DIO: Families First Newsletter – 27 August 2026

The latest issue of the DIO Families First newsletter for SFA occupants is now available to read online at Families First Newsletter - Issue 41

You can sign up to receive the latest news direct to your own inbox from DIO at: Newsletter Landing Page – Defence Homes

From high-stakes drama and gripping suspense to spectacular performances and extraordinary challenges on BFBS TV! — 29/08-04/09/2026 - Week 35

Your weekly guide to the must-see TV across all the channels provided by BFBS. Full listings can be found on our website

Tri-Service Contact House Directory – where to find it online, or how to request a copy

Contact Houses, also known as Welfare Houses or Short-Term Families Accommodation, are military accommodation available predominantly for short-term welfare-related bookings, but can sometimes be used by those visiting for leisure reasons. These houses are usually managed by unit staff, where there will be localised policies on priorities for bookings, booking procedures, costs and how to pay.

To access the most up to date version of the Tri-Service Contact House Directory, please use any of the following options:

Go to the Army HIVE webpage at www.army.mod.uk/hives and there is a button to download the Directory at the bottom of the page
Contact your nearest HIVE or RN Family & People Support to request a copy by email. Army HIVEs are listed on www.army.mod.uk/hives, RAF HIVEs can be found on the RAF HIVE Finder at https://www.raf.mod.uk/community-support/serving-families/hive-finder/ and RN Family & People Support local office contact details are at: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/families-and-veterans/local-support-offices
Contact Army HIVE HQ to request a copy by email via RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Contact us via Direct Message on any of our social media channels – please include an email address so the Directory can be sent as an attachment
Use the Contact Us button on any of the three Army HIVE blogs, where you can submit a request via MS Forms
Go to Army HIVE SharePoint (MODnet access will be needed) to download a copy

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Free financial webinars this September

Dates are detailed below; to find out more or to register for a webinar, please go to: https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars

Car Finance: More than a Monthly Payment
Date: Tuesday 1st September
Time: 12:00-12:45

Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills
Date: Thursday 3rd September
Time: 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Tips for living a greener life to save money and protect the planet!

Recruit for Spouses: Jobs for spouses, partners & veterans at Serco

This update covers the latest in Service community recruitment opportunities across healthcare, corporate ops, leisure & hospitality, and more.

To view this newsletter, which provides further information on all of the above, please go to: NEW - Jobs for spouses, partners & veterans at Serco

Wifinity: Exclusive connectivity discounts for personnel in Single Living Accommodation

Low cost eSIM for deployment and travel - Wifinity | Explore our low cost eSIM plans

Cheapest options on the market for MOD personnel and families going abroad
10% discount for MOD personnel and families using code HIVE10
20% discount for existing Wifinity customers. Customers can log into their ‘My Account’ to get their code

Wifinity: Exclusive connectivity discounts for personnel in Service Families Accommodation

Ultrafast broadband flexible for families into SFA homes - Wifinity Forces Fibre Monthly rolling contracts available.

Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results

Students at Defence Children Services secondary schools have been celebrating throughout August, with many progressing to university, military careers and apprenticeships. Read more about this year's results at Queen Victoria School, King Richard School and St John's School:

Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results

CTP Employment Fair: London date now added on 01 Oct 2026

CTP Employment Fairs are open to Service leavers, Veterans, Reservists, partners and spouses
Service leavers/veterans/Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

Alternatively register via the Forces Employment Charity (FEC): Link and click 'REGISTER' from the menu.

Other upcoming CTP Employment Fair dates are:

Salford - 10 Sept
Bournemouth - 24 Sept
Belfast - 14 Oct
Cardiff - 5 Nov
Telford - 19 Nov

To view all 2026 CTP Employment Fair locations and dates, please go to: https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2026/01/career-transition-partnership-2026.html

CTP Employment Fair: London date now added on 01 Oct 2026

CTP Employment Fairs are open to Service leavers, Veterans, Reservists, partners and spouses

Service leavers/veterans/Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

Alternatively register via the Forces Employment Charity (FEC): Link and click 'REGISTER' from the menu.

Other upcoming CTP Employment Fair dates are:

Salford - 10 Sept
Bournemouth - 24 Sept
Belfast - 14 Oct
Cardiff - 5 Nov
Telford - 19 Nov

To view all 2026 CTP Employment Fair locations and dates, please go to: https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2026/01/career-transition-partnership-2026.html

Department for Work & Pensions: Latest roundup of news – 21 Aug 26

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) arrangements for Monday 31 August bank holiday

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) arrangements are different for 31 August bank holiday:
England, Scotland and Wales
On Monday 31 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 31 August, then benefits will be on Friday 28 August.
If the expected payment date is not shown, customers will get their money on their usual payment date.

Free bus travel 24/7 for disabled people
From 1 April 2027, people who hold a disabled bus pass can travel on buses for free, no matter the time of day. This extra support will help to open up access to workplaces, education, training, and other opportunities as well as giving people breathing space on the cost of living and putting money back in people’s pockets.
Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel between 9.30am and 11pm during weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension.
Read the press release

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

Exceptional GCSE Results at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School
Students at The Duke of York's Royal Military School are celebrating another year of exceptional GCSE results, where a third of grades were 9-7 and 69% of students gained a 5 or above in both English and Maths. Many students have also secured prestigious academic and sports scholarships as they continue their educational journey into the school's Sixth Form.

Principal Alex Foreman said: "Education today asks more of schools than ever before, and I am incredibly proud that our students continue to rise to every challenge. These results are a testament to their commitment, ambition, and perseverance, alongside the dedication of our outstanding staff.

BFBS Esports Grand Final takes over the iconic RAF Museum London this September

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service), the Ministry of Defence’s trusted media service for UK Armed Forces personnel is pleased to announce the BFBS Esports Pro League is back. This year it’s bigger than ever, taking over the iconic Royal Air Force Museum, London!

Following a first season that attracted more than 700 players from across the UK Armed Forces community, the Season Two Grand Final featuring Rocket League, will take place on Sunday 27 September, bringing together esports, Defence engagement, military innovation and the wider Armed Forces community.

Alongside the live championship action, featuring all three services, the event will also feature exclusive augmented reality esports experiences with HADO, simulators and gaming experiences with RAFAC, Royal Navy STEM activities, live performances from the British Army Rifles Band, and much more!

For the first time, selected elements of the event will also be open to the public, including a live screening of the Grand Final in the RAF theatre.

To read the full press release, please Click HERE

AFCFT ‘Supporting Partners Programme’ opens for applications, closes 23rd Sept with notification by end of Nov

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are pleased to let you know that the Supporting Partners programme under the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund is now open and ready to welcome new applications!

What’s the programme all about?

Since 2023, the Trust have awarded over £2.5m on behalf of the MOD to 45 projects under the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme which seeks to provide support and solutions to help partners of serving personnel navigate the challenges of service life.

Career Transition Partnership: Employment Fair in Salford on 10 Sept

CTP Employment Fairs are open to:

Service leavers
Veterans
Reservists
Partners and spouses

Service leavers/veterans/Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

Alternatively register via the Forces Employment Charity (FEC): Link and click 'REGISTER' from the menu.

Next upcoming dates are:

Bournemouth - 24 Sept
Belfast - 14 Oct
Cardiff - 5 Nov
Telford - 19 Nov

To view all 2026 CTP Employment Fair locations and dates, please go to: https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2026/01/career-transition-partnership-2026.html

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Supporting service children to thrive - a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open.

Supporting service children to thrive: a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open

Service life can bring unique challenges for children and young people. Frequent moves, disrupted learning and periods of separation can all add up - and they can affect how children feel, learn and achieve.

Delivered on behalf of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Service Pupil Support programme (SPSP) funds practical, evidence-led projects that respond to these challenges and strengthen educational outcomes for service pupils. With a new round of funding now open, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are inviting schools and local authorities across the UK to apply, so more service pupils can get the right support to feel settled and succeed at school.

Combat Stress Race to Remember: Choose Your Challenge This Remembrance

This Remembrance, do more than remember.

Join hundreds taking on Race to Remember — walking or running 36km or 76km. Support veterans living with PTSD and make your miles matter. The date is Saturday 7th November 2026, and race start points are Aldershot or Petersfield, finishing at Portsmouth.

Find out more and sign up at: https://events.combatstress.org.uk/event/racetoremember2026/home

Combat Stress online event: The role of Peer Support in veteran recovery - 23 Sept 26

Join the next Combat Stress Learning event on 23 Sept with Simon West, veteran and Lead Peer Support Coordinator, as he explores the power of Peer Support.

You will hear valuable insights and takeaway tips for how Peer Support could be relevant for you, a veteran you support, or a veteran you live with.

Suitable for professionals, organisations, family and friends alike.

To find about more about the webinar programme series, or to register, please go to: For Family and Friends – Combat Stress Learning

National Cadets Week 2026

First-ever National Cadets Week to celebrate cadets and reconnect young people with the Armed Forces.

The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country's most effective youth organisations.

• The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country’s most effective youth organisations
• A new Cadets Action Plan will set out the government’s long-term vision for the cadet forces
• The initiative will help deliver on the Strategic Defence Review’s demand for a whole-of-society approach to defence

First-ever National Cadets Week to celebrate cadets and reconnect young people with the Armed Forces - GOV.UK

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Latest Trust grant programmes

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust are pleased to announce a new grant programme: Reveal & Respond. This programme funds tailored projects that improve access to mental health and wellbeing support for specific groups in the armed forces community.

Funding is available through two routes: Test and Develop Grants (£20,000 to £40,000) and Scale and Strengthen Grants (£150,000 to £300,000). Applications close 12 midday, 28 October 2026.

To find out more please visit Reveal & Respond: improving access to support for underrepresented groups - Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

To view other open grant programmes please go to the Trust’s open programmes page