Op Hearth

29/08/2026

🌟 OP HEART | The First Two Weeks of September 🌟

September is already shaping up to be an amazing month at Op HEART!💜

We’re so excited to welcome you all back and get things underway with a fantastic line-up over the first two weeks, including:

🌸 Our very first Serving Female Event– a new opportunity to connect, share experiences and build community.

🇬🇧 Our 2nd Northern Devon Armed Forces Community Forum – bringing our community together to connect, collaborate and have those important conversations.

📚 Reading for Wellbeing with The Woodyard Project – taking some time to slow down, connect and support our wellbeing.

💜 CTC Families Day – a chance for families to come together, connect and enjoy time within our community.

🌿 SEND & Wellbeing Session– supporting connection, inclusion and wellbeing for our SEND families.

And that’s just the first two weeks!👀

✨ Keep your eyes peeled… We have even more exciting things launching later this month, including:

🌙 Spousal Evenings
🧸 The relaunch of our Children’s Support Programme in and out of school for September.
🥾 Wellbeing Walks
🔥 Serving & Veteran Bushcraft Sessions– including veteran spouses and serving spouses.
☀️3 serving personnel events

There really is so much happening at Op HEART, and we don’t want you to miss out! ❤️

📅 If you’re interested in attending any of our September sessions or events, please express your interest or book your place as soon as possible.

Booking ahead also helps us make sure we have the right resources, spaces and staff in place to support everyone attending.

We can’t wait to see you all, reconnect with our community and make September a brilliant month together! 🌟

Keep an eye on our page for dates, booking information and more exciting announcements coming very soon!👀💜

Like always a huge thankyou to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Without their funding we wouldn't be hitting huge demographic that we are.

25/08/2026

🌿 Calling All Third Sector Organisations 🌿

Are you part of a charity, community group, CIC, voluntary organisation or not-for-profit working to support local people and families? If so, The Northern Devon Armed Forces Community Forum (NDAFF) would love to hear from you!

The NDAFF is a collaborative network of third-sector organisations working together to strengthen support for the Armed Forces community.

By joining the Forum, organisations become part of a co-ordinated partnership that improves referral pathways, communication, and joint working, helping to reduce gaps and duplication in services.

The Forum complements existing welfare provision and provides a professional platform for charities and support services committed to delivering joined-up, effective support to serving personnel, veterans, spouses, and families.

10/09/26 7pm cedars

To register your interest please email: [email protected]

22/08/2026

🌟 What a summer it has been for Op Hearth!

We’ve been reflecting on the achievements, connections and progress we’ve made over the summer — and now we’re looking ahead to an incredibly exciting September. 💙

The next few months will see us:
🤝 Launch our Spousal Programme
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Continue our Family Support Events
🎖️ Begin the 3rd year of our Service Child Programme
👩‍✈️ Launch our new Serving Female Programme
💜 Develop our Female Veteran & Veteran Spousal Programme
🌊 Bring together our community through the Northern Devon Armed Forces Community Forum

There’s lots happening, and we’re so proud to be continuing to support serving personnel, veterans, spouses, families and service children across our community.

🎥 Take a look at our video to hear more about what we’ve achieved this summer — and what’s coming up in September.

The best is yet to come!💙

20/08/2026

From our friends at the The Veterans Charity the work they do is incredible!

Building confidence, resilience and independence. Free practical tools, guides and advice to help veterans overcome hardship, strengthen financial wellbeing and build a more secure future.

20/08/2026

🎓🇬🇧 GCSE RESULTS DAY — A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO OUR MILITARY FAMILIES*💙

Today we celebrate every young person receiving their GCSE results — and especially those growing up in our incredible military families.

Behind every result can be a story of resilience, determination and adaptability. Changing schools, moving home, making new friends, saying goodbye, coping with deployments and exercises, or simply navigating the ups and downs of service life can bring extra challenges for our young people.

So whatever those results look like today — be proud. Your grades are only one part of your story and they do not define your worth, your potential or your future. ❤️

And if today feels overwhelming, remember that you don't have to navigate it alone. There is support available for military families:

💙 Defence Children Services (DCS)— support and advice to help ensure service children receive their full entitlement and aren't disadvantaged because of their parent’s service.

💙 Army Families Federation, RAF Families Federation & Naval Families Federation — independent organisations providing advice, guidance and support to Service families, including around education.

💙 SSAFA — provides welfare, financial, family and wellbeing support to serving personnel, veterans and their families.

💙 Royal British Legion — offers lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families, including education guidance and financial support.

💙 Little Troopers— dedicated to supporting children with a parent serving in the British Armed Forces, with resources for children, parents and schools.

💙 Forces Children Scotland — support and advice for children and young people from serving and veteran families, including around education, wellbeing, deployment and moving schools.

💙 Reading Force— helping military families stay connected through shared reading, with resources specifically for teenagers and young people.

💚 Op Hearth— supporting military spouses, partners, children and families affected by service-related separation and the unique challenges of military life, including peer connection, wellbeing and respite through nature-based activities.

There are so many people and organisations standing behind our Forces families — so please reach out if you need a little extra support.

To every young person getting their results today:

You have already shown incredible resilience. Whatever is written on that piece of paper, keep believing in what comes next.🌟

And to the parents who have supported, encouraged, reassured and probably lost a few hours of sleep along the way — you deserve a huge congratulations too! 🥰

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓🎉

05/08/2026

Have you ever visited an Aggie's centre?

Many people know Aggie Weston’s for their warm welcome and friendly cafés on military establishments, but their support goes much further than a cup of tea.

Aggie's has been supporting Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and their families for over 180 years.

They offer:

☕ A welcoming place to connect with others.
🤝 Pastoral and emotional support.
👨‍👩‍👧 Support for serving personnel and their families.
🏡 Community activities and family events.
💙 Someone to listen when life feels overwhelming.

Military life can sometimes feel isolating, especially after a move, during a deployment or when you're new to an area. Having somewhere you know you'll be welcomed without judgement can make all the difference.

At Op Hearth, we're proud to work alongside organisations like Aggie's because no single organisation can meet every need on its own. By working together, we can make sure Armed Forces families get the right support at the right time.

🌟 You don't have to wait until you're struggling to reach out. Community is about connection, not crisis.

💬 Have you ever visited an Aggie's centre? What did you enjoy most about it?

- www.aggies.org.uk
- [email protected]
- 079 7764 1876

31/07/2026

Thought of the Day

After another amazing Military Family Bushcraft & Forest School Holiday Club in partnership with aggies , we are reminded why these experiences matter so much.

Every campfire, challenge, smile, and new skill helps build confidence, resilience, and lasting memories. Together, we're making a real difference—one experience at a time.

Life isn't measured by the things we own; it's measured by the experiences we share and the lives we positively impact.

Life is experiences. Make them count.

29/07/2026

Support Spotlight | The Naval Children's Charity

Did you know that the Naval Children's Charity has been supporting Royal Navy and Royal Marines families for over 200 years?

Many people know them for providing financial support during difficult times, but they also offer so much more.

They provide:

💙 Wellbeing resources for children and families

📚 Educational opportunities and bursaries

🌿 Activities designed to build confidence and resilience

🤝 Practical advice and guidance

🎒 Support for children and young people up to the age of 25 from Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary families, whether their parent is currently serving or has previously served.

Being Armed Forces families ourselves, we know that military life can bring unique challenges, and no family should ever feel they have to face them alone. That's why we're proud to signpost families to trusted organisations like the Naval Children's Charity, ensuring they can access the right support at the right time.

Sometimes, knowing where to turn is the hardest part—and that's exactly why strong partnerships matter.

Please visit their website to find out what support is available: www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk

💬 Have you ever used the Naval Children's Charity or another organisation that made a real difference to your family? We'd love to hear about the support that helped you.

Together, we're stronger when we support one another.

28/07/2026

Making the Most of Summer Leave

☀️ Summer leave isn't about having the perfect holiday—it's about making memories together.

For many people in the Armed Forces community, time together can feel precious. Whether you've got two weeks, a long weekend or just a few days between commitments, don't put pressure on yourselves to fill every minute.

Sometimes the moments we remember most are the simplest ones.

Here are five ideas that don't cost a fortune:

🌿 Go on a woodland adventure and let the children lead the way.

🥪 Pack a picnic and explore somewhere you've never visited before.

📵 Have an hour where everyone's phones are put away.

📸 Create a "Summer Leave Memory" album with one photo from each day.

💬 Ask each family member, "What was your favourite part of today?" before bed.

Remember, military life often means time together is limited. Don't worry about creating a perfect summer—focus on creating meaningful moments.

💙 At Op Hearth, we hope every Armed Forces family has the chance to slow down, reconnect and enjoy the time they have together.

💬 What's your favourite low-cost family activity during summer leave? Share your ideas below—you might inspire another military family!**