Milspo: FREE Business Launch Accelerator Course, Online from September

FREE MOD-funded, online business start-up course for spouses and partners of UK Regular and Reserve Armed Forces.

Want to turn your idea into a business that fits around this beautiful thing we call modern military life?

Then apply to join the Business Launch Accelerator Course.

Learn how to launch and grow a successful business around deployments, postings, childcare and all the unpredictability of UK Armed Forces life. It’s a course specifically created FOR military spouses BY military spouses, so flexibility is built in.

This 8-week online course is designed to take you from an initial idea to a full-fledged start-up business and provides a clear roadmap and the tools and support you need to succeed. Plus, you’ll get to know a group of other amazing military spouses and partners with similar goals.

It’s fully funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the MOD, which means it’s completely free for those taking part.

Find out more and apply to join the next course which starts on 15 September 2025:
https://milspo.co.uk/course/

Board Game Club - Last Tuesday of the month at the Black Knight

 

Gov.uk Armed Forces Pensions Update: Pension Scams

Dhekelia Key Cinema listings - revised schedule

 Additional screening of Nobody 2, Thursday 04^th September.

September webinars from Serve and Protect Credit Union

This September, Serve and Protect Credit Union are delivering a range of free educational webinars on the following financial topics:

Thu 4th - Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money

Mon 8th - Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money

Wed 10th - Harmful Effects of Gambling: Presented in Collaboration with GamCare

Tue 23rd - The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected

Thu 25th - Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score

Thu 25th - People Over Profit: The Credit Union Movement

Tue 30th - Before You Borrow: Key Things to Know

With actionable tips to prepare for financial emergencies, improve your credit score, and budget your money, don't miss out on these free webinars from Serve and Protect!

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

2025 Army Families Federation questionnaire on Service pay

The Army Families Federation (AFF), Naval Families Federation (NFF) and RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) are jointly running a questionnaire to hear from Regular Service Personnel and their families about satisfaction with pay and personal financial circumstances over the past 12 months.

The responses will help to:

• Better understand the financial challenges faced by service families.

• Identify any trends or issues specific to each of the single services.

• Provide robust, evidence-based feedback to the MOD, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, and other key stakeholders.

To take part in this questionnaire, which is open to serving personnel, spouses and partners, please click the link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AFF2025_Pay_Questionnaire

The questionnaire should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and every response helps strengthen the evidence that family federations can present on behalf of families.

Career Transition Partnership Employment Fairs – remaining 2025 dates

To view all CTP employment events, and to register to attend an event, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Serve and Protect Credit Union – Aug & Sept Financial Education Webinars

Serve & Protect Credit Union have the following upcoming financial education webinars:

Topic: Before You Borrow: Key Things to Know

• Date: 28 August 2025
• Time: 1200 - 1245
• Register:  Before You Borrow: Key Things to Know | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest HMRC Vacancies in Newcastle, Belfast and Portsmouth - available exclusively to Service Leavers, Veterans and Military Spouses/Partners

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:
GFIE-448 – HMRC Review Officer - Newcastle, Belfast and Portsmouth

Closing Date: 12 September 2025

GOV.UK: Updated guidance for Service personnel and their families on Early Years childcare and child welfare policies

The Gov.uk website has been updated today, with new information in the ‘Free Early Years Childcare entitlement for children aged 9 months to school starting age (including 15 or 30 hours’ free childcare)’ and ‘Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA)’ section.

To review the revised information please go to: Guidance for Service personnel and their families on child welfare policies

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) bank holiday arrangements for 25 August 2025

The Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) office opening arrangements are different for the 25 August bank holiday.

England, Scotland and Wales:
On Monday 25 August offices and phone lines are closed.
To make sure people get their payment on a day when our offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early.
If the expected payment date is Monday 25 August then benefits will be paid early on Friday 22 August.

If the expected payment date is not shown, customers will get their money on their usual payment date.  

Stop Loan Sharks: Summer Newsletter

Stop Loan Sharks have published their summer newsletter. This jam packed edition features the latest arrests, a video for school children, a new campaign encouraging partners to support victims in making the call, and much more.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment – Child Maintenance Group Caseworker, Falkirk

The Department of Work and Pensions has 30 new Service Excellence - Child Maintenance Group - Caseworker Executive Officer opportunities in Falkirk. These are now open for applications until 08 Sept 2025.

Recruit for Spouses latest newsletter: Career Support Events and more!

The latest Recruit for Spouses newsletter has been published, and is available to read online at: Recruit for spouses

2025 Women’s International Defence Rugby Competition Today Launches At Sandhurst

BFBS to Broadcast as Official Media Partner

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) will deliver exclusive livestream coverage of the 2025 Women’s International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC), bringing forces audiences around the world closer to the action.

Hosted in the UK by the British Army, the tournament today launched with an Opening Ceremony at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Berkshire. Fixtures will take place over three weeks at venues across the UK, culminating in the final at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, on 3 September.

NAAFI: 2025 Welfare Returns figures

NAAFI are excited to share that they’ve announced their 2025 Welfare Returns figures - when people shop at NAAFI facilities, any surplus they earn is given back directly to the communities they serve.

This year alone, they’ve generated £110,435 for local garrisons and communities across seven of their locations:

Ascension Island
Brunei
The Falkland Islands
Germany
Poland
Bahrain
Royal Navy Ships

You can read more in NAAFI’s latest blog post here: https://naafi.co.uk/a-year-of-giving-back-welfare-returns-2025/

And find out more on the NAAFI website: https://naafi.co.uk/

How satisfied are you with family life while serving overseas?

As the Overseas Survey draws to a close on 30 August 2025, MOD are making one final call to hear from Armed Forces families living overseas. These insights are vital in shaping the support, services, and policies that matter most to them.

Whether it’s childcare, education, employment or military life in general — your voice makes a difference!

MOD would like to say a big thank you to everyone who’s already shared their experiences. Your contribution will help the MOD to build a clearer, stronger picture of life overseas.

Also a reminder to everyone that, for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to take part yet, there’s still time. It only takes a few minutes, and feedback is invaluable.

Every response counts. - Survey

As the Overseas Survey draws to a close on 30 August 2025, MOD are making one final call to hear from Armed Forces families living overseas. These insights are vital in shaping the support, services, and policies that matter most to them.

Whether it’s childcare, education, employment or military life in general—their voice makes a difference https://surveys.mod.uk/index.php/458476?lang=en (link to survey).

Also a reminder to everyone that, for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to take part yet, there’s still time. It only takes a few minutes, and feedback is invaluable.

MOD would like to say a big thank you to everyone who’s already shared their experiences. Their contribution will help the MOD to build a clearer, stronger picture of life overseas.

Every response counts.

Wherever you are in the world, Defence is here to support you and your family to navigate various aspects of Service life, including:

· spousal / partner employment
· education and childcare
· communications
· Safeguarding.

If you’re serving overseas, it’s important that Defence understands your positive experiences and any challenges. Your feedback will help to improve Defence’s policies and initiatives to better meet your family’s needs.

Take the Overseas Families Survey.

Shape your future

Your feedback will help to enhance Defence’s support for overseas personnel and families, and will build on recent progress:
Global Mobility Allowance (GMA) trial an overseas allowance that offers an easier claims process and greater flexibility on spending.
New Overseas Allowances Reckoner tool – providing personalised allowance calculation estimates, for those preparing for overseas assignments.

· Extending the Get You Home (Travel to Europe) trial scheme – contributing towards up to two return journeys per month, to an eligible Service person’s family home in Europe.
Disturbance Expenses rate uplift – enabling eligible Service personnel moving to the UK from overseas to claim the same, higher ‘overseas rate’ as those moving overseas from the UK.
Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas – helping Service families with up to 80% of costs for before and after school childcare.

Find out more on how Defence is simplifying overseas service finances.

What should I know?

· All Regular and Reserve Service personnel and their spouses / partners are encouraged to      take part.
· All feedback is anonymous.
· You can use a personal device to complete the survey.
· You have until 11.59 pm, Saturday 30 August 2025 to make your voice heard.
· It should take you no more than 20 minutes to compete the survey.

The more people we hear from, the better able we are to make informed choices on how to improve your experience of Service life.

If you have questions about the survey, contact the MOD Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding team: people-AFFS-data-research@mod.gov.uk.

To view previous survey results, visit GOV.UK.

Useful information and resources

To explore allowances, opportunities, and benefits for you and your family as part of Your Offer, visit Discover My Benefits.

For useful signposting to information, guidance and support to help navigate Service family life, visit the Families Hub.

To explore Defence’s plan to drive forward positive initiatives for Service families, read the Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022-2032.

For information and support on a wide variety of topics affecting your Service and personal life, including relocation and local area information, contact the relevant HIVE:

· Royal Navy Family and People Support

· Army HIVE

· Royal Air Force HIVE.

Considering an overseas posting? Already overseas and have a question?

You and your family can find information on overseas locations through the international HIVE (iHIVE) - explore the iHIVE.

Dhekelia: September Cinema listing 2025

 

Are you being posted overseas? Our Overseas and iHIVE Blogs hold information on your new location

You will find information, including comprehensive Location Guides – plus our local office’s contact details – on our Overseas Blogs at:

• Belgium (SHAPE)
• Brunei
• Brunssum
• Cyprus
• Gibraltar
• Naples
• Sennelager

For those posted elsewhere, anywhere in the rest of the World, our tri-Service iHIVE covers the area.

The iHIVE Blog hosts around 100 Overseas Location Guides that can be viewed or downloaded from our iHIVE Blog: https://internationalhive.blogspot.com/ with more being added routinely. These can also be accessed (by MODnet users) through the Army HIVE SharePoint site Overseas Postings area.

Most importantly, our iHIVE is also available to answer any enquiries about any overseas location worldwide, whether you are in the Royal Navy/RM, RAF, Army or civilian Service communities - please get in touch with any questions you may have.

iHIVE is listed in the Overseas Supportability Checklist as an action for any Service person/family assigned overseas, in order to check that local services, amenities and facilities meet each individual and family’s needs.

Our poster has iHIVE’s contact details, or get in touch by email: RC-Pers-HIVE-iHIVE-0Mailbox (MULTIUSER) RC-Pers-HIVE-iHIVE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Bondu Rats Summer Party - 15th August 2025

 

Lions Social Club Quiz Night - 15th August 2025

 

NAAFI Fund - NATO Shape's Community Spaces Are Officially Open

The NAAFI Fund recently awarded a £17,500 grant to NATO in Shape, Belgium to give their community spaces a much-needed makeover! This project was all about creating a centralised, welcoming space for the British Military Community. To read NAAFI Fund’s blog post on this project, please visit: https://naafi.co.uk/project/from-dream-to-reality/

NAAFI Fund said: “To gain some inspiration about how the NAAFI Fund could help in your unit or local community area, please take a look at our previously supported projects Completed Fund Projects - NAAFI

“For more information on the NAAFI Fund, the application process and what grants are available, please take a look at our website NAAFI Fund - NAAFI

“We anticipate the portal to re-open for applications in April 2026, however, we will announce the exact dates and links nearer the time via our social media and website, so please keep an eye on those @naafisocial. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, to receive communication nearer the time so you can start to prepare your bid, please email funding@naafi.co.uk”

NAAFI: https://naafi.co.uk/

7th Sept 2025: National emergency alert test and guidance for victims of domestic abuse

 

There will be a test of the national emergency alert system on 07 September. This will come through to all mobile phones across the country. SafeLives have issued the following guidance for those who are victims of domestic abuse:

📢 A UK-wide emergency alert test will take place on Sunday 7th September 2025 at 3pm. Mobile phones will emit a loud siren and vibrate — even if they’re on silent.

Whilst these alerts aim to protect the public in emergencies, they could put victim-survivors of domestic abuse at risk — especially those who rely on hidden phones as part of their safety plan.

Please know, you CAN opt out of this test.

If you need to disable alerts for safety reasons, follow the steps above or by visiting the gov.uk site: Opting out of emergency alerts - GOV.UK

New surveys for Service children aged 8-18 – share your experience of growing up in a military family

MCCYP are hoping to gather the views of children and young people aged 8–18 who have a parent serving in the Armed Forces.

These surveys aim to gather vital insights into their lived experiences - such as education, housing, community, and access to services. This will help ensure their voices are heard and help shape how Defence understands and responds to their needs.

Links for Survey:

Age 8 - 11
Age 12 - 15
Age 16 - 18

Second hand Uniform Swap at Ay Nik HIVE

Just moved to Ay Nik?

We have a second hand swap rail for school uniform (for both QBS and KRS) with summer dresses, cardigans and jumpers and polo and sports shirts. Items can be swapped for free or taken with a donation to SSAFA or Homestart.

If your children have grown out of their uniform, but it is still in good condition, please consider donating it to the HIVE to be used by other members of our community.

New BFBS Royal Air Force Documentary: Top Flight Fitness – Available to Watch Now

 

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) spent six months at RAF Cosford following trainee Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) on one of the Royal Air Force’s toughest and most demanding courses, in a brand-new programme, Top Flight Fitness.

BFBS Forces News had special access to this intense and demanding training journey, capturing the brutal workouts, military theory lessons, real-world teaching sessions, and relentless physical and mental assessments that push even the fittest to their limits.

From raw recruits straight off civvy street to experienced service personnel, the series reveals what it really takes to become a PTI, and it’s not just about six-packs and speed.

BFBS Forces News reporter Kirstie Chambers joins the course every step of the way, sharing insight into the teamwork, psychology, resilience and sheer determination it takes to earn the coveted PTI badge, she said: “They didn’t just train bodies, they built minds. The women matched the men, the competition drove camaraderie, and the real test? Just keeping up the pace.”

Expect sweat, setbacks and serious inspiration in this must-see look inside the RAF’s most physically demanding training ground.

Top Flight Fitness: What it takes to keep the RAF fighting fit, is available to watch now on BFBS Forces News 

Give Us Time: new donor in the NE of England

Give Us Time have a new donor in the North East of England – please see the poster for more details and for how to book.
 

Dept of Work and Pensions: WP Work Coach Vacancies

The following Executive Officer work coach vacancies are now open:

Civil Service Jobs link:

Decision Making Directorate - Decision Maker - Bangor, Ty Taf (Ref: 740)

Open from 07/08/2025 to 21/08/2025

More information on DWP, the roles available and the application process can be found on our EO Microsite

Reading Force’s memoir competition for adults, children and young people – closes end of August

There is less than a month left to enter Reading Force’s 2025 writing competition, which is open to adults AND children & young people.

The deadline for entries is end of August. 

There are book tokens to win – and three entries will be published in the family federation magazines. 😊.

Akrotiri Baby Clinic

 

Family Action – UK remote, full time, permanent job opportunities

Family Action have 5x UK remote, full time, permanent job adverts: ‘Not only are they all fantastic opportunities to shape what we do at Family Action and Relate (part of Family Action) but we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role and, we are also applying positive action to improve the representation of people of colour in management roles at Family Action. As such, the guaranteed interview scheme is extended to applicants of colour who meet the minimum criteria. To help remove financial barriers to working with us, we will reimburse travel costs if you are invited to attend an interview in person’.

Performance Business Manager – Full Time / Permanent – UK Remote - £36,842 - £41,106 FTE per annum
Closing date to apply – Tuesday 19th August at 23:59
Job ID: 1535

Continuous Improvement Manager – Full Time / Permanent – UK Remote - £42,140 - £46,240 FTE per annum
Closing date to apply – Tuesday 19th August at 23:59
Job ID: 1536

Continuous Improvement Manager – Relate Counselling Services - Full Time / Permanent – UK Remote - £42,140 - £46,240 FTE per annum
Closing date to apply – Tuesday 19th August at 23:59
Job ID: 1537

Mission Motorsport August Newsletter is now out

August is here, and it’s been a fantastic summer season so far. Mission Motorsport has been running powerful and inspiring recovery sport experiences — and the best part? There's still a lot more on the horizon.

This edition of our newsletter brings you the latest stories, a look ahead at what’s coming up, and plenty of ways for you to join in. Here's a taste of what’s included:

• Mission Motorsport Racemakers Shine at Silverstone
• Mission: Possible - Mission Motorsport Featured in IMI’s MotorPro Magazine
• Upcoming events - Beneficiary tickets available, and the Forces Family Track Day in Croft
• Fundraising Force - great efforts continuing to raise money for Mission Motorsport

You can read the newsletter by clicking the attachment or visiting our website here.

BFBS to Broadcast 2025 Women’s International Defence Rugby Competition as Official Media Partner

 

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) will deliver exclusive livestream coverage of the 2025 Women’s International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC), bringing forces audiences around the world closer to the action.

Now in its 21st year, the IDRC is the world’s premier military rugby tournament. In 2025 the second Women’s International Defence Rugby Competition will take place, running throughout August and September, featuring elite teams made up of soldiers, sailors and airwomen from armed forces around the world, plus a unique squad brought together by Vodafone and rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz. All teams will compete for the title of the greatest armed forces rugby team in the world.

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest HRMC Vacancy in London - available exclusively to Service Leavers, Veterans and Military Spouses/Partners

 

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE-443 HMRC STRAP Security Officer- Stratford Regional Centre - London

Closing Date: 1st September 2025

Job Description: click here

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form (also see Guidance notes) and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

August Quest Magazine is Out Now

To read this issue online, or any previous issues, please go to: Quest Magazine | Quest Online

DIO Families First Newsletter – Issue 29

 

The latest issue of the Families First newsletter is now available on the Defence Homes website and Defence Connect.

Wherever your assignment order is taking you, HIVE is here to provide the local information!

 

If your posting is in the UK you can find our blog and location guides here. Please use our MS Forms enquiry function for any additional locations or if you have any enquiries.

Are you assigned overseas? If you’re posted to an overseas location where we have a HIVE, you will find information – plus our local office’s contact details – at:

• Belgium (SHAPE)
• Brunei
• Brunssum
• Cyprus
• Gibraltar
• Naples
• Sennelager

Posted elsewhere overseas? Don’t worry if your new location is not listed above, the iHIVE covers the rest of the world, with over 100 location guides available plus online enquiry support.

Get Safe Online: Parents Leaflet

Get Safe Online states, “today’s children are growing up in a connected world – but that doesn’t mean they always know how to stay safe in it. As a parent, grandparent or guardian, your guidance can make a huge difference”. Get Safe Online has produced a new leaflet, which provides some practical ways to help your child explore the internet with confidence and care this summer holiday.

Alternatively, take a look at the advice on the Get Safe Online website: Are you in touch with what your kids do online? - Get Safe Online

The leaflet can be read and downloaded from this link: July25_Parents_Leaflet.pdf

Recruit for Spouses Career Academy: Foreign & Commonwealth Programme

Are you a member of the Foreign & Commonwealth community with a qualification from your home country that you need transferring to its UK equivalent?

Then RFS has some very exciting news to share with you!

RFS are thrilled to announce that applications are now open.

RFS will cover the costs of obtaining a Statement of Comparability and facilitate the application process, working with trusted service providers to ensure qualifications meet UK standards.

Eligibility:

• Partner of a Foreign or Commonwealth national serving in HM Forces (Royal Navy, British Army, or Royal Air Force)
• Over 18 years of age
• Partners include spouses, civil partners, fiancés(e), or individuals living with serving personnel in a relationship akin to marriage/civil partnership for at least two years

Application Requirements:

• Partner’s service number
• Date of entry to the UK
• Visa status (if applicable)

To apply for this support and service, sign up to our portal and navigate to 'programmes.'

https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in