Showing posts with label Welfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Welfare. Show all posts

April 8, 2026

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

April 2, 2026

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.

April 1, 2026

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

CafĂ© 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

March 31, 2026

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.

March 30, 2026

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

March 26, 2026

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:
Services Cotswold Centre

03311 432754

This number replaces the previous SCC contact line.

March 18, 2026

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  

March 17, 2026

Grantham: HAY Lincolnshire




Boosting your mental health and wellbeing!

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

March 13, 2026

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

March 11, 2026

March 10, 2026

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

March 9, 2026

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

February 24, 2026

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 

February 18, 2026

New MOD Policy on Overseas Assignments published: Overseas Accompanied Service Assessments


A new MOD policy giving guidance to Service personnel and their families on considering and preparing for an overseas posting has been published today on Gov.uk at this link: Overseas Accompanied Service Assessments - GOV.UK.

This policy applies to Service personnel planning to take their families on an overseas assignment, particularly those with additional medical, social care, or educational needs. The assessment process is designed to take a holistic judgment about whether the host location can reasonably meet the family’s needs and whether associated risks to their health, education, safety, or well-being can be appropriately managed.

A new DIN (Defence Instruction & Notice) is also available (to MODnet users) – search 2026DIN01-017

For further information on any Overseas assignment please contact any HIVE, iHIVE (which covers locations worldwide where there is no physical HIVE), or email rc-pers-hivecomms-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

The HIVE Relocation Checklist may assist with additional planning for an overseas move, and can be accessed via this LINK or contact us for the checklist to be sent via email.

February 17, 2026

Bovington: Garrison contact houses for short term accommodation use



To book email Zoe.VandeZande667@mod.gov.uk or call 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



DMWS Bereavement Support

You don’t have to go through grief alone.

If you have lost a loved one in the Armed Forces in service or due to service related reasons, we are here for you.

DMWS are working alongside Scotty's Little Soldiers, Cruse Bereavement Support, Cruse Scotland, and The Poppy Factory to help those who may need support and advice after the loss of a loved one in service or for service related reasons.

Whether you need advice, someone to talk to, or help accessing services, we can help.

If you would like to learn more or are interested in our support, please visit: https://dmws.org.uk/supporting-military-bereaved-family...