Forces Additional Needs & Disability Forum (FANDF): Carers and Careers Survey

"Are you juggling life in the Armed Forces while caring for someone with additional needs or a disability? Whether you're serving yourself or you're the partner of someone who is, if you're a carer, the Forces Additional Needs & Disability Forum (FANDF) wants to hear from you!

FANDF is collecting lived experiences through a short survey, and the results will be shared directly with the MOD and policymakers at our next committee meeting.

Complete the survey now—it only takes a few minutes but could help shape the future: https://forms.office.com/e/zT65EDwM9"

 

 

 

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 MODnetusers) 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

Forces Families Jobs: X-Forces Start-up Skills Workshop – online 30 & 31 Jul

X-Forces two-day Business Start-Up Skills course expands on the content from the Self-Employment Discovery workshop. 

This course provides members of the military community specific training to enable them to launch and sustain a business. The course is ideal for anyone interested in starting their own business or enterprise and is tailored towards your specific business idea.
Find out more & sign up at: https://bit.ly/3GLdjTn

 

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment – Child Maintenance Service Enforcement Case Manager, Plymouth

The Department of Work and Pensions has 12 new Child Maintenance Service Enforcement Case Manager Executive Officer opportunities in Plymouth. These are now open for applications until 4 Aug 2025.

 

Civil Service Jobs link: Child Maintenance Service - Enforcement Case Manager - Plymouth (Ref: 735) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

 

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

 

Forces Employment Charity: Empowering You employment workshop - 15 to 17 Sept 2025

Empowering You is a hybrid three-day employability and confidence-building workshop in collaboration with Barclays and Forces Employment Charity

 

Event Overview

Days 1 and 3 are virtual. On day 2, delegates will be hosted at three Barclays locations (simultaneously). Day 3 you will meet employers online from across industries who value the skills and qualities that people from the Armed Forces Community bring.

Join us in person at one of the illustrious Barclays locations in London, Knutsford or Glasgow.

The event is for military spouses and partners (all genders), ex-military women and reservists.

 

What can you expect:

Receive a free one-to-one mentoring session with a corporate mentor

1. Hear directly from employers about pathways for the Armed Forces community and regional job opportunities
2. Understand the value that your transferrable skills can bring to employers and gain confidence in yourself
3. Expert sessions delivered by our Families Employment Advisors who are all military spouses or partners with lived experience and who have served too.

 

Dates and times:

This event takes place on the 15^th - 17^th September 2025.

Virtual event timings (days 1 and 3): 10:00 – 13.00 (duration may vary due to group sizes)

In-person event timings (day 2): 10.00 – 16.00

 

Locations on day 2:

Barclays Radbroke Campus – Knutsford WA16 9EU
Barclays Glasgow Campus – 30 Clyde Place, Glasgow, Glasgow G5 8AQ
Barclays Headquarters – 1 Churchill Pl, London E14 5RB

 

Registration Link and Further Info:

Registration Form

Event Overview

 

 

Recruit for Spouses: What’s on this Summer? Instructions: for all platforms please

RFS are offering a number of events programmes and services over the coming months.

 All services are free to access for military spouses, partners, veterans, and serving personnel.

Events include:

• Wellbeing Programme: We are currently accepting registrations for our six-week virtual programme, supported by a psychoeducational therapist. The sessions are designed to reduce isolation and help participants forge meaningful connections.
• Coaching & Mentoring Programme: We have spaces available in our coaching and mentoring initiative. With a pool of over 80 volunteers from various sectors – including BAE, Virgin, and AMS – we’re ready to match individuals with mentors who can support professional development or help build confidence. Our Coaching and Mentoring Manager, Helen Callis, is available to guide participants every step of the way.

 

For more information on Recruit for Spouses, please visit: https://www.recruitforspouses.co.uk/

To register and sign up, please go to: RFS Portal

Hounds for Heroes: Supporting the Armed Forces with Life-Changing Assistance Dogs

Hounds for Heroes – Supporting the Armed Forces with Life-Changing Assistance Dogs

Every day, members of the UK Armed Forces and Emergency Services dedicate themselves to protecting others. At Hounds for Heroes, we believe that when illness or injury makes daily life more difficult for those who’ve served, they deserve steadfast support and a highly trained partner to help them on their journey.

We provide specially trained assistance dogs to those who have served in HM Armed Forces, no matter where, when, or for how long. Whether you served for days, weeks, months or years, you may be eligible. We also support those from the Emergency Services, including the Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard and RNLI.

Our dogs are far more than companions. They are working dogs trained to assist with everyday tasks like opening doors, retrieving dropped items and building confidence in public settings. Just as importantly, they offer loyal companionship and emotional reassurance.

