Planning to register and claim for the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) from September? Living in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? Volunteers needed for the user testing

Planning to register and claim for the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) from September? The childcare team are asking for volunteers to take part in user testing and provide feedback on some of the products required to register and claim the UKNA reimbursement.

If you haven’t heard about UKNA, read the announcement from March 2026:

Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year - GOV.UK

Criteria for taking part in the testing:

• Service personnel (SP) must be Regular or FTRS (FC)
• SP with children aged 9 months to 2 years old living in Scotland or Wales, and SP with children aged 9 months to 4 years old living in Northern Ireland.
• SP that are currently paying for childcare at a registered childcare provider.
• SP that use a Tax-Free Childcare account to pay their provider.
• SP that have sufficient time available to test the product and provide feedback to the team.

User testing will take place between now and September.

If you fit the criteria and would like to take part in the user testing, please contact the Defence childcare team at people-affs-child-expenses@mod.gov.uk

South: Interview Skills Training with Vivo - Thu 9 Jul

 

Please email tessa.pritchard@vivodefence.com to book your space or to find out more info.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Blackpool: Armed Forces Week Events and Offers - 22 - 27 June 2026

Armed Forces Week, taking place from the 22 - 27 June, is Blackpool's opportunity to say thank you to our heroes.

To mark the national event, we are welcoming serving military personnel, veterans and cadets with a wide range of activities targeted at them and their families, as well as the many thousands of people visiting Blackpool.

Armed Forces Week Flag Raising - 23 June 2026
Location: Blackpool Town Hall, Talbot Square, Blackpool
Blackpool Armed forces week officially begins with the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag above the Town Hall.

Meet members of the Armed Forces Covenant - 22 – 27 June 2026
Location: Houndshill Shopping Centre
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and should not face disadvantages when seeking to access public or private goods and services in the UK. Members of Blackpool’s covenant will be on hand all week to offer advice and demonstrate the wide range of agencies and organisations that provide support for our Armed Forces and veterans.

Coral Island Armed Forces Day - 26 June 2026
Time: From 15:00
Location: The Buccaneer, Coral Island
Tickets: Booking is required, and a fully-refundable deposit of £5 to secure a place is required within 3 days of your booking, call 01253 922182.

As part of Armed Forces Week 2025, Coral Island will be putting on its annual event for veterans from the UK’s Armed Forces on Thursday 25 June from 15:00, with a complimentary two-course carvery and drink on arrival.

Fylde Memorial Arboretum - 26 June 2026
Time: 10:30 arrival, service begins at 11am
Location: Millennium Grove, Moor Park Avenue, Blackpool, FY2 0LY

Founded by Don Aiken, a D-Day Veteran and located in the fields next to Moor park school, the Fylde Memorial Arboretum stands as an area of remembrance that provides the service associations, and the people of Blackpool and the Fylde, a place of peace and beauty in which to remember their fallen comrades and loved ones.

As part of Blackpool Armed Forces week, the Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee will host a service of dedication at the centre of the Memorial Arboretum's Glade area.

Sunday Morning Service & Parade - 28 June 2026

Bovington: Garrison welfare team

The Welfare team aims to provide the best possible welfare advice to all soldiers and their families. The Welfare office is located by Costcutter food store on King George V Road, Bovington. 

• Unit Welfare Officer - Mr Adrian Ingham 
• Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - WO2 Scott Forrester
• Welfare Support Officer - Zoe Van de Zande

Tel: Welfare Office 01929 402239 or 01929 402240

Email: CMC-BovLulSU-WELFARE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk 

In case of emergency - duty welfare mobile number 07971 577282

Please only contact the duty mobile number if it is an urgent welfare matter. 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison welfare support

The Welfare support teams and chaplaincy services offer support and advice to all Soldiers, Officers and families living or working on the Garrison

Should you require help and support or have a welfare issue please contact a member of your Welfare Team during normal working hours on:

Blandford Garrison Support Unit (BGSU)

Garrison Welfare Clerk - BlandfordGar-BGSU-WCSO Tel: 01258 481938

Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - BLANDFORDGAR-BGSU-GWWO Tel: 01258 482694

