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

Free Parkdean Resort Family Breaks 2026 – open to Regular Army personnel and their families

HQ Regional Command has secured a number of fully funded 7-night Parkdean Resort family breaks during 2026.

• Open to all Regular Army personnel
• No eligibility criteria or welfare requirement
• 3-bedroom accommodation (up to 6 people)
• Completely free of charge
• 30% discount voucher for on-site food and beverages
• Selected resorts permit up to two dogs

Army personnel can register their interest via the QR code in the image or this MS Forms: Parkdean Resort Breaks 2026 Fully Funded Family Breaks for Regular Army Personnel – Fill in form

Any questions, please contact any HIVE, or HIVE HQ on RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

The Ripple Pond: Free Thinking Family Autumn E Magazine

As families prepare for a new school year, the return to school can bring a mixture of emotions. New routines, new environments, friendships and the pressures of school can all feel challenging, particularly for children and young people who may already be navigating difficulties at home.

The latest Thinking Family Autumn Magazine is packed with practical ideas to help families through the autumn term, with suggestions for different ages and stages.

Inside you'll find:

• Back-to-school ideas to help make the transition a little easier
• 101 questions to ask instead of “How are you?” to encourage more natural conversations
• Board game recommendations for different ages, providing simple ways to spend time together
• What to do when school feels hard, with ideas for supporting children when school feels overwhelming
• Age-differentiated ideas for younger children through to teenagers
• Simple ways to connect as a family and create opportunities for conversation and wellbeing

Whether you're supporting a child who is looking forward to going back, feeling anxious about the new term, or somewhere in between, we hope you'll find something useful inside.

To read the magazine online, please go to: Autumn Edition of Emagazine, Thinking Family

Colchester: Garrison Community Action Plan - Wednesday 30th September 2026

 

Information Provided by EAST Hub

Blandford: Reach recovery conference - Tues 13th Oct. Book by 30th Sept

 

Information provided Bovington HIVE

Give Us Time: Autumn and Winter breaks

The latest Give Us Time breaks include:

Letham Feus, Scotland
14–18 Sept | Sleeps 4 | HOT TUB

Hayling Island, near Portsmouth
28 Sept–2 Oct | Sleeps 6 | Silver Grade

Sand Le Mere, East Yorkshire
5–9 Oct | Sleeps 6

Bowland Fell, North Yorkshire
12–16 Oct | Sleeps 6

Stowford Farm Meadows, Devon
Camping available all weekends in September

The RV, Falmouth
Dates available in November & December

To find out more please go to: https://bookings.giveustime.org.uk/login

Scotland: 2 Day Woodland Retreat for the Armed Forces Community – Aberdeenshire

DGS Highland Roots Workshop, a 2-Night Nature - Based Woodland Retreat delivered by Operation Cairngorms in partnership with DGS.

The retreat is open to members of the Armed Forces Community and offers two nights away in a relaxed woodland setting with an opportunity to switch off from everyday pressures, spend time outdoors and connect with others.

Across the weekend participants will have the opportunity to enjoy nature connection, practical woodland skills, time around the fire and space to rest and reset. The emphasis is very much on a welcoming, supportive environment rather than a formal programme and no previous outdoor experience is required.

Accommodation is provided on site in yurts and bell tents, and all meals are included.

Arrival: Friday 25 September from 6.00 pm
Departure: Sunday 27 September by 10.00 am
Location: Operation Cairngorms, Aberdeenshire, AB34 4UX
Cost: Free
Places are limited and advance registration is required.

25-27 Sept 2026 - Highland Roots Op CG 2 Night Retreat - Expression of Interest (EOI) (3) – Fill out form

To register an interest ask any questions or reserve a place, please contact pip@defencegardens.org.

Tri-Service Contact House Directory – where to find it online, or how to request a copy

Contact Houses, also known as Welfare Houses or Short-Term Families Accommodation, are military accommodation available predominantly for short-term welfare-related bookings, but can sometimes be used by those visiting for leisure reasons. These houses are usually managed by unit staff, where there will be localised policies on priorities for bookings, booking procedures, costs and how to pay.

