DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 29 April 2026

Damage Charges process 

DIO is introducing changes to the damage charges process to make this process simpler for you and your family upon Move-Out.

·        From 1st May 2026, on the day you move out, your Housing Officer will provide a formal notification via email. This will include your move-out form, details of any charges incurred and information of how raise a dispute if needed. 

·        We have also extended the review timeframe for charges. You will now have 30 days to assess the charges and, if necessary, initiate a Stage 1 dispute. Recovery actions will not begin until this 30-day period has passed.

·        If a dispute is raised, any recovery action will be paused until the issue has been fully resolved. Pinnacle will continue to handle Stage 1 disputes and DIO will continue to manage Stage 2 disputes. 

These changes aim to ensure you are provided with clear details on the day of Move-Out and sufficient time to review everything before any further action is taken, if required. 

For families who move out before 1st May 2026, formal notifications will continue to be issued under the current process. We appreciate your patience while we work through these remaining cases during the transition to the new system. 

DIO Families Families First Newsletter - Issue 37 Published

The latest issue of the Families First newsletter, featuring the latest Defence housing news and updates, is now available to view and download on the Defence Homes website.

Stop Loan Sharks Week 2026: 11 -17 May

 

Loan sharks don’t always look like villains. Sometimes, they change
character, switch tactics and reinvent themselves - just like players in an
online game. But this isn’t a game. And the consequences are real.

BFBS - Movies this Week

 

Movies This Week

From survival thrillers to sprawling sci-fi epics, the line-up this week is packed with action, danger, and unforgettable characters.

In this week's Premier Sweetheart, a young woman stranded on a remote island, soon discovers she may not be alone.

Dune and Dune: Part Two transport you to a harsh desert world where destiny, power and rebellion collide in an epic battle for the future.

Meanwhile, Django Unchained delivers a bold revenge story set in the American South, as a freed slave and a bounty hunter set out on a dangerous mission.

A former sniper is drawn into a deadly conspiracy that forces him to fight for survival in Shooter.

Whilst Waterworld imagines a future Earth covered by water, where survival depends on finding the last traces of dry land.

In short: survival, revenge, conspiracy and larger-than-life action.

Supporting the Unsung Hero: Business Start Up Programme – New Course Dates

For further information about Supporting the Unsung Hero programmes and to register for a course, please go to https://x-forces.com/supporting-the-unsung-hero/

Ay Nik - 24 Hour Padelathon for Cancer Research UK

24‑Hour Padelathon for Cancer Research UK

Let’s come together, have fun, and help raise money for Cancer Research UK!

The Unit will be hosting a 24‑hour Padel Match to raise money for Cancer Research UK and are looking for players and volunteers to help make this a great success.

When: 8 May 26 @ 08:00 – 9 May 26 @ 08:00

Where: Mercury Barracks Padel Court

What’s happening?

24‑hour Padel Match (racquets & balls provided)

Bake Sale at midday on 8 May

Free Breakfast Baps at 0800 on 9 May

Who can play?

Padel novices to padel ninjas (18+ only) with permission to enter Mercury Barracks. The more people who sign up, the more we can raise for charity! Slots will be allocated depending on uptake, aiming to give each person an hour of play.

Sign‑up to play – please don’t delay:

Complete the Cancer Research UK Padelathon Sign Up Sheet

Volunteers needed for the bake sale:

We are also looking for volunteers to help support the midday bake sale (helping on the stall and/or donating baked goods). Even if you’re not playing, your help would be hugely appreciated. To volunteer please contact Tristan.Taylor149@mod.gov.uk.

Please sign up, volunteer if you can, and share widely — let’s make this a brilliant event for a fantastic cause

POC for the event, Tristan.Taylor149@mod.gov.uk 

Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2026 Recognise Outstanding Contribution of Armed Forces Families

The fifth annual Celebrating Forces Families Awards took place on Friday evening at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, recognising the extraordinary contribution of Armed Forces families across the UK and overseas. Bringing together families, organisations and advocates from across the military community, the awards shine a light on the resilience, dedication and often unseen impact of those who support Service life every day.

This year’s winners included:
 Young People’s Award: Jack and Luke Woodhouse
 Social Enterprise Award: NeuroDiverse Community CIC
 Business Award: QinetiQ
 Small Business Owner Award: Dionne Ross
 Family Volunteer Award: Lesley Collier
 Social Media Influencer Award: Padwives Unfiltered
 Public Service Award: Lisa Brown
 Armed Forces Advocate Award: Angela Lewis
 Inspirational Adult Family Member: Shelley Ellis
 Overcoming Adversity Award: Jo Gordon
 Away From Home Award: Katherine Sones

The evening was attended and formally closed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of Defence Staff, who reinforced the critical role families play in Defence.
In his closing address, he said: “The support you provide enables us to be operationally effective. It gives our people the confidence, the stability and the focus they need to serve our country.” His message was clear. Behind every serving member of the Armed Forces is a family whose contribution is fundamental to national security. Sarah Walker, Chair of the Awards, said: “Reaching our fifth year is something we are incredibly proud of. These awards reflect the strength, resilience, and spirit of our Armed Forces families community, and it is a privilege to recognise their contribution.”

The evening was hosted by BFBS presenter Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne and former soldier and Britain’s Got Talent winner Richard Jones, whose live magic performance brought a moment of shared joy ahead of the awards presentation. Guests were also treated to a live performance from Marham School of Performing Arts, highlighting the creativity and talent within Forces communities, alongside a unique live art experience from contemporary artist Dean Douglas, who created an original piece throughout the evening capturing the atmosphere in real time. Nick Pett, Head of the MOD’s Families Team, said: “Service families provide stability during change, reassurance during deployment, and a sense of home wherever duty takes them. Without their support, Service life would not be possible.”

The awards continue to grow in reach and impact, with the event live streamed globally and supported by a wide network of sponsors and partners committed to championing Armed Forces families. None of this would be possible without that support. Sponsors and partners play a vital role in ensuring these stories are recognised, amplified and celebrated.
Beyond the awards themselves, Celebrating Forces Families continues to share these stories
year-round through its podcast and digital platforms, ensuring the voices of the community
continue to be heard. While the evening recognised individual achievements, its wider message was clear. This is not just an event, but a platform and a growing movement, ensuring Armed Forces families are not only supported, but truly seen.

Military vs Cancer: Supporting those in the Armed Forces Community affected by cancer

 Military Vs Cancer’s support includes:

• Additional family / nursing care funding.

• Travel costs for treatment, including hotel stays for family members.

• Home adaptations.

• Respite breaks.

• Memory making trips.

• Special experiences, especially for those with a terminal diagnosis.

• Peer group / community support for serving forces members and their families.

 
There are also several large-scale events this year including :

• Rugby Day Armed Forces Rugby Team vs North Select XV Teams - Doncaster  - Free Tickets for Serving Personnel and Veterans 

• Annual Summer Ball - Lincoln 

• Heroes Golf Day 

• Great North Run 

To find out more about any of these events please visit: https://www.militaryvscancer.com/events/
 

Recruit for Spouses Webinar on 7 May: Breaking Down Imposter Syndrome

On Thursday 7th May at 12:30pm GMT, RFS is hosting:

Real Confidence for Real People: Imposter Syndrome

 

Delivered by the expert coaching team at Aletheia — Sam Ryder, Zoe Hughes, Saskia Hart, and Estelle Bailly — this free, practical session is designed specifically for military spouses and partners navigating self-doubt, career gaps, and the unique challenges of Service life.

 

Attendees will explore:

 

 Where imposter syndrome comes from and why it's so common in our community

 How to identify genuine strengths and challenge the narrative holding them back

 Practical strategies to build authentic, lasting confidence

 Tools to take confident action — whether exploring new roles, going for promotion, or starting something new

 

 Thursday 7th May 2026

 12:30pm

 Virtual

 Completely FREE

 

The session will be recorded but attendees need to register to access it, so we'd encourage anyone interested to sign up even if they can't join live.

 

 Register here: https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in or email e.hartshorn@recruitforspouses.co.uk

Motorfinity: May Offer Sheets

 

For more information please go to https://www.motorfinity.uk/

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Supporting service children to thrive - a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open

Service life can bring unique challenges for children and young people. Frequent moves, disrupted learning and periods of separation can all add up - and they can affect how children feel, learn and achieve.  

BFBS Signs Game-Changing 10-Year Contract with the MOD in New Era of Defence

Ben Chapman, BFBS CEO

Media organisation and military charity BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) has signed a 10-year contract with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to transform the way that UK Armed Forces access trusted media and entertainment, wherever they are serving.

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) arrangements for 4 May bank holiday

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) arrangements are different for 4 May bank holiday: 

On Monday 4 May 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 4 May, then benefits will be on Friday 1 May. 

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

Episkopi: Community Awareness Notice - Safeguarding Alert for Parents and Carers

Awareness starts with understanding.

Please take a moment to read this important information and learn how it can help keep children and young people safe.

Safeguarding Alert for Parents and Carers

Please read, share, and help spread awareness.

Episkopi: Ride, Tide & Stride for Andros

On 21 May 2025, Gareth Hodgson, our 2iC, will be taking on a significant endurance challenge for our colleague and friend Andros, raising funds for Cancer Research UK and the Cyprus Anti‑Cancer Society — two organisations supporting Andros in his cancer‑fighting journey.

In a single day, Gareth will aim to complete three well‑known BFC routes back‑to‑back:

Mountain to Sea (M2S) Mountain Bike Ride – 63 km of tracks and trails, starting at TDS Camp and finishing at Lemmings, with approximately 50% of the route spent climbing. Once a flagship BFC sporting event, the M2S hasn’t been run since COVID; Gareth will be following the original route.

Bay to Bay (B2B) Swim – 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) from Lemmings to MTW.

Gym to Gym (G2G) Half Marathon – running (or “running‑ish”) from Episkopi to Akrotiri.

“I completed something similar in 2015 when I was 45! This time, at the age of 55 (I should know better) I will revisit the event,” says Gareth.

This challenge is very much in support of Andros, who has himself taken part in all three of these events over the years, making this a fitting, demanding, and meaningful fundraiser.
Let’s support Gareth in this incredible challenge by donating via the JustGiving page below.

Every donation will go directly to Cancer Research UK and the Cyprus Anti‑Cancer Society, helping to support Andros and others on similar journeys.

JustGiving link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/gareth-hodgson-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=FM

Any support — whether through donations or encouragement — will be hugely appreciated.

Episkopi: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier A

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier A is taking place at HV from 16–23 May, and it’s set to be an exciting week of international T20 action!

Match days: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 & 23 May

Families and spectators are very welcome

Come along, support the teams, and enjoy top-quality cricket right on your doorstep. Let’s fill the ground and create a great atmosphere!

ESBA - Junior Sailing Course - age 8-15

 

Ay Nik - 24 Hour Padelathon for Cancer Research UK

This event is taking place within Mercury Barracks 8th - 9th May.

Please contact the Ay Nik HIVE for more details.

Edge-of-your-seat drama & unmissable BFBS TV — 25/04 - 1/05/2026 - Week 17

 

Movies This Week

From eerie encounters to outrageous comedy, this BFBS TV line-up has something for every mood.

Super 8 follows a group of kids who witness a mysterious train crash that unleashes something far from ordinary.

In The Nun and The Nun II, a sinister force rooted in a demonic entity, haunts those who dare to confront it, weaving a chilling tale of faith and fear.

Switching gears, Horrible Bosses and Horrible Bosses 2 deliver dark humour as three friends hatch wildly misguided plans to deal with their unbearable employers — with predictably disastrous results.

Finally a laid-back slacker known as “The Dude” gets swept into a bizarre kidnapping case, proving that even the most unlikely hero can stumble into chaos in The Big Lebowski, .

In short: thrills, chills, and offbeat laughs collide in a collection of stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary — and often absurd — situations.

ESBA Park run/Park walk

 

When: Saturday mornings from 08.00 (07.50 for first timers brief)

Where: Ayios Nikolaos

Who: Open to all over 4 years of age (children must be accompanied by an adult) who hold a valid Station Pass

Parkrun is a free community event where you can run, jog or walk a 5km course at your own pace.

Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive event.

There is no time limit and no one finishes last, Parkrun is not a race.

The ESBA Parkrun has a Parkwalker and a Tailwalker so you are never alone.

There are regular "Chase the Pacer" events for those that wish to achieve a PB.

If you don't want to run or walk there are plenty of opportunities for volunteering at the event, the volunteers are the ones that make Parkrun happen.

For more details or to volunteer please contact the ESBA Parkrun team at esba@parkrun.com or check out the webpage - https://www.parkrun.org.uk/esba/ 

Forces Employment Charity: Submit your Heropreneurs Awards nominations today

 The Heropreneurs Awards are now open for nominations across six award categories:

 

• Heropreneur of the Year
• Micro Enterprise of the Year
• Product Business of the Year
• Start Up of the Year
• Tech Business of the Year
• Warwick Business School MBA Scholarship Award

Defence Survey: Share your views on Single Living Accommodation

 

This is an opportunity for you to share your views on Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and help shape the future of Defence accommodation. 

  

The survey will close at 1700 Friday 8th May 2026. Defence wants to hear from all Service personnel regardless of whether you currently use SLA or not. 

 

To complete the survey, please click here: 2026 Single Living Accommodation Survey.

 

The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. It is entirely anonymous. We will not be collecting any personal information or sharing your responses with your Chain of Command. 

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 

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.