DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update

Revised move-in and move-out specification

We are pleased to update Service Personnel and families that the specification to which homes are prepared for move-in has now been revised. This follows changes to the specification that we had to make last year.   

One of the commitments of the Consumer Charter to improve SFA announced in April 2025, is to provide a more robust move-in standard so that families can have confidence that the home they are moving into will be ready on time and will be clean and functional. These commitments support the new Defence Housing Strategy, that will be published later this year.   

The revised move-in and move-out specification, effective immediately, returns to the previous standard with additional specifications including:  

1. Hard flooring being used in downstairs areas instead of carpet when replacement is required.  
2. The use of white paint to decorate inside homes.  

Vinyl flooring being used in all bathrooms, WC, kitchens and utility rooms if floor tiles, or hard flooring are not already installed when replacement is required.    

What's on this weekend?

Heidefest  Paderborn / Stadtheide 20th - 22nd Jun 

Hopefully a weekend of calm warm weather is on the way. so why not enjoy a free festival in Stadtheide on Saturday and then a Kinderfest on the Sunday.

Located in Stadtheide Festplatz there is no charge to join in and watch the bands or for the kids entertainment on Sunday. Location has no address but is listed as the Festplatz on Schwabenweg. Schwabenweg is about a 10 min drive or 25 mins on bus service Nbr 5.

Outdoor concerts in the Spa park at Bad Driburg 

The counts park in Bad Driburg offers Gardens to enjoy and free music concerts at the bandstand each day. You will hear classical to modern pop instrumental music. Entry to the park is 7 euro pp but the concerts are free to enjoy.

Besim Mazhiqi, Gräflicher Park Health & Balance Resort

Home to a Spa hotel and public gardens, the park is a 35 mins drive from Sennelager. 

Friedas Tea Party - Rietberg Gartenschau 19th -21st

A two day dance party with world class DJ's not far from Sennelager. Tickets are available for Friday night from 15 Euro pp (Age restriction is over 16 yrs.) Parking fee 8 Euro per car.   Drive time to the park is 29 mins. 

Dortmund Beer & Culturefest 19th - 21st Jun

100 Breweries present 300 Beers on Friedensplatz. A relaxed event where you can meet the people behind the beer. 

You can also purchase a Hop travel pass for the event. This will give you vouchers for sampling the beer and some themed gifts from the event. 

Forces Pension Society Online Armed Forces Pension Update

 25 JUNE 12:30-13:30 - SAVE THE DATE!

The FPS will deliver an online Armed Forces Pensions update for Serving Personnel, Veterans and Dependants at 12:30 on Wednesday 25 June via MS Teams.

It will cover:

• The latest on the 2015 Remedy (McCloud) implementation
• A reminder of how pension benefits are/were earned during service and the ages that deferred pensions are paid
• When and how the pension benefits increase
• How to obtain a pension forecasts whilst serving or as a Veteran
• Dependants Benefits
• When and how to claim a deferred pension
• The benefits of membership of the Forces Pension Society

 For more information, use this link.

Defence Vegan & Vegetarian Network

 

Download a membership form here

                                                     

Read the latest issue here 

What's on this weekend

Hopefully the temperature should rise in the run up to this weekend.  Providing plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoor after last weekends storms. 

Bad Pyrmont Wine Festival 12th -15th Jun 

From Thursday to Sunday, visitors can try German wines in all its variety. Enjoy a lively atmosphere with music and delicious food in front of the bandstand in the spa gardens. Opens at 11am each day.

Bad Pyrmont is home to an amazing Palm garden and the "Water" Schloss. Admission to the park is free during the wine festival. Drive time 52 mins . 

Copyright Bad Pyrmont Tourisms 

Paderborn Sports Day - Schloss Neuhaus 15th Jun 1400 - 1800

This year, the castle park in Schloß Neuhaus will once again be transformed into the largest sports mile in the region. 

Numerous Paderborn sports clubs present themselves and their sports and invite you to join in and try them out.

The open-air sports studio at the Brunnentheater also promises lots of fun and action.

Last Week of Mausolinos Bouncy Castle festival in Reitberg 

The inflatables will be on daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the northern part of the park. They are suitable for children up to 14 years old. Adults must unfortunately watch.

While bouncy fun is included in the regular admission price to the Garden Show Park on weekdays, children who want to jump pay €2 to enter the bouncy castle park on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. 

They can have fun there as long as they want, and they can leave and return later. Drive time is 30 mins. Make sure to head into the Northern section of the park to find the event.

Münsterland Castles and Palaces Day 2025 15th Jun

A fantastic day of special events in the most historic locations in Münsterland. The majority of sites are offering free admission on the day.

There are over 40 castles, manor houses and palaces to visit. You can find full details on the website here.

Music, treasure to find and quizzes run alongside free tours in most locations. Schloss Ludinghausen will transform into an Italian Piazza for the day. 

There are so many locations to, some are close in Lippstadt others are on the Dutch border. You can view a map on the event website and flick through a full list of locations here 

Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 Results

The results from the armed forces continuous attitude survey (AFCAS) 2025 have been published and are available h

ere.

Help RBLI Lifeworks better understand the needs of the Army Forces Community – please complete their short online questionnaire

RBLI is exploring how to best deliver its Lifeworks Families courses to meet the unique needs of our Armed Forces Community: 

‘Your input is essential in helping us shape our employment skills training to be as effective and accessible as possible’

Lifeworks is the employment support division of Royal British Legion Industries, a national charity supporting the Armed Forces. Its courses equip families with the tools necessary to pursue their desired careers outside the Armed Forces. 

MOD staff benefit update: new fixed-rate savings account available from Serve + Protect Credit Union

 A new issue of the fixed-rate savings account from Seve and Protect Credit Union is available from 1st to 26th June 2025.

This is available to you as part of the financial wellbeing benefits we offer through our partnership with them.

✅ 4% AER fixed for 12 months

✅ No fees or charges

This is just for your awareness - not a recommendation. Please review the details and decide if it’s right for you.

Serve + Protect Credit Union’s latest podcast about managing debt successfully

There are lots of times when borrowing money can be useful. However, managing your debt can sometimes become overwhelming 😔

The latest podcast episode from Serve and Protect Credit Union is full of useful information on managing your debt effectively and the support available if you are struggling.

🔗 Watch here

Immediate Effect

 With immediate effect no out of bounds areas in Paderborn.

What's On this Weekend?

Fingers crossed on the weather for the weekend. The Whit Monday holiday gives most of us an extra days holiday to enjoy a long weekend. 

If the weather dose not play ball. here is a google map with lots of indoor attractions and places to visit. 

If the weather does hold off. Then you have the pick of some great local events to enjoy. Live music and dancing top the list. Meanwhile Gütersloh and Dortmund host spring fairs with rides and entertainment to match. 

Confluence Festival Paderborn

Stay in Paderborn this weekend for three days of live music on three stages across the city.  from the 6th to the 9th Jun. 

Indie pop, classical, Jazz, Reggae music will all feature. All performances are free to enjoy. 

The Confluence Festival starts on Friday, June 6th at 6:30 p.m. on the main stage in the Paderwiesen.

Various street food stalls at the three stage locations, will be on hand to provide food and drink each day. 

Full details here on the website