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.

Wellington (India) - Click here for the Overseas Location Guide.

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

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

Gov.uk: Emergency Alerts Sunday 7 September at 3pm.

The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

Your mobile phone or tablet will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent. The alert message will confirm this is a test and that you do not need to take any further action.

Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency. Find out more at gov.uk/alerts.

You can opt out of the Emergency Alerts, including the national test, but you should keep them switched on for your own safety.

Emergency Alerts will warn you via your mobile or tablet if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. Only the government and the emergency services are able to send them.

There are simple and effective steps we can all take to be more prepared for an emergency. Visit gov.uk/prepare for advice on how you can prepare.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Family Focus Programme reopens for applications.

When a serving person becomes wounded, injured, or sick, life can change quickly for those around them. Family members might take on the role of primary carer, carrying a heavy emotional and practical load during recovery.

Ongoing support is essential. Its helps carers recognise their own needs and ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved.

Give Us Time: Welfare Summer Update.

Click poster to enlarge.

www.giveustime.org.uk

Alternatively follow on social media at https://www.facebook.com/GiveUsTime and https://www.instagram.com/give_us_time/

ACORN programme run by ManKind for male survivors of domestic abuse who are looking to move on to new relationships

Please click image to enlarge

This course has less that six months left to run, so please take full advantage of this opportunity.

ManKind ACORN programme

Forces Employment Charity: Job Vacancy in Southern England.

 

🚨Become a Champion for Service Children🚨

Forces Employment Charity are looking for a passionate and motivated Youth Employment Advisor to join their team!

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people from Armed Forces families? 🎓💼

In this rewarding role, you’ll:

✅ Provide 1:1 & group support to young people navigating their #career and #education choices
✅ Work with schools, colleges, and organisations to inspire the next generation
✅ Help break down barriers and open doors to brighter futures
✅ Raise aspirations & build confidence

💡 They are looking for someone compassionate, proactive, and ready to empower service children with the guidance they need to thrive.


Experience in Youth Work or a Post-16 education setting would be ideal.

📍 Location: Remote but frequent travel across Wiltshire, Hampshire & Surrey is required, so living within either county is preferable. The role requires you to attend schools at various times during the school day, so you must have your own car to get to and from events. https://forcesemployment.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoard/Opening.aspx?v=9dabea51-3e5e-4e16-80d7-ea3a30aba98c

🕒 Full-time

🔗 Apply now or share with someone who'd be perfect: https://forcesemployment.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoard/Opening.aspx?v=9dabea51-3e5e-4e16-80d7-ea3a30aba98c

SafeLives: Service community domestic abuse victims/survivors interviews request.

Survivor Interviews

SafeLives, with support from the Army Benevolent Fund, is looking to improve the domestic abuse response for victim/survivors from serving and veteran families.

SafeLives want to hear directly from victim/survivors who have lived experience of domestic abuse in military families or relationships. Their voices are central to this work.

Victim/survivors who take part will also receive a £25 voucher as a thank you for their time.

If you are interested in taking part in an interview, please scan the QR code on the poster to find out more.

Alternatively click on this link: Survivor ABF

SafeLives: Service community domestic abuse - Welfare staff interviews request.

SafeLives are also keen to speak with Army Welfare Officers and Unit Welfare Officers who have experience of supporting victim/survivors of domestic abuse. They want to understand your experiences of providing welfare support, and hear your views on the barriers victim/survivors from military families and relationships may face when trying to access help.

If you are interested in taking part in an interview, please scan the QR code on the poster to find out more.

Alternatively click on this link: Army Personnel ABF

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.

Forces Families Jobs: X-Forces Start-up Skills Workshop – online 30 & 31 July 2025.

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

Little Troopers: All together Build-A-Bear workshops on 13 Aug.

All Together this Summer!

Little Troopers has once again partnered with Build-A-Bear Workshop to bring a very special experience to military children across the UK this summer!Is your little trooper missing a deployed parent?

If your child has a parent currently deployed, you can apply to attend one of our exclusive group workshops happening nationwide. Each child will have the magical opportunity to create their very own ‘Little Troopers’ bear at Build-A-Bear — a treasured keepsake to hold close while their parent is away.A Nationwide Shared Moment

On the same day and at the same time, children in multiple Build-A-Bear locations will come together for this special summer event — a moment of connection and comfort for our military families.Event Details:

Date: 13th August 2025

Time: Approximately 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Age Group: Military children aged 4–10 years, each accompanied by one adult

Locations: Windsor, Exeter, Edinburgh, Bournemouth, Basingstoke, Southampton, Maidstone, and Newcastle Build-A-Bear Workshops

Apply via the form - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HPKJPVR

Recruit for Spouses: What’s on this Summer?

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

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.

Guides for those bereaved by suicide in the Armed Forces community.

Suicide Bereavement UK have developed a series of At Your Side guides for those bereaved by suicide in the Armed Forces community.

