Saturday 30 July 2022
Togetherall: Setting yourself up for Success
Sometimes we can all feel
stuck, down or demotivated. Whether it's work, relationships or just
everyday life itself, Togetherall have suggested some helpful techniques
to manage these feelings and become more productive, motivated and
happy. These assets showcase Togetherall's journaling and goal setting
tool, as well as the self-help course: 'Improving your sleep'.
https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces
Togetherall: Accessing a safe place to talk
https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces
Whole Life Development
Are you making the most of the
development opportunities that the Army offers? Don’t wait until you are
in resettlement! Come along and find out what professional and personal
development the Army offers. There will be a 30 minute period at the
end for you to ask any question you have about your circumstances. This
webinar is aimed at all ranks both regular and reserve.
NHS dental care updates
Patients across the country will soon benefit from improved access to dental care under changes recently announced by NHS England. New reforms include more dental therapists who will be able to accept patients for NHS treatments, freeing up dentists' time for urgent and complex cases. Further details can be found on the NHS England website.
In the meantime, the Forces Families Federations have a list of recommendations to help you find an NHS dentist.
You may also be able to find new local options on the Dental Choices website.
Free August webinars from the National Careers Service
These can be booked online at the following link: National Careers Service Registration for Webinars and Workshops - Digital Team
RFS- British Military Foreign & Commonwealth competition and Support
This summer, we’re running a
competition for military children aged between 6 and 16 to design a logo
for the British Military Foreign & Commonwealth Community.
Foreign & Commonwealth Logo Competition - RFS : RFS (recruitforspouses.co.uk)
RFS Foreign & Commonwealth Community | Facebook
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.
There are other activities and you can often combine two activities which can work out more cost effective. More detail can be found here; https://dock79.be/nos-packs/
You can book ahead or you can turn up. We went early and just turned up.
Address: Rue de la Hamaide 79, 7333 Saint-Ghislain
Phone; 065 66 25 07
Distance from SHAPE; 23 Minutes drive
Dogs; Are allowed on a leash
Food; It states no food to be brought in, but you can bring water and snacks and eat them somewhere outside. (We brought our own water as it was very hot and a few biscuits to keep us going!) There are places to buy drinks and snacks/ ice creams and some food options.
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
Escape the heat and come on in, the water’s lovely
Explore a pick of lakes and waterways where you can fish, float, paddle and plunge to your heart’s content
Top 10 city destinations under 5 hours from Brussels by train
Top 10 city destinations under 5 hours from Brussels by train
2 hours to London, 4 hours to Lyon. With hundreds of delayed and cancelled flights in Belgium
this summer, those could be your waiting times at the airport. But it
is also how long it takes to travel to these European cities by train,
which allows you to hop off right in the centre.
Little Troopers - All Together in the Trees
The Go-Ape Treetop Adventure is a high ropes activity with intricate tree-to-tree crossings, wobbly bridges and brilliant zip wires. Little Troopers aged 7- 13 years old will be able to meet up with others like them for a fun adventure. The Go-Ape event will be open to 7-13 year old little troopers, who have parents deployed during the summer holidays.
There will be 10 places available on the 29th July 2022, at the following locations;
DalKeith Edinburgh
Dalby Forset Yorkshire
Thetford Forest Suffolk
Forest of Dean
Wendover, Chilterns
Alice Holt, Surrey
Moors Valley, Hampshire
Haldon, Devon
For more information and how to book, click here.
Op-ed: A message to veterans' and their families
To read the full An opinion piece by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer MP, please click here
Health and Wellbeing - Message from Army's Senior Health Advisor
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As many of you look forward to some well-earned summer leave, I wanted to take this opportunity to signpost the mental health & well-being resources and support over this period. Of note, focusing specifically on suicide trends, in addition to a well-known winter rise (in line with Defence and wider society) there is growing evidence of a secondary rise in the summer which is specific to the Army; sadly recent events reinforce this. No one in the Army family should feel alone and, no matter what the problem is, there is a wide range of support available. To assist all, support and/or advice available is summarised in one communication below:
Please click here for support and advice.
Monday 18 July 2022
For updates on the MOD accommodation contracts
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For updates on the Accommodation contracts, please go to Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You can also subscribe to the page to receive email updates.
National Highways advice
With Summer holidays on us, don't forget to check your tyre pressure and get to your destination safely.
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/tyre-checks/
Armed Forces Covenant: Force for Change programme awards
The Force for Change programme awards
grants of up to £10,000 for community projects that reduce isolation and
promote integration, supporting post-Covid recovery in local Armed
Forces communities affected by isolation. Projects will need to make a
real difference to Armed Forces communities locally.
This
can include funding for pilot projects; or to try new ways of offering
local support. It can also include projects that build on earlier work
that you have done.
There are two deadlines during 2022/23:
For a decision in late October 2022, you will need to submit your application by 8 August 2022.
For a decision in late February 2023 you will need to submit your application by 14 November 2022.
Wednesday 13 July 2022
Little Troopers ‘Climb Your Mountain’ fundraising challenge
Join Little Troopers ‘Climb Your Mountain’ fundraising challenge this summer.
Charity Little Troopers is calling on the Armed Forces community to take part in a virtual ‘Climb Your Mountain’ fundraising challenge this summer to raise funds to support military children.
During the school summer holidays, sign-up to walk, run, swim, climb or cycle a distance equivalent to climbing Mount Snowdon, Kilimanjaro or up to Mount Everest Base Camp. If you’re feeling really ambitious you might want to take on all three! People of all ages are welcome to take part in the challenge either individually, by signing up as a family, or a team of friends or colleagues. Any military children participating will receive a special Little Troopers fundraising badge.
Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, comments: “We would love to see the military community from all three services come together this summer to take on our Climb Your Mountain Challenge and summit new fundraising heights for our small charity. Together we can keep ensuring that all children who have parents serving in the British Armed Forces feel supported, whenever they need it and wherever they are in the world.
“The beauty of this challenge is that anyone can take part and adapt it to make it easier or harder depending on their age and fitness level. From families, friends and welfare teams, to individual serving personnel, spouses and military children – let’s all unite this summer to climb a mountain for Little Troopers.”
The sponsored challenge is being hosted on fundraising platform, Umbali, which shows you an animated map of your progress on your chosen mountain route so you can share your journey and gather more supporters. Complete the distance in your own time, at a pace you find challenging for you - whether that’s splitting the distance across the six weeks, or completing your challenge in one day. You might even take the opportunity to climb the real Mount Snowdon! Connect your challenge to Strava or Runkeeper to make it even easier to log your miles.
For more information and to sign-up to the Little Troopers Climb Your Mountain challenge, visit www.umbali.org/event/climb-your-mountain-challenge
Little Troopers is a registered charity offering support to all children who have parents serving in the British Armed Forces. The charity has a number of resources that parents can use to support children at home including the Little Troopers Separation Pack and the Little Troopers X-Ray of Feelings. The charity also runs Little Trooper at School, a dedicated programme which provides specialist resources, courses and workshops for teachers and service children in school. For more information visit www.littletroopers.net
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