Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioners Office - Veterans Newsletter NI

We are pleased to share the latest edition of the quarterly Northern Ireland Veterans Newsletter.

Inside, you'll find a selection of stories, updates and highlights from across the veteran community over the last three months. While we've included as much as possible, there's been so much happening that we couldn't fit everything into this edition.

You can read the newsletter here:
https://www.nivco.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Veterans-Newsletter-NI-Issue-6_.pdf

Information provided by HIVE NI

Royal Wootton Bassett: 'Bassett Breasties' - breastfeeding support group 2026 schedule

 

Please click here to visit the Facebook page

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

BFBS Supergirl Merch Giveaway

Calling all heroes… our Supergirl merch competition is LIVE

Supergirl is OUT NOW at BFBS Cinemas and we’re partnering with @WarnerBrosUK to give away a merchandise pack.

Click the link below and enter for a chance to win
Good luck!
LINK: https://www.bfbs.com/supergirl

Information provided by HIVE NI

DMS(W) Families Day - 11 July - AWS CS and Army HIVE stall

 Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Blandford: Village fete and dog show - Sat 27th June

 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison cinema latest showing 'Supergirl' Sun 28th (2pm) & Mon 29th June (7pm)

 

Food and drink available to purchase at the door.

Ticket prices

Adult (15+) £4

Senior (60+) £3

Student £3

Cinema Price changes.

Hopefully you will all have heard of the Governments ‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme, where families will enjoy discounted attractions and meals out this summer.

From 25 June to 1 September 2026 (inclusive), VAT will be cut from 20% to 5% on eligible activities and items, and this applies to certain cinema tickets.

This saving will be applied to all Family and Child tickets purchased during this period.

                    Was    Now
Child Ticket   £3    £2.63

Family Ticket £11  £9.63

For more information and to watch trailers click https://cinemas.bfbs.com/blandford

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Growing together baby group sessions - July.

 JULY SESSIONS 

Click on posters above to enlarge

Bovington children's centre is situated beside Bovington academy school, Holt Rd.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Chester Zoo: Experience the Afterglow - 31st July-16th August

Get the zoo and Afterglow in one visit – with an evening ticket.

Afterglow runs from 31 July to 16 August, excluding Mondays. The zoo will be open until 8pm, meaning you can dive straight into the festival energy and spend time with your favourite animals.

Make the most of it.
From 3pm-8pm, Afterglow transforms the zoo into a vibrant festival for all to enjoy. Interact with dinosaurs in dino discovery, join our Rangers for games and activities and dance away in the jungle disco.
Plus, spend time with the animals including our latest arrival, Nubian giraffe Kris. Animal habitats will remain open later into the evening, alongside Treetop Challenge and Off Road Adventure, giving you even more ways to fill your evening.

Book Evening Tickets Here

Blackpool: Zoo invites Locals to Elefest 2026 - Friday 10th July 26

Get ready for a TRUNK-TASTIC time!🐘🐾

We're inviting those with an FY1 - FY8, PR3 & PR4 postcode to Elefest, an unforgettable charity event full of fun and celebration all in aid of animal conservation!

Join us on Friday, 10th July, 6pm - 9.30pm, for just £6 per ticket where you'll enjoy an evening exploring most of the zoo, with live music, games, tasty food and drink, stalls, keeper talks, prizes and much more!

For more information and to book tickets Click Here

Information provided by Weeton HIVE

Valuing Forces Families Overseas: Focus Group Invitation

RAND Europe has been commissioned by the Army Families Federation, in partnership with the RAF Families Federation and the Naval Families Federation, to conduct a study exploring the experiences of UK military families throughout the overseas postings cycle. As part of this research, RAND Europe is holding focus groups with military families who have experience of overseas postings, including preparing for, undertaking, and returning from an assignment overseas. These discussions aim to provide an improved and up-to-date understanding of families lived experiences and the challenges they face at different stages of the overseas postings cycle.

This research will contribute to the Valuing Forces Families Overseas (VFFO) programme, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, which seeks to uncover hidden needs within the Armed Forces community and identify where additional support may be most needed.

If you:

• Are an ex-serving member of the Regular or Reserve UK Armed Forces
• Are a partner of a serving or ex-serving member of the Regular or Reserve UK Armed Forces,

AND if you, within the last 3 years:

• Considered going on an overseas posting (even if you ended up not going), or
• Went on an accompanied posting overseas, or
• Were separated from your partner due to an unaccompanied posting

And are interested in helping researchers to understand how military families can have positive experiences of overseas postings.

Please follow the link below and Expression of Interest to take part in an online focus group to talk about your experience of the overseas postings cycle.

Link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/G0MAAF/

If you have any questions, please contact the RAND Europe research team via email at VFFO_Research@randeurope.org

RAND Europe is a not-for-profit research institute whose aim is to improve policy through evidence-based research and analysis.