Three guides have been written by the bereaved for the bereaved:

At Your Side guide for Veterans
At Your Side guide for families
At Your Side guide for Serving Personnel
Both the Veteran and family guide were launched on the 17th April 2024. The Serving Personnel guide will be launched shortly.

To view or download the guides, please visit: https://suicidebereavementuk.com/armedforces/​​

#Andysmanclub

 

MOD Victim Witness Care Unit

The Defence Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) provides support and guidance for victims and witnesses during their journey through the Service Justice System.


Visit the website for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-witness-care-unit-vwcu

Scotland: Forces Children Scotland child friendly emotional cycle of deployment

Work started earlier this year with children and young people to co-create a child-friendly emotional cycle of deployment resource to explain the emotional cycle of deployment.

The children and young people have developed the visual of a rollercoaster to help explain their experiences of the different stages of the cycle.

The Deployment Rollercoaster can be accessed here:
https://forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/the-deployment-rollercoaster/

The Deployment Rollercoaster allows children, young people and adults to see that all emotions are valid and it ok to feel different emotions throughout the deployment cycle. The rollercoaster is supported by accessible resources for children, young people and parents to help support their child’s mental health and wellbeing at each stage of the ride.

We invite you to explore this online resource and let us know your thoughts and would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to talk or discuss opportunities to promote the use of this resource in your setting.

Northern Ireland: Defence Medical Welfare Service Northern Ireland. Supporting the Service Person, Veterans and Family Members.

For more details please click here

Service Leavers' Guide - latest edition.

T​he updated version of the Service Leavers' Guide has now been published on Gov.UK.

Please click the link to read this edition online.

Op ASCEND – Careers After Service

Op ASCEND is a free, government-backed service to support veterans in growing their careers.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking employment or an employer looking to attract skilled veterans to your workforce, find out what signing up to the Op ASCEND service can do for you.

For more information visit: https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk

Help for Heroes: Seeking Help and Recovery College Courses.

Help for Heroes have a new leaflet to explain how they can support, and how to access this. To view the leaflet please click HERE

There is also a range of courses available through the Help for Heroes Recovery College. Information and the prospectus can be found on the Help for Heroes website: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/recovery-college/self-help-guides/

For further details on Help for Heroes services and how to get in touch, please go to: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Universal Credit for Armed Forces personnel posted overseas.

Serving Personnel and families are entitled to claim Universal Credit, regardless of their location. This means families stationed overseas can submit claims in the same way as those in the UK.

Please click here to find out more

Service Police Confidential Crime Line, available 24/7 - You are not alone.

Click image to enlarge.

Anyone (Service or Civil Servant) who has been the victim or witness of serious crime at any point of their Service in the MOD can call the Service Police Crime Bureau on 02392 285 170 or 02392 285 180, or the Service Police confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658, available 24/7. You will be listened to, there is support available for victims and all allegations are taken seriously.

Army HIVE Non-UK National Support: New Email Address for Enquiries.

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Army HIVE now has an email address specifically for Non-UK National enquiries. This is available to Service personnel, their families, and line managers/CoC requiring support:

RC-Pers-HIVE-NonUKNat-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Army Carers – supporting Serving Personnel with caring responsibilities.

Please click image to enlarge

You can also visit the websites via the following links:

Facebook - Army Carers

Twitter - search @armycarersnet

SSAFA Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum

Aurora New Dawn & Mankind - Domestic Abuse recovery programmes.

As part of MOD's partnership with Aurora New Dawn, they are running a sexual violence recovery programme and an Athena domestic abuse programme for female Army and RN personnel and family members.

Find out more at Aurora Abuse in the Armed Forces | Support Service | Aurora New Dawn (aurorand.org.uk)​ Course details, including how to register, are in the documents at these links:

Sexual Violence Recovery Programme

Athena Domestic Abuse Course​

​ManKind have received funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to run their ACORN Recovery Course for male personnel, family members and veterans.

Details, including how to register, are on the poster above (please click image to enlarge).

More information on Mankind is at: https://mankind.org.uk/​

Togetherall - behind the smile.

Behind every smile, there can be a story others can't always see, but you don't have to face it alone.

At Togetherall, you can talk about what you're going through anonymously and connect with others who understand.

Join the supportive community today and start the conversation that could make all the difference.

To find out more visit https://togetherall.com/en-gb/mental-health-support-for-all-uk-armed-forces-veterans/

The Whispering Wind installation for those who have experienced pregnancy, baby or child loss.

Reservations for windmills for our Whispering Wind event in October (9th-15th Oct 2024 at the Defence Academy of the UK at Shrivenham), are still open, but not for long.

So if you or someone you know has experienced pregnancy, baby or child loss, and would like to honour their child's memory through our event, please send them our way. Reservation forms can be requested via DM or emailing dandelionmilfamilies@gmail.com

Windmills are free of charge to families, will be personalised and sent out to families once our Baby Loss Awareness Week event has come to a close.

Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages about their loved ones so far, your strength continues to amaze us and we feel honoured you have chosen to share their memory with us for this event. ​

'Travel to Refuge' scheme - free travel for those fleeing domestic abuse.

Travel to Refuge is an umbrella scheme in which travel companies cover the cost of train or coach tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse travelling to refuge accommodation. It’s made up of two schemes:

Rail to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and the Rail Delivery Group, set up in April 2020, providing free rail travel for survivors of abuse.Road to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and National Express, set up in 2023, providing free coach travel for survivors of abuse.

For more infomation please visit: Travel to Refuge

Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health support.

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For more information on any of the resources within this poster, please contact your nearest HIVE or use the 'contact Army HIVE' facility on the right hand side menu of this Blog.

GamCare: Way Forward Programme - online support for women affected by harmful gambling.

Way Forward is GamCare's support group for all women affected by someone else’s gambling harm. Groups aim to provide a safe, supportive and confidential space for women to share their experiences, find comfort and empower one another.

Way Forward online sessions are semi-structured, running for 1.5 hours over six weeks. Groups are led by trained facilitators specialising in supporting women who are affected by gambling-related harms.

Each week will focus on the impact of different areas of gambling harm:




Session 1 – Getting to know each other.
Session 2 – Understanding gambling harm.
Session 3 – Taking care of yourself.
Session 4 – Dealing with guilt and shame / enabling behaviours.
Session 5 – Dealing with anger and resentment.
Session 6 – Having difficult conversations / expectations / acceptance.



If you’re interested in registering or want to know more, please email womenspathwaysupport@gamcare.org.uk

This group is for women based in England and Wales. We also have a Way Forward group in Scotland and to register your interest in future sessions, please contact scotland@gamcare.org.uk.

If you need support now, the National Gambling Helpline gives confidential advice and support to anyone affected by gambling in England, Scotland and Wales. You can speak to us for free, 24/7 on 0808 8020 133, or online.​

Army's Guide for Care Leavers.

The Directorate of Personnel in Army HQ have released a new Guide for Care Leavers, which will help both Care Leavers and their managers access the appropriate support. 

You can find it on the Pers Pol Conditions Defence Connect page at https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk/docs/DOC-1150391.

NHS 'Help Us, Help You' - think pharmacy first.

Community pharmacies can offer treatment and when appropriate some prescription medicine, for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.

Highly trained pharmacists at more than nine in ten pharmacies can now assess, treat, and when appropriate, provide some prescription medicine for earache (for those aged between 1 and 17), impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 - without the need for a GP appointment.

Scotland: NHS Inform We'll Keep You Right - Not sure where to go or who to see?

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England: Sexual Assault Referral Centres.

There are 48 SARCs across England, which provide help 24 hours, seven days a week. This includes crisis care, medical and forensic medical examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections.

To find out more about help after sexual assault and abuse, visit www.nhs.uk/sarcs.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Suicide prevention is everybody’s business.

“Research tells us that military personnel are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as non-military civilians. A culture of self-sufficiency and not admitting ‘weakness’ still exists, which is a potential barrier to accessing support.” Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of PAPYRUS

RBLI Lifeworks Families – new remote courses now available

Lifeworks Families Remote courses will run on the following dates:

Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th May

Monday 23rd - Thursday 26th June

Monday 28th - Thursday 31st July

Lifeworks Families courses are available to those in the UK and overseas.
Lifeworks families courses are available to spouses, partners, school-leaving age (and above) children and extended/blended family members.
Lifeworks Families courses are available to serving and veteran family members.
To view the Lifeworks Families leaflet, please click here

Defence launches the Families Hub – an information portal to help navigate Service family life.

The Families Hub – which signposts to information, support and organisations to help navigate all stages of Service family life – has launched.

For the first time, Armed Forces families will be able to access a “one stop shop” digital platform – which signposts to a wealth of information, support and organisations – to help you navigate Service family life.

MOD bullying, harassment and discrimination helpline.

You can also access support by visiting the Workplace Wellbeing Platform at MOD | (workplacewellbeing.com)

Headspace App – Five FREE family & friends subscriptions available for Army Personnel and Army Civil Servants.

Click poster to enlarge. Army personnel and Army civil servants are eligible to sign up to Headspace for free, and also to extend this free subscription offer to five friends and family.

To sign up, please go to https://work.headspace.com/britisharmy/member-enroll

Please use your @mod.gov.uk, @armymail.gov.uk or @csmail.mod.uk email address to verify your account when prompted.

Headspace says, “We make mental health support accessible to everyone, no matter their background or experience. Through our flagship Headspace app, we provide mindfulness tools for everyday life, including meditations, sleepcasts, mindful movement and focus exercises. Our enterprise offerings combine this experience with a human-centered model of care, with coaching, therapy, psychiatry and EAP services under one roof. Our team of experts ranges from mental health clinicians, to Emmy award-winning producers and data scientists, working together as one to help millions of people around the world be healthier and more productive.”