Wednesday 16 December 2020

How to set up your child's tech device safely


 

Giving your child any tech during the festive period? Lots of families gift children devices at this time of year. Whether it’s a laptop, phone, tablet or games console, it’s important that it's set it up safely and your child can keep safe online. 

Check out the NSPCC tips HERE

Royal British Legion and Veterans' Gateway


With Christmas Day fast approaching, Royal British Legion wanted to remind you that they're open throughout the festive season, 8am-8pm every day. 

Call on 0808 802 8080 or visit their website for help.

Need help outside these hours?

Then their partners Veterans' Gateway are available 24/7 on 08‍08 80‍2 12‍12

Gamble Aware

 

GambleAware is an independent charity tasked to fund research, education and treatment services to help to reduce gambling-related harms in Great Britain. For further information 

Monday 14 December 2020

Understanding Belgium: A beginner's guide to getting settled here


 


Few countries are more complicated to explain than Belgium, with its many governments, parliaments, languages, regions and identities. It might seem baffling when you first arrive here, but it has always been a crossroads of business and culture, offering a warm welcome to foreigners.

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state divided into three regions: Flanders, Wallonia and the officially bilingual Brussels- Capital Region. 

These regions have considerable powers: each has its own economic, trade, employment, housing, agriculture, environment, energy and transport policies, while the federal state takes care of foreign affairs, defence, justice, health and social security. 

Education, welfare and culture are the responsibility of the French, Flemish and German language communities, which each have separate administrations.

To read more about Belgium  CLICK HERE

RFEA


We provide employability and employment support to working age veterans in the UK. Current estimates are that one million working age veterans live in the UK. 

We know that unemployment rates for working age veterans are higher than for civilians.

We support veterans through life including those who have served for a short time and are in the 18-24 year old age range, through to older veterans. 

The over 50’s are increasingly recognised as facing greater challenges in finding employment.

To read further click here: RFEA

Royal Mail - Price Of Stamps To Increase From 1st January 2021


 

The price of first-class stamps will rise by up to 14p in the new year, Royal Mail has announced.

From 1st January 2021, stamp prices will increase as follows:

A first-class stamp for a standard letter will rise by 9p (12%) from 76p to 85p.
 
A second-class stamp for a standard letter will rise by 1p (2%) from 65p to 66p.
 
A first-class stamp for a large letter will rise by 14p (12%) from £1.15 to £1.29.
 
A second-class stamp for a large letter will rise by 8p (9%) from 88p to 96p.

Relate: Relationship Support

 

A survey by UK charity Relate found that nearly a quarter of people felt lockdown had placed additional pressure on their relationship. Lockdown created a 'make or break' environment, the charity says.

To help couples through the 'new normal', Relate have put together some useful relationship tips. For further help, relatehub offers 30 minute online chats with Relationships and Wellbeing Advisors, and access to online self-help resources.

If your partner makes you feel anxious or threatened, you should get help immediately and contact Refuge (for women) or Respect (for men) - see below.

 


Wednesday 9 December 2020

Royal British Legion - Employment Grants



Finding a job can be one of the hardest parts of leaving the Armed Forces. The Legion can support you through funding for training and skill development. This financial assistance can help you find suitable work.

The Legion’s Employment Grant is available to ex-Service personnel and their dependants, specifically those who are unemployed or under-employed.

There are two types of Grants available:
  • Training, travel, accommodation and equipment Grant – Provides you with support to address unemployment or under-employment. We also consider childcare and medical costs when these are linked to difficulties around attending training. The cap for this Grant is £1,000.
  • Licences Grant – A licence Grant is awarded if it will assist you to find or continue work. Typically, this is to fund the provision of a professional licence that is needed for your work, for example a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. This is a one-off Grant with a cap of £250, and you will need to budget for the licence upkeep costs in the future.
For more information please click HERE



Tuesday 8 December 2020

SFA - Notice to Vacate

Service Families Accommodation

Earlier this year, under the Coronavirus Act 2020, the Government amended the Tenancy Act 2019 to introduce emergency measures to protect tenants during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

For Service personnel and their families remaining in SFA following the end of their entitlement, either due to leaving Service or estrangement, DIO followed Government advice by pausing, from March 2020, Notice to Vacate (NTV) action to regain possession of properties.

Following a recent amendment to the provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020, landlords can, from 29 August 2020, recommence action to provide notice to their tenants. 

Until March 2021, landlords must provide six months’ notice before they can begin eviction proceedings. In line with this amendment, DIO has now been given authority to recommence NTV action from 4 January 2021 on a phased basis. 

We shall continue to follow Government guidance in relation to the notice period; the period of the NTV will be for a minimum period of six months, as opposed to the normal 93 days, for any issued until March 2021, when revised Government guidance is expected. 

