Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 16 July 2026

FamCAS 2026: SFA Satisfaction Continues to Improve

The Tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) 2026 has been published today, providing valuable insight into the experiences of Service families and the issues that matter most to them, including housing.

This year’s results show a continued improvement in satisfaction among families living in SFA, building on the positive progress seen in recent years. Overall satisfaction has increased from 44% in 2023 to 53% in 2026, while levels of dissatisfaction have fallen over a number of key areas. Families have reported seeing the strongest improvements in maintenance and repairs, reflecting the continued work to improve the quality of homes and the support provided to Service families.

For further information, see the full article on Defence Homes here.

Keeping Communal Areas Clear

Residents are reminded not to leave rubbish, personal belongings, bicycles, Electric Powered Personal Vehicles (EPPVs), or any other items in communal corridors, stairways, landings, or access routes. Items left in these areas can create significant safety hazards, obstruct access and escape routes, and hinder emergency services during a fire or other emergency incident.

Where storage is required, residents should contact their local Housing Officer to check whether suitable storage facilities are available for items such as bicycles or Electric Powered Personal Vehicles.

Thank you for your support in helping to keep communal areas clear, safe, and accessible for all residents.

Hose Pipe Ban for areas across the UK

Following a period of intense summer heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures, water demand has increased significantly across parts of the UK. As a result, a number of water companies have introduced temporary hosepipe bans. Please check with your water provider to find out whether restrictions apply in your area.

Service Police complaints: New website now live

New website now live

The Service Police Complaints Commissioner (SPCC) has launched a new website – giving everyone in the Defence community a central place to find information about Service Police complaints and how to get help if things go wrong.

Acting SPCC, Jonathan Rees KC said:
“Service Police are committed to serving our Armed Forces community with integrity, fairness and accountability – and the SPCC provides independent oversight of complaints and conduct matters that relates to their work.

"Our new website makes it easier for people to understand who we are, how to access our services, and how we work independently. We are here to support those who are unhappy with how they were treated, to investigate where conduct and behaviour may have fallen short of the high standards that should be upheld, and to recognise where Service Police are working effectively – so that good practice and learning can be shared to support improvements.

"If you have had a poor experience with the Service Police, the website provides a clear route for raising your concerns and we are committed to providing fair, independent and timely decisions."

Independent watchdog for Service policing
The SPCC is an independent body, operating entirely separately from the Service Police, Defence and Government. It performs a similar function to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) – the organisation responsible for overseeing complaints about civilian police in England and Wales – but with responsibility for the Service Police.

It is important to know and understand that the SPCC has a specific role. Unlike the Armed Forces Commissioner, the SPCC only deals with complaints about Service policing.

A resource for all
The website is for everyone in the Defence community – Regular and Reserve personnel, Service family members, civil servants, and anyone subject to Service law or Service discipline.

It is also useful for specialists who work in the Service police complaints space – such as police officers, Professional Standards Department staff and legal colleagues.

Commanding officers, policy leads and welfare leads will find it helpful too, explaining the role they can play in pointing people towards the right support.

What you will find on the website

Farnborough College of Technology Ever Thought of a Career in Rail

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Catterick: Players Wanted for Catterick Village Roses U11 Girls

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Grantham: Calling all members of the Armed Forces Community - Come and Join our Banter & Brew

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Hereford: Picnic on the Grange

 

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Hereford: Help your child build confidence this summer with Free access to Lumi Nova

Help Your Child Build Confidence This Summer with FREE Access to Lumi Nova! 

With the summer holidays nearly here, Lumi Nova is a fun and engaging mobile game designed to help children aged 7–12 build confidence and manage their worries.

Through an exciting intergalactic adventure, children can:
Reflect on their feelings
 Build resilience
Learn lifelong skills to help self-manage anxiety and worries

Parents and carers can sign up for FREE and access the app throughout the summer holidays.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Bovington: Tank Museum annual pass and concessionary tickets for garrison personnel & families

To find out about the Tank Museum and what events are coming up click HERE

An Annual Pass allows you to visit The Tank Museum as many times as you want for a year (excluding Special Event days). Every regular admission ticket purchased including Access All Areas and Experience Days automatically comes with an Annual Pass.
All Special Event tickets also include an Annual Pass.

Bovington Garrison Concessionary Tickets - Tank Museum FREE entry

Concessionary ticket management is via Guardroom, Allenby Barracks Tickets are available for military personnel and service families living or working at Bovington 

For personnel & families at Lulworth camp, Tickets are available via the Lulworth Camp Guardroom

1 ticket covers 2 adults and 2 children. MOD personnel can use their MOD90 card to gain free entry to Tank Museum. 

Tickets are to be collected on day of use and returned at the earliest opportunity.

Concessionary tickets cannot be used for special events such as Tankfest or Tiger Day.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Surrey: Twister Youth Project for 13 -19 years

 

Click on the image for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Chatham: Great Lines Parkrun Every Saturday 0900hrs

Every Saturday at 9am, a free weekly timed 5k run for all ages and abilities at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham, Kent

Everyone is welcome to join us at Great Lines parkrun! To run and record a time, you first need to register and print off a barcode that is unique to you. After that you can just turn up and run. 

At the moment we do not have enough volunteers to actually cover the critical positions in order to execute the run. We still need marshals, bar code scanners and ideally a number checker.

If anyone can volunteer please email greatlines@parkrun.com

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub