Monday, June 1, 2026

Forces Cars Direct: June Offers

Take advantage of fantastic savings on a range of brand-new vehicles, including the all-new Toyota RAV4 with a saving of £6,047, and the impressive Ford Explorer with a saving of £11,668, including the EV Grant. 


Here’s a link to the Forces Cars Direct June special offers:

https://www.forcescarsdirect.com/special-offers/monthly-offers

There's never been a better time to upgrade your car and make the most of these exclusive offers.


JPMorganChase: ACCESS Empower & Connect - Military Spouse Experience, London 23–24 June 2026



Empower & Connect: Military Spouse Experience
JPMorgan are delighted to be hosting their final in-person event for the 2026 ACCESS Programme, taking place on 23–24 June in London.

This two-day experience is designed to recognise the unique strengths, resilience and potential of military spouses, bringing together a supportive community focused on connection, insight and growth.

Across the event, participants will:
✅ Gain insight into careers at JPMorgan Chase
✅ Build meaningful professional networks
✅ Develop practical skills through CV and interview workshops
✅ Explore opportunities across AWM, CIB and Technology
✅ Understand the role and impact of data in today’s workplace

To close the event, attendees will hear from a panel of incredibly experienced military spouses who will share their personal journeys, career experiences and practical advice. This session offers an honest and inspiring perspective on navigating military life, building resilience, and creating meaningful career pathways alongside service commitments.

This programme continues to be incredibly important in supporting military spouses with the confidence, tools and connections to take your next steps.

If you or someone in your network would benefit from joining us, we would love to hear from you.

🔗 Registration is required – please get in touch via email to military.veterans.affairs@jpmorgan.com for more information, or scan the QR code on the poster to secure your place.

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 29 May 2026



HomeHub
Following the recent downtime, there has been some updates on how you access HomeHub and an extra security step has been added. This means you may be asked by GOV.UK One Login to prove your identity when you log in. You may have already done this when using other government services, such as:
• Renewing a passport
• Updating a driving licence
• Using some HMRC services

What this means for you
• If you’ve already proved your identity, you don’t need to do anything. Your details are saved by GOV.UK One Login and will be recognised when you log in to HomeHub.
• If you haven’t proved your identity to GOV.UK One Login yet, you’ll be asked to do this the next time you log in.

How to prove your identity
You only need to do this once and can do so in one of three ways:
• Using the GOV.UK One Login app
• Answering security questions online
• Going to a Post Office

What you can use will depend on your device and the ID you have. For step-by-step help, click here.

Please note, Pinnacle does not verify your identity and does not receive or store any of your information. Your identity is checked by GOV.UK OneLogin, which securely validates and stores your details.

Summer safety guidance
Summer is just around the corner, and we want to share with you some of our best tips to keep you, your family and your home safe while enjoying the sunshine.

Check your window restrictors
As it gets warmer, it may be tempting to open windows wide to let in a cool breeze. However, there is a risk of children or vulnerable adults falling from open windows and being injured if restrictors are not engaged. Please do not remove your window restrictors and ensure they are operating correctly. They should not allow the window to open further than 100mm when engaged. If they are missing, or not working, please contact Pinnacle to get this remedied.

Practice BBQ safety
BBQs should be in a well-ventilated outdoors space, away from flammable objects like fences, sheds and shrubs. If you have a gas BBQ, make sure the gas bottle is turned off and removed safely. If you use a disposable BBQ (or coals), do not throw it away until it has cooled down completely.

Keep your garden tidy
Create a safer space for your children to play by keeping your garden well maintained over summer. Regularly mow lawns and clear litter, food and pet waste to discourage pests and remove trip hazards. For any larger jobs that present a safety risk, such as unstable trees, contact Pinnacle.

If you require any further advice, please contact your local Housing Officer or Pinnacle at 0800 031 8628. You can also find more summer safety tips on the Pinnacle website.

Stay connected with Defence Homes updates
Join the Defence Homes community and never miss an update. Families can now subscribe to receive the latest Defence Homes news, helpful updates and our Families First Newsletter, all delivered straight to your inbox.

Signing up is quick and easy: just visit Defence Homes and enter your email address.

Ministerial visit to Woolwich

Families living at Woolwich Barracks recently welcomed Defence Secretary John Healey MP and local MP and Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, who visited the site to see first-hand the improvements being made to SFA.

The properties visited have been refurbished recently as part of a £10 million investment to Woolwich. This includes refurbishments to 130 homes, ahead of the return of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment from deployment in Cyprus.

Read more about it on Defence Homes.

AFCAS results
Yesterday the results of the 2026 Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) were released. We are pleased to see that satisfaction with the overall standard of SFA has improved slightly since last year at 52%. Satisfaction with responses to requests for repairs and maintenance works within SFA has also increased for the third year in a row to 39%, an increase of 5%.

This year’s results are encouraging, but we know there is more to do and work to reshape, redevelop and modernise the Defence housing estate is already being driven forward through the Defence Housing Strategy.

DIO Families First Newsletter, published 29 May



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

HighGround: Army Spouses Online Focus Group invitation, Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 13:30

The charity HighGround supports Service Leavers, Reservists and Veterans to work out what military skills and experience they have, how they will map into the land-based sector and how to access the many opportunities it offers for employment and self-employment.

They are now looking to expand their support to spouses and partners of Army personnel, and have arranged this webinar to gain further insights for that project. Your voices are needed!

To find out more please visit: https://highground-uk.org/

To join the online focus group on 16 Jun, scan the QR code in the poster, or see below:

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/345002815956947?p=aHbe6lnD7lIX01G4Gt
Meeting ID: 345 002 815 956 947
Passcode: Yj6hs7gr

BELGIUM: The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition, now on at SHAPE Players, Friday 5th to Sunday 7th June 2026

Have you seen SpongeBob the musical yet? There is still time to secure tickets from the SHAPE Players Box Office for this weekend. Find out what happens when a brainy squirrel meets a simple sponge and his starfish best buddy in Bikini Bottom Bay, before it is too late.

Will they be able to outwit the single celled organism & her sidekick and survive Mount Humongous? Come join us beneath the waves. 

WHAT: THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: YOUTH EDITION
WHO:
Presented by SHAPE Performing Arts School
WHERE:
SHAPE Performing Arts Centre – Building 207
WHEN:
5th June 19:00, 6th June 19:00 and 7th June 15:00
HOW MUCH:
€20 Adults and €15 Children/Students


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Bingo, Wednesday 3rd June 2026, Eyes down 19:30

Bingo is back with week! Come along and try your luck with the numbers.


WHEN: Wednesday 3rd June 2026, Bar Open 19:00, Eyes Down 19:30
WHERE: The Britbar


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: SACEURs Cup, Tuesday 23rd June 2026

Team GBR are now preparing for the next event in the SACEURs Cup...


...Racket sports! And we are looking for some willing volunteers to participate. 

The date for this event will be Tuesday 23rd June with the following sports being played:
  • Badminton
  • Squash
  • Pickleball
  • Table Tennis
Tennis will be played throughout the month.

Team GBR Needs YOU! Fancy a day out of the office? Get your name down with Anthony and Tammy.

If you are interested in joining in, please drop an email to Anthony.holt200@mod.gov.uk or tammypatt@yahoo.co.uk


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Brunssum: Street Jump Heerlen - Indoor Trampoline Park

 

Largest indoor trampoline park in Heerlen and the surrounding area. 40+ trampolines and 8 different areas.

You can choose to jump for 1, 1.5 or 2 hours.

SHAPE: Learn to Face Paint, Thursday 4th June and Tuesday 23rd June

Want to learn a new skill, refresh or upskill with a view to joining the face-painting teams at Make-a-Wish or Britfete?


Two options to learn some new skill this month in the Britbar. It is a great opportunity to learn some really impressive face-painting techniques and I promise you it is easier than it looks.


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE