PFL Mortgages: Military home ownership - understanding your options

Military home ownership: understanding your options

Advice built around military life

Can you buy a property while living in military accommodation? Could you buy a home now and rent it out until you're ready to live there? Could Forces Help to Buy help you purchase a home? And what are your house purchase options when leaving the Armed Forces, or facing relationship breakdown, discharge or redundancy?

At PFL Mortgages, we're Armed Forces specialist mortgage advisers and members of the Services Insurance and Investment Advisory Panel (SIIAP). We understand the opportunities and challenges of buying a home during military life, and we're here to help serving personnel, veterans and their families explore what's possible.

You don't need to be ready to apply for a mortgage to speak to us. We're happy to help you understand your options.

Military life can affect when, where and how you buy a home. Postings in the UK and overseas, the option of buying while living in Service accommodation, military pay and allowances, and plans for life after Service can all influence your decisions.

Powys: Secondary School Application Closing Date: 30 Oct 26

Powys County Council: 

Final week to apply for a Year 7 school place for September 2027.

If you haven't submitted your application yet, now is the time.

📅 Applications close on 30 October 2026.

Apply online today

Have you considered Welsh-medium education? You don't need to speak Welsh yourself to create opportunities for your child. Find out more

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Motorfinity - October Community Update

Motorfinity – October Community Update

Autumn has arrived at Motorfinity! From celebrating 10 years of supporting Lowland Rescue to welcoming new brands and exciting electric models, there’s plenty happening across the Motorfinity community this October.

10 Years of Supporting Lowland Rescue

We’re proud to celebrate a decade of supporting Lowland Rescue and its incredible volunteers, who work tirelessly to help find missing people across the UK. We’re honoured to support their vital, life-saving work. 

Read the full story→ https://www.motorfinity.uk/blog/lowland-rescue/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=october

Welcome, Geely!

We’re delighted to welcome Geely to the Motorfinity line-up. With a focus on electrification, technology and innovation, Geely brings even more choice for customers.

Find out more → https://motorfinity.uk/blog/geely-partnership/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=october

Introducing the New Audi A2 e-tron

The wait is over! The new Audi A2 e-tron is open for UK customer orders, combining distinctive design, premium technology and efficient electric performance. 

Discover more → https://motorfinity.uk/car-manufacturer/audi/a2-e-tron-hatchback/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=october

Dacia Spring: Customer Success Story

Thinking about going electric? In our latest case study, Royal Navy veteran Andy shares his experience of getting behind the wheel of a brand-new EV and making an impressive £4,700 saving. 

Read Andy’s story → https://motorfinity.uk/blog/andy-customer-story/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=october 

Looking Ahead

There’s plenty more to come from Motorfinity this autumn, with exciting vehicles, new partnerships and community stories on the horizon.

Thank you to our customers, partners and community for being part of our journey.

Here’s to a fantastic autumn, from all of us at Motorfinity!

Browse the Motorfinity website or speak to our team to see how we can help you save on your next new car! https://www.motorfinity.uk/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=october

Sandhurst: Military Co-Working Book Your Desk

 

Working from home is amazing, until you realise you've not actually left the house in 3 days and might have forgotten how to speak to real life people rather than those inside your computer...

Our coworking hubs are fantastic for helping to break this cycle, get you out of the house, making connections with other local military partners and spouses and giving you a good separation between work and home. 

And for just £30 per YEAR, the value is fantastic!

So if you're already a member, book that desk for this week and come join us in your Sandhurst Military Coworking Hub, and if you're not a member yet - why not? 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week 2026: 14th-18th Sept

Army Pension Quick Reference Guide

Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week returns from 14–18 Sep, with a range of resources, presentations and opportunities designed to help serving personnel and veterans better understand their Armed Forces pension.

Armed Forces pensions can be complex, and understanding your pension and the benefits available to you is important at every stage of your career and beyond. Throughout Pension Awareness Week, we will be sharing practical information to help make pensions easier to understand and give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions.

New pension resources

Throughout the week, the team will be releasing a series of factsheets covering some of the topics that can be difficult to navigate. These will provide clear and accessible information on subjects including:Taxation and your Armed Forces pension
Understanding your pension benefits
Pension forms and what they are used for
Tools and resources available to help you understand your pension
Other key aspects of the Armed Forces Pension Schemes

Access the Pension Awareness Week resources here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans

Join our online presentations and webinars

The team are pleased to be working with the Forces Pension Society and White Ensign Association to offer a series of online sessions throughout the week.

Tuesday 15 September | 11:00–12:00

AFPS 15 and advice for younger members
Hosted by the Forces Pension Society

This session will provide an overview of AFPS 15, with information and advice particularly relevant to younger members of the Armed Forces.

Join the presentation: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/343659045212715?p=aU5jxp2Oyw6UFTmJJB

Meeting ID: 343 659 045 212 715

Passcode: hS6rx7M5

Wednesday 16 September | 11:00–12:00

Overview of AFPS 75, AFPS 05 and AFPS 15
Hosted by the White Ensign Association

This webinar will provide an overview of the different Armed Forces Pension Schemes, helping members understand the key features of AFPS 75, AFPS 05 and AFPS 15.

Join the webinar: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/317d7a71-f9e3-48e1-a572-119a56acfd70@9e902c46-439c-4b5d-b4…

Thursday 17 September | 11:00–12:00

Understanding pension taxation
Hosted by the Forces Pension Society

This session will focus on taxation and Armed Forces pensions, helping to explain an area that can often feel particularly complex.

Join the presentation: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/361419005131144?p=gTyFIRCtFITMbM2GTR

Meeting ID: 361 419 005 131 144

Passcode: Rm6ra3Lb

Ask an Expert

Our popular Ask an Expert desks will also return, giving Service Personnel an opportunity to speak directly with members of the Armed Forces Pensions team, ask questions and find out more about your pension.

You can visit us at:

MOD Main Building, London
15, 16 and 17 September | 11:00–14:00
Location within Main Building: Exhibition display area located in 001NHLL

Get involved

Whether you are at the beginning of your Armed Forces career, approaching retirement or have already left Service, Pension Awareness Week is an opportunity to learn more about your pension and the benefits you may be entitled to.

We hope you will join us throughout the week, make use of the new resources and take part in one of our presentations, webinars or Ask an Expert sessions.

Find out more about Armed Forces pensions: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans

North Yorkshire: Special Constable Recruitment - North Yorkshire Police

Thinking about becoming a Special Constable but not sure what the role actually looks like?

Here are the questions most people ask — and the answers that help them decide:

What does a typical shift involve?

Most Specials work alongside regular officers, attending real incidents — from missing people to neighbourhood patrols to supporting vulnerable individuals.

Will I be doing the same things as full time officers?

Yes. Specials hold full police powers once trained, meaning you’re trusted with real responsibility.

How much training do I get before going out on shift?

Training is structured, supportive, and designed to build confidence step by step — no one is thrown in at the deep end.

If you’re curious about the reality of the role, that’s the perfect place to start.

Join us for a relaxed and friendly online Special Constable Q&A information session, where you'll have the opportunity to speak directly with one of our Citizens in Policing Liaison Officers.

Motorfinity - Community Update for August

 

Motorfinity Community Update (August 2026)

Looking Ahead to the New 76 Registration

If you're thinking about a new car this September, now is the perfect time to start planning. Ordering early could mean you're behind the wheel of your brand-new 76-reg vehicle sooner, as factory lead times can vary.

Motorfinity is proud to support the Armed Forces community by helping serving personnel, veterans and their families access exclusive savings on brand-new vehicles from leading manufacturers, including Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford, Kia and many more.

Harry Parkins' Story: A Life of Service and Resilience

This month, we're sharing the inspiring story of Harry Parkins, whose journey highlights the resilience, determination and spirit of the Armed Forces community. We hope you'll take a few moments to read his story and the experiences that have shaped his life.

Motorfinity | The extraordinary story of Harry Parkins

Defence Update - BBC special: Our Offer – your money, your future

BBC special: Our Offer – your money, your future

Radio 4's Money Box has spoken with Service personnel, a panel of experts, and the Minister for Veterans and People about how the Armed Forces offer more than just your pay packet.

The Armed Forces Offer gives you a range of benefits. These can help your money go further now and in the future. This includes help with housing, discounts and support to save.

In the special episode aired on 29 July, Money Box explored what this means for our people and the challenges they can face. It also looked at what Defence is doing to keep improving the offer.

Real stories, real support
Presenter Felicity Hannah spoke with Service personnel at Weeton Barracks in Preston to learn how they manage their finances. She was also joined in the studio by an expert panel, to discuss what’s on offer, from joining to leaving the military.

The panel included Ann Griffiths, Head of Policy and Research at the Royal British Legion, Kate Gannon, Vice President of the Personal Finance Society, and Sergeant Cameron Eden, a serving member of the Army and creator of ‘The Savvy Squaddie’ – a YouTube channel that offers guidance and insights to help Service personnel and veterans with their personal finances.

Felicity spoke with personnel who have received the retention bonus and used the Forces Help to Buy Scheme, and to a member of the Staff and Personnel Support Branch, who helps Service people with their finances.

