Dande-Lion Diaries

02/08/2026

Dande-Lions eat free (or for £1)...Daily Joy Challenge ✅

Its really hard to keep children entertained over summer without spending a fortune. So here is a comprehensive list that highlights where money can be saved on children's meals.

If you head over to our website, you can book mark this page for when you are out about about with the kids this summer.
❇️ https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/summer-holidays-kids-eat-free/

Source: moneysavingcentral.co.uk

02/08/2026

Last year we attended the Forces Family Track Day when Dande‑Lion Diaries was still just a thought and a dream. A tiny idea crossed our mind:“Imagine if Dande‑Lion Diaries could be here next year… with our own stall.”
And here we are. A year later. We can’t wait to meet more Dande‑Lions and their families, share our stories, and celebrate everything that makes this community so special.
Mission Motorsport does phenomenal work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families through motorsport‑based rehabilitation, confidence‑building experiences, and community connection.

🎟 FREE for all Armed Forces members, veterans and families
Just book your free ticket here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/forces-family-track-day-tickets-1993041611110?aff=oddtdtcreator

See you at Croft Circuit — we’re ready for an amazing day.

Mission Motorsport Croft Circuit

31/07/2026

SURPRISE JOY!
Our Dande Lion was nervous walking into his first day at a new holiday club, and right there at the door was a familiar face — a friend who had recently left his school ready for a relocation over the summer. Yet there he was, shouting Alfie’s name and wrapping him in a big hug. The most natural piece of joy, a true military‑style surprise, giving them one more day together.

On the car ride home we talked about how, although goodbyes can be hard, you never quite know when someone special might appear in your life again at a different stage, a different posting, a different chapter. These moments remind us that connection travels with us, blooming wherever we go. 🌎 💛

☀️ What is Dion’s Joy Challenge? ☀️

If you’ve read Feelings in Bloom, you’ll already know about Dion’s gentle challenge to find one piece of joy every day. It’s a simple way to bring focus, pride and togetherness to the summer, no matter what your family’s situation looks like.
🔗 https://dande-liondiaries.com/products/
Looking for extra support? Explore our tri-service FEELINGS IN BLOOM collection and personalised deployment story books — crafted to bring comfort, connection and JOY.

27/07/2026

☀️ Dion’s Joy Challenge – Summer Edition ☀️
If you have read Feelings in Bloom you will know all about Dion’s challenge to find one piece of joy every day. This is a gentle way to bring focus, pride and togetherness to the summer, no matter what your family’s situation looks like.

Ways to capture your daily joy:
🔸Take a photo and share it with a deployed loved one.
🔸Write them down and add them to a Joy Jar.
🔸Journal your joy in a notebook (we know of some roarsome ones).
🔸Make a video diary each day and end up with your very own Joy Challenge Reel.
🔸Tag Dande‑Lion Diaries in all your Joy Challenge moments.

Looking for extra support? Check out our tri service FEELINGS IN BLOOM collection and personalised deployment story books — crafted to bring comfort, connection and JOY. 💛
🔗 https://dande-liondiaries.com/products/

26/07/2026

So what actually are our personalised deployment diaries? And how do you order?
These are the questions we’re asked most — because families want something real, comforting and truly personal for their families deployment journey. SWIPE to see exactly what the diaries are, how they work, and how they support your child’s emotional world with gentle storytelling.

To order, head to https://dande-liondiaries.com/personalised-order-form-page-non-ele/. Our simple form asks for a few details to help us shape the story uniquely for your little one, plus a page to upload those important photos. From there, we work quietly behind the scenes to weave your family’s story into something gentle, meaningful and magical. ✨

If you have any further questions, we’re always more than happy to talk you through the process and help you choose the perfect diary for your family.

19/07/2026

Families Day was the perfect start to summer, even if it was freezing!! It was also a reminder of the strength, joy and togetherness that live in every corner of our community. 💚💙❤️🩵
As the summer holidays begin, we’re sending love to all of our tri-service Dande-Lion families whatever situation: holding the fort solo, navigating deployment, or actually being able to have some quality time altogether during a slice of leave (🍀). We’re wishing you the gentlest, brightest season ahead. ☀️

17/07/2026

We will always encourage families to participate in surveys such as this. To see big changes, big data is needed!
🔗 https://connect.cma.gov.uk/consultations/families-childcare-services/?fbclid=Iwb21leATHDUxjbGNrBMcNN2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHpg3Fg9bNrt0aZCDkHQcx0ZE3izh5OZdAZvodIah_dHbtO10fXFCAoajf3kp_aem_UxaIuh-XtRRAgIHF-lpDoA

Are you an Army family who has used childcare? If so, could you help the Competition and Markets Authority learn more about Army families' experiences on what is working well, challenges, and suggestions for improvement?

The CMA survey closes on 26 July. Visit the link in the comments to have your say.

10/07/2026

What a wholesome review to receive — every hope we had for our Feelings in Bloom collection captured so beautifully. ✨
Dion’s story helped Hallie find comfort in knowing she isn’t the only one missing someone she loves, and it gently made space for her own feelings and her family’s story. She even created her own feelings flower patch, just like Dion! 💐

If your Dande‑Lion is navigating big feelings, missing a parent, or simply needs a story that helps them feel understood, Feelings in Bloom is ready to hold their heart too.

🔗https://dande-liondiaries.com/store/

06/07/2026

We have had LOTS of interest in our mugs and notebooks that launched on Armed Forces Day!

We are pleased to announce that both are now available to buy from our online store.

https://dande-liondiaries.com/store/

28/06/2026

If you’re new to our page — WELCOME 🤗 Here is Dande‑Lion Diaries in less than 60 seconds: a quick peek into what we do for service children, their families, and schools/pre‑schools.

Thank you for stopping by to chat with us at our Armed Forces Day stall This Is The Coast - Local Radio For The Yorkshire Coast