Blackpool: Ride The Lights - An exciting preview of Blackpool Illuminations - 26th August 2025

Get on your bike and Ride the Lights! - An Exciting Preview of Blackpool Illuminations.

Ride at any point along the promenade from Starr Gate at South Shore to Red Bank Road in Bispham. You can ride as much or as little of the route as you are able.

Ride the lights is not a bike race, it's a fun and FREE bike ride open to all. A great opportunity to get out and about on your bike with both family and friends.

In order to keep safe, there are a few things to remember:

• All bikes must have a minimum of one white light at the front and one red light at the back.
• It is highly recommended that all participants should wear a cycle helmet.
• A responsible adult must accompany all children.
• Please be aware that the tramway will be operational throughout the ride, take special care in the area around North Pier/Metropole Hotel
• Marshalls and First Aiders will be on hand along the route.
• Bike Doctors and support vehicles will be on hand to look after breakdowns.
• The road will re-open to traffic at 10pm. Please try to plan your ride to reach your destination by this time, and be aware of traffic after this time.

Charities are welcome to use the event as a fundraiser by encouraging their supporters to participate and get sponsored.

As you get on your bike to ride the lights, why not join in the creative fun by designing your very own Illuminations display on your bike? Decorate your ride with colourful lights, lamps and lanterns to show off your illuminations design ideas. Light your ride... then ride the lights!

Please note that there will be live filming and photography at this event. Any pictures provided maybe used by VisitBlackpool for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be included, please contact VisitBlackpool Web Team

Road Closures for Ride the Lights

Officials close the Promenade throughout the full length of the Illuminations, usually between 6pm and 10pm on the night.

Yellow signs and cones appear from tea time, with traffic diverted off the Promenade between Red Bank Road at Bispham and Squires Gate Lane at Blackpool South Shore.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Stafford: AWS Community Support Fire station visit Hydrant way open to young people 5+ Monday 18th August 2025 1pm to 3pm

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

London: Home Start London

Home Start are there for parents when they need it the most because childhood can’t wait

All parents struggle at one time or another and Home-Start is ready to support London families through their toughest times.

Home-Start trains and supports volunteers to work alongside parents in their own home giving compassionate and confidential support, tailored to each family. Home-Start London is a consortium of 12 local Home-Starts operating across 24 London boroughs. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Church Crookham: Hope Hampshire free community breakfast service every 1st Sunday of the month 1000 to 1200hrs

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hook: Family Support Group parents and children up to 11 years

Information provided by South East HIVE

Surrey: become a registered childminder

Are you considering becoming a registered childminder and would like to find out more?

A registered childminder is a person who looks after one or more children for more than a total of two hours a day in their own home. They are registered and inspected by Ofsted. 

Surrey County Council are committed to supporting childminders to provide high quality childcare and early years education. Our 'Becoming a Registered Childminder' (BaRC) training is made up of two face-to-face full day sessions, delivered over two consecutive weeks, for those interested in joining the childminding profession. 

The training covers the legislation and implications of caring for other people's children in a home environment to ensure that children are safe, well cared for and take part in activities that contribute to their learning and development. 

The training also details your statutory duties as set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Click HERE for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Surrey: funded childcare in Surrey

From April 2024, funded early education will be expanding. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support. 

The new entitlements will be introduced in phases: 

- From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child's 2nd birthday

- From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months

Aldershot: Safe Haven NHS

An evening and weekend drop-in service for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or their carer.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Family Focus Programme reopens for applications

When a serving person becomes wounded, injured, or sick, life can change quickly for those around them. Family members might take on the role of primary carer, carrying a heavy emotional and practical load during recovery.

Ongoing support is essential. Its helps carers recognise their own needs and ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved.

In 2024/25, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) awarded more than £1.3 million to 16 projects under the Family Focus programme to improve the lives of family members of Wounded, Injured or Sick personnel and veterans.

Focus on family members

Today, the Trust are opening this programme and inviting applications for projects that will achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

• Family members of those who are wounded, injured or sick feel better informed and more able to access relevant information, advice and guidance, applicable to their situation.

• Family members of those who are wounded, injured or sick feel less lonely/isolated, more resilient and better equipped to deal with their circumstances.

• Family members of those who are wounded, injured and sick have developed their skills for work, or have greater confidence to pursue volunteering or employment when it's right for them.

Gov.uk: Emergency Alerts Sunday 7 September at 3pm

The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

Your mobile phone or tablet will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent. The alert message will confirm this is a test and that you do not need to take any further action.

Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency. Find out more at gov.uk/alerts.

You can opt out of the Emergency Alerts, including the national test, but you should keep them switched on for your own safety.

Emergency Alerts will warn you via your mobile or tablet if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. Only the government and the emergency services are able to send them.

There are simple and effective steps we can all take to be more prepared for an emergency. Visit gov.uk/prepare for advice on how you can prepare.