Give Us Time - Autumn last minute breaks and more!

Give Us Time still have lots of breaks and other opportunities available over the coming months – read all the way down for the big news!

“Give Us Time supports Forces families to spend time together on donated respite breaks following separation due to deployment, bereavement, physical or mental injuries, financial need, or other welfare issues.”  Find out more at Frequently asked questions - Give us time - Breaks for service personnel and their families

OCTOBER

• Cwm Llan cabin, North Wales, 5 – 9 October, sleeps 2
• Broadland Sands Holiday Park, Suffolk, 5 -9 October, sleeps 6
• Seawick Holiday Park, Essex, 12 – 16 October, sleeps 6

Give Us A Moment days out for half term:

• Visit the newly re-opened Palm Houses at Edinburgh Botanic Gardens
• Enjoy Pumpkin Picking at Hatters Farm, Essex
• Explore the Gardens at Monteviot House near Jedburgh

NOVEMBER

• Polperro, Cornwall, Platinum standard lodge, 9 – 13 November, sleeps 6
• Pevensey Bay, Sussex, Platinum standard lodge, 9 – 13 November, sleeps 6

DECEMBER

• Kidlandlee holiday cottage, Northumberland, 7 – 11 December, sleeps 6

PLUS THE RV GUESTHOUSE, FALMOUTH - DATES THROUGHOUT OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

THE BIG ONE!! 🎄🎅🎁

We’re also thrilled to have more tickets for the Polar Express! This year we’ll be travelling along the Spa Valley Railway from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, on Friday 6 November, leaving at 7pm - please visit the website for more information!

As always, we book on a first come first served basis via the website - https://bookings.giveustime.org.uk/login - breaks are accommodation only, days out are entry ticket only – GUT cannot cover the costs of travel, food etc.

Serve and Protect Credit Union: Fixed interest rate now increased - Fixed Saver 14 - Guaranteed Return of 4.25% AER

 

Fixed interest rate now increased - 4.25% Fixed-Rate Savings Account - Now Available

Serve and Protect Credit Union are pleased to announce the latest fixed-rate savings account is now available paying a guaranteed return of 4.25% AER.

✅ 4.25% AER fixed for 12 months (starting 1st November 2026)
✅ Balances between £1,000-£10,000
✅No fees or charges
✅Available until 28th October 2026

This is simply for your awareness—it’s not a recommendation.
Please take a look and decide if it’s right for you.

The account is available to apply for between 1st to 28th October 2026 and you need to become a member first – which is free.

You can learn more here:
https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/fixed-saver/
Terms and eligibility criteria apply.

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 efare Team during normal working hours on:

Blandford Garrison Support Unit (BGSU)

Tel 0743 631 8137.

Email: BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk.

For Contact House Enquiries: Blandfordgar-ContactHse-Bookings@mod.gov.uk.

BGSU Padre - Revd Carl Stokes 

Carl.Stokes103@mod.gov.uk

11 (RSS) Sig Regt Welfare Team

Unit Welfare Senior NCO - Tel 0743 631 7952
Asst Unit Welfare Officer - Tel 0743 631 8332
Unit Welfare Officer - Tel 0743 631 8050

Email: DSCIS-11SR-RHQ-Welfare@mod.gov.uk 

11 Sigs Padre - Rev Caroline Rogers 

Caroline.Rogers118@mod.gov.uk 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) scheme: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS), Leyland - Closing Date 27 October 2026

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme (2 vacancies in total):

GFIE 509 - Specialist Prison Industries (SPI) : Engineering Machining – Leyland (HMP Wymott)

Closing Date: 27th October 2026

🎯 What You’ll Be Doing

👨‍🏫 📚 🛠Teaching & Supervising: Teach, instruct, and supervise prisoners in an engineering machining workshop to help them attain nationally recognised qualifications and improve their employment prospects upon release.

⚙ 📋 🏭Workshop Management: Set work schedules, manage production targets and quality standards, log attendance, approve wages/hours, and maintain machinery and tool checks.

Safety & Security: Maintain security and discipline, conduct metal detector scans or rub-down searches, complete safety/incident reports (such as ACCT, VRIR, and SIRs), and enforce health and safety standards (including COSHH).

🔒 🛡 🚨Prisoner Development: Induct prisoners, tailor training to individual needs, and contribute to progress reports, parole, and sentence planning.

Job description

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)

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) scheme: DWP Learning Planner Officer, Sheffield - Closing Date: 25 October 2026

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme (2 vacancies in total):

GFIE-500 – DWP Learning Planner Officer - Sheffield

Closing Date: 25 October 2026

Job description

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)

Bovington: BFBS Radio live on air throughout the Garrison

 

The military community in Bovington Garrison can listen to BFBS Radio on 100.8FM.

The schedule brings listeners a great mix of local and global radio, combining the BFBS Blandford Breakfast Show – weekdays from 0630-1000hrs – with programmes from BFBS Radio’s worldwide network.

The BFBS service will continue to be maintained in Bovington on 1287 AM too.

If you have a story or message that you would like to broadcast on BFBS, please contact Producer/Presenter for BFBS Blandford, Jason Herbert, via blandford@bfbs.com.

BLANDFORD CAMP

BFBS radio Namaste, Blandford. BFBS Gurkha 101.5FM

Blandford Garrison radio is live on 100.8FM

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Tank Museum latest job vacancies

For latest opportunities click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison pregnancy, maternity & new parent network sessions - Starts Tues 20th Oct & Tues 24th Nov

 

Click on poster above to enlarge

Connecting expectant parents with experienced parents, plus educational talks on topics like breastfeeding, babies first aid etc.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blackpool: DRONE SHOW AT STANLEY PARK - Saturday 3rd October 2026

The award-winning Stanley Park turns 100 on Friday 2 October and everyone is invited to join the celebrations at a special centenary event on Saturday 3 October.

The event will end with a spectacular drone show starting at 8pm by Celestial, the finalists of Britain’s Got Talent 2025.

A packed programme of free activities, live entertainment, family fun and special centenary moments will take place across the park throughout the day, including:
The switch-on of new lighting at the Italian Gardens fountain, Cocker Clock and around the park
Makers Market, fairground rides, walks and talks
Free sporting activities with Active Blackpool
Live entertainment throughout the day
And more!

Information provided by Weeton HIVE

Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan: Citizens Advice - Military Moves Made Easy - Advice on Relocation

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub