Veterans ID Card accepted as Polling ID

The government has backed the armed forces community by allowing HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to be used as Voter ID in forthcoming elections.

More information can be found here.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £380K awarded to enhance Early Years provision for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £380,000 to a further 12 fantastic projects supporting Service children in the latest round of the Early Years programme!

These projects are set to help enhance early childhood education and childcare to better support the unique needs and challenges of young children from Armed Forces families.

Dedicated resources for Service children across the UK 

Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Early Years programme supports initiatives that help Armed Forces families access good quality early childhood education and childcare provision. This will enhance capacity, allowing more Service children to enrol, create improved learning environments, and offer suitable training for staff development to address the unique challenges faced by Service children.

Wiltshire: Support to help quit smoking

 

When you stop smoking, you'll see improvements to your health straight away. If you’ve Quit Smoking for Stoptober, your longer-term risks of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke will significantly reduce.

Free, expert stop smoking support is available across Wiltshire:

• Call 0300 003 4566 (Select Option 1)
• Email health.coaches@wiltshire.gov.uk
• Or contact your GP Surgery

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education support to Service families

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

Letter for families

Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ

EAT(UK) leaflet

OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

St Andrews: The R&A World Museum Little Niblicks FREE multi-sensory play for 0-5 yrs

Click on image to enlarge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

Click on the picture for full guide

Dishforth: Come along and experience the Military Wives Choirs!

Dishforth Military Wives Choir, is part of a network of choirs uniting over 2000 women nationwide, in 72 choirs across the military community. The choir welcomes all women whose lives are currently impacted by their military connection; our network supports each other and forms life-changing friendships that lead to new and uplifting experiences through singing

The Dishforth Military Wives Choir currently has 35 members across North Yorkshire and meets weekly at 6 Regt RLC in Dishforth. With no auditions and no pressure to perform, the Military Wives Choirs places welfare at the core, giving its members the opportunity to spend time with women that truly understand the challenges associated with military life. 

The choir is always looking for new members

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Forres: Family Hub after school supper club

click on image to enlarge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

West Midlands: AWS CS Donnington Little Munchkins - MOD Donnington Community Centre

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub
 

Fylde Memorial Arboretum - Bispham - First UK Fiji Memorial Bench unveiled

The first UK memorial to Fijians serving in the armed forces, veterans, families and those who have died in the call of duty has been unveiled in the Flyde Memorial Arboretum in Bispham during a service on 3 October 2024.

A beautiful bench, decorated with the Fiji National Coat of Arms and motto, was dedicated at a special ceremony attended by civic dignataries, serving soldiers, families and members of the public.

The man behind the memorial, Fleetwood town councillor and veterans champion, Fijian Jimi Kuruvakadua, said: "We have have one thing in common which is always to remember and reflect on the lives of our brothers and sisters, our communites, our individual groups and associations we are involved in.

"I am grateful to you for your support, donations and to the veterans who prepared for today.
This bench is the first memorial in the UK dedicated to the Fijian Community and we appreciate it being situated here.
Comrades are always remembered in our hearts.
Today we remember them, honour them and keep them always in our hearts."

Manager of the arboretum, Paul Binns, welcomed guests and said how proud they were to have this special memorial situated in the arboretum and said that all connected with the Fijian community would be welcome there.

Other speeches welcoming the memorial and its importance were made by Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Brigadier (Rtd) Peter Rafferty; Blackpool Mayor Peter Hunter and Ilimo Torau, founder of the Commonwealth Veterans and Families Support Group.

A posy of poppies was laid by Councillor Kuruvakadua's daughter, Vasanai.

Two poems, written specially, were read by poet Anne Margaret Ward.

The dedication service, with choir of Fijian soldiers, was led by Methodist Minister the Rev Jimione Kaci, who is chaplain to Fijians serving in the British Army.

Visit the Memorial Bench at Fylde Memorial Arboretum, Moor Park Avenue, Bispham, FY2 0LZ. 

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE