SHAPE: Paws to Read, Monday 21st October 2024. Sign up today!

Reading to therapy animals offers children emotional comfort and boosts their confidence. The non-judgemental presence of animals reduces stress which makes reading more enjoyable. It improves literacy skills as children practice reading aloud in a relaxed environment, as well as fostering empathy responsibility and a love for both animals and books.

Open to readers aged 6 and above.

Sign up required, click Here for more information.

SHAPE & BRUSSELS: ‘Ground Fair’ Liege, until 11th November 2024

Don’t miss the annual ‘Ground Fair’ in Liege, open until Monday 11th November 2024. It has been inscribed in the memory of all Liege residents.

Set in the Boulevard d’Avroy, this fair extends over more than 1km. Fun and thrills await amongst the 175 fairground rides and attractions, from the most traditional to the most extravagant attractions. With its multiple food trucks, convivial atmosphere, its perfumes, its sparkling lights and picturesque characters this delightful fair will captivate all ages. FREE Access, Charges apply to rides and consumptions. For more information, click Here.

SHAPE: Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2024

Could you fill a shoebox for an underprivileged child this Christmas? The Community Liaison Officers at SHAPE are collecting filled shoeboxes between now and November 6th 2024.

If you would like to contribute to this appeal, shoeboxes and packing guides can be collected from the Community Office.

Why not share the love this Christmas?

SHAPE Federal Police Watch Scheme

 Did you know that SHAPE Federal Police offer a Watch Scheme? 

If you are going to be away for an extended duration and would like them to drive by your home to ensure all is OK, please pop along to the Community Corridor to complete a ‘Police Watch Scheme Form’.

This is a brilliant service with Halloween coming up!

Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education to Service families

 

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

Letter for families

Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ

EAT(UK) leaflet

OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

ONLINE: Spooky Science Art Session for Under 11s, Saturday 19th October 2024, 12:00-13:00

 

All Together is a separation club for Military Children, part of that programme is All Together ONLINE! A series of exciting, live, online events aimed at Military Children under 10 who have a parent away from home for whatever military reason. Everyone from the military community are welcome to join. Click Here for more information or to book

SHAPE: Zombie Run, Saturday 19th October 2024

Get set for Halloween with the Zombie Run on SHAPE on 19th October 2024 at 11:00.

This fun annual run takes place behind the CDC and is guaranteed to be a ‘scream!’. 

Open to all U.S. Military, SHAPE and NATO I.D. Cardholders. Children need to be registered with Child Youth Services. Under 5’s will need to be accompanied by an adult on the run.

Registration required by 18th October 2024 at Parent Central Services (new location, building 318, next to the International Library). Contact here: Register - Parent Central Services :: Chievres :: US Army MWR

Have a Spooktacular Time! 👻🎃

SHAPE: Bingo Night, Wednesday 6th November 2024

 Who’s for Bingo?

Pop along to the Brit Bar from 19:00m on Wednesday 6th November 2024 to buy your books. No need to pre-book. Eyes Down at 19:30. Good Luck!

SHAPE: Trivia Night, Tuesday 15th October 2024

Fancy stretching your Grey Matter with a Trivia Night?

Come along to the Brit Bar on Tuesday 15th October 2024 from 1930 to join in. No pre-registration required, Team size of 6 maximum but a teams can always be found if you are coming along without a planned team. Good Luck!

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

 

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 404 - Service Delivery Officer, Bedford, Cosham and Luton
Job Description
Closing date: 29 Oct

GFIE- 405 - Service Delivery Officer, Matlock and Glossop
Job Description
Closing date: 29 Oct

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

See An Individual’s Guide to Mental Fitness for stress management tips, ways to build good mental fitness, support and more.

HEADSPACE APP: Free Enrolment for Army Personnel & MOD Civilian Staff

Click to enlarge.

Please use your mod.gov.uk email address to sign up before downloading the App. 

Link to enrol: Headspace for Work

Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health Support

 

Click to enlarge.

For more information on any of the resources within this poster, please contact your nearest HIVE or use the 'contact Army HIVE' facility on the right hand side menu of this Blog.

World Mental Health Day - 10th October: Defence Relaunch of HeadFIT for 2024

 

HeadFIT is an externally accessible website, developed by Defence to assist our people in developing a proactive approach to mental fitness. It provides techniques and methods to manage your mental resilience, enhance your mood, and improve your confidence. For further information please go to: HeadFIT - Success, it's all in your head

SHAPE: Parkrun/Parkwalk, every Saturday at 09:00

 

What a great way to start the weekend! Come along to walk, jog or run the 5km out and back route with a group of like minded people and then come for a coffee and cake at Rendez-Vous afterwards! If you don't fancy the walk or run, why not volunteer for one of the roles to support this fabulous FREE weekly event.

Meet behind the Conti Mess for 08:45.

If you want to record your timings, register on https://www.parkrun.com/. For more information email the team on shape@parkrun.com or join the Whatsapp group by scanning the QR code 
above.

Everyone Welcome!

BRUSSELS: Pumpkimania 2024

 Pumpkimania 2024: Circus Edition!

This year the beautiful park of Grand-Bigard Castle is being transformed into a magical circus landscape! Visit until 3rd November 2024 to enjoy a unique experience full of giant pumpkins and exciting weekend activities.

Need to know:

• WHEN: 19 September - 3 November 2024
• WHERE: Castle Grand-Bigard, Isidoor Van Beverenstraat 5, 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden
• OPEN: Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

More information Pumpkimania - Pumpkin Festival | Castle Grand-Bigard | 19 Sept till 3 Nov 2023

The Military Children's Charity, Little Troopers, is celebrating ten years of it's 'Little Trooper of the Month' award scheme

  

Established in 2014 to recognise children of our British Armed Forces the charity has awarded medals to 120 children who have been especially brave and resilient in the face of adversity.

