MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

Link to the Families Hub: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/families/ 

Dhekelia swimming Pool - Aquafit

 

MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

 

ESBA Parkrun - Last Parkrun of the season... Saturday 13th June 2026

 

🏃‍♂️🌟 Final ESBA parkrun Before the Summer Break – This Saturday! 🌟🏃‍♀️

Looking for a positive way to kick start the weekend? Why not come and join us for ESBA parkrun this Saturday 🙌

Whether you fancy a walk, jog or run, ALL abilities are welcome — there’s absolutely no pressure, just a friendly and supportive atmosphere to help get your weekend off to a great start 💪

📍 Meet Point: Behind the UAO Building

⏰ 0750 brief for an 0800 start

Our fantastic team of volunteers are always on hand to encourage and support you around the course — whether it’s your first ever parkrun or your 100th 🧡

☀️ Summer Hiatus Information:

As with all parkruns across BFC, ESBA parkrun will pause over the hotter summer months to comply with risk assessment and heat illness prevention measures.

Don’t worry though — we’ll be back towards the end of September, refreshed and ready to go again 👊

So let’s make this final parkrun before the break a proper good turnout and finish the season in style! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Combat Stress: PTSD Awareness Day Webinars 22–26 June

 

For PTSD Awareness Day 2026, Combat Stress are offering a series of free webinars designed to increase understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), its impact and that support is available to help with recovery.

PTSD can affect how someone thinks, feels, and reacts and it can look very different from person to person.

Between 22–26 June, these specialist webinars will explore topics including recovery, the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD, practical coping strategies, how data is improving treatment, and how organisations can support recovery.

These sessions are open to all members of the public, including veterans, families, carers and professionals, offering insight into the many faces of PTSD and the support available.

Learn more about the webinars and how they can support understanding of PTSD: https://combatstress.org.uk/ptsd-awareness-day-webinars

If you’d like to talk to someone, the Combat Stress free, confidential 24-hour Helpline is available on 0800 138 1619.

Akrotiri Mountain Bike Hire

 

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/
 

Anchoring & Military Minds Spring Newsletter 2026

The Anchoring & Military Minds Spring Newsletter is now available. It’s packed with updates, upcoming events, family‑friendly activities, and information on the support available to serving personnel and military families.

Anchoring & Military Minds offers free, confidential support to anyone connected to the Armed Forces community. Whether it’s guidance around mental health, family wellbeing, navigating services, or simply needing a chat—please feel free to get in touch or pass their details on to someone who may benefit.

To read the newsletter in full, please go to LINK

To find out more, please visit https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/our-services/military-minds/

Give the Gift of Headspace This Easter

Enroll in your Headspace benefit: work.headspace.com/britisharmy/member-enroll

Headspace Log In

Shape improvements for Service families with additional needs and disability – survey open until 27th March

Shape improvements for Service families with additional needs and disability

Service personnel – do you, or a family member, have an additional need and/or disability? If the answer is yes, please share your experience accessing health and wellbeing support. Your spouse/partner can take part, too, so please share the survey with them.

Take the survey by Friday 27 March 2026. It should only take around 10 minutes to complete.

FANDF Survey: Access to Health and Wellbeing Services

The Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) is a tri-service group for Serving personnel, reservists and their families who have a child or adult immediate family member with an additional need and/or disability. FANDF is a unique group as it is run by a committee of members whose vision is ‘to ensure that all Forces families with additional needs and disabilities receive the support they need’ and aims to be the voice of Forces families with additional needs and disabilities.

FANDF invites you to complete their short survey which explores your experiences of accessing health and wellbeing services while navigating life as a Forces family with additional needs and/or disabilities. This includes access to mental health support, CAMHS, and the continuity of care across postings.

Findings will be analysed and used to develop evidence‑based recommendations that will be shared with policymakers and relevant subject matter experts across defence, health, and local government to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of need is reflected in policy and deliverable services.

Thank you for taking the time to support this important work and drive positive change.

The deadline for responses is Friday 27 March.

Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out at: CS.ANDA@ssafa-fhs.org.uk

Army Welfare Service (AWS) Specialist Welfare referral form

 

The Army Welfare Service (AWS) has launched the new Specialist Welfare (SW) referral Microsoft Form, which is now the standard method for submitting all SW referrals.

 

Gov.uk News: Public advised to stop using some non-sterile alcohol-free wipes

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are reminding the public not to use 4 specified non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products under any circumstances due to an ongoing risk of infection associated with their use.

Additionally, UKHSA and MHRA would like to remind people that non-sterile alcohol-free wipes, of any type or brand, should not be used for first aid, applied on broken or damaged skin and should never be used for cleaning intravenous lines.

There have been 59 confirmed cases of Burkholderia stabilis associated with some non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products - identified in an outbreak in the United Kingdom from January 2018 to 3 February 2026. A small number of cases continue to be detected.

To read this news article in full, please visit: Public advised to stop using some non-sterile alcohol-free wipes - GOV.UK

Army Health and Wellbeing Campaign - #SupportIsStrength

Your life matters. Help is here. Real people, real support, anytime.

If you are struggling or are worried about a mate, reach out to get help or get them to talk to someone.

Support is always available!

Where to get help is in the AID booklet, available on the Army website at https://www.army.mod.uk/media/v4nn31fj/20260119-suicide-aid-booklet-ac64672.pdf Also available on Defence Connect via these links: AID Suicide Prevention Booklet , AID Suicide Prevention Poster or:

Armed Forces Support Line 24/7 - Call 0800 323 4444

Samaritans 24/7 - Call 116 123

Text SHOUT to 85258 –Text messaging service, available 24/7

You can also speak to your family and friends who know you best, your Unit Medical Officer, Chain of Command, Unit Welfare Team or Padre.

Other information and resources to support can be found at: British Army - Ask For Help Army Health and Wellbeing Defence Connect.

#SupportIsStrength #BritishArmy #AskForHelp

SSAFA Press Release - How SSAFA helps make parental mental wellbeing part of everyday family life overseas

 

SSAFA Press Release - How SSAFA helps make parental mental wellbeing part of everyday family life overseas

ESBA Parkrun/Parkwalk

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/ 

SSAFA Health Information week

Food Standards Agency: Consumer Recall Notice – Nestlé SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula

On 05 January 2026, Nestle voluntarily recalled 12 SMA infant formula products as a precaution due to potential contamination with cereulide toxin from Bacillus cereus bacteria. Bacillus cereus infection or cereulide toxin poisoning most commonly causes rapid onset (between 15 minutes and 6 hours) vomiting and diarrhoea that is self-limiting and generally resolves in 24 hours. No cases had been microbiologically confirmed as of 08 January 2026.

 

Advice for parents, carers and guardians:

 

• If Nestlé SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula are used, check the batch codes to determine whether the product fall under the remit of the recall (see website below).

• If there is a match, stop consumption of the food product and report it to Nestle via https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/getintouch or call the careline on 0800 081 8180.
• Consumption must stop even if the infant has not displayed any signs of il-health (nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps).
• For health concerns, please seek advice from healthcare professionals, i.e., health visitor, GP, NHS 111.
• If the formula or follow-on formula was prescribed by a health professional for your infant, consult a pharmacist or other medical professional before changing formula.

 

The batch codes for the affected food products are listed in the Food Standards Agency news alert which is also being updated regularly.

NHS ‘Say You Served’: Why Declaring Your Military Affiliation Matters – For You and the Forces Community

 

Why Declaring Your Military Affiliation Matters – For You and the Forces Community

Whether you’re serving in the Armed Forces or supporting a loved one who is, one simple action can make a big difference: declaring your military connection when registering with your GP, local council, or other public services.

It may seem like a small tick in a box, but this information is crucial—not only for you and your family, but for the wider Armed Forces community.