************************************************************
Army HIVE Christmas and New Year Closures

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.

Army HIVE wishes all of its Service community customers, and our internal and external stakeholders, a very happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to continuing our support and engagement in 2026.


************************************************************

April 5, 2023

Looking for advice on how to save money on your energy bills?




Click here to visit the website for further details on how energy saving actions and more can add up to big savings.

Scotland: Unforgotten Forces, Veterans Guide to Later Life in Scotland



The 2023 edition of the popular Age Scotland Veterans Guide to Later Life in Scotland, the indispensable free guide for everyone aged 60+ in Scotland who has served in HM Armed Forces. 

The guide offers dedicated information and advice, and contacts for support services and organisations, on topics including health, hosing and money.

The guide can be viewed here


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Scotland: Latest issue of Unforgotten Forces magazine is out now


The latest issue of Unforgotten Forces magazine is out now. Inside you'll find an introduction to Fighting with Pride in Scotland, features on the experiences of older female veterans, and an in-depth look at support for older veterans in rural areas with stories from Legion Scotland, Combat Stress, FirstLight Trust for Veterans and Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs.

We have a focus on support for independent living, including a spotlight on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans. 

We also report on how DMWS and Fares4Free are collaborating to offer escorted hospital journeys for veterans that need them

To read the latest edition click on image above 👆


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

April 4, 2023

Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you're experiencing domestic abuse



The government has rolled out it's new Emergency Alerts system following the test alert received in April.

These alerts will be used to let you know about emergency situations (like severe flooding) through your mobile phone. However, the alert will be accompanied by a loud sound even if your phone is on silent.

If you live with an abusive partner this could alert them to any secret or secondary phones that you may have. Here's how you can turn alerts off, both on Android phones and on iPhones: Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you're experiencing domestic abuse - YouTube

If you’re afraid of your partner call the free 24 hours a day National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, or live chat with them Monday-Friday, 3-10pm by going to nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

Op Courage - specialist care for Service Leavers, Reservists, Veterans and their families


DIO: Update on FDIS performance



Update on FDIS performance

For updates on the action DIO is taking to improve the performance of the accommodation contracts, please go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-infrastructure-organisation-service-family-accommodation where you can subscribe for update notifications, or join the Service Family Accommodation on Defence Connect 

Planning for Move-ins, Move-Outs and Removals this Summer
Summer is always the busiest period of the year for housing allocations and removals activity. The last week in July and first week in August are particularly popular dates and are usually fully booked several months in advance. Whilst our suppliers will always attempt to meet families’ preferred Move-in, Move-out and removals dates, it may not always be possible to achieve this against the significant volume of requests received. This is because the removals industry is still experiencing staff shortages. To help us manage this particularly busy time and to ensure families’ needs are met: 

• We would be grateful if families only request services during this period if they are unable to move at any other time.
 • Where circumstances allow, please could accompanied personnel without children avoid planning for a move within the school summer holiday window.
 • Please ensure removals are booked via the Agility portal as soon as Assignment Orders are  received.
• Families do not need a confirmed delivery address to start this process but knowing the location will allow Agility to plan for the summer moves.
• Once families have been allocated SFA, please confirm availability for removals before booking a move in and out appointments...
.

April 3, 2023

Forces families to benefit as dedicated fund returns


Forces families to benefit as dedicated fund returns

Projects supporting military families can bid for a share of funding as the latest round of the Armed Forces Families Fund opens for applications.

The Fund, which is administered on the MOD’s behalf by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, is available to organisations who want to launch projects that have a positive impact on the lives of military communities.

Applications for the 2023 fund can be made from Monday 3 April, with full details of eligibility criteria and how to apply available on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s website.  The Families Fund welcomes applications for projects under three key programmes:

  • Service Pupil Support Programme; a programme that awards grants to schools to help address additional challenges that children from Armed Forces families may face  
  • Supporting Partners Innovation Fund; a programme that will fund innovative support for partners of those who are serving.   
  • Early years Fund; a programme which will fund projects that help support young children from serving Armed Forces families to have great places to learn and develop.

The Armed Forces Families Fund was created to help implement parts of the UK Armed Forces Families Strategy following its launch in January 2022.

Last year’s round of funding supported 84 projects benefiting Armed Forces families, including a Safe Space and Support scheme for the 86 Service children attending Somerset’s Stanchester Academy.

The bespoke, supervised safe space is used as a meeting place, homework room, and dining area, as well as a location for an additional Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) to provide one-to-one tutoring.

The project also allowed the Academy to train a member of staff as a ‘Bounce Forward Armed Forces Resilience Champion’, providing resilience sessions and community events to improve the lives of Service children and their families.

Teacher Rebecca Hendry, who applied for the grant, said: “We have a high number of pupils that transfer to our secondary school in later years or midway through the year.

“Many of our students experience having a parent deployed or based elsewhere and away during the week.  By funding a specialist ELSA staff member and offering them extra tuition combined with a safe space, we can ensure that they have all the support needed to help them.”

Get involved

For full details about the Armed Forces Families Fund, including eligibility criteria for each programme, deadline dates and application guidance, visit the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s website.


March 30, 2023

March 29, 2023

Delivery of the Annual Army Non-UK National Awareness Brief

 


As per AGAI 50, Army HIVE on Regional Command Family Support (as part of the Chain of Command) can deliver the Annual Non-UK National Awareness Briefing to Service Personnel and CoC.


March 28, 2023

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

        

Only those of us who have experienced this terrible tragedy can truly understand. None of us need to suffer alone, together we can help each other.

Click here for support