MoneyHelper Information: AI and Financial Decisions

 

AI & financial decisions – what you need to know

Introduction

Research surveys suggest AI can boost confidence, but that confidence doesn’t always translate into improved financial decision making or outcomes. A study reported by Fortune found that while many millennials and Gen Z users reported felling more confident after using AI for financial advice, over 50% of them also said it had led them to make at least one poor financial decision. Feeling more confident doesn’t always mean the information is accurate.

Here’s what you need to know before relying on AI for budgeting, saving or investing.

What AI can do

Ask an AI tool to explain a confusing financial term, and it’ll do it in seconds. Want help drafting a letter to your energy provider? No problem. Need a simple budget? It can build one in minutes. AI tools may be able to:

• explain financial terms in simple language
• summarise long documents, like terms and conditions
• help you compare options based on the criteria you give it
• create budgets or savings plans tailored to your goals
• help you role‑play tricky conversations, like negotiating a bill or asking for a refund.

Army Health and Wellbeing Campaign - #SupportIsStrength

Your life matters. Help is here. Real people, real support, anytime.

If you are struggling or are worried about a mate, reach out to get help or get them to talk to someone.

Support is always available!

Where to get help is in the AID booklet, available on the Army website at https://www.army.mod.uk/media/v4nn31fj/20260119-suicide-aid-booklet-ac64672.pdf Also available on Defence Connect via these links: AID Suicide Prevention Booklet , AID Suicide Prevention Poster or:

Armed Forces Support Line 24/7 - Call 0800 323 4444

Samaritans 24/7 - Call 116 123

Text SHOUT to 85258 –Text messaging service, available 24/7

You can also speak to your family and friends who know you best, your Unit Medical Officer, Chain of Command, Unit Welfare Team or Padre.

Other information and resources to support can be found at: British Army - Ask For Help,  Army Health and Wellbeing Defence Connect.

#SupportIsStrength #BritishArmy #AskForHelp

North Yorkshire: Team Squirrels Needs You!

 

Team Squirrels Needs You! 

We’re growing our team to help deliver exciting, playful, and confidence-boosting adventures for our youngest Scouts — the amazing 4–6 year olds in Squirrel Scouts!

Vacancy for a friendly face

Vacancy for someone with an hour to spare each week

Could it be... YOU?!

Team Squirrels is all about magical moments, big smiles, and little learners discovering the world around them.

Could you be part of the team? Let’s make memories together!
Message us, speak to a leader, or visit bacsascouts.org.uk to find out more — no pressure, just a chat!

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

SafeLives: Service community domestic abuse - Welfare staff interviews request

SafeLives are also keen to speak with Army Welfare Officers and Unit Welfare Officers who have experience of supporting victim/survivors of domestic abuse. They want to understand your experiences of providing welfare support, and hear your views on the barriers victim/survivors from military families and relationships may face when trying to access help.

If you are interested in taking part in an interview, please scan the QR code on the poster to find out more.

Alternatively click on this link: Army Personnel ABF

Wiltshire: Families Out Loud - supporting families of drug and alcohol users in Wiltshire

 

Families Out Loud is a Wiltshire charity working with families challenged by someone else’s drug and alcohol dependency.

Their purpose is to support families to bravely build a better life. Their vision is to reach every family impacted by drug and alcohol use, so they can speak out, free from stigma, and receive the support care and help they need. Their values are to listen, care, be practical and show determination.

Please click here to visit the website

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVEs

New guidance for schools and local authorities on supporting Service pupils

On 1 April 2025, the Ministry of Defence and Department for Education published non-statutory guidance to help state-funded schools and local authorities in England to understand and address the needs of Service pupils in schools (reception to year 11).

Speaking about the new guidance, Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said:

“Armed Forces families play a vital role in supporting our Service personnel to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad. Fittingly, this announcement coincides with the Month of the Military Child, which is a time to speak up for our Service children.

“Service children face many challenges due to the unique nature of Service life, but it’s important that they are able to benefit from their exceptional experiences.

“That’s why this joint guidance with the Department for Education, explains how we can break down barriers and help our Service children to thrive in education.”

Grantham: Healthwatch Lincolnshire

Who we are and what we do:

We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We’re here to make sure that those running services, put people at the heart of care.
Our sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf.
We focus on ensuring that people’s worries and concerns about current services are addressed.
We work to get services right for the future.

www.healthwatchlincolnshire.co.uk/advice-and-information

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Grantham: Bro Pro UK, Step out, speak up and say just how you are really feeling

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Veterans' UK Unclaimed Medals Research - Can You Help Us Shape Our Services?

 

If you have previously served in the Armed Forces (or have a relative that has) with an unclaimed medal, the MOD & Veterans UK would like to speak with you.​​​​

Find out more HERE​