Fife: Fife Women's Aid National Stalking week

It is National Stalking Awareness week.

We will be sharing a post a day this week to highlight stalking and the dangers associated with it, as well as highlighting sources of support.

If you are concerned about stalking or its impact, please contact The National Stalking helpline.

The Helpline is open:

09:30 - 20:00, Monday and Wednesday

09:30 - 16:00, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

0808 802 0300

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Edinburgh: Womens Rise and Rnew - Wellbeing workshops for women with a military connection

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Northern Ireland: Latest Edition of NI4 Kids is out now

To read the latest edition on line, please click here

Information provided by HIVE NI

Defence Update: Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding Overseas Survey 2025 results published

The Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) team commissioned a survey aimed at Armed Forces families living overseas to better understand their lived experience and provide an evidence base to help review current policy processes and develop future policy. The survey was issued to Serving personnel including dual-Serving and spouses/partners assigned overseas.

To view the results of the survey, please go to this link: Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding Overseas Survey 2025 - GOV.UK

Defence Update: Helping our people understand the Armed Forces Covenant’s support and extension

Helping our people understand the Armed Forces Covenant’s support and extension

A grant of £370,000 has been awarded to drive awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant – helping more Service personnel and families to access support and understand how the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty extension, as part of the Armed Forces Bill, will directly benefit them.

The Army Families Federation (AFF) will receive the grant on behalf of the Tri-Service Families Federations, which includes the AFF, Naval Families Federation and the RAF Families Federation. Together, they will develop the Covenant Awareness Programme, coordinating efforts with other relevant organisations.

Funded for two years by the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Covenant Awareness Programme will:

• Significantly improve awareness and understanding of the Armed Forces Covenant by creating and sharing resources and engaging with Service families.
• Enhance the well-being and resilience of Service families through better access to resources and support networks.
• Inform Service families of how the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty extension through the Armed Forces Bill – which is progressing through Parliament – will positively impact them.

What does extending the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty mean for the Service community?

Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner Statement, in respect to Coagh Inquest Appeal Ruling

 

Please see the statement below from Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, David Johnstone in respect to yesterday's Coagh Inquest Appeal Ruling:

Yesterday's Appeal Court ruling by Lady Chief Justice Keegan, that a coroner was legally entitled to find a SAS soldier justified in shooting an unarmed IRA driver, as part of a collective terrorist threat to life, is to be welcomed. Lady Chief Justice Keegan said the SAS member ( Soldier B ) who opened fire, at an IRA terrorist attack in Coagh in 1991, had responded proportionately in a lethal situation, a fact already established at the initial inquest and an appeal.

This ruling also highlights the ongoing concerns that veterans have with the wider legacy process and some of the current proposals contained within the Troubles Bill. For many veterans, this ‘lawfare’, particularly through the coronial system, has become the punishment. Lady Chief Justice Keegan was clear in stating the grounds of this legal challenge were not the purpose of Judicial Reviews. In other words, this is a misuse of the legal system.

Millions of pounds of public money is being channelled into legal cases that lack any substance, consuming court time and prolonging hardship for veterans and their families who are more often than not, left in limbo for years.

I also welcome the public comments of the SAS Regimental Association and the retired Generals who understand, better than anyone, the challenging nature of operations like Coagh, where soldiers, sent by the UK Government, found themselves in combat situations facing armed terrorists.

As Veterans Commissioner, I will continue to advocate for a legacy process that ensures fairness for all. I will continue to highlight the ‘lawfare’ strategy being used, particularly through coroners inquests, that seeks to create a narrative of wholesale demonisation of those who served, the vast majority of whom did so, with huge restraint and professionalism.

Information provided by HIVE NI

Edinburgh: Defence Garden Scheme and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh workshops

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Fife: Citizens Advice and Rights Fife Scam Alert

We’ve been made aware of a scam where callers are pretending to be from Citizens Advice. These scams are becoming increasingly convincing and detailed.

Scammers are contacting individuals claiming they are owed money (e.g. refunds for mortgage or loan interest) and may:

🔹Already know personal details like your address or bank
🔹Offer to deliver cash in person
🔹Ask for bank account information

🚨 Citizens Advice will NEVER cold call you to offer money or ask for your bank details.

If you receive a call like this:

🔹Do NOT share any personal or financial information
🔹Hang up immediately
🔹Contact your bank
🔹Report the incident to the police via 101
🔹Call Advice Direct for further guidance
🔹Change your online passwords, especially for banking

📱 If you or someone you know receives a similar call, please report it and help spread awareness.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

West Midlands: Models for Heroes - Telford Sessions

 Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

Vale of Glamorgan: Litter Picking Hubs - Keep Wales Tidy

Vale of Glamorgan Council: 

Did you know there are 11 litter picking hubs across the Vale of Glamorgan?

They’re part of a network of 200+ hubs across Wales, with free kits available to borrow, including litter pickers, hi-vis vests and bags

They are there for anyone planning a community clean-up - a big thank you to all the community champions who go above and beyond to help keep our communities cared for

Find your nearest hub and find out how to get involved with Keep Wales Tidy - Cadwch Gymru'n Daclus Facebook Page

Visit the Keep Wales Tidy website here

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub