Generic and local information for the UK Military community in SHAPE/Belgium including Serving Personnel, Families, Veterans, and MOD Civilians.
This is best viewed through a personal device because the MODnet firewall may prevent access to some links.
- TOP: Location Guide for SHAPE; links to HIVE's Social Media, and a map of contact details for our worldwide network of information centres.
- LEFT COLUMN: Use the search engine; sign up to receive our weekly email updates, or find information by subject.
- RIGHT COLUMN: Contact HIVE with your specific query.
- CENTRAL SECTION: All the latest posts in date order:
Tuesday 6 December 2022
Who is Sinterklaas and how do Belgians celebrate 6 December?
Monday 10 October 2022
Kooth
Tuesday 23 August 2022
Thursday 18 August 2022
GamCare: Changing your relationship with gambling
Launch of Army Official Health & Wellbeing Closed Facebook Group
A new Health and Wellbeing Facebook group has been launched for Regular and Reserve Army personnel only. The aim of this group is to provide access to information on relevant topics (including policy updates and useful articles) and will also act as a forum for peer-to-peer support.
Join the group by using the link below (forwarded to your personal device) or it can be found on Facebook through searching Army Health and Wellbeing. Once joined please share the group far and wide with your Army colleagues. They will be asked a series of questions to confirm that they are serving – please ensure that these are completed fully.
Kooth - health and well-being support for Service children
Need to talk? If you are a child
with a parent serving in the British Armed Forces or working for the MOD
or the British Government in the UK or overseas, you can find support
anonymously for your mental health and wellbeing today. Available for
children aged 11 until their 19th birthday.
You can find:
- Live chat with a friendly mental health practitioner
- Helpful articles
- Discussion boards
- Self-help tools
Thursday 4 August 2022
Launch of Kooth - Online mental health and wellbeing support if you're aged 11-18
Kooth
is now available for children (aged 11 until their 19th birthday) with a
parent serving in the British Armed Forces or working for the MOD or
the British Government in the UK or overseas.
The free, safe
and anonymous mental wellbeing platform allows you to chat with a
friendly mental health practitioner, find support from a helpful
community or use a range of self-help tools.
Find out more at www.kooth.com/mod
Saturday 30 July 2022
Things to do; Dock 79; Tree climbing, water sking, indoor bouldering and huge water inflateables!
Only around 15 minutes from SHAPE, this Outdoor recreation area includes rope courses, water rides and bouldering, plus yoga classes and concerts.
We went as a family to do the tree rope course. The children loved it and we all had a good three and a half hours of climbing. The instructors were great, all spoke good english.
We had a great afternoon and the children had a brilliant time and came back tired (bonus!)
Website; http://dock79.be/
Costs; For the tree climbing that we did, it was 20 euro for adults and children over 10.
Children 6-9 years it was 15 euro - but they need a paying adult to go one with them.
So for a family of 5 it was 95 euro. Family of 4 would be around 75 euro.
Children under 6 are 10 euro. This is for the mini course. An adult must stay but no need to pay.
Other prices; The inflatable swimming is 10 euro for one hour and 15 euro for two hours. Children must be over 6 and all must wear a life jacket
This is a nice place to hang out. There are bars and out door seating. We sat and had an ice cream after and watched the water skiers's trying to not fall off!
Things to do; Visit Gent and the Castle (Gravensteen)
Gent (sometimes spelt Ghent also) is a beautiful town and well worth a visit with it's charming buildings and warm atmosphere
Similar to Amsterdam and Bruges but
smaller and less crowded. Lots of streets to wander round packed with
stunning architecture. Lots of places to eat and drink in all price
brackets. The castle which is well worth a visit and beautiful cathedrals. Lots of quirky and interesting shops and cafes.
It is walkable to everywhere so if your going with children it's not too bad walking wise. We parked here Sint-michiels parking which was really central to everything and not expensive. We were there for a day and it was around 10 euro.
The castle known as Gravensteen is well worth a visit. For a family of 5 we paid 24 euros ( children under 13 are free and over 13 it is 2 euro) For this you also get the audio tour with a phone like device. This was really funny and kept us and the children very entertained on our visit. You can book ahead but we got tickets on the day.
Website for the Castle; https://historischehuizen.stad.gent/en/castle-counts
Prices for Castle; https://historischehuizen.stad.gent/en/castle-counts/visit/practical-info
Distance from SHAPE; One hour 20mins by car
Toilets; Yes and in the car parking also (free) which was great when you arrive somewhere with three children needing a wee! we usually have to hunt around first when arriving somewhere to find some.
Dogs; On a lead. Not permitted in the castle.
Food and Drinks - Lots of places to eat and drink - spoilt for choice!
Buggy friendly - yes though probably not in the castle
Kid friendly - yes a great day out for all the family
Wednesday 20 July 2022
Escape the heat and come on in, the water’s lovely
Top 10 city destinations under 5 hours from Brussels by train
Wednesday 22 June 2022
Summer water safety
Please read these top tips from the RLSS to keep your family safe in the water.
Friday 17 June 2022
Things to do; Provincie Domein Kessel Lo
Provincie Domein Kessel Lo
There is a fantastic park here and lots of places to walk and picnic. Two Amazing Play Area's will keep the children entertained. There are lots of walks also and a great place to explore.
There is a cafe and food and drinks to buy or a great place to take a picnic. There are also toilets. Dogs are fine but need to be kept on a lead.
There is also a large outdoor swimming pool open in Summer Season. The pool you need to pay for and book ahead, the park is free of charge.
Map; CLICK HERE
Distance from SHAPE; One Hour and 5 minutes
Website; https://www.vlaamsbrabant.be/nl/vrije-tijd-en-toerisme/provinciedomein-kessel-lo
Swimming Pool (open in Summer)
Ticket for the pool must be booked in advance. The slots are done in two 3 hours slots a day.
For more information; CLICK HERE
To book tickets; CLICK HERE
To contact the park; 016 25 20 30
Map of the park; For a full map of the park; CLICK HERE
There are lots of other Activities at this park including Mini Golf, Boating and Tennis. These can be booked on line at https://www.vlaamsbrabant.be/nl/vrije-tijd-en-toerisme/provinciedomein-kessel-lo
Thursday 16 June 2022
Things to do; Lac's Eau d' Heure
The Eau d'Heure lakes is a complex of five artificial lakes in Wallonia, forming the largest lake area in Belgium.
Beautiful nature, great for biking, walking and swimming. Many routes for mountain biking. You can also rent bikes, Jet ski's and boats.
The lakes are great for Wind surfing, paddle boarding and diving.
There are also playgrounds for children.
This is a great day out, Hot sunny dates the popular places and beach area's can get busy. However the lakes are large and there are quieter spots elsewhere. There ism also accommodation to stay in nearby if you want to make a weekend of it, for example Landal.
Beaches at Lac d' Heure are now open from June 15 to September 15th