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Friday, 22 August 2025

Gibraltar: Fair opens 23rd August as National Celebrations commence


Gibraltar's programme of National Celebrations starts tonight with the opening of 'Gibraltar Fair 2025' at Victoria Stadium. The Fair will operate for nine days with a different programme of Family Entertainment each day. Sensory adaptations from 7pm to 8.45pm each day, with the entertainment programme commencing at 9pm. 



Outstanding GCSE Results at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School

 


Students at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School are once again celebrating a year of exceptional success in their GCSE examinations, with nearly a third of all entries achieving a grade 9-7. 79% of students achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and Mathematics. This year’s results reflect the hard work, determination, and ambition of Dukies, with a significant number earning coveted academic and sports scholarships as they move into Sixth Form.

 

Principal Alex Foreman commended students and staff alike, stating: "We are incredibly proud of our students' achievements. As one of the top-performing non-selective boarding schools in the country, we are delighted to see so many Dukies choosing to continue their journey with us into Sixth Form. Our university-style boarding environment, alongside our academic and enrichment programmes, offers a truly unique education. Students thrive here – not just academically, but as confident, well-rounded individuals prepared for the future path they choose."

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.

 

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

 


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

 

TopicThe Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected

 

TopicCredit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score

 

TopicBefore You Borrow: Key Things to Know

 

TopicEco-Friendly Ways to Save Money

 

TopicBudgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money

 

TopicThe Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected

 

TopicCredit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score

 

TopicBefore You Borrow: Key Things to Know

 


For more information on Serve & Protect webinars, please visit:

 https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/education/webinars/

 

Wednesday, 20 August 2025

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

 

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

 

UK: 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.  

 

 

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


Job Description 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)

 

Forces Employment Charity: A month to go to Empowering You!

 


About Empowering You 

Date: Monday 15 September – Wednesday 17 September

 

Hosted by Barclays in partnership with the Forces Employment Charity, this three-day hybrid event is designed for military spouses, partners, and military women (including reservists). Attendees will join two virtual days and one in-person day held at your choice of Barclays venues in London, Manchester, or Glasgow. All for free.

 

The event will include:

 

1-to-1 mentoring with a Barclays corporate mentors

 

Direct connections with employers actively recruiting the Armed Forces community

 

Expert advice from people who get it. All our Families Employment Advisors are military spouses or partners themselves!


Click here for Overview and booking information

Register today

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: recruit4spouses.cmail19.com/t/r-e-tklklrid-bdhxuluhh-a/

 

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/

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.

 

To read the newsletter please click HERE 


For further information please visit the Stop Loan Sharks website: Home - Stop Loan Sharks

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.

 

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.

 

As the official media partner for the 2025 competition, BFBS will livestream selected fixtures via Forces News YouTube and Forces News Facebook ensuring service personnel, veterans, and rugby fans worldwide never miss a moment.

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.

 

Civil Service Jobs link:  Service Excellence - Child Maintenance Group - Caseworker - Administrative Officer - Falkirk (Ref: 742)

 

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

 

The Duke of York's Royal Military School Celebrates Exceptional A Level and BTEC Results


Students at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School are celebrating another year of exceptional results in their A Level and BTEC examinations. This year, the average A Level grade achieved by students was a B, while BTEC students also performed impressively.

 

Principal Alex Foreman praised the hard work and determination of students and staff, stating: "Our unique school continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for our students, academically and personally. Our Dukies are supported by exceptional teachers and pastoral staff, and they flourish in a setting that encourages them to aim high and develop the skills required to succeed. Our students have shown remarkable determination and commitment, and we are incredibly proud of all they have achieved. They are inspiring young people, and I am confident they will step into the next stage of their lives with confidence and purpose."

Monday, 18 August 2025

Easy Resettlement Magazine: Subscribe for free and read online


To subscribe for free, please click this link: Subscription | Easy Resettlement Magazine

To read current and back issues of Easy Resettlement magazine, please visit: Back Issues | Easy Resettlement Magazine

 

Thursday, 14 August 2025

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

 


If your posting is in the UK you can find our blog and location guides here. Please use our MS Forms enquiryfunction 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 sitecan 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

Wednesday, 13 August 2025

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 11 August 25


SFA Consumer Charter – greater freedoms for families 

Service Personnel and families deserve homes that reflect your unique needs and lifestyles. Outdated, lengthy policies are unhelpful in fostering a sense of belonging where you can make a house feel like your home. This is particularly important given the transient nature of military life, which we know can be disruptive.  

 

DIO is committed to transforming this experience. By modernising our policies, we’re empowering families with greater freedom to personalise and enhance your homes. Defence Secretary Rt Hon John Healey MP announced the latest improvements, which include an update to policies making it easier for you to own pets and run businesses from home. In the future, you will also have more freedom to personalise and decorate your homes, the details of which will be confirmed in due course.  

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 here: 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


The Survey is open until 5th September

Links for Survey:

 

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment – Universal Credit Income and Expenses Agent, Leeds


The Department of Work and Pensions has 110 new Universal Credit Income and Expenses Agent Executive Officer opportunities in Leeds. These are now open for applications until 26 Aug 2025.

 

Civil Service Jobs link:  Universal Credit Income and Expenses Agent Executive Officer - Leeds (Ref: 741)

 

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

 

 

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/