diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 271034f..77e2677 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ This is the temporary home for standards and guidance relating to software devel
   - [Continuous integration](/guides/continuous_integration.md)
   - [Developer workflows](/guides/developer_workflows.md)
   - [Java auto-format with Eclipse](/guides/java_auto_format_eclipse.md)
+  - [New starters](/guides/new_starters.md)
   - [PL/SQL auto-format with TOAD](/guides/plsql_auto_format_toad.md)
   - [SQL Prompt](/guides/version_control_guidance.md)
   - [Style guide for standards](/guides/style_guide_for_standards.md)
diff --git a/guides/README.md b/guides/README.md
index b8fe12e..8978357 100644
--- a/guides/README.md
+++ b/guides/README.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ This folder contains various guides to help those working in software developmen
 - [Continuous integration](continuous_integration.md)
 - [Developer workflows](developer_workflows.md)
 - [Java auto-format with Eclipse](java_auto_format_eclipse.md)
+- [New starters](new_starters.md)
 - [PL/SQL auto-format with TOAD](plsql_auto_format_toad.md)
 - [SQL Prompt](sql_prompt_tool.md)
 - [Style guide for standards](style_guide_for_standards.md)
diff --git a/guides/new_starters.md b/guides/new_starters.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bbfa06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/guides/new_starters.md
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+# Guide for new Defra developers
+
+Welcome to Defra! This guide is an overview of tools and resources available to you as a developer, and how to get access to them.
+
+## Developing in government
+
+### Defra development standards
+
+You can find [our software development standards](https://github.com/DEFRA/software-development-standards/) on GitHub (in this very repository!)
+
+### Cross-government standards
+
+The Government Digital Service (GDS) sets standards for government digital services.
+
+You can read these standards here:
+
+- [Service standard](https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/service-standard)
+- [Service manual](https://www.gov.uk/service-manual)
+
+## Meet the community
+
+### Get onto Slack
+
+Digital teams in Defra use Slack to keep in touch. Slack is a messaging app that lets you talk to colleagues in your team, department, or even across government.
+
+[Join the Defra Digital Slack](https://defra-digital.slack.com/)
+
+If you have a Defra email address, you should be able to sign up to this Slack workspace yourself.
+
+You may also want to join the [UK Government Digital Slack](https://ukgovernmentdigital.slack.com/). This has thousands of members from across government, and useful channels about software development and security.
+
+### Come to a developer meetup
+
+Developer community of practice meetups are a chance to meet other developers, share what you’re working on, and find out news and updates about best practice.
+
+Participating in the community of practice is considered part of your core job, so we encourage both permanent and contract devs to come along.
+
+Meetups usually happen in our four hub offices, but developers from any office are welcome to attend.
+
+#### North East meetup
+
+- Meets every other Thursday at 2pm in Foss House, York
+- Organised by John Watson
+- Check the #york-dev-test-cop channel in [defra-digital Slack](https://defra-digital.slack.com/) for updates
+
+#### North West meetup
+
+- Meets every Monday at 1pm in Richard Fairclough House, Warrington
+- Organised by Paul Shaw and Lynne Farrow
+
+#### South West meetup
+
+- Meets every other Monday at 2pm in Temple Quay House, Bristol
+- Organised by Alan Cruikshanks
+- Check the #development channel in [defra-digital Slack](https://defra-digital.slack.com/) for updates
+
+## Tech and tools
+
+What technology you’ll be using depends on the service you work on. Here are some common resources and tools to be aware of, and how to access them.
+
+### Access to Git, VPN, Jenkins and more
+
+Access to GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins and other infrastructure services is managed by the Web Ops team.
+
+We aim to develop in the open on GitHub. However, some repos (especially things like environment config) are privately stored on GitLab.
+
+You will need VPN access to get to GitLab, Jenkins and our development environments.
+
+Contact the Web Ops team or another developer to request access to these services.
+
+### Access to Jira
+
+Many teams use the project management tool Jira to manage their work.
+
+[How to request Jira access](https://github.com/DEFRA/qa-test/wiki/Jira)