Each dog is carefully matched to their Partner based on individual needs, ensuring a truly life-changing relationship that supports both practical challenges and emotional wellbeing.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Covenant Fund programme, Hidden Voices, reopens for applications

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has reopened the Hidden Voices programme for applications. This is the second year of this popular programme with funded projects last year supporting:

• veterans in the justice system in
• LGBT+ veterans
• victim-survivors of Military Sexual Violence
• carers in armed forces communities
• foreign & commonwealth personnel
• And more…!

The Hidden Voices programme is about ensuring everyone in the armed forces community feels heard and supported – focusing on those who may not always get the support they need.

Free August webinars from Serve and Protect Credit Union

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

Thu 7th - Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money

Thu 14th - Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money

Wed 20th - The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected

Thu 21st - Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score

Thu 28th - 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

RAF Job Opportunities for Rejoiners and Inter-Service Transferees

 

Military Mortgage Advice – Housing Webinars, July to Sept 25

 

Assigned overseas? Have your say on Service family life

If you and your partner are assigned overseas, Defence wants to hear from you on what Service family life is like. Share anonymous feedback in the Overseas Families Survey.

 

Tell Defence what information and support has helped you and your family while serving overseas, and what could be better. Here are some areas you’ll be asked about in the survey: 

• spousal / partner employment
• education and childcare
• communications
• safeguarding

 

Your feedback will help to inform Defence’s policies and initiatives to better meet the needs of you and your family.

How to complete the survey

You can complete the survey online. You and your partner can share your views individually using same survey link.  The survey is open to all Regular and Reserve Service personnel and their spouses / civil partners. Please be assured that survey responses are anonymous.

You have until Saturday 30 August to make your voice heard.

The Ripple Pond Summer 2025 Newsletter: Family Support together

  

Link to read online: Summer 2025 Newsletter

Discounts Galore for Military and Civil Service Personnel

Did you know about all these Discount Opportunities for Military and Civilian Staff?

Blue Light Card:
If you want to make savings on everyday items, holidays, leisure, eating out, why not
sign up to the Blue Light Card which only costs £5 for two years membership? Civil
Servants are also eligible to join.

Current offers include 25% off food in Pizza Hut, Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia, 20% off food
in Las Iguanas, Prezzo, TGI Fridays, zizzi and 5% off at Nandos to name but a few.

Discounts are also available in certain retailers, holiday companies and utility
companies.

Defence Discount Service:
The Defence Discount Service Card is available to Armed Forces and Civil Servants
which offers similar savings to the Blue Light Card above and costs £4.99 for five years.

Did you know that you can visit Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for free with
your Defence Discount Card! The offer allows the card holder plus 4 guests to visit
once a year which is a saving of £30 per person per visit!

'Discover My Benefit's portal'
The Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk) portal is an easy-to-use tool for those
working in Defence, their families and anyone interested in joining. You can use it to
find out what support and benefits are available to you as a service person or civil
servant.

For Civil Servants:
Offers range from lifestyle schemes that can help to improve your physical and mental
wellbeing and include savings on Private health insurance and savings on gym
membership:

https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/mental_wellbeing

https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/health_fitness

Financial discounts are also available via 'Top Up' cards for retailers such as Tesco and
preferential prices for MOD staff at certain retailers through Edenred. To find out more
and register on the Edenred (UK Group) Limited website.

For Military Personnel:
Service benefits including adventurous training, accommodation, honours and awards
and others. Check out your ‘Discover My Benefits’ page.

For other ways to save money, please visit: Financial wellbeing (sharepoint.com)

Defence update: Wraparound Childcare funding updates for autumn term 2025

Are you eligible to join the 9,000 Service families claiming up to £3,400, per child, per year, for their before and after school childcare costs?

What is Wraparound Childcare (WAC)?
The WAC scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if in receipt of disability allowances), who are in full-time education in school or being home educated. WAC funding is available to eligible working Service families in the UK, assigned overseas within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S), assigned overseas and using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision or assigned overseas unaccompanied with family remaining in an eligible location.

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 11 July 2025

 

Planning for move-ins/outs and removals this summer 

Summer is the busiest time of the year for housing allocations and removal activity. Our suppliers will always strive to meet your preferred dates, however because of the volume of requests, on occasions this is not always possible.  

To help manage this busy time and ensure you have a smooth experience, we recommend families consider our advice and guidance when planning for move-ins/outs and removals: 

• Book your pre-move-out appointment with your Housing Officer as soon as you apply for your next SFA (at least 30 working days ahead of your scheduled move-out date). We have extended the time to complete a pre-move-out appointment from 14 to 30 working days, allowing more time for you to receive advice on moving-out and guidance to prepare your house in meeting the move-out standard. 
• If circumstances allow, please only request services during the last week of July and first week of August if you are unable to move at any other time. These are particularly popular dates and tend to be fully booked in advance. 
• We understand how important it is to receive your next allocation and status of your application as soon as possible. Pinnacle have 15 working days to process your request, we kindly ask you do not chase for an update before this timeframe. 
• You can start planning your removal as soon as Assignment Orders are received via the Agility Portal. To start the process, you only need the location and not a confirmed delivery address. 
• Once you have been allocated SFA, it is advised to confirm availability for removals before booking a move-in/out appointment. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Agility directly (remember to include your service number). For further guidance, please visit the Pinnacle website.  


Identifying your local named Housing Officer  

To help you easily find out who your local point of contact is and ensure you can speak to your Housing Officer over the phone when you most need advice or help about your SFA – a full list of Pinnacle’s Housing Officers (including a name and direct telephone number) has been made available on the Pinnacle website, or you can call the National Service Centre on 0800 031 8628 (option 4).  

You can find FAQs on the Defence Homes website, if you would like to find out more about the role of a Housing Officer, when you might contact them and additional ways of getting in touch. 

This is in support of the SFA Consumer Charter commitment to provide families with better and clearer communication, including a named Housing Officer for every service family who can be contacted about housing related queries. Progress is underway for the remaining commitments which are due to be in place by December 2025.  


JLL stock condition surveys return  

From 21 July – 1 September 2025, DIO have commissioned Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to continue the Stock Condition Survey on 1,000 UK SFA homes across 20 sites. The homes selected will be of different types, age and condition.  

If your SFA is selected, you will receive a notification letter from JLL at least 2 weeks before the intended date of the inspection, requesting your availability to allow the surveyor access to your property. The surveys will take a maximum of 1 hour. 

Where possible, we greatly appreciate your cooperation if you can provide access to your property, as this will allow the surveyor to successfully carry out the survey and inform a detailed assessment of the condition of SFA homes.  

Please note your home will not be selected if you have already taken part in a previous survey (from January 2025). 

Places where kids eat free (or for £1) - Summer Holidays 2025

If you are heading back to the U.K. for a visit this Summer, check out these brilliant deals.

For further information please go to: https://moneysavingcentral.co.uk/kids-eat-free and check any T&Cs that apply to the offer(s) you may be interested in.

Defence Update - Simplifying Overseas Services Finances

  

Simplifying overseas service finances…

Defence’s new digital tools and updated allowances help you and your family navigate the financial aspects of overseas assignments – with greater confidence and less paperwork.

When serving overseas, you should be able to focus on your work and settling into your new location, without worrying about unexpected costs or navigating complex policies.

Financial stability and a clear understanding of what you and your family can receive are essential components to support operational effectiveness. That’s why Defence is freeing up valuable time and providing welcome reassurance, by simplifying allowance processes and providing tools that reduce admin.

These changes make the move to overseas life smoother for everyone, providing greater clarity and choice – whether you’re posted abroad or keeping a home across borders.

Give Us Time: Orlando holiday opportunity - Autumn 2025

 

Give Us Time have a new opportunity for a two week break in Orlando in the autumn, which is live on their website at https://bookings.giveustime.org.uk/login

This is for up to four people in a town house on the Encantada Resort in Kissimmee, to the southwest of Orlando. The resort is close to Disney World and Sea World, and an hour’s drive to both of Florida’s beautiful coastlines.

The dates for this break are Saturday 20 September to Saturday 4 October – they are unable to request alternative dates, although families can choose to arrive a day later or leave a day earlier, depending on flights.

July Quest Magazine is out now!

 

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

NAAFI Fund Dives Deep to Support Injured Veterans and Service Personnel

 

The underwater world just got a whole lot more accessible and therapeutic, thanks to a generous £5,000 award from the NAAFI Fund to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM)! This fantastic funding is already making waves, allowing RCDM to replace and procure essential sub-aqua diving equipment. This means their vital Diving courses can continue to benefit not only Tri-Service personnel but also provide ongoing assistance to incredible Diving with the Injured expeditions.

The recent trip to the Maldives was an undeniable success: injured veterans, finding much-needed therapy in the serene embrace of the ocean, experiencing the wonders of marine life. This unique form of rehabilitation offers a sense of weightlessness, freedom, and an incredible connection to nature that can be profoundly healing.

New Surveys for Service Children aged 8-18 - Share your experience of growing up in a military family

 

Links for Survey:

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

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.

Our iHIVE is tri-Service and is listed on the Overseas Supportability checklist as an action, so that Service personnel and families can obtain the relevant information they may each require, to ensure that their new location can meet each individual’s and family’s needs.

For those with MODnet access, Army HIVE’s SharePoint site can also be used to download our information sheets or ask questions – please go to our Overseas Postings area

If you’re relocating back to the UK from overseas, or moving within the UK, our SharePoint hosts guidance and resources in our Relocating within or back to the UK section.

Serve and Protect Credit Union - July update

Free financial webinars this July from Serve and Protect - don't miss out!

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

• Thu 3rd - Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money
• Thu 3rd - People Over Profit: The Credit Union Movement
• Tue 8th - Responsible Lending: How We Can Stop Loan Sharks Together
• Thu 10th - Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
• Tue 15th - Harmful Effects of Gambling: Presented in collaboration with GamCare
• Thu 17th - Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
• Tue 22nd - The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected
• Thu 24th - Before You Borrow: 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

Queen Victoria School, Dunblane, Scotland – Open Morning 2025 on Sat 13 Sep

Please contact the school to register for the open event, and for further info go to: Queen Victoria School - Boarding School, Dunblane, Scotland

 

It’s here: Global Mobility Allowance trial begins

 

From 1 July, eligible Service personnel are now invited to register for a new overseas allowance that offers an easier claims process and greater flexibility on spending.

 

Global Mobility Allowance (GMA) is being trialled as a new way to receive a financial contribution towards expenses that arise when you move to or from an overseas permanent assignment in:

• Brunei – 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles (2RGR) and Brunei Garrison Staff (incl. 667 Sqn, 5AAC) only
• USA – British Defence Staff US (BDSUS) administered locations only
• Kenya – British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) Garrison Staff only
• Europe/ Rest of World (RoW) – Global Support Organisation (GSO) administered locations only

The new Global Mobility Allowance Calculator (accessible via defnet or Defence Connect) gives a real-time, tailored estimate of the GMA allowance you will receive, and a comparison of GMA trial versus non-trial allowances.

The tool simplifies what would be a complex and time-consuming calculation process and enables you to make informed decisions about your assignment – including considerations on family support, cost of living and financial planning.

The low-down on GMA

• Non-taxable lump sum payment.

• Made up of the maximum rates of existing Disturbance Expense (DE) Overseas, Respite Provision (RP) and Overseas Private Vehicle Provision (OPVP) allowances – dependent on your accommodation status, accompanied status and your assigned location.
• No requirement to provide receipts as evidence to receive it.
• Use it to pay towards what you see as necessary for your overseas assignment.
• JSP 752 provides guidance on the three allowances included in GMA and the types of costs it can contribute towards.

DIO Families First Newsletter – Issue 28

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

 

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 27 June 25

An update on communal areas

We have heard from many of you at our SFA roadshows and we know families wish to be able enjoy communal spaces and gardens to the front of their properties. In many cases, these areas provide a valuable space for garden furniture and play equipment.

We have a duty to ensure that communal areas are safe, but we also want to see a common-sense approach that balances safety and convenience for families.

The SFA Consumer Charter announced in April sets out our commitment to empower families and to enable you to take decisions about your home.

For the safety and enjoyment of all, please note the following advice regarding the use of outdoor communal spaces:

Families are encouraged to use and to enjoy gardens and communal areas.
Communal areas can be used for families to gather and socialise, provided this does not disturb other neighbours.
Families have the choice to use items (such as garden furniture) in external communal areas. If families wish for our teams to carry out ground maintenance, we kindly request items are removed when not in use (as they will need access to a clear area to carry out the work). However, if families find enjoyment and pride in maintaining the area themselves, they are welcome to keep their items out.
Please talk to your Housing Officer regarding larger items that are fixed and cannot be easily removed such as trampolines, swing sets, bike stores etc that you wish to place in communal areas.
Items that pose an immediate health and safety risk to others such as rope swings, and tree houses may be removed without notice to ensure the safety of all.

Safety in flats or apartments: Indoor communal areas that are thoroughfares and lead to fire escapes (e.g. stairwells and hallways) should be kept clear of personal items such as bikes, as they could pose a hazard in the event of fire. Items stored in fire escapes may be removed without notice.


For any queries related to the use of communal space or to find your local housing officer, please contact the Pinnacle helpdesk.




Changes to the ORS SFA Customer Experience Survey



Opinions Research Services (ORS) have been commissioned to conduct monthly surveys on behalf of DIO. The telephone surveys, which are answered by Service Personnel and their families, give DIO a better understanding of the views and experiences of people living in UK SFA.



Respondents are chosen randomly each month, and it can be completed by the Service Person or their partner. Anonymised results are sent to DIO on a monthly basis and offer invaluable insights that can shape decisions that seek to improve the experiences of those residing in SFA.



From 1 July 2025, the survey question set is being updated to better align with the nationally recognised Tenant Satisfaction Measures, making it easier to compare the level of service provided in SFA against sector-wide housing standards. While new themes have been incorporated, many questions remain unchanged, and the survey still includes questions that are specifically tailored to capturing the unique nature of Service life.



DIO is committed to using the insights gained from this survey to accelerate continuous improvement, and we look forward to sharing key findings and planned actions, directly informed by your feedback