1. Short Term Accommodation

Naval Short Term Family Accommodation is made up of a group of properties across the UK that have been set aside for use as temporary self-catering accommodation for Service families. The scheme is aimed at enabling Service personnel to utilise these facilities for both themselves and visiting friends or family members, with priority always given to welfare/compassionate cases.

Service personnel, Veterans, MOD civilians and their families can expect fully equipped civilian accommodation with everything they need, including free on-site parking and a garden. Properties are available for a minimum stay of two nights to a maximum stay of six months.

Visit the Royal Navy’s website to find out where there is Short Term Accommodation for Royal Marines and Royal Naval Families. Also check the RN Forum for updates or contact us and we’ll see if we can help.

2. Services Cotswold Centre (SCC)

Located on a secure and peaceful site, set in 25 acres of land in Neston near Corsham, Wiltshire, the SCC provides any Service person or MOD civil servant and their family with short term service family accommodation for welfare purposes, between assignments, on discharge, home leave or just a short break in the country service personnel and entitled family members.

The SCC accommodation comprises of 41 self-contained chalet style homes and 19 single storey semi-detached units of various sizes.

For further information and contact details please visit the government’s website.

3. Stepping Stones

SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) provides a comfortable, secure and female-only places to stay for as long as you need to get back on your feet.

From clean and well-maintained communal spaces and gardens to private areas for each resident to make their own, Stepping Stone offers temporary, supported accommodation to women with a Service connection (with or without children), who are in need of a secure environment and emergency accommodation.

Applications should be made through the Welfare Authorities or Families Officers to SSAFA. More information can be found on the SSAFA website.

4. Navy Mews

The Navy Mews facilities are located in Dreadnought Building, which is just inside the gate on Queen Street, Portsmouth.

The refurbishment to turn unused office space in to five individually decorated and themed self-contained flats was funded jointly by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), Naval Base Commander (Portsmouth) and HMS Nelson’s Leisure and Amenities Funds (LAF). Additional collaboration has also come in the form of many generous donations from several other sources.

Details

The need for single parents to maintain quality time in a safe homely environment with their children was first identified back in 2010. The collaborative working between the Chain of Command, Accommodation Officer Sara Williams and the RNRMC helped to successfully delivered the scheme. The first three units opened in December 2016, with a further two created in 2019 after it became apparent that the need for Service personnel to retain contact with family went far beyond purely single parents.

The five flats are:

• The “Major Francis Harvey RM VC” Sleeps 4. It’s a ground floor flat with disabled access, it’s DDA compliant with a lounge/diner, 1 x double bedroom, 1 x interconnecting twin bedroom and a wet room.
• The “Able Seaman Jack Cornwell VC” Sleeps 5. 1st floor flat with a lounge/diner, 1 x double, 1 single, 1 bunked bedroom and 1 bathroom.
• The “Ordinary Seaman John Carless VC” Sleeps 7. 1st floor flat with a lounge/diner, 1 x double, 1 x twin, 1 bunked bedroom and 1 bathroom.
• The “Lt Cdr Arthur Harrison VC” Sleeps 4. 1st floor flat with a lounge/ diner, 1 x double, 1 bunked bedroom and 1 bathroom.
• The “CPO Kate Nesbitt MC” Sleeps 4. 1st floor flat with a lounge/ diner, 1 x double, 1 x bunked bedroom and 1 bathroom.

All flats have kitchen facilities, and most benefit from toys, games and books, all of which have been donated. Each flat provides the perfect environment for relationships to flourish.

All Service personnel are eligible to apply, and each booking will be given a priority code (A, highest – E, lowest). Priority will be given for Single Living Accommodation to single separated parents with children.

It is also worth noting that the cost of each flat varies according to the date(s) of the week required as well as the priority code you have been given, plus a mandatory payment per booking to cover accident insurance held by the LAF. There must be an Armed Forces sponsor to escort and remain with their guests at all times.

Please refer to RNTM 01-022/20 for prices, booking information and T&C’s. Alternatively, please visit the accommodation office in Jervis Block, HMS Nelson, email Navynbcp-navymews@mod.gov.uk or call 02392 728767.