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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.


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August 30, 2024

Wiltshire: Free online Hope Programme for parents of autistic children

 

Are you a parent of an autistic child?

Would you like to cope better, feel more in control of your emotions and be more resilient?

Hope aims to teach you how to become more relaxed, improve your confidence in setting positive goals, learn stress and fatigue management skills and explore any worries you experience.

Please click here for further information

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE's

Gloucestershire: Free bus travel for Veterans seeking employment


The initiative has been introduced by Gloucestershire County Council in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Jobcentre Plus.

The County Council has produced and funded the travel cards, while Jobcentre Plus establishments in the county will issue them.

The initiative was launched at the Veterans Café in Gloucester, which was set up earlier this year with the support of the county council. The café is based at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum and provides a space for serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families to gather, socialise and support each other.

The motion said that the Council wanted to take steps to make a positive difference to the lives of veterans in our County, in recognition of their service.

The travel card will be available to veterans over aged 16 who are claiming Universal Credit or receiving a DWP benefit in Gloucestershire. It will entitle them to free bus travel throughout Gloucestershire.

Each card can be used for 50 single free trips and even if a veteran gains employment before the trips on the card run out, they can continue to use it. If the veteran if still seeking employment after the card runs out, they will be issued with a new card.

Please click here to read more

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

North Wiltshire: Local bus links

 

Please note that some timetables may change in September:

Further journeys can be found at the Connecting Wiltshire website

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE's

August 29, 2024

New MOD booklet 'benefits and support for Reserve families'

 

Today, Defence launches a new booklet for Reservists, and their families, on the benefits and support available. This includes financial discounts, healthcare, and career support.

Did you know that of the 190,170 total serving military personnel in the British Armed Forces, 18% of them are Reservists? This means that the Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of Armed Forces personnel.

Reservists make a critical contribution in the Armed Forces and are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas. Keep reading to find out more about what Reservists do, and how they make a positive impact in the Armed forces.

Do you know what support and benefits are available?

Today, Defence has published a new booklet outlining key benefits, services, and support for Reservists and their families. This includes:

  • Healthcare, including mental health and welfare support.
  • Information and support services.
  • Military and financial discounts, childcare, and other family friendly policies.
  • Career and employment support. For more information, read Defence’s recently published booklet on GOV.UK.

August 27, 2024

Moray: Active Schools are looking for volunteers

click on images to enlarge

Wiltshire: Upcoming ESOL courses from Wiltshire Family & Community Learning Team

 

Scotland: Neighbourhood Watch Scotland

click on image to enlarge


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Scotland: QR codes on meters in council-owned car parks - Trading Standards Scotland

Criminals are sticking their own QR codes on top of legitimate ones on meters in council-owned car parks

Rather than scanning QR codes it's safest to pay using an official app downloaded from your smartphone’s app store, or cash/card if possible

More: https://mailchi.mp/bdb7c7596e27/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-2

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

August 23, 2024

The Whispering Wind installation for those who have experienced pregnancy, baby or child loss

 
Reservations for windmills for our Whispering Wind event in October (9th-15th Oct 2024 at the Defence Academy of the UK at Shrivenham), are still open, but not for long.

So if you or someone you know has experienced pregnancy, baby or child loss, and would like to honour their child's memory through our event, please send them our way. Reservation forms can be requested via DM or emailing dandelionmilfamilies@gmail.com

Windmills are free of charge to families, will be personalised and sent out to families once our Baby Loss Awareness Week event has come to a close.

Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages about their loved ones so far, your strength continues to amaze us and we feel honoured you have chosen to share their memory with us for this event. ​