Army HIVE Info

January 16, 2026

Hereford: Hereford Cathedral - 10% off with Blue Light & Defence Discount Cards

BLUE LIGHT & DEFENCE DISCOUNT | Hereford Cathedral is excited to share that it is now offering 10% off in both the café and shop for Blue Light Card and Defence Discount Card holders.

It’s their way of saying thank you for all that you do!
Just show your valid card at the till to enjoy the discount.

The Hereford Cathedral Café & Shop is open Monday–Saturday 10– 5pm (last orders in the Café 4.30pm).

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Hereford: New Journey Planning App for Herefordshire - Citymapper

Joining the Citymapper app means travel planning is smarter and easier for Herefordshire residents and visitors.

A new partnership between Herefordshire Council and leading journey planning app, Citymapper, means Herefordshire residents, students and visitors will now find it easier to plan journeys across the county. To read more please click here.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

BFBS’ MiPlayer Platform Turns Ten: A Decade of Innovation Entertaining UK Armed Forces Worldwide

16 January 2026: BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) today celebrates the tenth anniversary of its MiPlayer platform, the powerful service created to keep UK Armed Forces connected to home and entertainment, when they’re serving in the most remote and hostile environments.

What began in January 2016 as a modest onboard system delivering ten TV channels and six radio stations to HMS Iron Duke has grown into one of BFBS’ most significant and far-reaching innovations, now operating across the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleets, operational bases, remote islands and soon, even on submarines.

Reflecting on the milestone, Nick Beer, Director of BFBS Development and Strategy, said: “MiPlayer started as a bold idea to solve a seemingly impossible problem: how do you bring home to people serving in the most remote and demanding environments on Earth? And how do you do that in the way users demand: on their personal devices and with catchup when there is little or no internet available?

What Are SSAFA Short Breaks?

SSAFA Short Breaks are free, residential activity breaks for families currently serving in the Armed Forces who have a child (aged 5–18) with an additional need and/or disability. These breaks offer families a chance to spend quality time together, enjoy inclusive activities, and build confidence and resilience. Families will be responsible for their own travel costs; however, if this presents a challenge, the SSAFA team may be able to support.

Who Can Apply?

Families with children aged 5–18, where at least one child has an additional need and/or disability.
Children must be dependents of a current serving person or reservist.
At least one parent must attend the break.
Families must not have attended a SSAFA Short Break in the last five years.

Two-Stage Application Process

This year, SSAFA is introducing a two-stage application process for Short Breaks applications. We will prioritise families where the need is greatest. This assessment helps us understand your situation and make sure support is offered fairly and where it can have the most impact. Every family deserves access to support that reflects their lived reality. For military families with children who have additional needs and disabilities, that support must be flexible, respectful, and emotionally safe. This assessment helps us understand what that looks like for you and your family and helps us determine if SSAFA’s Short Breaks can meet that need at this time, when considered in relation to other applications.

Stage 1 – Basic Eligibility
Families complete an online form to confirm they meet the core criteria. Only those who pass Stage 1 will be invited to Stage 2. Apply for Stage 1 SSAFA Short Breaks 2026.