Dande-Lion Diaries

01/11/2026

🖍️ REMEMBRANCE COMPETITION NOW OPEN
Calling all families, schools and community groups!
To mark Remembrance, Dande-Lion Diaries has launched two competition activities with one key question: 'What does Remembrance mean to you?' We'd love to see as many children as possible get involved.

Prizes to be won!
🥇 1st Prize - Copy of Dion Diary: Feelings in Bloom (edition of their choice), Dande-Lion Diaries notebook, Pack of colouring pencils
🥈 Runner-Up Prizes - A copy of Dion Diary: Feelings in Bloom (edition of their choice), A Dande-Lion Diaries badge

📥 Download your preferred competition sheet from our homepage buttons https://dande-liondiaries.com/
Both competition sheets are also available in B&W via email request.
Submit entries to:
✉️ [email protected]
📆 Closing date: 11th November

Competition Terms:
- One entry per child.
- Entries must be submitted by a parent, guardian or school on behalf of the child.
- By entering, permission is given for Dande-Lion Diaries to share the child's artwork on our website and social media channels.

Each entry represents a child's voice, creativity and reflection. We can't wait to see the amazing artwork created by Dande-Lion's from across the Armed Forces community.

30/10/2026

This week, Elise headed to London to join fellow veteran and military spouse founders at a Barclays Eagle Labs pitching and networking event.
Why? Because our vision for Dande-Lion Diaries reaches far beyond where we are today.
We're working to transform Dande-Lion Diaries from a passionate grassroots initiative into a nationally recognised organisation that supports Service children across the UK and beyond.
Every connection made, lesson learned and opportunity explored helps us build a stronger future for the military children at the heart of everything we do.
Because every Service child deserves to feel understood, supported and proud of their story. 💛🦁

29/10/2026

Our Dande-Lion Pup has joined the remembrance reflections with her Pets UK collar and charm. Has your pup got there Poppy yet? Photos in the comments absolutely welcome 📸❣️


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28/10/2026

📢 Calling Catterick Families 📢

AUTSS Advocacy & Family Support are collecting the views of families raising children with SEND in Catterick and the surrounding areas. Please use the link to complete the 2 question survey. Your answers will help build the evidence of what families WANT more of most in the area.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=tLW4X8VtsUavRCqHkL39Y7CMX3gWCs5Jm5V-c0uLyaZUNVBDNEpTRU9HVElLOElMT1FPMUhXR0FYMi4u

25/10/2026

In 2018 before Royal British Legion's theme, "When someone serves, their family serves too", our founder, Elise Norris, put pen to paper to capture a similar message: 'Not just a soldier.'
At Dande-Lion Diaries, we see this through the eyes of service children every day. Their experiences remind us that service extends beyond the individual wearing the uniform and reaches the families who support them.
As we remember those who have served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we also recognise the families whose lives were and continue to be forever shaped by service.

Because they never are just soldiers.

Please share our poem to support the recognition of both the serving and their families who serve alongside those in uniform.

24/10/2026

Why is it important to us to offer stories for all of the tri services? Read the answer below from our founders interview with Reading Force earlier this year:

"The ethos of my profession has always focused on improving inclusivity for children, so ensuring the books reached all tri-service families was a must. I wanted the books to be as niche as possible to all service children to make them as relatable as possible. It was important to me that each service felt seen, so each tri-service version features a slightly different storyline, highlighting unique aspects of that service for both children and parents. For instance, our Navy Edition mentions Mum or Dad finding joy in Kiev Thursday, reflecting the routine of set meals on certain days aboard ships."

Swipe to see some of our products or head to our website to buy today! https://dande-liondiaries.com/

23/10/2026

What an incredibly powerful representation from Royal British Legion. Our Dande-Lions are often praised for their resilience, and rightly so. Yet as shown the reality of resilience does not always look strong or feel easy.
This is why all of our products are built on emotional literacy, to support Service Children in not only finding the words to express their own resilience, but also in finding pride and joy in their unique forces life too.
RBL: "When they serve, their families serve too." 🎖️❣️

15/10/2026

We agree with Service Children's Champion! Beautiful work and displays from Catterick's Dande-Lion's and local schools 💛❤️💛

14/10/2026

We have received not one but TWO invitations today to join in some exciting opportunities and conversations over the next few weeks in London.
We are forever grateful for our veterans and spousal founders community that began with Barclays Eagle Labs 💙
Watch.This.Space!

09/10/2026

💛 World Mental Health Day 💛
Today we wanted to highlight YoungMinds as one of the many amazing networks that support children's mental health.

Our foundations are based on building those key moments between a Dande-Lion and safe adult to help them proactively process and navigate service life.