This period will allow those Service personnel and families who have lost their entitlement more time to make alternative housing arrangements.

Since action was paused in March 2020, a backlog of cases has built up and we plan to spread the issue of NTV over a 3-4 month period, starting with the oldest cases first. 

All occupants are aware that they have lost their entitlement to occupy SFA and we will continue to provide details of how they can find support and source alternative accommodation.

If affected Service Personnel and/or families have any concerns or enquiries then they should please contact DIO’s Loss of Entitlement Team at DIORDAccn-LOETeam@mod.gov.uk. 

The team will not be contactable via the usual telephone numbers due to social distancing measures still being in place. More information on this update can be found here.

Friday 4 December 2020

Things to do; Le Ronde Maison

 

An old go to favourite of ours, Ronde Maison. We enjoy these woods because they are close by, easy to get to and lovely any time of the year. They are a great choice for a pleasant, peaceful walk, bike ride, trail run or just general explore!
 
There are tables to sit down and have a bite to eat. This is a beautiful walk to do and discover.
 
Map - this will take you to the woods, there is parking there;
 
Dogs Allowed; Yes
 
Buggy friendly, Not really
 
Cafe and toilets; No

Distance from SHAPE; 15 minutes drive
For other things to do near SHAPE and Brussels; HIVE Blog Spot
 
 




 

Monday 30 November 2020

Things to Do - Chateau de la Hulpe

Château de La Hulpe stands in the heart of an estate that is a listed Exceptional Heritage Site in Wallonia.

Formerly owned by Count Solvay, this French-inspired castle has such splendor it is well worth a visit and walk in the grounds.

This is a lovely place for a walk, the grounds are vast so there is plenty of space to wander off and explore.

 
Distance from SHAPE; 38 minutes by car
 
Opening Times; 8.00 -18.00
 
Dogs; Allowed on a lead
 
Paths are buggy friendly
 
Cafe; Usually Ice cream vans and waffle to take away vans here. Is a cafe; La Taverne de l’Homme Bleu, we didn't pop in but looks lovely. Website is; https://www.homme-bleu.be/
 
Address; Chaussée de Bruxelles 111, 1310 La Hulpe
 
 
Recommended walks found HERE
 
For other idea's of things to do, check out shapehiveblog; http://shapehive.blogspot.com/search/label/What%27s%20O
 
 


 

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Little Troopers hosts free virtual pantomime for all military children



Little Troopers hosts free virtual pantomime for all military children

Charity Little Troopers has organised a free virtual pantomime for British Armed Forces children to watch at home on Sunday 20th December.

Performed by children’s entertainment company, Playhouse Parties, Cinderella the pantomime can be streamed live at 2pm on any device and is open to all children with parents serving in the British Armed Forces. The pantomime is part of the Little Troopers Christmas Smiles campaign which aims to bring smiles to faces of military children, especially those who have a serving parent deployed over the holidays. The charity has also teamed up with the Build-A-Bear Foundation to distribute 1,000 free teddy bears to British Armed Forces families who will be separated this Christmas.

Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, comments: “2020 has been particularly challenging for lots of military families so we were adamant that we would find a way to bring some Christmas smiles to as many military children as possible. Our usual events have been cancelled, but this virtual pantomime is something that all Little Troopers and their families can enjoy at home. We love the idea that Little Troopers from around the world will all be coming together at the same time and sharing in this amazing performance. We hope this small gesture will bring smiles to the faces of lots of military children this Christmas and help them realise that they are part of a very special community of young people.”

To watch the Little Troopers panto, families need to be signed up to the charity’s newsletter which they can do at www.littletroopers.net A link will be sent out on the morning of the pantomime and families can sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

For more information please email info@littletroopers.net


Childline: Talk To Childline About Any Issue


 For further information please click HERE

Monday 23 November 2020

A Career With The MOD Police


For further information please click HERE


Friday 20 November 2020

Things to do; Château de Seneffe

Château de Seneffe is an 18th-century château located in the municipality of Seneffe.
The Chateau is currently closed, however the grounds are open to walk around with a lake, statues and fountains. This is a charming place for a lovely Autumn walk only 25 minutes drive from SHAPE
 
There are often exhibitions inside the Chateau and within the gardens. My children love running around and exploring. If you reach the top of the hill it's a great point to shout out and hear an echo!
 
Cost; Grounds are free and currently open
 
Distance from SHAPE; 25 minutes by car
 
 
Where; Rue Lucien Plasman 7, 7180 Seneffe
 
Cafe & Toilets; There are toilets but may not be open. Coffee shop and restaurant are currently closed.
 
Dogs; Not Permitted
 
Open; Grounds are open 10.00 -18.00
 
 
Chateau prices (when open) Adults -6 euro. Children over 12 -5 euro and children under 12 are free.
 

