St Athan: Rainbow Group Drop in for under 5s with additional needs, at the Gathering Place on Tuesdays

 

Vale Flying Start:

We have an additional Rainbow group on Tuesday afternoons at The Gathering Place, St Athan, CF62 4JH. 

Rainbow group is specifically for children under 5 with additional needs and is delivered in partnership with the Vale’s Early Years ALN team. If you’d like further information on this group please contact Flying Start on 01446 732180

Mae gennym grŵp Enfys ychwanegol ar brynhawn Dydd Mawrth yn The Gathering Place, Sain Tathan, CF62 4JH. Mae’r grŵp Rainbow yn benodol ar gyfer plant dan 5 oed ag anghenion ychwanegol ac yn cael ei danfonwyd mewn partneriaeth â thîm ADY Blynyddoedd Cynnar y Fro. Os hoffech ragor o wybodaeth am y grŵp hwn, cysylltwch â Dechrau’n Deg ar 01446 732180

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Increase to Early Years childcare funded hours for eligible working families assigned overseas

From September 2025 eligible working families assigned overseas will have access to up to 30 hours of funded Early Years childcare for their children aged from 9 months old.

Early Years funded childcare overseas.

To reflect the offer available in England, all families assigned overseas with children aged 3 to 4 years old, and 2-year-old children in receipt of additional government support, are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week during term time (38 weeks per year).

Defence is expanding the childcare offer for working families assigned overseas with children aged 9 months to school starting age, to match the entitlement in England.

From September 2025 eligible working families can claim funding for up to 30 hours per week, per child aged 9 months old to school starting age, during term time (38 weeks per year).

This is an increase to the additional funded hours that became available in September 2024, in which 15 hours of Early Years childcare funding, per week, per child, during term time, became available for eligible working families with children aged 9 months to 3 years old.

For more information about the Early Years Childcare available in England, please go to Early Years childcare | Childcare Choices (GOV.UK).

NHS ‘Say You Served’: Why Declaring Your Military Affiliation Matters – For You and the Forces Community

Why Declaring Your Military Affiliation Matters – For You and the Forces Community

Whether you’re serving in the Armed Forces or supporting a loved one who is, one simple action can make a big difference: declaring your military connection when registering with your GP, local council, or other public services.

It may seem like a small tick in a box, but this information is crucial—not only for you and your family, but for the wider Armed Forces community.

Why It Matters for You

Declaring your military status ensures that you and your family can access the right services, at the right time. The NHS and local authorities recognise that the needs of serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families can differ from those of the general population—particularly around mobility, deployment, mental health, and continuity of care.

By identifying your military connection, healthcare professionals and service providers can take these unique circumstances into account. This could mean faster access to treatment (Dependent on personal circumstances), for a better understanding of your housing and educational needs during a posting or resettlement.

Dorset: Introduction of new booking system at local recycling centres

A brand-new booking system is set to be brought in later this year at our Household Recycling Centres (HRCs, or ‘the tip’), which will require users to book a slot before they visit.

Already in use in other counties, the free-to-use booking system will allow residents to pick a time of their choosing to drop off waste and recycling – meaning their visits will be quicker with reduced waiting times.

Find out more HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Dorset: Blandford Job centre information

Find out about job vacancies in the Blandford area and also get advice on CVs and job interview tips

Blandford job centre can also administer claims - Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Leuchars: Welfare Team Motorhome for hire

click on image to enlarge

The Welfare Team are please to announce that bookings are now being taken(for May onwards) for the hire of their newly purchased 6 berth motorhome.

£50per day or £300 per week - minimum 3 days hire.

Half of booking fee required to confirm booking with final amount payable 4 weeks before date of booking,

A £500 deposit is required on collect - this can be held against a credit card.

Drivers must be 23 or over and have been driving for at least 2years.

Due to additional cleaning costs and allergies, no pets are allowed in the motorhome.

Email 2REME-WELFARE-Mailbox-0@mod.gov.uk for further information.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Wiltshire: Family Hubs newsletter - supporting families with children with SEND

 

Please click here to read the latest newsletter online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 20 June 25

Prolonged dry weather and water conservation

Those living overseas will be well-accustomed to warmer weather, but for those living in the UK please note several areas across England and Wales have experienced the driest spring for over 60 years, and in some cases since records began. This has led to the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales declaring a combination of drought status and prolonged dry weather status for many regions

To help conserve water follow the recommended actions:

• Consider taking a quick shower instead of a bath.
• Be mindful not to keep taps running for longer than needed to avoid water wastage.
• Try to run dishwashers and washing machines with a full load.
• Check and report any leaks in toilets, faucets or pipes to Pinnacle by calling 0800 031 8628.

Collectively, these small actions can make a big difference to available water resources. Thank you for your support and co-operation.


Summer safety tips

Summer is upon us, and we want to share some Summer Safety Tips to keep you and your family safe during warmer weather.

For advice on summer safety including window restrictors, BBQs, and what to do if you find a wasp or bees nest inside your property, visit: https://www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/in-my-home/summer-tips/

Northern Ireland: XL Bully type dogs are now a restricted breed in Northern Ireland

 

XL Bully type dogs are now a restricted breed in Northern Ireland.
It is against the law to:
• have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle
• breed an XL Bully
• sell, gift or exchange an XL Bully
• abandon an XL Bully or let it stray
More: www.nidirect.gov.uk/xlbullydogs
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Information provided by HIVE NI

Wiltshire: Libraries home service

 

Do you struggle to visit your local library due to mobility issues?

If so, our home library service could be for you! The free service arranges for volunteers to take books to your home.

It's there for residents who are frail, have a disability or health conditions to continue accessing library services and can also help to combat loneliness in the process.

More info can be found at https://orlo.uk/Y01FM

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs