Overseas Location Guides
Please note that these are kept up-to-date by HIVE staff - the month of the latest version is shown within each guide. The date of the post is simply the date when this service was set up.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Welcome to International HIVE
Welcome to International HIVE, our mission is to provide you with the most up to date information, the Overseas Locations Guides are an in-depth collection of that information.
If further information is required, please contact your nearest HIVE or the iHIVE, details below:
iHIVE Email: RC-Pers-HIVE-iHIVE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Call: +44 (0)797 669 8527
iHIVE Email: RC-Pers-HIVE-iHIVE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Call: +44 (0)797 669 8527
Monday, June 23, 2025
DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 20 June 25
Those living overseas will be well-accustomed to warmer weather, but for those living in the UK please note several areas across England and Wales have experienced the driest spring for over 60 years, and in some cases since records began. This has led to the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales declaring a combination of drought status and prolonged dry weather status for many regions
To help conserve water follow the recommended actions:
Consider taking a quick shower instead of a bath.
Be mindful not to keep taps running for longer than needed to avoid water wastage.
Try to run dishwashers and washing machines with a full load.
Check and report any leaks in toilets, faucets or pipes to Pinnacle by calling 0800 031 8628.
Collectively, these small actions can make a big difference to available water resources. Thank you for your support and co-operation.
Summer safety tips
Summer is upon us, and we want to share some Summer Safety Tips to keep you and your family safe during warmer weather.
For advice on summer safety including window restrictors, BBQs, and what to do if you find a wasp or bees nest inside your property, visit: https://www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/in-my-home/summer-tips/
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.
Increase to Early Years childcare funded hours for eligible working families assigned overseas
From September 2025 eligible working families assigned overseas will have access to up to 30 hours of funded Early Years childcare for their children aged from 9 months old.
Early Years funded childcare overseas.
To reflect the offer available in England, all families assigned overseas with children aged 3 to 4 years old, and 2-year-old children in receipt of additional government support, are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week during term time (38 weeks per year).
Defence is expanding the childcare offer for working families assigned overseas with children aged 9 months to school starting age, to match the entitlement in England.
From September 2025 eligible working families can claim funding for up to 30 hours per week, per child aged 9 months old to school starting age, during term time (38 weeks per year).
This is an increase to the additional funded hours that became available in September 2024, in which 15 hours of Early Years childcare funding, per week, per child, during term time, became available for eligible working families with children aged 9 months to 3 years old.
For more information about the Early Years Childcare available in England, please go to Early Years childcare | Childcare Choices (GOV.UK).
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Invitation to attend Financial Literacy Focus Groups
Introduction
Financial literacy is a key life skill and is critical to the development of our personal and collective resilience. The Financial Times charity FLIC is has funding to expand financial literacy into the Armed Forces and they are running 2 online focus groups in June and one face to face focus group in July (details below). 20-30 Service personnel and family members across a mix of ranks, ethnicity and gender are being sought for each focus group, to help FLIC understand the financial challenges that the Armed Forces face, and the information that would be useful.
The three focus groups will take place on the following dates/times:
19 Jun 25 (1130-1230 tbc) – Online focus group delivered by via MS TEAMS (25 pers)
24 Jun 25 (0900-1000 tbc) – Online focus group delivered via MS TEAMS (25 pers)
17 Jul 25 0900-1200 – Face to face focus group delivered by FLIC, Buller Conference Centre, St Omer, Aldershot. (35 pers). Civilian attire, lunch at PAYD facility.
Register interest here: https://forms.office.com/e/at8DSE3evc
Volunteers will be asked to take part in a discussion to help shape a package that informs our Service community in a way that is relevant, engaging and accessible. The discussion will explore their topics of interest, financial challenges and how they want to receive the information. The session will also include the opportunity to test video and e-learning platform capabilities.
Financial literacy is a key life skill and is critical to the development of our personal and collective resilience. The Financial Times charity FLIC is has funding to expand financial literacy into the Armed Forces and they are running 2 online focus groups in June and one face to face focus group in July (details below). 20-30 Service personnel and family members across a mix of ranks, ethnicity and gender are being sought for each focus group, to help FLIC understand the financial challenges that the Armed Forces face, and the information that would be useful.
The three focus groups will take place on the following dates/times:
19 Jun 25 (1130-1230 tbc) – Online focus group delivered by via MS TEAMS (25 pers)
24 Jun 25 (0900-1000 tbc) – Online focus group delivered via MS TEAMS (25 pers)
17 Jul 25 0900-1200 – Face to face focus group delivered by FLIC, Buller Conference Centre, St Omer, Aldershot. (35 pers). Civilian attire, lunch at PAYD facility.
Register interest here: https://forms.office.com/e/at8DSE3evc
Volunteers will be asked to take part in a discussion to help shape a package that informs our Service community in a way that is relevant, engaging and accessible. The discussion will explore their topics of interest, financial challenges and how they want to receive the information. The session will also include the opportunity to test video and e-learning platform capabilities.
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
safeguardingYour 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)