The HIVE will close for the Christmas holidays on Monday, 15th Dec 25, until Friday, 9th Jan 26.
We wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a successful New Year.
Friday, 12 December 2025
Big risks, big emotions & battles worth watching – only on BFBS TV! - 13-19/12//2025
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First Defence Finance: Top Christmas Discounts for the Military
Top
Christmas Discounts for the Military
The
Christmas rush is officially here. The shopping lists, the family visits, the
hunt for the perfect gift at the perfect price.
The good
news is you don’t have to do it alone.
The MOD has
partnered with First Defence Finance, a credit union providing savings
and loans the military community. Opening an account with them gives you access
to their discount platform packed with offers that help you stretch your winter
budget.
From food to gifting, we’ve pulled together some of the best festive deals to make the season a little brighter and a lot more affordable.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Army HIVE Christmas and New Year Closure
The majority of Army HIVEs will be closed after duties on Fri 19 Dec 25 and will reopen on Mon 5 Jan 26. There may be localised variations to these dates for individual HIVEs.
Army HIVE HQ is also closed during the festive fortnight, so any enquiries submitted via the ‘If you need further information’ MS Forms function on our UK, Cyprus or Overseas blogs will be answered when we return in the New Year.
We will periodically cover private messages on our Army HIVE Facebook platform (and X/Instagram where possible) whilst we are closed. However, this will not be 24/7 and should not be relied upon for anything that requires an urgent response.
To support our customers with more immediate requirements however, the Army HIVE HQ email will provide a comprehensive out of office autoreply, detailing points of contact that are either 24/7, emergency providers, or open over the festive leave fortnight. To receive this autoreply, please email:
RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Individual HIVEs will also provide localised contact details for Christmas and New Year cover wherever possible in their automated replies. Therefore, if you email your closest HIVE, which you can find on www.army.mod.uk/hives, their autoreply may be of additional assistance.
Army HIVE wishes all of its Service community customers, and our internal and external stakeholders, a very happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to continuing our support and engagement in 2026.
Akrotiri Santa's Grotto
Booking for the Christmas Grotto has arrived!
Please use the link below to book one session per family.
Akrotiri Letters to Santa
Last Call for Letters to Santa! 
Ho ho ho! Make sure your Christmas wishes reach the North Pole in time! The official closing date for all letters to Santa is December 16th.
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Episkopi: SSAFA Survey
SSAFA are listening!
It sounds a bit cliché but they rely on your feedback to let them know how they are doing or if something needs to change. They know its tedious filling out the form but it really does help and it should only take a few minutes of your time.
Please follow the link below to let them know what you think of their services - both positive and constructive welcome!
It sounds a bit cliché but they rely on your feedback to let them know how they are doing or if something needs to change. They know its tedious filling out the form but it really does help and it should only take a few minutes of your time.
Please follow the link below to let them know what you think of their services - both positive and constructive welcome!
Santa's Sleigh Alcohol Awareness Event, hosted by JSSU (Cy)
With Storm Byron now in full swing, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, thunder and lightning to the area, the decision has been made to postpone the Santa Sleigh event, which was scheduled for this evening.
The safety of the community, our volunteers and the team supporting the event comes first — and with the current conditions, it simply wouldn’t be safe or enjoyable for anyone involved.
But don’t worry… Christmas magic is still coming!
We are pleased to confirm that Santa, Mrs Claus, the Grinch and all the Elves will now be visiting Ay Nik on:
Tuesday, 16th December
All sleigh stop timings remain exactly the same
Thank you for your understanding and patience. Sov, Matty and the team has put an enormous amount of work into this event and we want to make sure it’s delivered properly, safely and with the festive spirit it deserves.
See you all on Tuesday for an amazing evening!
The safety of the community, our volunteers and the team supporting the event comes first — and with the current conditions, it simply wouldn’t be safe or enjoyable for anyone involved.
But don’t worry… Christmas magic is still coming!
We are pleased to confirm that Santa, Mrs Claus, the Grinch and all the Elves will now be visiting Ay Nik on:
Tuesday, 16th DecemberAll sleigh stop timings remain exactly the sameThank you for your understanding and patience. Sov, Matty and the team has put an enormous amount of work into this event and we want to make sure it’s delivered properly, safely and with the festive spirit it deserves.
See you all on Tuesday for an amazing evening!
Tuesday, 9 December 2025
Civilian Housing Options Briefings – 2026 Dates
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing
For more information on MoD Veterans Services support for Service Leavers and their families please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families
Victory Services Club latest newsletter - The VSC is Sparkling for Christmas!
The latest newsletter from the Victory Services Club is now available to view online at this LINK
To find out more about Christmas celebrations at the VSC, please visit: Christmas at the VSC is here! - Victory Services Club
NHS England: Calling All Young Carers! Workshop dates for Dec 25 and Jan 26
For more information about the support and resources available to young carers in the Service community, please contact Army HIVE on RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk, PM via our social media pages, or use our blog enquiry form (from the blog menu please go to: “If you need further information Please contact us: here”).
Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 04 December 25
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Over the last few years we have made substantial progress in tackling damp and mould that has been reported to us. Condensation is usually the biggest cause of damp within homes, and we know this often increases in colder months of the year. There are 4 key steps that you can take to prevent condensation, damp and mould in your home.
Please read our helpful guide to preventing condensation, damp and mould in your homes here.
Bravery, brilliance & battles of every kind – only on BFBS TV! - 6-12/12/2025
Your weekly guide to the must-see TV across all the channels provided by BFBS. Full listings can be found on our website
The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026
First introduced in March 2024 the DAW was designed to support home ownership and replace older SLA waivers. The DAW supports eligible SP to use Single Living Accommodation (SLA) free of charge, providing they maintain a separate home elsewhere in the UK.
Recruit for Spouses: Op SPOUSE and how RFS supports you
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RFS gives the following overview:
“A nationwide initiative to strengthen Defence retention, readiness and resilience.
“Family dissatisfaction is the leading driver in the Armed Forces retention challenge – and supporting spouses more effectively is critical to improving outcomes across Defence.
“Op SPOUSE is the solution – it equips military spouses with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive, helping to sustain family stability and long-term commitment to Service life.
“Delivered by RFS – the UK’s leading military families charity – this scalable initiative enhances existing MOD commitments to support Service families, and strengthens Defence outcomes by improving retention, readiness and cost-efficiency.”
Find out more at: https://www.recruitforspouses.co.uk/op-spouse
To find out more about the support available from Recruit for Spouses, please view/download the ‘How RFS Supports You’ brochure. [Recruit for Spouses]
Friday, 5 December 2025
Episkopi: Reindeer Express
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Santa and his little helpers are visiting Episkopi station to deliver presents to big and little people from the forces community. Do you want him to visit you house? YES!
The Reindeer Express will be delivering presents by sleigh on the following dates to;
WEDNESDAY 17th December 1630 to 1930hrs. North/South Paramali, Gibraltar, Kensington estates.
THURSDAY 18th December 1630 to 1830hrs. EPISKOPI Garrison, starting at Biggin Hill, Eldorado and finally Lion Heart.
IF YOU WANT A PRESENT DELIVERED THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Complete a present label and secure it to a gift wrapped present, no bigger than shoe box size, and take it to Episkopi Youth Club, on FRIDAY 12th December between 0800 and 1600hrs.
Book it in with the elves and pay a fee of TWO euros per present. The money will go towards youth club projects.
REMEMBER, No more than 2 presents per child.
Flyers with labels have been handed into early years, the HIVE, Epi primary school. They can also be found at Episkopi Youth Centre and can be filled in on the drop off day 12th December.
Akrotiri Chritmas Grotto
Drumroll please from the Akrotiri Community Group…. 
Save the date for Akrotiri Christmas grotto 2025.
The letters and grotto are being run separately this year. More info to follow as the festive season approaches
Follow the Grotto page for more info and updates.
Akrotiri Op Santa
𝗢𝗽 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝟮𝟱 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻!
DATE: December 17th 2025
DATE: December 17th 2025
Starting at 𝟭𝟱:𝟭𝟱, Santa and his trusty team of elves will be revving up the sleigh (…okay, it’s a truck, but don’t tell the reindeer) and beginning their magical journey through the Officers’ Estate, before zooming over to the OR's’ Estate at 𝟭𝟲:𝟭𝟱 to deliver gifts! If your little one has any 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, please make sure to fill out this link so our elves don’t accidentally hand out something from the naughty list:
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