The Surrey LINK card is for young people aged 20 and under who live in Surrey. It can be used on any single or return bus journey that starts and/or finishes in Surrey and allows you to get 50% off the adult fare for the journey you are taking. On most routes this is the equivalent of a child fare.
The LINK card is free. A £10 administration charge will be made for replacement cards (that have been lost, stolen or damaged).Generic and local information for the UK Military community including Serving Personnel, Families, Veterans, and MOD Civilians.
This is best viewed through a personal device because the MODnet firewall may prevent access to some links.
The majority of Army HIVEs will be closed after duties on Fri 19 Dec 25 and will reopen on Mon 5 Jan 26. There may be localised variations to these dates for individual HIVEs.
Army HIVE HQ is also closed during the festive fortnight, so any enquiries submitted via the ‘If you need further information’ MS Forms function on our UK, Cyprus or Overseas blogs will be answered when we return in the New Year.
We will periodically cover private messages on our Army HIVE Facebook platform (and X/Instagram where possible) whilst we are closed. However, this will not be 24/7 and should not be relied upon for anything that requires an urgent response.
To support our customers with more immediate requirements however, the Army HIVE HQ email will provide a comprehensive out of office autoreply, detailing points of contact that are either 24/7, emergency providers, or open over the festive leave fortnight. To receive this autoreply, please email:
RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Individual HIVEs will also provide localised contact details for Christmas and New Year cover wherever possible in their automated replies. Therefore, if you email your closest HIVE, which you can find on HIVE’s page on the Army website, their autoreply may be of additional assistance.
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February 10, 2025
Surrey: Apply For A Surrey LINK Bus Card
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New funding to support bereaved military families
The Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme will seek to build a strong, collaborative network to meet the needs of those who have given most.
Understanding the needs of the bereaved military community
In late 2024, the Trust commissioned Alma Economics to explore the needs, experiences and priorities of the bereaved Armed Forces community, as well as to map the scope of support currently available.
Anna Wright, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: “Using the findings from our commissioned research, we have ensured this new programme will facilitate partnerships across the bereavement sector, while creating a centralised list of all bereavement support available. We will seek to expand the support available to family members, including wider family members, and increase mental health provision for both adults and children. Ultimately, we hope this programme will support the development of a long-term bereavement strategy.
In designing the programme, we have been mindful that the lived experiences of the military bereaved shine through, and we will expect to see this in the successful projects too.”
Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Cadet Force are Recruiting


Weekends away at our Cadet Training Centre £15 - includes Transport, Food and a bed to sleep in +all the exciting activities on offer.
See what's on offer https://armycadets.com/find-a-detachment/
BE MORE - as an Army Cadet in the 1st (NI) Battalion ACF
Information provided by HIVE NI
Weeton: Fylde Council Garden Waste Subscription
https://new.fylde.gov.uk/garden-waste-collection-service-opens-for-2025-26-subscriptions/
Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE
February 8, 2025
February 7, 2025
West Midlands: Stepway - Supporting all Veterans in civilian life - 7-step civilian skills program

REQUIREMENTS for 7-Step Civilian Skills Program
- Veteran having served in UK Armed Forces.
- Family member of Veteran (wife / husband / partner / Parent or child of).
- Volunteering for STEPWAY.
- Over the age of 18.
The 7-Step Civilian Skills Program is open to all Veterans and family members as well as anyone interested in volunteering with STEPWAY.
If you would like to attend please contact me directly: neil.binder@stepway.org 07398 732595
The course will be held at The Stepway Wellbeing Centre, Merton Close, Oldbury B68 8NG
Dates: February, 10.00 - 15.00 (Lunch included)
Oldbury / West Midlands:
Mon: 10/02/25 (Step 1 Introduction) Wed: 12/02/25 (Step 2&3) Fri: 4/02/25 (Step 4 & Recap)
Mon: 17/02/25 (Step 5) Wed: 19/02/25 (Step 6&7) Fri:21/02/25 (Recap & Presentations)
We will also be running the course at our Worcester premises as follows:-
For details or bookings please contact: tina.dales@stepway.org
Worcester:
Mon: 17/02/25 (Step 1 Introduction) Wed: 19/02/25 (Step 2&3) Fri: 21/02/25 (Step 4 & Recap)
Mon: 24/02/25 (Step 5) Wed: 26/02/25 (Step 6&7) Fri:28/02/25 (Recap & Presentations)
Information: Central HIVE Hub
February 6, 2025
Gloucestershire: Visit 'The Lab' at Gloucestershire Libraries
- Coding
- 3D printing
- Virtual reality headsets
Click here to read the latest newsletter.
Alternatively click here to visit the website.
Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

