Wildshore Blackpool has kindly offered a 10% military discount for all their activities
Bookings are now live. To book please Click Here
Information provided by Weeton HIVE
June 15, 2026
AFCFT ‘Supporting Partners Programme’ opens for applications, closes 23rd Sept with notification by end of Nov
Supporting Partners Programme reopens for applications
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are pleased to let you know that the Supporting Partners programme under the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund is now open and ready to welcome new applications!
What’s the programme all about?
Since 2023, the Trust have awarded over £2.5m on behalf of the MOD to 45 projects under the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme which seeks to provide support and solutions to help partners of serving personnel navigate the challenges of service life.
Today, the Trust are reopening this programme for new applications which will achieve one or more of the following outcomes -
• Partners of serving personnel have increased their skills and confidence through additional opportunities to explore new ways of working and/or to change careers.
• Partners of serving personnel, including non-UK nationals, are better able to access and engage with employment support that reflects the challenges of service life, such as mobility and separation.
• Service providers and employers demonstrate improved understanding of the unique challenges of service life, enabling more informed and effective support for partners of serving personnel.
• Improved mental health and wellbeing for partners of serving personnel, leading to increased confidence and greater empowerment in personal and career choices that work within service life.
Grants of £10,000 to £150,000 are available for projects lasting up to three years.
June 12, 2026
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.
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
Bovington: Garrison welfare team
- Unit Welfare Officer - Mr Adrian Ingham
- Garrison Welfare Warrant Officer - WO2 Scott Forrester
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
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 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
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
June 11, 2026
Defence Update: 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
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