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.
Monday 18 December 2023
Head Space
Friday 15 December 2023
Shape Park Run, every Saturday at 9am
SHAPE parkrun is a great way to start the weekend by walking, jogging or running. If you go to https://www.parkrun.com/ you can register.
Click on countries and either register in own country or if you use your Belgium address register through the UK site and use postcode BF1 2AG.
For more info, email the team at
shape@parkrun.com and they will answer your questions . Also join the what’s app group by using the barcode.
Going away over Christmas, Police Watch Form
If you are heading away, please find the attached document.
You can also drop the form at the Belgian Federal Police desk at the left when you enter the main gate or email it to : dga.dap.shape@police.belgium.Thursday 14 December 2023
Service Family Accommodation
For information, click here
Togetherall: Mental Health Support for the Armed Forces
If you’re feeling lonely, stressed, worried or just not yourself, on Togetherall you can get support and start to feel better.
GamCare: Christmas Gambling Harms Awareness
Would you know how to spot the signs of gambling harm and where to get support this Christmas? GamCare can help with some practical steps.
The festive period can be a difficult time for people affected by gambling harms.
For many, Christmas can expose financial issues, social isolation and mental health difficulties that often surround or worsen gambling harms. An early December payday can also add extra temptation to gamble, alongside the influence of alcohol, changes in routine and high-profile sporting events. Altogether, the holiday season can bring about increased risk for people struggling with their gambling.
Whatever it is, GamCare is here to help. We support anyone who has an issue with their gambling or someone else’s. We're available 24/7, we operate the free National Gambling Helpline, and provide treatment in all regions across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Our trained Advisers will help you find the right kind of support – whether it’s free tools to block gambling sites; forums and groups where you can get support from people in the same situation; or free confidential treatment in your area or residential treatment. The National Gambling Helpline offers 24/7 free confidential support all year on:
Wednesday 13 December 2023
Face Mask Update from the Medical Centre
Thursday 30 November 2023
DWP Benefits Payment Dates December
DWP Payment days over the Christmas and New Year are as follows:
Payments due 25-26 December will be paid on Friday 22 December.
Payments due 27 December: Universal Credit paid as normal, all other benefits paid on Friday 22 December.
Payments due 1 January will be paid on Friday 29 December.
Civilian Housing: An update on the MOD Referral Scheme service
Last year, the services provided by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) were transferred to the Defence Transition Service (DTS), part of Defence Business Services (DBS), to deliver. This followed a review as part of the MOD’s ‘Strategy for Our Veterans’ to bring efficiency to the co-ordination and delivery of housing services.
The MOD Referral Scheme provided advice and guidance on accessing social housing and has now become part of the existing services provided by DTS and Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). This has been done to simplify and widen access and eligibility across serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families.
To refer someone for support or self-refer go to - Help for service leavers, service personnel and families from Defence Transition Services - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What is DTS?
The Defence Transition Services (DTS) team is the MOD’s tri-service focal point to provide service personnel and their dependants with civilian housing information for those wishing to move to civilian accommodation at any time in their career, and for those leaving service who require extra support with the transition to civilian life.
DTS, together with colleagues in the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) can provide advice and guidance to help individuals make informed choices on their civilian housing options as they transition out of the forces. For further information please visit: Information and guidance on civilian housing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Recruit for Spouses Career Academy: ACCESS Programme online information sessions December and January
ACCESS will create a platform alongside other key partners to provide valuable insights, resources, and strategies enabling you to overcome unique challenges and achieve career success in whatever you choose.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and ask as many questions as you want to the team to understand the programme and make sure it's right for you. The specific programme details will be shared at this meeting. We are running 3 sessions so hope you can fit one in your schedule!
14th December 12.00-13.00pm zoom link https://jpmchase.zoom.us/j/98918277514
Serve & Protect Credit Union - Online Webinars
- Budgeting & Spending
- Boosting Credit Score
- Managing the Cost of Living
- What Lenders are looking for
QR CODES to HELP
There is no need to struggle alone, follow one of the QR Codes to access help from different charities and organisations. Support is also available through the chaplain, SHAPE Welfare Team and NSE Team.Click here for codes.
ManKind Initiative ACORN Recovery Programme for male survivors of domestic abuse
ManKind are now accepting referrals for their next Armed Forces ACORN Recovery Programme course due to start early next year.
ACORN is a 9 week online course that is delivered via Zoom for 90 minutes each week for male survivors of domestic abuse. The course is designed to help men recover from their experiences, understand the impact upon their children and work towards healthy and respectful relationships in the future.
Each course can take ten men and is free for them to attend because it is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for men who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces or veterans.
If you think you might benefit from this course please self-refer or contact ManKind for more information.
https://mankind.org.uk/
To see the ManKind initiative leaflet, please click here
Friday 24 November 2023
Squirrels looking for new Members
Thursday 23 November 2023
MOD bullying, harrassment and discrimination helpline
You can also access support by visiting the Workplace Wellbeing Platform at MOD | (workplacewellbeing.com)
Veterans Housing - Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund
New major funding programme to support Veterans’ housing needs
The
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) is delighted to announce a
new, major grants programme supporting new builds and significant
refurbishment, including extensions, of rental accommodation offering
high quality support for Veterans with a housing need.
On behalf
of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, the Trust will award grants of £75K
to £500K under the Major Capital Grants programme, across four rounds of
funding, to projects that contribute to the aims of the Government’s
ambition to reduce Veteran homelessness and end rough sleeping.
Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund
The
Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under
the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund. It is open to charities and
registered social housing providers (registered social landlords in
Scotland), with at least five years’ housing experience. To be eligible
for this funding, you’ll need to show that most of your organisation’s
work is with Veterans, or that you have extensive experience of working
with Veterans.
DWP Conversational Platform
Conversational Platform is a new technology being introduced onto the Universal Credit telephony channel. From early December 2023 when customers call Universal Credit, their call may be routed through the new technology, whereby the DWP Virtual Agent will ask the customer why they are calling and will then tailor the response based on what the customer says.
For information on how this will work, please click here
Friday 17 November 2023
AWS Community Support Annual Report Summary
To read the full Army Welfare Service Community Support Annual Report Summary click here
Thursday 16 November 2023
Sports activities and lessons are back at Cuesmes pool
Thursday 9 November 2023
Are you a veteran? Share your views now!
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) have launched a new consultation to gather evidence on the experience of Armed Forces Veterans.
If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran, visit GOV.UK for further information and details of how to respond to the survey before it closes on 4 January 2024.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust 'Supporting Partners' programme reopens for applications
Supporting Partners programme reopens for applications
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) is pleased to announce the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme has reopened for applications.
The Trust is working with the MOD to deliver funding to high quality projects that will have significant impacts for Armed Forces families through the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3). The Supporting Partners programme is the latest of the AF3 programmes to launch this year.
What’s available?
Grants of between £30,000 and £80,000 are available for projects which will improve support for Service partners and spouses to promote, enhance and utilise the skills and experiences they bring to the workplace.
Projects should clearly show how they will enable military partners and spouses to access employment support and opportunities.
Support for spouses and partners
The Trust are looking for applications that meet one of three key themes.
* Make it easier for partners to access knowledge and information that’s relevant to employment opportunities.
* Improve access to education, training, and qualifications.
* Communicate the skills and experiences that partners can bring to the workplace.
Thursday 19 October 2023
Togetherall: How to manage feelings of loneliness and isolation
Is loneliness the new normal? With our
means of connection changing over the last few years, we can all find
ourselves feeling lonely at times.
Check
out this blog by @Togetherall's Chief Clinical Officer, Ben Locke,
PHD., where he provides his tips for dealing with feelings of loneliness
and isolation. Visit:
https://tinyurl.com/48m6m5pd
✅ Togetherall is FREE to anyone in the UK Military, Veterans & Family members aged 16+
Education Advisory Team (UK) (EAT (UK)): Information on School Admissions for Service Families
The Education Advisory Team (UK) (EAT
(UK)) is part of the MOD’s Defence Children Services. We are a
tri-service organisation that provides information, advice and guidance
on all educational matters in the UK.
We are providing advice to
parents of children in Year 6 about how and when to apply for secondary
school places for September 2024 in the UK.
Secondary School Places in England for September 2024
If
you require a secondary school place in England for September 2024, the
deadline for secondary school applications is 31st October 2023.
We
would advise that you follow your local authority’s application
process: information will be available on their website. You can also
contact your local authority’s admission team if you have any questions
or require support. Contact details should be available on the local
authority website.
Wednesday 18 October 2023
Careers in STEM for Military Women, Spouses, Partners and Families 15th November
To reserve your spot for an insightful and informal session with both military and civilian STEM professionals currently working within Centrica click here
Wed, 15th November 13:00 - 14:00 CETDandelion Military Families: Bereavement Support Online Meeting - 21st November 1930hrs (UK time)
Dandelion Military Families are hosting their next Online (MS Teams) Bereavement Support
Meeting on 21st November at 1930hrs UK time.To join email: dandelionmilfamilies@gmail.com
Thursday 5 October 2023
Thursday 28 September 2023
Increase in Visa Fees from 4th October 2023
The Home Office have announced an increase in Visa fees from 4th October 2023.
For more information, please contact your local HIVE.
Friday 22 September 2023
Mons Sunday Market
Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison announces New Accommodation Offer and Widening Accommodation Entitlement
Today,
the Minister of Defence People Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew
Murrison, announced the New Accommodation Offer for the Armed Forces
from 11 March 2024 this new offer will deliver greater access to
subsidised accommodation for our Service personnel, their families, and
partners.
The New Accommodation Offer forms part of Defence’s
outputs from the recent Defence Command Paper Refresh and
Haythornthwaite review which aims to improve the offer to current and
future Serving personnel.
Alongside
this, the Minister also announced Widening Accommodation Entitlement
(limited locations) which will allow those in Established Long Term
Relationships on eight sites to benefit from Service Family
Accommodation starting on the 31 October 2023.
Minister for Defence People, Veterans, and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison, said:
“Our
Armed Forces personnel and their families make extraordinary sacrifices
every day to protect our nation, so it is our duty to provide flexible
living options that support their family life.
The New
Accommodation Offer will provide a variety of accommodation options
which will ensure all Service personnel, including those with partners
and families, feel supported.”
The New Accommodation Offer– the facts:
New Accommodation Offer Roadshows: Register to Attend In Person or On Line
MOD recognises that our accommodation offer should reflect a modern Defence and support Service personnel, their families and partners in their mobile lifestyle.
The New Accommodation Offer will modernise the policy to Defence housing, widening the benefits at home and, in time, overseas.
Defence would like to invite you to hear the details directly from the programme team.
Join us for a comprehensive event with time for questions on-line and in person. For details of how to register to attend, in person or virtually, see: https://sway.office.com/CWLCbggrusRkpnpN?ref=Link
Service Family Accommodation: Preparing Your Home for Winter
Thursday 21 September 2023
SCL Community Life Magazine, September Edition
Wednesday 20 September 2023
NHS #NationalBreastfeedingWeek
If you're returning to work, you might wonder whether you can continue breastfeeding. The answer is yes - it's completely possible!
Here are some tips to help you with breastfeeding and going back to work.
#NationalBreastfeedingWeek
Friday 15 September 2023
Re - Registering for US Medical system information
All UK personnel currently registered with the American medical system here at SHAPE are to re-register due to a new system being implemented – MHS GENESIS.
Without re-registering you will not be
entitled to the laboratory services etc provided by the American system. PLEASE
NOTE: Change of location and time from previous correspondence.
When and Where?
DATES |
TIME |
LOCATION |
11 – 15 Sep 23 |
0900 – 1500 |
SHAPE
Med Centre |
18 – 21 Sep 23 |
0900 – 1500 |
SHAPE
Med Centre |
Dependants are not required to attend the appointment
Required documents
Passport for self and all dependants
SHAPE ID Cards
Copy of latest JPA Assignment Order
Thursday 7 September 2023
Tennis Courts are back open on Shape
Friday 1 September 2023
MHS Genesis, new US electronic health record system at SHAPE, what UK patients need to do
Click on the Image to Enlarge
For more Information visit; https://www.shape2day.com/community/healthcare
UK personnel will need to compete the new Registration system if they want to access laboratory services
Schooling In Belgium
Please check
your letter box
Recently some
of you have received a letter in French addressed to your children’s name (see
below heading).
In Belgium,
education is compulsory from 5 to 18 years old and the Belgian government is
checking that all children are registered in a school. When the information is
missing on their list, you are requested to send a proof of registration.
For
your action
:
- children at
BSB, just email the letter back and write on it that your child is
registered at BSB
- children in
Boarding school, write on the letter the school address and attached
evidence i.e. statement from the school or the bill
I will forward these by email to the office in Brussels.
El Hamdi, Nadia
Mrs (GSO-EJSU-Belgium-HNLO Mons) Nadia.ElHamdi329@mod.gov.uk
Thursday 31 August 2023
'Going Forward into Employmen't (GFiE): Plymouth DWP Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and their Spouses/Partners
The Targeted Case Review Agent role would really suit candidates who love working with the general public and across teams (internal and external), who have strong decision making skills and are able to analyse and present information. The candidate should have a willingness to learn how to deliver a DWP service using digital methods.
This role comes with the opportunity to complete either a Customer Service or Business Administration apprenticeship, this is a chance for someone to 'earn as they learn' and develop great transferable skills for the future.
Please find attached the job description (including all key details).
Completed Expression of Interest form and latest CV to be sent to gfie@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.