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Information provided by Stafford HIVE
July 14, 2025
Stafford: Water disruption NOW the 18th July on Officers MQ and MQ estates Beaconside 18th July 2025
Note date change from 11th July to 18th July
Please be advised that there will be disruption to the water supplies at the following locations and times:
Officers MQ's 18th July 09.30 to 11.30
MQ Estates 18th July 13.30 to 15.30
Information provided by Stafford HIVE
Stafford: St John’s CE Primary Academy Newsletter 11th July 2025
Information provided by Stafford HIVE
Defence update - Simplifying overseas service finances
Defence’s new digital tools and updated allowances help you and your family navigate the financial aspects of overseas assignments – with greater confidence and less paperwork.
When serving overseas, you should be able to focus on your work and settling into your new location, without worrying about unexpected costs or navigating complex policies.
Financial stability and a clear understanding of what you and your family can receive are essential components to support operational effectiveness. That’s why Defence is freeing up valuable time and providing welcome reassurance, by simplifying allowance processes and providing tools that reduce admin.
These changes make the move to overseas life smoother for everyone, providing greater clarity and choice – whether you’re posted abroad or keeping a home across borders.
Easier claims with more flexibility
From 1 July 2025, eligible personnel assigned to Brunei, USA, Kenya, and select European locations can opt into the Global Mobility Allowance (GMA) trial.
This initiative combines existing Disturbance Expense Overseas, Respite Provision, and Overseas Private Vehicle Provision allowances into a single, non-taxable lump sum payment – and there’s no requirement for receipts.
The GMA Calculator gives a real-time, tailored estimate of how much you will receive, and you can use the allowance however you see fit – with JSP 752 providing guidance on expenses the combined allowances can contribute towards.
Planning made simple
The new Overseas Allowances Reckoner (OAR) tool instantly calculates personalised allowance estimates for those preparing for overseas assignments. Simply enter basic details about your assignment location, family status, and accommodation type to receive immediate values for applicable overseas allowances.
This tool removes the need for time-consuming paperwork and manual calculations, reducing risk of errors and providing greater certainty and reduced stress, during what can be a challenging transition period.
Supporting family connections
For eligible unaccompanied and single Service personnel, with family homes in Europe while permanently assigned in the UK, the Get You Home (Travel to Europe) trial scheme has been extended until June 2026. This provides contributions for up to two return journeys to your European residence, per month.
Qualifying European countries include Cyprus, Germany and France and can be used towards travel via flights, ferry, rail or road.
Disturbance Expenses rate uplift
From 1 July 2025, eligible Service personnel moving to the UK from overseas can claim the same, higher ‘overseas rate’ for Disturbance Expenses as those moving overseas from the UK.
More information
· Read about the new allowance updates and explore the calculation tools on defnet and Defence Connect.
· Visit discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk – to access the ‘Families Hub’ and information on what’s included in ‘Your Offer’.
Stafford: My Staffordshire: Summer Holidays July 2025
My Staffordshire: Summer Holidays July 2025
As we wrap up another school year, I know many families across Staffordshire will be gearing up for the summer holidays.
There are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore what Staffordshire has to offer. It’s the perfect time to enjoy our parks, countryside, and local attractions.
The Summer Reading Challenge is now open, offering a fun way to keep children reading and learning over the holidays. Our Holiday Activities and Food programme is also open for bookings. This gives eligible children the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities, from sports and arts to crafts, all while enjoying a hot meal each day.
I hope you and your family have a safe, fun, and restful summer.
Councillor Ian Cooper
There are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore what Staffordshire has to offer. It’s the perfect time to enjoy our parks, countryside, and local attractions.
The Summer Reading Challenge is now open, offering a fun way to keep children reading and learning over the holidays. Our Holiday Activities and Food programme is also open for bookings. This gives eligible children the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities, from sports and arts to crafts, all while enjoying a hot meal each day.
I hope you and your family have a safe, fun, and restful summer.
Councillor Ian Cooper
Information provided by Stafford HIVE
DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update – 11 July 25
Summer is the busiest time of the year for housing allocations and removal activity. Our suppliers will always strive to meet your preferred dates, however because of the volume of requests, on occasions this is not always possible.
To help manage this busy time and ensure you have a smooth experience, we recommend families consider our advice and guidance when planning for move-ins/outs and removals:
Book your pre-move-out appointment with your Housing Officer as soon as you apply for your next SFA (at least 30 working days ahead of your scheduled move-out date). We have extended the time to complete a pre-move-out appointment from 14 to 30 working days, allowing more time for you to receive advice on moving-out and guidance to prepare your house in meeting the move-out standard. If circumstances allow, please only request services during the last week of July and first week of August if you are unable to move at any other time. These are particularly popular dates and tend to be fully booked in advance. We understand how important it is to receive your next allocation and status of your application as soon as possible. Pinnacle have 15 working days to process your request, we kindly ask you do not chase for an update before this timeframe. You can start planning your removal as soon as Assignment Orders are received via the Agility Portal. To start the process, you only need the location and not a confirmed delivery address. Once you have been allocated SFA, it is advised to confirm availability for removals before booking a move-in/out appointment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Agility directly (remember to include your service number). For further guidance, please visit the Pinnacle website.
Identifying your local named Housing Officer
To help you easily find out who your local point of contact is and ensure you can speak to your Housing Officer over the phone when you most need advice or help about your SFA – a full list of Pinnacle’s Housing Officers (including a name and direct telephone number) has been made available on the Pinnacle website, or you can call the National Service Centre on 0800 031 8628 (option 4).
You can find FAQs on the Defence Homes website, if you would like to find out more about the role of a Housing Officer, when you might contact them and additional ways of getting in touch.
This is in support of the SFA Consumer Charter commitment to provide families with better and clearer communication, including a named Housing Officer for every service family who can be contacted about housing related queries. Progress is underway for the remaining commitments which are due to be in place by December 2025.
You can find FAQs on the Defence Homes website, if you would like to find out more about the role of a Housing Officer, when you might contact them and additional ways of getting in touch.
This is in support of the SFA Consumer Charter commitment to provide families with better and clearer communication, including a named Housing Officer for every service family who can be contacted about housing related queries. Progress is underway for the remaining commitments which are due to be in place by December 2025.
JLL stock condition surveys return
From 21 July – 1 September 2025, DIO have commissioned Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to continue the Stock Condition Survey on 1,000 UK SFA homes across 20 sites. The homes selected will be of different types, age and condition.
If your SFA is selected, you will receive a notification letter from JLL at least 2 weeks before the intended date of the inspection, requesting your availability to allow the surveyor access to your property. The surveys will take a maximum of 1 hour.
Where possible, we greatly appreciate your cooperation if you can provide access to your property, as this will allow the surveyor to successfully carry out the survey and inform a detailed assessment of the condition of SFA homes.
Please note your home will not be selected if you have already taken part in a previous survey (from January 2025).
From 21 July – 1 September 2025, DIO have commissioned Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to continue the Stock Condition Survey on 1,000 UK SFA homes across 20 sites. The homes selected will be of different types, age and condition.
If your SFA is selected, you will receive a notification letter from JLL at least 2 weeks before the intended date of the inspection, requesting your availability to allow the surveyor access to your property. The surveys will take a maximum of 1 hour.
Where possible, we greatly appreciate your cooperation if you can provide access to your property, as this will allow the surveyor to successfully carry out the survey and inform a detailed assessment of the condition of SFA homes.
Please note your home will not be selected if you have already taken part in a previous survey (from January 2025).
July 12, 2025
Northern Ireland: 71 Engineer Regiment - 591Sqn Bids Farewell To One OC And Welcomes Another
If you’re ready for a new challenge and want to be part of something more, we’re recruiting motivated, fit and enthusiastic individuals now across all three of our locations in Northern Ireland – reach out today to find out where you fit in. https://linktr.ee/71engineer
Do more, see more, be more with the #NorthernSappers
#sapperfamily #youbelonghere Corps of Royal Engineers RFCA NI The Army in Northern Ireland British Army in Northern Ireland - 38 Irish Brigade
Information provided by HIVE NI
July 11, 2025
Blandford: Garrison summer activity week starting Mon 28th July. Book your spaces now!
Click on poster above to enlarge
To register interest please complete the form: HERE
Printed forms available from the Williams Building, Blandford Camp.
Or Email: BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk
Or Email: BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk
Bovington & Lulworth (Garrison families) are welcome to attend the movie on Fri 1st Aug.
Watch trailer HERE
Please contact the HIVE 01929 403185 or BGSU (Blandford) 01258 481938 regarding booking and access onto Blandford camp.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE via BGSU welfare team.
Scotland: Leuchars HIVE closed 14th - 18th July
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RC-Pers-HIVE-Scotland-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk and we will get back to you when we re-open.
Alternatively you can also email RC-Pers-HIVE-Preston-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Information provided by Leuchars HIVE
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