 

 

HIVE - 35th Birthday


 

Thursday 19 November 2020

Children's Education Advisory Service - CEAS

To read the full leaflet please click CLICK HERE

For more Information on the Childrens Educational Advisory Service CLICK HERE

Childrens Eductaional Advisory Service (CEAS) provides informative, bespoke and impartial advice to service and eligible MOD civilian families on a wide range of educational issues including:

- Parental rights and responsibilities
- Children or young person’s rights and responsibilities
- Special educational needs and/or disability
- School admissions and appeals
- Overseas education in non-MOD school areas
- Retention of quarters for educational purposes
- Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA


Military Investment Announcment

 


 

The biggest programme of investment in British defence since the end of the Cold War will be announced today by the Prime Minister.

HERE

Wednesday 18 November 2020

Combat Stress 100 Project - a true insight to living with military trauma

 
Combat Stress 100 Project

A true insight into the impact of living with military trauma. Unfiltered, unguarded and profoundly moving accounts from UK veterans highlight the agony of living with PTSD and the toll this, and other complex mental health conditions, can have on veterans and their families. 

Please click HERE for further information

Live Employability Workshop For Female Veterans, Spouses And Partners

  

If you have a parent who is in or used to be in the armed forces, the NHS would like to hear your views on how it can support you better. Take part in a short questionnaire or virtual event. 

Click HERE for more information:


Tuesday 17 November 2020

Quiz on Belgium: How well do you know Belgium?

 


The 1st Discovering Belgium Quiz!

How well do you think you know Belgium? Answer these 10 multiple-choice questions to find out. And remember, there’s one great way to improve your knowledge about Belgium!

See what you know and CLICK HERE


Monday 16 November 2020

Have your say about Child care at SHAPE

 
Please don’t forget to complete the DCYP SHAPE Childcare Survey:

 

Calling All Armed Forces Children - Have your voice heard through poetry, art, speech, song


 Please click HERE for further information

Alcohol Awareness Week


It's Alcohol Awareness Week, running from 16-22 November 2020 on the theme of Alcohol and mental health. It's a week of awareness-raising, campaigning for change, and more. There's still time to take part. 

Sign up to get your free resources today by clicking HERE

Things to do - Domain De Gavers

 Provincial Domain De Gavers (near Harelbeke)

We went here recently for a day out, we took a picnic and set off early. Despite kid's groans about the hours drive, all was forgotten when they saw the amazing playground! The play equipment is fantastic for kids of any age. 
 
The Domaine is large and has something for everyone. There are lots of different wood walks and nature trails depending on your energy levels. (map and details below) 
 
We walked around the lake which was approx 4.5 km. There were things to see and do along the way and smaller play parks dotted about. Equally the paths are good so you can take bikes. 
 
 
 Swimming Beach Area; 
 

In the summer there is a beach and swim area (life guarded) which costs between 1 - 6 euro. For more Information CLICK HERE This opens on the 26th June 2023.
 
The lake has pedalos, boats, Kayak's and other water activities which you can book either before hand or there. These incur a cost.
 
There is a also a climbing wall and High Ropes course. 

We had a great day out at Domaine de Gavers, it is an hours

drive but well worth it. Top tip - Get there early!
 
Cost; Free (extra activities there is a fee for)
 
Distance from SHAPE; 1 hour by car
 
 
Cafe & Toilets; Yes to both. Toilets are open. Cafe, Restaurant and Visitors Centre open.
 
Open; From Sunrise - Sunset
 

Dogs; Are welcome and there are two unique dog walking area's where dogs can run without a leash.
 
Address; Provinciaal Recreatie- en Natuurcentrum De Gavers, Eikenstraat 131, 8530, Harelbeke, Wegbeschrijving

Friday 13 November 2020

Meet The Team - Sarah's Story

 

Meet the Team - Sarah's Story

As part of a series of staff stories from HIVE, we are sharing a number of stories

in the coming weeks on our Army HIVE Facebook page at the link below.  

Each story provides a personal account of working for HIVE,

feeling empowered and delivering the HIVE service to our customers across the UK and overseas. 

To read Sarah's story visit www.facebook.com/ArmyHIVE

Building Heroes



 

Thursday 12 November 2020

UK Armed Forces Veterans' Health and Gambling Study


 To take part in the study please click HERE

SSAFA - November Newsletter

 

To read the November newsletter please click HERE

Veterans' Gateway - Still Open

 


COVID-19: During this unprecedented time, we’re still here for you 24/7

Veterans' Gateway have huge supplies of advice, guidance and support 

0808 802 1212 

Click HERE to access the website

JSHAO Talking Mortgages - 25th Nov


 

Wednesday 11 November 2020