Garrison Welfare Officer - BLANDFORDGAR-BGSU-GWO Tel: 01258 481936

BGSU Padre - Revd Carl Stokes 

Carl.Stokes103@mod.gov.uk

11 (RSS) Sig Regt Welfare Team

Unit Welfare Senior NCO - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-Welfare NCO Tel: 01258 482619

Asst Unit Welfare Officer - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-AUWO Tel: 01258 482902

Unit Welfare Officer - DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-UWO Tel: 01258 482901

11 Sigs Padre - Rev Caroline Rogers 

Caroline.Rogers118@mod.gov.uk 

Out of hours emergency contact the Guardroom on - 01258 482402.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Gillingham: The Strand Playzone - Free Football Sessions for 3 -5 year olds 1630 - 1730hrs Every Tuesday

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): 9 National Crime Agency job vacancies, multiple locations - Closing Date 5 July

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme (9 vacancies in total):

GFIE-490 - Business Management Officer, Investigations, Operational Delivery - National Crime Agency - Tolworth, Gatwick, Slough, Heathrow, Gillingham, Stevenage, Exeter, Nottingham, Sunderland

Job description: Business Management Officer

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)

Kickstart Your Career: The National Crime Agency (NCA)
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is the UK’s lead law enforcement agency dedicated to cutting serious and organised crime. We are seeking motivated individuals to join our Investigations Command as Business Management Officers.

The Role
As a Business Management Officer, you will play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of our Multi Threat and Borders Teams. You will support an operational team and the Senior Business Management Officer to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. This is a dynamic role that requires the ability to work at pace, manage busy schedules, and prioritise essential tasks effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Defence Update: Blow the whistle - Domestic abuse support for Armed Forces families

Blow the whistle: Domestic abuse support for Armed Forces families

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June, people are urged to: Stop, Notice, and Act against domestic abuse. Don’t look away.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup – which will take place from 11 June to 19 July – is a time for celebration, community and a shared love for the game. But for some people, this period is marked by increased domestic abuse.

Research shows that domestic abuse incidents rise by 38% when England loses, and by 26% when they win or draw.

Football itself does not cause domestic abuse, but major tournaments can bring factors that raise the risk. This includes emotional stress, alcohol and substance use, financial pressures and gambling.

When something isnʼt right – in relationships, at home, at work, or in our communities – “blow the whistle”. That means recognising abuse, signposting to support, and speaking up if you witness or experience abusive behaviour.
Everyone has the right to feel safe

Domestic abuse takes many forms – including coercive control, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, in couple relationships or between family members.

Anyone can be affected: 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and 1 in 6 or 7 men.

No one should make you feel unsafe. All Defence personnel are expected to treat others with dignity and respect, inside and outside of work. There is no Defence for abuse.
Supporting the Armed Forces community

In a military context, there is a misconception that domestic abuse support services are only for the Service person and not the whole family.

Defence has a clear duty to safeguard our people and their families from domestic abuse and has a range of support services in place – in the UK and overseas – to ensure every person in the Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) community gets the support they need and deserve.

Defence’s Domestic Abuse Action Plan set out actions to tackle abuse through prevention, support and perpetrator interventions – backed by cultural change initiatives, leadership, education and training.
Support services for Armed Forces families
Holistic care and support

The Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) provides independent, trauma-informed support to victims-survivors and witnesses of serious crimes that have been committed by persons subject to Service law, in the UK and abroad.

The unit is independent of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force (single Services’) Chains of Command and supports people throughout their journey in the Service Justice System. They also have independent advisors that specialise in domestic violence and sexual violence.

Specialist welfare services

GamCare: World Cup & Gambling Support

GamCare has published new data (link) this week showing that the proportion of people contacting the National Gambling Helpline with online gambling concerns has reached its highest level in five years. They also saw an 11% rise in contacts following the last men's World Cup.

This recent data from GamCare highlights a growing need for increased awareness and early support, especially during sporting tournaments.

If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, via online chat or WhatsApp at www.gamcare.org.uk .

Lyneham: 5Bn Families Day - Sat 4 Jul

 

Please click here to visit the event Sway page

Please note the Sway page will be updated nearer the time of the event

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE