NAAFI Fund - NATO Shape's Community Spaces Are Officially Open

The NAAFI Fund recently awarded a £17,500 grant to NATO in Shape, Belgium to give their community spaces a much-needed makeover! This project was all about creating a centralised, welcoming space for the British Military Community. To read NAAFI Fund’s blog post on this project, please visit: https://naafi.co.uk/project/from-dream-to-reality/

NAAFI Fund said: “To gain some inspiration about how the NAAFI Fund could help in your unit or local community area, please take a look at our previously supported projects Completed Fund Projects - NAAFI

“For more information on the NAAFI Fund, the application process and what grants are available, please take a look at our website NAAFI Fund - NAAFI

“We anticipate the portal to re-open for applications in April 2026, however, we will announce the exact dates and links nearer the time via our social media and website, so please keep an eye on those @naafisocial. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, to receive communication nearer the time so you can start to prepare your bid, please email funding@naafi.co.uk”

NAAFI: https://naafi.co.uk/

Bovington: Garrison Coworking Hub for Military spouses to work & connect

               

"Need a break from the kitchen table office/study setup?"

We’ve got just the spot! The MCN (Military Coworking Network) Bovington hub. Your little slice of calm, focus and unlimited tea/coffee heaven. 

For just £30 a year (yep, a whole year!), you’ll get:
✅ Access to a professional office space

✅ 900 hours of coworking, about 75 hours per month

✅ Screens ready to go

✅ Free use of a colour printer/scanner/photocopier

✅ Good, reliable Wi-Fi

We offer a FREE trial session (3 hours)! Would you like to get booked in for a look around and a proper test-run of the space? Drop us a message if you’ve got any questions, we’d love to help.

Click Bovington | Military Coworking Network to find out more and grab your spot! 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison Coworking Hub for Military spouses to work & connect

https://www.militarycoworking.uk/blandford-hub

Below images: Blandford Hub. Located by Costcutter shop on Camp

For details of the Bovington Garrison hub and other military UK/Overseas Coworking hubs click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Richmond: Do you want to be part of a new Youth Council and are aged 11-18yrs

Want to part of a new youth council to make positive changes that impact young people in the local community?

Any young person aged 11-18yrs (25yrs with SEND) can be part of the Council.

Come along to this informal session to find out what a youth council is and how we can make it happen together

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Dorset: School transport & pupil bus passes

 

Find information on school transport in Dorset, including: school bus updates safety of routes, all school transport news, how to apply for school transport schemes and appeal against a transport decision. Click HERE

Dorset County Council (DCC) school bus passes These cards will be sent direct to your home address by second class post.

DCC school bus passes will be for the life of attendance at your school or college, subject to transport entitlement and so will not need to be re-issued every year. These passes contain an electronic chip. School vehicles are fitted with electronic chip readers that will allow passes to be checked and details of the journeys recorded.

If a bus pass is lost during the academic year you must obtain a temporary pass from your school office in order to continue using school transport until a replacement pass can be issued.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

New BFBS Royal Air Force Documentary: Top Flight Fitness – Available to Watch Now

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) spent six months at RAF Cosford following trainee Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) on one of the Royal Air Force’s toughest and most demanding courses, in a brand-new programme, Top Flight Fitness.

BFBS Forces News had special access to this intense and demanding training journey, capturing the brutal workouts, military theory lessons, real-world teaching sessions, and relentless physical and mental assessments that push even the fittest to their limits.

From raw recruits straight off civvy street to experienced service personnel, the series reveals what it really takes to become a PTI, and it’s not just about six-packs and speed.

BFBS Forces News reporter Kirstie Chambers joins the course every step of the way, sharing insight into the teamwork, psychology, resilience and sheer determination it takes to earn the coveted PTI badge, she said: “They didn’t just train bodies, they built minds. The women matched the men, the competition drove camaraderie, and the real test? Just keeping up the pace.”

Expect sweat, setbacks and serious inspiration in this must-see look inside the RAF’s most physically demanding training ground.

*** Top Flight Fitness: What it takes to keep the RAF fighting fit, is available to watch now on BFBS Forces News YouTube: https://brnw.ch/21wUzsH ***

Give Us Time: new donor in the NE of England

Give Us Time have a new donor I the North East of England – please see the poster for more details and for how to book.

Grantham: NHS Lincolnshire Partnership Recovery College - Free courses for parents and expectant parents to support mental health and wellbeing

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

North Yorkshire: Thrive Together - Veterans Support

North Yorkshire Veterans Support Project

The North Yorkshire Veterans Support Project is dedicated to empowering and supporting veterans, providing expert, quality-assured advice and casework to help resolve financial, family, and other complex challenges.

Who we support
Veterans of all ages, their families, and carers across North Yorkshire.
The large veteran community in Scarborough.
Nepali and Fijian veterans around Catterick Garrison.
Veterans from Catterick and RAF Leeming living in rural Hambleton and Richmondshire.
Our focus
Expert advice and casework covering benefits, energy, debt, and housing, with access to specialist legal support.
Long-term impact by equipping veterans with the confidence and knowledge to manage future challenges.
Helping veterans and their families achieve financial stability, stronger relationships, and improved well-being.

With a strong presence in Scarborough, Hambleton, and Richmondshire, we’re committed to ensuring North Yorkshire’s veterans thrive in civilian life.

August 2025 drop-in sessions:
5th, 11th and 19th – The Veterans Hub, 2b Royal Avenue, #Scarborough YO11 2LT: 10:00 – 12:00
4th, 12th and 18th – Citizens Advice Office, 13-15 Northway, #Scarborough YO11 1JH: 09:30 – 12:30

Contact us
Telephone helpline: 01748 902020
Email us: catterick.connection@northyorkslca.org.uk
For more information and your Online referral form visit HERE

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest DWP Vacancy in Middlesbrough - available exclusively to Service Leavers, Veterans and Military Spouses/Partners

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE-447 - Decision Maker - Middlesbrough

Closing Date: 2 September 2025

Job Description

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form (also see Guidance notes) and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)