Grantham: Connect to Support Lincolnshire - Armed Forces Community Directory

Following extensive research this directory was co-produced with input from service families, HIVE’s and veterans’ associations. It was without exception that people wanted a directory where they could find not only national information, but regional and local information where they could seek help, support and advice.

We have now produced this simple but effective directory which lists a wide range of national, regional and local organisations providing support and advice to the Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community. It should not be taken as an exhaustive list of all services on offer across the UK. lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/armed-forces-community-directory/

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update – 17 Apr

Defence Secretary commits to improving homes for Service families

Earlier today, Defence Secretary John Healey announced a new Consumer Charter to improve SFA for personnel and families. This forms part of the Defence Housing Review that is underway following the MOD’s landmark deal to bring 36,000 UK SFA homes back under our ownership.

The Charter outlines a list of commitments we will be making to improve our accommodation service offer for you, including:

• A more robust move-in standard so that you can have confidence that the home you are moving into will be ready on time and will be clean and functional.

• Providing you with improved, clearer information ahead of your move, including photographs and floor plans when you apply for SFA.  

• More reliable repairs, including a requirement to complete urgent repairs within a set timeline consistent with Awaab’s Law, and an online portal for service personnel to manage repairs. 

• Raising the minimum standard of SFA with a new programme of works targeted at the worst homes, with up to 1,000 refurbished.

• Better and clearer communication for you, including a named housing officer for every service family who you can contact for specific housing related queries. 

• A revised, streamlined complaints process that will look to shorten the process to two stages so that Service Personnel and families have a quicker resolution.

• Modernising our policies to allow more freedom for you to make improvements, giving you a greater sense of pride in your homes. 

Wiltshire: Waste vehicle fire – please recycle batteries and electricals safely

 

One of Wiltshire Council's waste collection vehicles caught fire while out on its rounds in Trowbridge recently. Thanks to the prompt actions of the crew, fire service, the police there was thankfully no injuries or significant damage to the vehicle. Colleagues from the Street Scene service also assisted in the immediate clean up.

Incidents like this provides a good opportunity to remind everyone to never put batteries or electricals in any of your household bins. Batteries and electricals contaminating bins can cause fires, so it is important to recycle them properly.

In Wiltshire we provide a kerbside collection service to help you recycle these types of items safely and conveniently.

You can easily recycle batteries by leaving them in a clear sealed bag on top of your blue-lidded bin or next to your blue sack on collection day. Small electricals can be presented for collection in a supermarket carrier bag by the side of the blue-lidded recycling bin, or blue recycling sack.

More information about battery and small electricals collections

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVE

Midlands Air Festival - 30 May - 1 June

 

Full details can be found HERE

Where to see Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays in 2025

Please note: This schedule is for displays only and does not include flypasts. All appearances are subject to weather and serviceability

Full details can be found HERE

Information supplied by Central HIVE Hub

Scotland: Forces Children Scotland child friendly emotional cycle of deployment

Work started earlier this year with children and young people to co-create a child-friendly emotional cycle of deployment resource to explain the emotional cycle of deployment.

The children and young people have developed the visual of a rollercoaster to help explain their experiences of the different stages of the cycle.

The Deployment Rollercoaster can be accessed here:
https://forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/the-deployment-rollercoaster/

The Deployment Rollercoaster allows children, young people and adults to see that all emotions are valid and it ok to feel different emotions throughout the deployment cycle. The rollercoaster is supported by accessible resources for children, young people and parents to help support their child’s mental health and wellbeing at each stage of the ride.

We invite you to explore this online resource and let us know your thoughts and would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to talk or discuss opportunities to promote the use of this resource in your setting.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Gloucestershire: Free Digital Skills courses

 

Please click here to read this latest newsletter online, which includes:

• Microsoft Office for Work
• Intro to Microsoft Excel
• Computer basics

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

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

Wiltshire: Upcoming Family and Community Learning courses from Wiltshire Council - free for Military families

Click here to view posters of some of these courses.

Alternatively click here to visit the website.

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVEs

Wiltshire: Within My Reach 'Time For Us' parent/carer programme from Spurgeons

 

Spurgeons will be holding a parent/carer programme called ‘Within my Reach’ beginning on Tuesday 27th May 2025, virtually on Microsoft teams from 6pm-8pm.

The programme is delivered for 4 weeks in total and supports parent/carers to navigate positive communication within their relationship, looking at whether their relationship is safe, their relationship expectations and the four communication danger signs. Parent/carers will learn the speaker listener technique and the impact on the child/children when communication is at times negative.

Parent/carers can attend this programme if they are currently still in a relationship and are not currently experiencing any domestic abuse/violence.

Please click here to complete the expression of interest form

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVEs