Community info

What's happening?

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Group of Navy personal.

Discover my benefits

Do you know about My Benefits? It's an easy-to-use tool for those working in Defence, their families and anyone interested in joining.

You can use it to find out what support and benefits are available to you as a service person or civil servant.

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Group of people mi-conversation during a BFBS Social Media course event.

FREE social media training courses

Whether you want to understand how the algorithms work, plan and evaluate a campaign, or learn how to create engaging social media content, our courses at Social Media Specialists have something for everyone.

From TikTik to LinkedIn to campaign planning and more, all our social media training courses are FREE for the partners of UK military personnel, veterans and their partners. So, what are you waiting for?!

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Graphic of a dandelion with petals floating away. Text 'Dandelion, supporting UK military families in parenthood'.

Seeds of Support

Seeds of Support is a series of perinatal support webinars exclusively for military parents - including menstrual health, perinatal pelvic health, pre and postnatal fitness, infant sleep, child nutrition and breastfeeding.

Running from the 17th - 24th of April, these webinars will help cover some of the important topics to parents.

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Digital artwork with a map of the UK and a lorry.

Movies on Tour

Our BFBS Movie Machine, our mobile cinema on wheels is heading out on tour - this time to Scotland in time for Easter.

We'll be showing a good mixture of films including Kung Fu Panda 4, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.

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Hooded figure with an X over each eye. Purple/black background.

Cyber Confident in Defence

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in the world of cyber - whether it be events, our podcast or just general awareness, we'll help put your cyber security first!

For more information, visit the Cyber Confident in Defence SharePoint, Defence Connect, or get in touch with the team here!

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Group of people posing at the Soldiering on Awards.

Get your nominations in...

The Soldiering On Awards have announced that nominations are now open for 2024 PLUS this year brings the exciting addition are a new award, the 'Employee Champion Award'.

With Jeremy Vine confirmed to return as host, the awards shine a spotlight on those individuals who actively support members of the Armed Forces community in civilian careers and champion the employability of service leavers, reservists, veterans, spouses, and family members.

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Close of a a very cute dog with its mouth open, possibly yawning. It's very cute.

Give a military dog a chance

When the chain of command has agreed that a military animal is to be retired, they undergo a variety of assessments to help determine what type of home and/or owner may be suitable.

If you feel like you'd be able to offer a four legged canine a new home then simply register your interest below, there's no obligations and can, hopefully, find you an ideal new companion.

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BFBS Academy student using a camera.

Calling all service leavers and veterans

The BFBS Academy has opened applications for its fully-funded Production Managers Course, which is designed to ease your transition into the media industry, one of the most sought-after sectors.

It's a great chance to earn a UAL Level 4 Diploma and gain practical experience through work placements. No prior experience is needed and all course fees are covered with a £9,000 bursary for living costs and accommodation.

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RBL Industries - The Great Tommy Sleepout

The Great Tommy Sleep Out

Sleep beneath the stars to support our Armed Forces community.

During the month of March we need you to sleep out under the stars while fundraising for our most vulnerable veterans. The challenge doesn’t replicate rough sleeping, but it does give you an idea of the situation far too many of the nation’s heroes find themselves in.

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A military horse being ridden in a show ground. Jumping a fence.

Rehome a Military horse

Do you think you'd be able to offer a new home to a retired military horse? Then why not register your interest by clicking the link below.

This is a no obligation registration and will allow you to detail preferred breeds, ages and provide the rehoming team with some initial details about your life and living environment. So, what are you waiting for?

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Ipad with list of sporting events showing on a YouTube channel, blue gradient background, text 'BFBS will never ask you to pay for live event coverage or ask you for your payment details'.

BFBS stamps down on cyber-criminals

Listeners of BFBS have become the latest victims of cyber attacks and we are aware of recent fraudulent activity imitating our services. BFBS will never ask you to pay for live event coverage or ask you for your payment details.

To help raise awareness of this scam, broadcaster Amy Casey spoke with Karl Roberts, head of cyber security at BFBS, to find out how the scams work and how we can all protect ourselves.

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PR photo taken from the Celebrating Forces Families Awards. Several guests sat at a table.

Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2024

BFBS is proud to be, once again, the official media partner for the Celebrating Awards Forces Families Awards. The awards acknowledge and celebrate the resilience, the amazing projects families have undertaken, triumph over adversity and inspiring career paths taken whilst being part of the whole community.

Tickets are available now so get yours to help us enjoy a night of fun, laughter and, quite possibly, a few tears as we celebrate our armed forces families.

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Digital artwork for the BFBS Survey. Icon of a megaphone and a shopping trolley.

Fancy winning £200 of shopping vouchers?

How do you fancy winning £200 of shopping vouchers? It's very simple and will take no more than 10 minutes.

If you are serving in the Armed Forces, an employee of the MoD or a dependent then let us know your thoughts about our services and, in return, we'll enter you into our prize draw!

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Digital image of an orange ball which is smiling.

Headspace licences for serving personnel

Headspace is a personal guide, with hundreds of meditations and exercises for sleep, focus, and movement. Due to existing partnerships, you could get a FREE licence, usually £49.99/ year.

To find out more head to the following websites: Royal Navy, Army or RAF.

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Image taken from an awards ceremony.

Finalists revealed for LGBTQ+ Defence Awards

The shortlist has been revealed for the UK defence sector’s first ever LGBTQ+ Defence Awards – with finalists from all three branches of the Armed Forces, the civil service, defence firms and suppliers.

The awards will be the first time the broad spectrum of UK Defence comes together to celebrate, showcase and promote the power and vital importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion.

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Digital icons of two people waving, one of them in military clothes.

Join our audience panel

How do you fancy being the first to test out our new products and services?

Well you can, simply join our panel and become part of an exclusive community - you can even get incentivised for your time!

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Four military individuals at an event walking.

What's happening in the Forces World

Want to know what's going on around the Forces World? Click below to check out 60 second updates!

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Close up of a person's thumb scrolling through the news on their phone.

Access news from around the world

Want to have access to over 7,000 newspapers and magazines wherever you are?

With PressReader you can and, exclusive with BFBS, you can get enjoy a special discount too!

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Two hands holding a phone with the new BFBS Radio app on the screen.

The BFBS Radio App

Our BFBS Radio app is available for all Android and Apple devices.

As well as accessing all our BFBS radio stations, wherever you are in the world, you can now listen and download your favourite BFBS Podcasts, listen to our Catch Up services, browse our scheduling information and more!

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Magician performing in front of Armed Forces audience.

Producing live events around the word

Our BFBS Live Events team create award-winning entertainment for our armed forces.

From small mess functions to family days, large scale outdoor concerts to award ceremonies, and everything in-between, speak to the team to see how they can help.

Domestic Abuse Awareness

The Ministry of Defence has launched its strategy to tackle domestic abuse within the Armed Forces and defence civilian communities. All forms of domestic abuse are not acceptable in any situation.

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, in any form, then it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help - the video above has more details and, to find out more, click the link below!

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Front cover of the book Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box.

Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box

Military life is filled with challenges so adding a business into the mix can create even more chaos.

However, author Jess Sands is here to guide military partners through the journey of building a successful business with her new book, "Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box."

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Pension Remedy update

The MOD Armed Forces Pension Scheme Retrospective Remedy Consultation is now open. The consultation applies to Regular, Reserve and Veteran UK Armed Forces personnel who were in pensionable Service on or before 31 March 2012 and on or after 1st April 2015 and did not have a gap in Service longer than 5 years.

It’s an opportunity to provide feedback directly to the MOD on the legislation and remedy polices and their impact. You’ll be able to submit your responses by following the consultation response link to Microsoft forms and then answering the consultation questions listed.

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Digital image showcasing the cost of living rise, piggy bank, shopping cart, light bulb and an arrow pointing upwards.

DDS Savings Amid Cost of Living Crisis

The Defence Discount Service has partnered with big name brands to offer the UK’s armed forces, defence community, veterans, spouses and partners some much needed savings on household and utility purchases.

They’ve teamed up with the likes of BT, Boxt, O2 and Sky to provide exclusive offers from boilers and MOTs to home insurance and phone contracts. This is to thank the defence community for their continued dedication and to help with the current economic situation.

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Two people talking next to a computer screen.

FDIS contract change

The new FDIS Accommodation contracts has come into force which will replace the current National Housing Prime (NHP) contract.

Improving the lived experience for Service Personnel and customer service are at the heart of the new FDIS Accommodation contracts.

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London city skyline.

Welcome to the Union Jack Club

Have you heard of the Union Jack Club? The charity is a Tri-Services Members' Club and accommodation that is in the very heart of London.

It's exclusively open to serving and veteran enlisted members of His Majesty's Armed Forces.

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ERS GOLD AWARD 23.

So proud to take the gold!

BFBS’s commitment to the armed forces community has been recognised under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).  

Ben Chapman CEO, BFBS, said: “As a military charity and media organisation our support and commitment to the whole armed forces community is at the heart of what we do, so we’re delighted to be recognised for our work with this Gold Award. 

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A row of cars in a parking lot.

Motor Finance Protocol

A new policy, introduced on the 1st of June, by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) should remove any disadvantages faced by serving personnel who have a motor finance policy for a vehicle in the UK but are required to deploy overseas.

This is only for members of the FLA and it's essential that any personnel taking out a lease-hire ensure they make it clear that they are a member of the Armed Forces to ensure the protocol applies.

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Piggy bank poking out of a pile of coins.

Universal Credit claims (living overseas update)

For anyone currently or due to be stationed outside the UK who may be eligible to claim Universal Credit, there is now additional guidance available to make the process of selecting an address clearer.

The MOD has worked to improve support, including allocating one DWP team to manage all overseas armed forces claims. To get help, or support, then email using the link below!

The latest entertainment

Through BFBS Selected we give you the latest information about things happening on the big screen, TV, radio and more!