South West: National Garden Scheme across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Oxfordshire

 

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,300 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors we have donated over £77.8 million to nursing and health charities and in 2025 made an annual donation of over £3.8 million. Our core beneficiaries include Carer’s Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Parkinson’s UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – we are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. We also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health and grant bursaries to help community gardening projects.

Please click the links below for further information:

Wiltshire gardens

Gloucestershire gardens

Somerset gardens

Oxfordshire gardens

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Army Welfare Service – Contact Number Changes for Intake & Assessment Team (IAT) and Services Cotswold Centre

Please be advised that the Army Welfare Service has introduced updated contact numbers for two key services. These new numbers are now active and replace the previous lines, which have been permanently disconnected.

Intake & Assessment Team (IAT)

07813 019 490

The IAT remains available for queries, phone referrals, support, and contact from units, partners, and Service Users via:

• Telephone: 07813 019 490
• Email: RC-AWS-IAT-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
• Referral Form: via the standard AWS referral process - Army Welfare Service (AWS) Specialist Welfare (SW) Referral Form – Fill in form

Services Cotswold Centre

0331 1432730

This number replaces the previous SCC contact line.

Shrewton: The Bustard - Coffee and Chat - for Veterans and Serving Personnel

Information provided by South West HIVE Hub

Grantham: Shine Together supporting the people who support our communities

E: shinetogether@shinelincolnshire.com

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Northern Ireland: Armed Forces Covenant Passes in Belfast City Council

 

ARMED FORCES COVENANT ADOPTED BY BELFAST CITY COUNCIL

I was delighted to receive a call from the Veterans Champion for Belfast City Council, Cllr James Lawlor to inform me that the council had formally adapted the Armed Forces Covenant. 

Coming so soon after the positive vote in Stormont last November, this news will be very welcome.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation to ensure that that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces and their families are treated fairly. It is not, as some claim, about preferential treatment, but rather making sure there is no disadvantage as a result of service. 

Any political party, who believes in equality, and who wants to see an end to discrimination, could not object to the principles of the covenant. It is important for society in Northern Ireland that members of the Armed Forces and veterans receive the recognition that they deserve.

I want to pay tribute to Cllr James Lawlor, as the Armed Forces and Veterans Champion in Belfast City Council, for his tireless work to achieve this positive vote.

David Johnstone
NI Veterans Commissioner

Information provided by HIVE NI

London: Building Heroes The Leading Tri-Service Military to Construction Charity

Please note: Service leavers are able to book in advance but are required to be within their last six months of service when they attend their course.

We are active in other locations across the UK. At one of these locations, we are offering a plant and machinery course. Further details can be found here: Streetworks and Plant Machinery Operative | Building Heroes

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Catterick: New Phone Number for Catterick Medical Centre in Cambrai Lines

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Safe Haven NHS

An evening and weekend drop-in service for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or their carer.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Mind wellbeing partnership

In Hampshire, 50% of people experience psychological, emotional or mental health difficulties that significantly affect their day-to-day functioning. Rates of hospital admissions for self-harm in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are more than 1.5 times the national average. 

In response, Andover Mind, Havant and East Hants Mind and Solent Mind are pleased to announce that they have been awarded the contract by Hampshire County Council and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board to provide mental health and wellbeing services across Hampshire. By working in partnership together and with the local GP surgeries, more people will be able to access specialist services, and local wellbeing centres will continue to support their communities. 

For more information click HERE

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Home Start wellbeing group Mondays 1000hrs - 1130hrs

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub