Free Parkdean Resort Family Breaks 2026 – open to Regular Army personnel and their families

 

HQ Regional Command has secured a number of fully funded 7-night Parkdean Resort family breaks during 2026.

• Open to all Regular Army personnel
• No eligibility criteria or welfare requirement
• 3-bedroom accommodation (up to 6 people)
• Completely free of charge
• 30% discount voucher for on-site food and beverages
• Selected resorts permit up to two dogs

Army personnel can register their interest via the QR code in the image or this MS Forms: Parkdean Resort Breaks 2026 Fully Funded Family Breaks for Regular Army Personnel – Fill in form

Any questions, please contact any HIVE, or HIVE HQ on RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

MOD ‘UK Nursery Authority’ childcare support: How to register and claim

 

UK Nursery Authority’ childcare support: How to register and claim

From 1 September 2026, eligible working Service families who live in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can get help with early years childcare costs.

If you would get 'free' (Government funded) childcare hours if based in England, Defence’s UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) childcare scheme will now help cover the difference in cost where you live.

It’s important to understand that UKNA does not give you a childcare space. It pays back money to eligible families who have already paid for early years childcare.

Who is eligible for UKNA

You may register for UKNA, if all the following apply:

• You are a Regular or Full-Time Reserve (Full Commitment) member of the Service
• Your family lives in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent family) earn at least the same as 16 hours a week at the UK National Minimum or Living Wage
• Neither parent (or the sole parent) earns more than £100,000 adjusted net income a year
• Your child is recorded and verified on JPA
• Your child is aged 9 months to 3 years old, in Scotland and Wales ​
• Your child is aged 9 months to 4 years old, in Northern Ireland
• You have an active Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) account for your child: ‘active’ means you confirm your details every three months and get the top-up from HMRC when you add money
• Your childcare provider accepts TFC payments – all UKNA claims must first be paid through your child's TFC account
• Your child lives with you at least half the time, unless you're separated for Service reasons

How to register and claim

1. Access registration and claims information via the UKNA section of Discover My Benefits
2. Read the DIN (available on defnet and Defence Connect)
3. Fill in and submit the registration form
4. Wait to hear that your registration is confirmed
5. Use the claims calculator
6. Submit your claim
7. Payment will be received within five working days of approval (if required)

Further step-by-step guidance is available on the Discover My Benefits – Families UKNA pages.

Important: what you need to know about tax

UKNA pays back money for childcare costs. HMRC counts this as extra income, so it's classed as a ‘taxable benefit.’ To offset this, Defence pays extra to cover any tax and National Insurance you might owe. This is called ‘grossing up.’

Receiving UKNA payments, and the extra 'grossing up' amount, can change how much tax and National Insurance you pay overall. It's important to understand this before you claim, as it may affect your eligibility for other government-funded allowances and Defence childcare schemes.

The grossing-up leaflet on the UKNA section of Discover My Benefits explains this in more detail.


Your questions answered: live Q&A session

If you would like to ask a question about the new UKNA scheme, you can join the policy team on Wednesday 30 September at 10.30am.

The session will cover eligibility, the registration and claims process, and potential tax implications.

To book your place, fill in the UK Nursery Authority families Q&A form. The policy team will then email you an invite.

We're still settling the scheme in

UKNA is brand new. As we roll it out, we may need to make small changes if something in the guidance isn't quite right or isn't working as planned.

If you have a question we haven't answered, or you spot something that doesn't seem right, email the team at people-affs-child-expenses@mod.gov.uk

The policy rules themselves won't change, but your feedback helps us improve the guidance, which can help other families using the scheme too.

Further information
Discover My Benefits - Childcare and early years
Childcare for Service children - GOV.UK

The Ripple Pond: Free Thinking Family Autumn E Magazine

 

As families prepare for a new school year, the return to school can bring a mixture of emotions. New routines, new environments, friendships and the pressures of school can all feel challenging, particularly for children and young people who may already be navigating difficulties at home.

The latest Thinking Family Autumn Magazine is packed with practical ideas to help families through the autumn term, with suggestions for different ages and stages.

Inside you'll find:

• Back-to-school ideas to help make the transition a little easier
• 101 questions to ask instead of “How are you?” to encourage more natural conversations
• Board game recommendations for different ages, providing simple ways to spend time together
• What to do when school feels hard, with ideas for supporting children when school feels overwhelming
• Age-differentiated ideas for younger children through to teenagers
• Simple ways to connect as a family and create opportunities for conversation and wellbeing

Whether you're supporting a child who is looking forward to going back, feeling anxious about the new term, or somewhere in between, we hope you'll find something useful inside.

To read the magazine online, please go to: Autumn Edition of Emagazine, Thinking Family

Forces Cars Direct: September offers

 

Forces Cars Direct’s September offers are here, just in time for the new 76 registration plate!

Save £18,253 off the new Toyota bZ4X and £7,514 off the Chery Tiggo 7, plus savings across a wide range of makes and models.

To find out more please go to: https://www.forcescarsdirect.com/

Mercury Cinema September Schedule

Check out BFBS Cinema for up to date days and times plus other cinemas near you.

 

Ay Nik Post Office Opening Hours - 10th - 16th September

 

Ay Nik - Youth Theatre Club is back! - Monday 14th September

Ay Nik Mercury Youth Theatre is back this September, at a slightly earlier time on Monday afternoons. 

They look forward to welcoming back some familiar faces, as well as new young thespians!

ESBA Parkrun is back! - Saturday 19th September

  ESBA PARKRUN IS BACK!

Saturday 19th September

0800 start, 0750 brief

Behind the UAO, Ay Nik

Pass holders only

Everyone we’re just over TWO WEEKS away!

After our summer break, ESBA parkrun is nearly back — and we’d love to see as many of you as possible on that start line!

Whether you want to chase a PB, get back into fitness, enjoy a steady jog or walk the whole 5K and have a chat — parkrun is for everyone.

Run it
Jog it
Walk it
Volunteer

No minimum standard. No pressure. Just come and get involved.

ESBA PARKRUN ESBA COMBINED MEDICAL PRACTICE

We’re really pleased to be partnered with ESBA Combined Medical Practice as a parkrun practice, encouraging our community to get moving and support both physical and mental wellbeing.

And remember — you absolutely do not have to be a runner! Walk, jog, run or volunteer; it all counts.

If you’ve spent the summer thinking “I really need to start doing something…” — 19th September is a pretty good place to start.

CHASE THE PACER – SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER!

Our Chase the Pacer event returns with pacers confirmed for:

20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 mins

Leave the Garmin at home (or resist looking at it! )

Choose your target time

Lock onto your pacer’s heels and let them worry about the clock!
Our pacers will aim to run consistent, even splits throughout the 5K, helping you stay on target from start to finish.

We’re still looking for 35 and 40-minute pacers!

We’d also love to build a pool of pacers so we can hold Chase the Pacer on the first Saturday of every month.

Pacers receive both a participant and volunteer credit .

But first…

19TH SEPTEMBER — WE’RE BACK!

Dust off the trainers, grab a mate and come walk, jog or run with us.

Get ready for a week of gripping drama, blockbuster action and powerful true stories on BFBS TV! — 05-11/09/2026 - Week 36

Movies This Week

Your weekly guide to the must-see TV across all the channels provided by BFBS. Full listings can be found on our website

Get ready for a week packed with action, adventure and juicy premieres on BFBS Extra!

Madame Web makes its BFBS Extra premiere, following Manhattan paramedic Cassandra Webb as she develops the power to see the future. As revelations about her past emerge, she joins forces with three young women whose destinies are bound together.

Section 8 also premieres, a former soldier who, after avenging the murder of his family, is released from prison and then recruited by a shadowy government agency.

Why not experience the epic rise of a cinematic saga with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War for the Planet of the Apes and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

From superheroes and secret agents to an epic battle for survival — there’s plenty to discover on BFBS Extra.

This and so much more on BFBS TV!

See TV Guide for details

It’s another huge week of live sport — don’t miss a moment on BFBS TV

The Falklands Cup sees the Royal Marines take on the Parachute Regiment in a huge showdown.

Plus, the NFL season gets underway, with more action from the Premier League, Champions League and EFL — alongside rugby, cricket, UFC and so much more!

https://www.bfbs.com/sport

Must-Watch TV Heading Your Way

The True Story Behind Pressure

Saturday on BFBS Extra

In this BFBS Special, veteran Karl Lambert meets Dr Catherine Ross - Library and Archive Manager at the Met Office - who reveals the remarkable true story behind the D-Day forecast.

Pressure will be playing in BFBS Cinemas, follow the link for more details.

PRESSURE | BFBS Cinemas

Give Us Time: Autumn and Winter breaks

 

The latest Give Us Time breaks include:

Letham Feus, Scotland
14–18 Sept | Sleeps 4 | HOT TUB

Hayling Island, near Portsmouth
28 Sept–2 Oct | Sleeps 6 | Silver Grade

Sand Le Mere, East Yorkshire
5–9 Oct | Sleeps 6

Bowland Fell, North Yorkshire
12–16 Oct | Sleeps 6

Stowford Farm Meadows, Devon
Camping available all weekends in September

The RV, Falmouth
Dates available in November & December

To find out more please go to: https://bookings.giveustime.org.uk/login

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 27 August 2026

 

Be the voice of Service families in your area

DIO is launching Regional Experience Committees (RECs) across the UK, bringing together Service family volunteers who are passionate about improving housing services and ensuring family voices are heard.

This is an exciting opportunity to become a Service Family Customer Representative for your region to help influence positive change in military housing. By joining, you will play an important role in highlighting local issues, identifying opportunities for improvement and sharing what matters most to Service families.

As a member of your REC, you will work alongside other representatives and key figures within DIO to provide constructive feedback, discuss common themes and challenges, and represent the lived experiences of families in your area.

To read more about the role and how to apply, click here.

Amendments to Surplus Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Policy
What is changing?

From 1 September 2026, the policy for applying for and allocating surplus Service Family Accommodation (SFA) is changing. The changes are designed to make sure surplus homes are managed fairly while work continues to transform and expand the estate as part of the Defence Housing Strategy.

How surplus SFA is prioritised

When surplus homes are available, applications will be considered in a new priority order. This means some family circumstances will be prioritised first. The updated prioritisation list will be reflected in JSP 464 from 1st September 2026.

How to apply for surplus SFA

From 1 September 2026, if you wish to request surplus SFA, you need to apply every time you receive a new assignment order dated on or after that date.

Mid-assignment applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. If this applies, please submit a case through your single-Service personnel branch.

If you receive another assignment order in future, you will need to apply again, even if you are staying at the same duty station.

If you are currently live in surplus SFA, receive a new assignment order, and wish to retain your SFA, you must also submit a new application alongside a retention form available here.

Existing applications for Surplus SFA

We are reviewing the surplus waiting list using the new priority order. Applications will stay active on the waitlist if they meet the new criteria and you have more than six months remaining at the duty station requested.

The Accommodation Support Cell will contact you directly if:

• you applied for SFA using a previous assignment and at a different location from your current duty station.
• you have less than six months remaining in your current role and location.
• according to your Future Availability Date (FAD) on JPA.
• you have submitted more than one e1132 application at the same time.
• you have already been housed in SFA.

Further information

For queries related to the Surplus SFA policy changes, please contact the Accommodation Support Cell at People-Accom-ASC@mod.gov.uk or call 0800 368 7406

Housing Matters Podcast

You can now watch the latest episodes of Housing Matters, the podcast exploring military housing and the issues that matter most to Service personnel and their families.

Episode 3 focuses on damp and mould, one of the most significant challenges facing military housing. Co-presenters Defence Families Champion, Trish Jakeman, and Sebastian O'Hara, DIO Operations Manager South, are joined by Nikki Simmons from VIVO and Matt Smith from Amey. They discuss what causes damp and mould, the work of the Damp and Mould Taskforce, and the steps being taken to improve how these issues are identified, managed and resolved.

Episode 4 looks beyond the home itself to explore the wider community and support networks that help make life on a patch work. The discussion covers the role of NHS services, welfare charities, and the social value initiatives delivered by DIO and its suppliers, showcasing how organisations work together to support Service personnel and their families.

Episode 3 and Episode 4 are available now, alongside the first two episodes in the series. Whether you are interested in housing maintenance, community support or the future of military housing, Housing Matters offers insight into the issues that affect Service families every day.

Families First newsletter

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

DIO: Families First Newsletter – 27 August 2026

 

The latest issue of the DIO Families First newsletter for SFA occupants is now available to read online at Families First Newsletter - Issue 41

You can sign up to receive the latest news direct to your own inbox from DIO at: Newsletter Landing Page – Defence Homes

Recruit for Spouses: Jobs for spouses, partners & veterans at Serco

 

This update covers the latest in Service community recruitment opportunities across healthcare, corporate ops, leisure & hospitality, and more.

To view this newsletter, which provides further information on all of the above, please go to: NEW - Jobs for spouses, partners & veterans at Serco

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Free financial webinars this September

Dates are detailed below; to find out more or to register for a webinar, please go to: https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars

Car Finance: More than a Monthly Payment

Date: Tuesday 1st September

Time: 12:00-12:45

Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills

Date: Thursday 3rd September

Time: 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Tips for living a greener life to save money and protect the planet!

Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money

Date: Thursday 10th September

Time: 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Create a budget that meets your short and long-term financial goals, plus tips to cut your spending.

Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score

Date: Thursday 17th September

Time: 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Understand the importance of looking after your credit score, plus actionable tips to improve yours.

Harmful Effects of Gambling w/ GamCare

Date: Tuesday 22nd September

Time: 12:00-13:00

What to Expect: Discover the financial impacts of harmful gambling with representatives from GamCare.

Saving Made Simple: Practical Tips to Boost Your Savings

Date: Wednesday 23rd, Friday 25th September

Time: 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Explore 10 practical savings methods that anyone can apply to build a healthy savings cushion.

Borrow Smarter: Tips to Strengthen Your Loan Application

Date: Tuesday 29th September

Time: 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Understand what happens throughout the journey of a loan application, some of the key factors lenders evaluate, and what to do before you apply.