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.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: 110 job vacancies across Southern England, closing date 29 Apr

 

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have 110 Executive Officer Work Coach opportunities across the Southern England area. These may be of interest to Service leavers, veterans and Service community members looking at Civil Service roles.

 

Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum Spring Event – Devon,18 May

 

The Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) spring event is for current serving families who have an immediate member with additional needs or disabilities, as well as professionals working within the sector. 

Episkopi: Paid Volunteering Opportunity – International Cricket Event!

Be part of an exciting international sporting tournament this May! The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub‑Regional Qualifier A is coming to Happy Valley, and we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make it a success.

Event Dates: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 & 23 May (No matches on 21 May)

Volunteer Roles Available:
* General Volunteers – help with marshalling, car parking, set‑up and clear‑down
* Match Officials Helpers – support match officials (no cricket knowledge needed!)

Key Details:
Minimum age: 17
Location: Happy Valley
Shift times: approx. 09:00–18:50 (with plenty of breaks)

What you get:
- €70 per day
- Lunch provided
- Event polo shirt & hat

Ideal for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants – recognised volunteering experience!

This is a fantastic chance to be part of an international event, gain experience, and enjoy a great atmosphere.

Interested? Apply by emailing: Laine.Millere100@mod.gov.uk 

Episkopi: Talking Tables

Episkopi: Quiz Night

BFBS - What's On

Movies This Week

BFBS Extra brings you an ape-solutely amazing line-up this week.

After getting used to life in life in London, Tarzan is called back to the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment in The Legend of Tarzan.

Then we really go ape with Rise of the Planet of The Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War For the Planet of the Apes and finally Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. A substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising, war, peace and a quest to try and live together are all part of the journey.

As we approach the 40th anniversary of the nuclear disaster, the Chernobyl Diaries tells the tale of six tourists who hire an extreme tour guide to take them to the abandoned city Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. During their exploration, they soon discover they are not alone.

Mission Motorsport April Newsletter

 Highlights in April's Edition Include:

• A recent live podcast event with Smith and Sniff raised £10,000 in support of Mission Motorsport, thanks to ticket sales and a silent auction.
• There are expanding opportunities for Armed Forces personnel to take part in the 2026 BTCC Grid Person experience, offering access to the pit lane, grid walk, and a full race day.
• Our Banter, Brews & Cars track day at Three Sisters Circuit delivered a valuable mix of driving experiences and wellbeing impact for attendees.
• The Disabled Drivers Scholarship returns for 2026 with increased funded places and continued pathways into competitive motorsport.

The newsletter can be accessed here - Newsletter

Primary School Offer Day information and support for Service families

To support Service families with further information on Primary School place offers, Defence has provided this infographic.  A PDF version with accessible hyperlinks is at this PDF with links or please see links below:

Starting Reception website 

General Gov.uk guidance on school admissions and appeals

Defence Children Services (DCS)

Education Advisory Team email address: RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk

Defence’s Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme