Service (AWS) Specialist Welfare (SW) Referral Form – Fill in form

Services Cotswold Centre

03311 432754

This number replaces the previous SCC contact line.

The Ripple Pond Newsletter Spring 2026: Together, We're Shaping Better Support for Families

Please find our Spring 2026 Newsletter jampacked with information for all those in the Armed Forces Community

To read this issue online, please go to: Spring 2026 Newsletter  

Grantham: HAY Lincolnshire

haysouthkesteven.co.uk/

Boosting your mental health and wellbeing!

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

PAPYRUS: Fully funded Suicide Prevention Training for Veteran communities

PAPYRUS has been awarded funding by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to provide fully funded suicide prevention training for those working with or supporting veterans. The aim is to equip participants with skills to identify warning signs, intervene effectively, and reduce stigma around mental health and suicide among veterans. The training is available across the UK. If you work with or support veterans, please do book onto a course: Armed Forces (Veterans) Training | Papyrus

Also see: Funded suicide prevention training in your area | Papyrus

HOPELINE247: HOPELINE247 advisers work with you to understand why thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else’s ability to stay safe. For anyone under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and for anyone concerned that a person could be thinking about suicide visit HOPELINE247 | Papyrus

Give Us Time: Spring Welfare Updates

Church Crookham: Army Welfare Service Volunteers to join a Committee.

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) Survey: Access to Health and Wellbeing Services

The Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) is a tri-service group for Serving personnel, reservists and their families who have a child or adult immediate family member with an additional need and/or disability. FANDF is a unique group as it is run by a committee of members whose vision is ‘to ensure that all Forces families with additional needs and disabilities receive the support they need’ and aims to be the voice of Forces families with additional needs and disabilities. 

FANDF invites you to complete their short survey which explores your experiences of accessing health and wellbeing services while navigating life as a Forces family with additional needs and/or disabilities. This includes access to mental health support, CAMHS, and the continuity of care across postings.

Findings will be analysed and used to develop evidence based recommendations that will be shared with policymakers and relevant subject matter experts across defence, health, and local government to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of need is reflected in policy and deliverable services.

Thank you for taking the time to support this important work and drive positive change.

The deadline for responses is Friday 27 March.

Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out at: CS.ANDA@ssafa-fhs.org.uk

Family Action: Free counselling support for military personnel, veterans, and families

 

In support of the British forces, Relate (part of Family Action) can provide six free sessions of relationship and family counselling, and counselling for military personnel, veterans, and families (via webcam), for the following –

Who’s eligible	Services	How to apply	More info
Serving RAF personnel RAF Veterans Family members of the above Includes personnel posted/deployed overseas	Relationship Counselling Family Counselling Children’s Counselling Young Person’s Counselling	To access Relate counselling services contact RAFBF at support@rafbf.org.uk or by telephone on 0300 222 5703, Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4.30pm and Friday 9.30am – 4pm. Service ID will be needed	The RAF Benevolent Fund – Relate
Serving Naval personnel Serving Marines Naval/Marine Veterans Family members of the above Serving Royal Fleet Auxiliary Includes personnel posted/deployed overseas	Relationship Counselling Family Counselling Children’s Counselling Young Person’s Counselling Psychosexual Therapy	This is a self‑referral service via a short registration form. Service ID will be needed.	The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity – Relate
Serving Army Personnel and families assigned to British Forces Cyprus	Relationship Counselling Family Counselling Young Person’s Counselling	This is a self‑referral service via a short registration form. Service ID will be needed or if not available we can accept provided the client is residing on a Cyprus military base.	relate.org.uk/army‑central‑fund

Grantham: Coffee and a Natter at the Wellbeing Centre - Grief Share - Grief Support Group - NGAS

www.nationalbereavement.com

Information provided by Grantham HIVE 

Grantham: On camp 2 X AED'S to save lives. In the event of a heart attack/cardiac arrest

Can be accessed by untrained personnel as automated. Located at Guardroom & Gymnasium.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE 

Blandford: Home start - supporting families with young children

Click on poster above to enlarge

                                               

Supporting families with young children through their most challenging times.

To qualify for support, a family must have a least one child under 5.

Email: office@homestartblackmorevale.org.uk

Phone/Text: 01935 726438

Information provided by Bovington HIVE