To access the most up to date version of the Tri-Service Contact House Directory, please use any of the following options:

• Go to the Army HIVE webpage at www.army.mod.uk/hives and there is a button to download the Directory at the bottom of the page
• Contact your nearest HIVE or RN Family & People Support to request a copy by email. Army HIVEs are listed on www.army.mod.uk/hives, RAF HIVEs can be found on the RAF HIVE Finder at https://www.raf.mod.uk/community-support/serving-families/hive-finder/ and RN Family & People Support local office contact details are at: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/families-and-veterans/local-support-offices
• Contact Army HIVE HQ to request a copy by email via RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
• Contact us via Direct Message on any of our social media channels – please include an email address so the Directory can be sent as an attachment
• Use the Contact Us button on any of the three Army HIVE blogs, where you can submit a request via MS Forms
• Go to Army HIVE SharePoint (MODnet access will be needed) to download a copy

Department for Work & Pensions: Latest roundup of news – 21 Aug 26

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) arrangements for Monday 31 August bank holiday

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) arrangements are different for 31 August bank holiday:

England, Scotland and Wales 

• On Monday 31 August offices and phone lines are closed

To make sure people get their payment on a day when our offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early.

If the expected payment date is Monday 31 August, then benefits will be on Friday 28 August.

If the expected payment date is not shown, customers will get their money on their usual payment date.

Free bus travel 24/7 for disabled people

From 1 April 2027, people who hold a disabled bus pass can travel on buses for free, no matter the time of day. This extra support will help to open up access to workplaces, education, training, and other opportunities as well as giving people breathing space on the cost of living and putting money back in people’s pockets.

Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel between 9.30am and 11pm during weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension.

Read the press release

Government invests in young people with more opportunities close to home

Thousands more young people will be able to gain the skills, qualifications and experience they need for future careers, as part of a major package to break down barriers stopping access to technical education, training, and apprenticeships.

The package includes: A new bursary, worth up to £4,500 per year per household, that will remove a barrier that can otherwise discourage young people from taking up an apprenticeship, helping them build the skills and independence that lead to long-term, well-paid work. Thousands more college places to expand access to skills and training close to home. Free apprenticeship training for all eligible under-25s from August, up to £8,000 in support for SMEs hiring young apprentices, and National Insurance Contributions relief for apprentices under 25 will help deliver 50,000 new youth apprenticeships.

Find out more

Bovington: Tank museum 'On Track' event - Thurs 8th Oct Register now.

Credit: Tankmuseum

On-Track is FREE to attend, and FREE to exhibit. It offers valuable insights on mental and physical health, signposting toward useful communities and organisations that can support the armed forces community, networking opportunities with like-minded organisations, and a Q&A session to address your questions.

The UK Armed Forces community includes:

• Serving Personnel: Regular and reserve members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force.
• Veterans: Anyone who has served for at least one day in the Regular or Reserve Armed Forces.
• Families: Spouses, civil partners, children, and dependent relatives of serving personnel or veterans.
• The Bereaved: The immediate family members and dependents of Service personnel and veterans who have died, regardless of whether the death was connected to their Service.
• Cadet Force Adult Volunteers & Merchant Navy: Adults who volunteer for cadet forces and members of the Merchant Navy who served on commercial vessels in support of legally defined UK military operations

For more information about the event and to register click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

North Wiltshire & Gloucestershire: Unit Welfare and Community Support contact information

 

Please see the links below for the relevant contact details for your Unit:

Little Troopers: August Newsletter

To view the latest Little Troopers newsletter and updates, please go to: Fully-funded football workshops next week plus a summer catch up and looking forward to September

Recruit for Spouses: August Update

 To view the latest RFS newsletter and updates, please go to: Looking for a new job? Read this

Bovington: Garrison welfare team

The Welfare team aims to provide the best possible welfare advice to all soldiers and their families. The Welfare office is located by Costcutter food store on King George V Road, Bovington. 

• Unit Welfare Officer - Mr Adrian Ingham 
• Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - WO2 Scott Forrester

Tel: Welfare Office 01929 402239 or 01929 402240

Email: CMC-BovLulSU-WELFARE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk 

In case of emergency - duty welfare mobile number 07971 577282

Please only contact the duty mobile number if it is an urgent welfare matter. 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison welfare support

The Welfare support teams and chaplaincy services offer support and advice to all Soldiers, Officers and families living or working on the Garrison

Should you require help and support or have a welfare issue please contact a member of your Welfare Team during normal working hours on:

Blandford Garrison Support Unit (BGSU)

Garrison Welfare Clerk - BlandfordGar-BGSU-WCSO Tel: 01258 481938

Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - BLANDFORDGAR-BGSU-GWWO Tel: 01258 482694

Garrison Welfare Officer - BLANDFORDGAR-BGSU-GWO Tel: 01258 481936

BGSU Padre - Revd Carl Stokes 

Carl.Stokes103@mod.gov.uk

11 (RSS) Sig Regt Welfare Team

Unit Welfare Senior NCO - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-Welfare NCO Tel: 01258 482619

Asst Unit Welfare Officer - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-AUWO Tel: 01258 482902

Unit Welfare Officer - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-UWO Tel: 01258 482901

11 Sigs Padre - Rev Caroline Rogers 

Caroline.Rogers118@mod.gov.uk 

Out of hours emergency contact the Guardroom on - 01258 482402.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Give Us Time - September 2026 update

 To find out more please go to www.giveustime.org.uk

Little Troopers: Fully Funded Football Adventure Days - Liverpool, Bournemouth, Norwich, Lincoln & Bromley LAST CHANCE TO BOOK

Little Troopers are delighted to be bringing back their All Together Adventure Days for Summer 2026, thanks to the generous support of their sponsor Telent.

Designed especially for military children, these fully funded days out help children create lasting memories during the school holidays while having fun with others who understand the unique experiences of military life.

This year, Adventure Days will be football-themed, delivered in partnership with football club foundations across the country. As well as developing confidence and enjoying exciting activities, children will have the opportunity to meet others who share similar experiences of Armed Forces life.

For some military children, the school holidays can feel very different when a parent is deployed, away on exercise or working long periods away from home. These special events aim to bring families together, build friendships and create positive memories during times of separation.

Is your Little Trooper experiencing separation from a parent this summer?
If your child has a parent currently away from home due to military service, you can apply for one of the exclusive All Together Football Adventure Days.

A nationwide shared experience
Across the week of 24th–28th August 2026, military children will come together at football clubs across the UK for a special day of fun, connection and shared experiences.

To find out more and for links to register, please click here: Fully Funded Football Adventure Days - Liverpool, Bournemouth, Norwich, Lincoln & Bromley LAST CHANCE TO BOOK

Combat Stress online event: The role of Peer Support in veteran recovery - 23 Sept 26

Join the next Combat Stress Learning event on 23 Sept with Simon West, veteran and Lead Peer Support Coordinator, as he explores the power of Peer Support.

You will hear valuable insights and takeaway tips for how Peer Support could be relevant for you, a veteran you support, or a veteran you live with.

Suitable for professionals, organisations, family and friends alike.

To find about more about the webinar programme series, or to register, please go to: For Family and Friends – Combat Stress Learning

Mission Motorsport August Newsletter

This month, you can read about the new Mission Motorsport Supporter programme, their latest visits to the Nürburgring and Prodrive, Mission Motorsport Racemakers at the British Grand Prix, and much more.

You'll also find details of all upcoming events, with easy sign-up links, volunteering opportunities, and plenty of ways you can support the charity.

You can read the August newsletter online here:

Mission Motorsport Newsletter: August 2026 — MISSION MOTORSPORT.

Please note the Mission Motorsport office number is currently not working. Please email team@missionmotorsport.org to contact us. 

NAAFI Fund 2026: there’s a month left to submit your applications – closes 4th Sept

The NAAFI Fund portal is still open for applications.

Since their launch in 2020, they have supported 541 projects totalling £4,844,227.

Mark Your Calendars

• Two-month window: Applications opened on Wednesday 1st July and closes on Friday 4th September, meaning you have one more month to get your project ideas in.
• One-Stage Application: No complicated stages, just one straightforward application to complete.

Get Ready to Apply

You can find the link to apply on the Giving Back page: NAAFI | The NAAFI Fund, there is also some application guidance and FAQ’s to help with your submission, if you get stuck. If you have any questions, please send to funding@naafi.co.uk.