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.
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- RIGHT COLUMN: Contact HIVE with your specific query.
- CENTRAL SECTION: All the latest posts in date order:
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
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
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 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
Friday 15 September 2023
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.
Defence creates an information sheet for Family Courts about Service life
Defence has updated and shared information with Family Courts to help demonstrate that Service and family life is compatible.
The Army Families Federation
informed Defence of anecdotal feedback from some families of potential
misunderstandings about the nature of Service life when going through
the Family Court system.
As a result of this feedback, Defence
worked with stakeholders across the Family Court systems to produce an
information sheet for Family Court workers.
The
information sheet aims to increase understanding about the working and
living arrangements of Service personnel, and how their families are
impacted. The document also shows the support available for Armed Forces
families to build and maintain a stable life at home.
Samaritans Veterans app.
The Samaritans Veterans app provides UK military Service Leavers and Veterans with emotional health and wellbeing information, guidance and resources. Samaritans Veterans is designed to give you the tools to identify and navigate the emotional health challenges that can be experienced when transitioning out of the military and in your life beyond the Forces.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call us free on 116 123 (within the UK or Ireland) or email us at jo@samaritans.org. Whoever you are and whatever you’re facing, we won’t judge you or tell you what to do. We’re here to listen so you don’t have to face it alone. www.samaritans.org.