Shropshire: Armed Forces Outreach Sessions - October 2026

 Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

Defence Update: Local Overseas Allowance rate changes 2026

Local Overseas Allowance rate changes 2026

From 1 October 2026, some Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) rates will go up, and some will go down, depending on the cost of living in your location.

Check the new rates for where you're based before the change takes effect.

LOA explained

LOA is money paid to Service personnel who are working overseas.
It helps cover the extra cost of everyday living overseas, when prices abroad are higher than in the UK.

What's changing and why

Every year, experts check the cost of living in each country. They use information from the Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA) survey and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This tells us if prices have gone up or down compared to the UK.

Two things to know about this year's changes:

1. Child rate is staying the same: The way LOA works out payments for children is being looked at again. Until this review finishes, child LOA rates will not change.

2. Second car payments are going down: New ONS data shows that running a car in the UK now costs less than before. As LOA compares costs to the UK, this means the second car payment is going down everywhere.

What you need to do

Look up the full details on the new rates for your location. These can be found in the Directed Letter 'Revised Local Overseas Allowance Rates effective from 1 October 2026' (on defnet and Defence Connect).

Your Offer, recognising your service

There are other allowances available to help with essential needs and family wellbeing while you're overseas.

Find out more in JSP 752 or visit Discover My Benefits to explore the range of savings, allowances and opportunities available.

Point of Contact

The Allowances Team: People-AFRem-AllcesGroup@mod.gov.uk

North Wiltshire & Gloucestershire: AWS Community Support community noticeboard

 

Want to know what AWS activities are on in your area?

Click here to visit the AWS Sway noticeboard!

Who are Army Welfare Service?

The Army Welfare Service (AWS) is the Army’s professional welfare provider; it delivers a comprehensive and confidential welfare service responsive to the needs of individuals, families and the Chain of Command in order to maximise the operational effectiveness of Service Personnel.

Who are Community Support?

Community Support secures or directly provides learning and personal development opportunities for military personnel and their families wherever they are living. Non- formal education opportunities are provided within Community, Youth and Play Centres and Projects to children, young people and their families throughout the year and across the UK and overseas.

Community Support delivers additional activities during school holidays, including Easter and Summer programmes and offsite residential experiences. Community Support staff adopt best practices, are compliant with government legislation and guidelines, and in doing so promote a stronger sense of community and well-being.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE's

Recruit for Spouses: Upcoming events, programmes and upskilling opportunities for military families

The latest Recruit for Spouses update includes:

• The RFS Coaching and Mentoring Programme - participant feedback
• RFS on BFBS radio!
• Op SPOUSE: have your say
• Upcoming events and webinars

To view the update in full, please go to this link: Upcoming events, programmes and upskilling opportunities for military families

The Warrior Programme: 3 day ONLINE foundation course - 9-11 November

Click image to enlarge

Are you interested in maximising your potential and overcoming the feelings of low self-confidence, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, stress and anxiety, that keep tripping you up?

The Warrior Programme are running a 3 day ONLINE foundation course on Monday 9th - Wednesday 11th November - the same Warrior Programme that enables you to better manage emotions, feel more balanced and in control of life and work, just delivered online in the same format as our residential courses to maximise your time.

For more information about this and our other foundation courses please get in touch at:

enquiries@warriorprogramme.org.uk

stating whether you are serving personnel or a family member and which service you are with.

We are really looking forward to working with you and others in the same position, who are motivated to address challenges and maximise personal performance.

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Free financial education webinars this October

 
🌿 Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills
When: Thursday 8th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Discover how you can live a greener life to protect the planet and your wallet.

✍ Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
When: Tuesday 13th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Learn how to create a budget that meets your financial goals, with tips to cut spending.

🏡 Wills, Trusts and LPA Explained: Presented in Collaboration with Estates Planning Seminars
When: Wednesday 14th - 12:00-13:30
What to Expect: Discover the options available for protecting your assets and your family.

🌍 Financial Guidance for Global Majority Workers in the UK
When: Thursday 15th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Explore the common challenges faced by Global Majority Workers and the support available.

🐖 Saving Made Simple: Practical Habits to Boost Your Savings
When: Wednesday 21st - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Discover 10 practical savings methods to build a healthy savings cushion.

☔ Financial Resilience: Ready When it Matters
When: Thursday 22nd - 12:00-13:00
What to Expect: Discover why financial resilience is so important, with simple tips to improve your resilience.

🚀 Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
When: Friday 23rd - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Understand the importance of credit scores, with simple tips to improve your score.

💷 Borrow Smarter: Tips to Strengthen Your Loan Application
When: Thursday 29th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Explore the journey of a loan application, the factors lenders evaluate, and what to do before applying.

🔗 Register for free here: sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars

Motorfinity Community Update (September 2026)

Motorfinity Community Update (September 2026)

Your role could unlock more than you think with Motorfinity

The new 76 plate is here

The new 76 plate has arrived — and if you work in the NHS, emergency services, armed forces, education, social care or another eligible sector, your role could unlock exclusive savings on a brand-new car.

With selected vehicles available for quick delivery, you could be behind the wheel of a new 76 plate sooner than you think.

More than just a saving

Depending on your eligibility and the manufacturer, Motorfinity customers can access:

• Exclusive discounts on brand-new cars
• A wide choice of leading manufacturers
• Family discounts with participating brands
• Flexible finance options
• Part exchange
• UK-wide delivery
• Expert support from first browse to delivery

Cirencester: Family Hub and Youth Club timetables

Please click the images above to enlarge the timetables & info for the Cirencester Family Hub

Please click here for further details

 

Please click the image above to enlarge the Cirencester Impact Youth Centre timetable

Please click here for further details

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Prudhoe: Prudhoe Veterans Hub - Join Us

COME ALONG AND JOIN US!

Are you still serving, a veteran, part of the Blue Light Services, or a family member? Then why not come along and meet us!

Saturday 26th September
From 10.30am
Prudhoe Veterans Hub, Prudhoe United Services Club (The Legion)
Front Street North, Prudhoe, NE42 5HF

Everyone is welcome, whether you’re already a member or simply want to come along, have a chat and see what we’re all about.

Car parking is available on site — please remember to register your vehicle registration number inside the bar

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Blandford: Garrison forces mortgage clinic starts Wed 7th Oct

 

This will take place the first Wednesday of the month and is based in the Williams Building 0900 – 1200hrs.

This is free no obligation advice for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE