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- CENTRAL SECTION: All the latest posts in date order:

Monday 18 December 2023

Head Space

 
In the holidays, it can be too easy to forget about our own happiness and well-being when you are focused on finances, family gatherings and planning. Not to mention how challenging and lonely this time of year can be for some people.
Say hello (again) to Headspace - there for Army Regular and Reserve serving personnel

 

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.eu 
 
Click to enlarge. Or email GSO-EJSU-Belgium-CommunityHub@mod.gov.uk  and have one emailed to you.

Thursday 14 December 2023

A guide to preventing condensation damp and mould in SFA

 

To view guide to preventing mould, condensation and damp, click here
 

Service Family Accommodation

A guide for Service families about applying for, maintaining, moving in and out of and living in UK Service Family Accommodation (SFA).

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.

To register click here


 

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:

Freephone 0808 80 20 133, 
via Whatsapp on 020 3031 8881 
via online chat at gamcare.org.uk.

Domestic Abuse: MOD Guidance on Where to Find Help

 

For more information, click here
 

Wednesday 13 December 2023

Face Mask Update from the Medical Centre

Message from the Medical Centre;
If you have any cold or flu symptoms when visiting the Medical Centre it is important that you wear a mask.

Thursday 30 November 2023

Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) Newsletter

Click here to read the FANDF autumn newsletter.
 

Recruit for Spouses Career Academy: ACCESS Programme online information sessions December and January

What can ACCESS do for you …..Come and meet some of the JPMorgan team keen to understand your employment challenges and to talk about a new programme they hope will overcome some of these.

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

 

Squirrels ( for 4-5 year olds) looking for New Members, they meet on a Tuesday 4-5pm. Contact for more details; Marian.Burrows@shape.nato.int

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

Sports activities and lessons are back at Cuesmes pool 
 
Trials for swim lessons also start in November. With 4 groups adapted to all levels (Cheetah, Frog, Turtle and Dolphin), swimming lessons start in January. 
 
There are still spaces available.
 
The sporting activities proposed by the Cuesmes pool will begin in part the week of November 13 at the price of 5 euros:
 
Cuesmes Pool is 15 mins drive from SHAPE
 
Mardi : 18h30 - 19h15 : aquagym
Friday: 12h - 12:45: aquagym seniors (+ 50 years old)
Saturday: 14:15 - 15h: aquafitness
Sunday: 10h - 10:45h: aquagym
No reservation needed at this time.
 
For more information, you can contact the pool staff at 065/56.20.51

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 CET
Free, 1 hour online session.

Dandelion 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

Click on Image to enlarge

Mons Sunday market: fruits, vegetables, cheese, clothes and many other fresh products await you 
 
The Sunday morning market is always a good time to hang out with family or friends while stocking up on fresh produce!
 
Despite the beautification work of Place Nervienne, the market is still accessible at Place du Beguinage and your favorite merchants will be pleased to welcome you.
 
Find the plan with the different traders here: https://shorturl.at/dAHSV
 
3 free parking areas are available less than a 5 minute walk from the market, as well as PMR spaces
 
Find all mobility / work information via this link: https://tinyurl.com/nm9taph9

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

A Winter Protection Guide has been published for SFA occupants, with guidance on preparing your home for the winter months and how to respond should an issue arise. To view the full guide, please click HERE​
 


Friday 15 September 2023

RAF ENVOY Magazine - Autumn Edition

 

To read the latest edition please click here
 

Thursday 7 September 2023

Modern Dance Class, Free, Thursdays 12-13.00


 

Tennis Courts are back open on Shape

 

Shape Outdoor Tennis courts are now opened!
New key sign out process, pop into the Sports gym to ask about booking a court 😊

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

 GFiE has a new role available within the Department for Work and Pensions in Plymouth, with a closing date of Monday 11th September 2023: GFIE-257 - Targeted Case Review Agent - Plymouth. This role is only available to 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​.

Independent Doctoral Thesis Research Invitation for Veterans.


Please note that this research is independent and neither affiliated to, nor endorsed by, the MOD.

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.​

Thursday 24 August 2023

QR Codes to Help


Click on Images to Enlarge