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

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

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

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

Bath & Bristol: What's on in & around the Bath & Bristol area in June

 

Please click the links below for a selection of local attractions and bookmark this page for any future updates! (Updated attractions and seasonal events may be added weekly and will show in bold text to indicate they are new).

Please note the format is slightly different for this list.

Project SALICE: Supporting the people and families behind the NATO mission

Project SALICE: Supporting the people and families behind the NATO mission

Project SALICE addresses practical obstacles faced by UK personnel and their families serving in NATO Command and Force structures – underpinning the Government’s 'NATO First' approach.

When a soldier, sailor or aviator is posted overseas for NATO, their family often goes with them. Their partner may have to give up their job, and their children may need new schools. Life must be rebuilt in a new country.

‘NATO First’ is not just a commitment made in policy documents, but the guiding principle for all our military plans and activities – and Project SALICE is here to address the challenges that can arise with an international move and to support families serving with NATO overseas.

Expanding on issues and recommendations covered in recent reviews of overseas Service life, the Project SALICE initiative is part of a broader commitment to make military life work, for those who serve – and for the families who serve alongside them. It builds on the Armed Forces Offer, which includes competitive pay, healthcare, accommodation support and funded childcare.

Lieutenant General Eldon Millar, the UK's Military Representative to NATO and the EU and Project SALICE sponsor, said:

“The UK is one of NATO's strongest members. Our Armed Forces work every day alongside allies to keep our country and Europe safe – with the right people, in the right places, at the right time.

“But keeping the best people in our Armed Forces doesn't depend only on good training and kit. It depends on Service life being a good life, for the whole family – and that is the purpose of Project SALICE.

“When our people know that their families are settled, their partners have every opportunity to work, and the practical side of overseas life is manageable, they can focus on their mission – being ready to deter, fight and win.”

The project covers: partner employment, education, accommodation, career management, policies and processes, and the Armed Forces Covenant.

Partner employment

Finding a job in another country isn't easy. Rules vary everywhere, and red tape often makes it extremely hard for partners of Service personnel to work at all.

Right now, particular attention is being focused on tackling these barriers to partner employment, and the Project SALICE team is tackling this in three ways:

1. New guides – explaining the work rules for partners in every EU country: these will be available later this summer on GOV.UK. Where rules are unfair or unclear, the team is pushing for change – talks are already under way with Italy and Denmark.
2. Support for partners in specific professions – the team is looking at what more can be done to support partners who work in healthcare, and other professions will also be considered over the coming months.
3. Changing things at home – International Remote Working (IRW) policies are being reviewed across Government departments. While most departments now have IRW policies in place, approaches vary in how they work in practice. In collaboration with the Government People Group, Defence is therefore undertaking a cross-government exercise to gather and compare IRW policies.

Wider changes...

Armed Forces People Policy (AFPP) and Armed Forces Remuneration Policy (AF Rem) teams have already made improvements to allowances, processes and provisions.

These include:

Weeton, Fulwood & Chester: AWS CS Summer Youth Club Day Trips out

• 20th July 26 - Alton Towers

• 22nd July 26 - Cinema & McDonalds

• 6th August 26 - Splashworld & Pizza

To book and register for each trip, please contact your local Community Development Worker.

Information provided by Weeton HIVE

Bovington: Tank museum 'On Track' event - Thurs 8th Oct Register now.

Credit: Tankmuseum

On-Track is FREE to attend, and FREE to exhibit. It offers valuable insights on mental and physical health, signposting toward useful communities and organisations that can support the armed forces community, networking opportunities with like-minded organisations, and a Q&A session to address your questions.

The UK Armed Forces community includes:

• Serving Personnel: Regular and reserve members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force.
• Veterans: Anyone who has served for at least one day in the Regular or Reserve Armed Forces.
• Families: Spouses, civil partners, children, and dependent relatives of serving personnel or veterans.
• The Bereaved: The immediate family members and dependents of Service personnel and veterans who have died, regardless of whether the death was connected to their Service.
• Cadet Force Adult Volunteers & Merchant Navy: Adults who volunteer for cadet forces and members of the Merchant Navy who served on commercial vessels in support of legally defined UK military operations

For more information about the event and to register click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Wiltshire: Latest SEND newsletter including 'Inclusive Wiltshire' webinar - Tue 30 Jun

 

Inclusive Wilshire has now launched!

The scheme brings together local activities that are accessible for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with additional needs, making it easier to find inclusive opportunities in your area. More than 3,600 applications submitted so far, and more coming in every day.

Wiltshire Council are holding a webinar on Tuesday 30 June from 6pm where they will share the latest updates on Inclusive Wiltshire and what it means for you and your family.

To sign up, or just for further information and the latest updates, please click here

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Wiltshire, Dorset, Bath & Somerset: Wessex Water community drop-in sessions

 

If you want advice or have a question about Wessex Water's services, you can speak to staff in person at one of the upcoming Community Drop-In sessions.

Please note you do not have to book – just show up on the day. If you would like to arrange a dedicated time slot, please email community@wessexwater.co.uk.

To find out more online, please visit https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/community-drop-ins

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Haverfordwest: Save the Date: Haverfordwest Carnival on Sat 15th Aug 26

Haverfordwest Town Council:

One of many key dates for your 2026 town events calendar. Keep close to social media updates from Pure West Radio and, of course, keep following and encourage others to follow Haverfordwest Town Council.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.