The Little Troopers winners are all children who have parents serving in the forces and understand first-hand how challenging life can be growing up with a serving parent. Many of the youngsters have experienced long periods of separation from their serving parent due to deployments and military exercises, as well as frequent house and school moves, on top of other challenging life circumstances at home.

Previous winners have included eight-year-old Rubi Smith from Scotland, who has permanent hearing loss in one ear and has amazed her family by continuing to compete in singing competitions; as well as three-year-old Austin Porter from Chippenham who copes with daily pain caused by chronic pancreatitis and has undergone surgery on several occasions while his Dad has been deployed overseas multiple times.

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

 

 
The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 402, Dept of Work and Pensions, Service Delivery Officer, Leicester - Job Description

Closing date: 21 Oct 2024

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - apply now for the AF3 'Supporting Partners' programme

  

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) are delighted to announce that the Supporting Partners programme is now accepting applications!

Charities, CICs, Armed Forces units and bases, and universities and colleges are invited to apply for grants of between £10,000 and £60,000 for projects which provide support for partners and spouses of serving personnel to reduce the challenges that Service life can sometimes present.

What is the Supporting Partners programme all about?

The Autumn Edition of Army&You magazine is out now!

  

To read this issue online, please go to:

https://issuu.com/armyandyoumag/docs/army_you_autumn_2024_issuu?fr=sN2E2NjY3ODEzODg​

There is also an article on page 56 covering HIVE's 40th Anniversary!

Research Participants Request - study into the effects of Impostor Phenomenon in Military Veterans

  

Imposter Phenomenon, commonly known as Imposter Syndrome, is a widely reported but hugely misunderstood mental health condition that affects the majority of the population and is suspected to affect Veterans in transition to civilian life, perhaps more than other groups; stopping veterans from integrating back into society and limiting their success in their new employment.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, we are studying Impostor Phenomenon and UK Veterans, and what might be done to limit its effects.

If you are a veteran, and you could spare a few minutes, please click on the link below to complete the online survey, and help us understand more about how to improve services and support for those in transition:

https://mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9YMwSZetUtQ5v3U

Additionally, if you would be interested in a short interview to talk about how impostor phenomenon may have affected you as a veteran, please click on this link below to confidentially submit your details:

https://mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5u0zvRjXphc1Nu6

This link is also available in the questionnaire.

Thank you for your time, and I hope that together we can make a real difference to our veteran community.

Please click here to read the Participant Information Sheet in full

The Poppy Factory - supporting Veterans and Military families towards employment

 

Veterans

• Find a new way forward after the Forces - employment support leaflet

• ​Register for support - Veterans Employment Services

Families

• Find a new way forward for your Forces Family - families service flyer

• Register for support - Families Employment Support

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment in Wales

The following work coach vacancy (45 jobs available) is open from 03/10/2024 to 17/10/2024

Civil Service Jobs link:

Job Centre Work Coach - Universal Credit Job centre Work Coach (Executive Officer) - Wales (Ref: 715)

More information on DWP, the roles available and the application process can be found on the DWP EO Microsite

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) - latest Civil Service job vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

 

The following U.K. based vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 403 CFCD Intervention, Ilford
Job Description
Closing date: 22 Oct 2024

​GFIE- 401 DRS Case Manager - Treforest Ty Taf, Pontypridd, Wales
Job Description
Closing date: 23 Oct 2024

GFIE-336 - AO Case Manager, Basildon
Job Description
Closing date: 11 Oct 2024

GFIE-338 - Clerk of Works (Facilities Management), Forest Research, Surrey
Job Description
Closing date: 14 Oct 2024

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form [insert Google Drive link] and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Samaritans Walk 50 miles with your dog in November

Take on the challenge to walk 50 miles with your dog this November, whilst raising vital funds and awareness for Samaritans!

We know that life can sometimes be incredibly tough. Thanks to the dedication of more than 20,000 volunteers, Samaritans can be there for anyone, whatever they are going through and whenever they are struggling to cope.

Visit the website to sign up - https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/events-and-fundraising/walk/walk-50-miles-with-your-dog-in-november/

To find out more about Samaritans support to the Armed Forces community, please go to In the military and Armed Forces Community | How we can help (samaritans.org)

10th October 2024: World Mental Health Day and Togetherall

With this year's World Mental Health Day theme being "it is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace", it is important to know that whatever you're going through, you're not alone. Let's support each other this #WorldMentalHealthDay.

 

This theme highlights the growing recognition of the need to address mental health issues within professional environments; with many adults spending a significant portion of their lives at work, there is an urgent need to create supportive workplace cultures that enhance well-being rather than contribute to stress, anxiety and burnout.

The UK Armed Forces have FREE access to @togetherall and you can join at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) 2025 is open - make your voice count!

The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) for 2025 is open!

The annual Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) gives Service Personnel the chance to share your views on working conditions, living conditions, and day-to-day Service and family life. Take part in AFCAS and tell us how to better understand your needs in the areas below:

* Service life
* Accommodation
* Catering and retail
* Deployments
* Allowances and pensions
* Service complaints/Service Complaints Ombudsman
* Armed Forces Covenant
* Factors influencing intentions to stay/leave the Armed Forces
* Defence Estate, e.g., training facilities, opportunities for sport and much more

Who can complete AFCAS, and how?

If you are a Service person who has been invited to take part in this year’s survey, you will receive an email with information on how to complete the survey. Your Service number – which is case sensitive – is the token you need to enter. Please be assured that your responses will be confidential.

Every response counts…

The more people we hear from, the better able we are to improve your Service and family life. Your voice matters. To view previous AFCAS results, visit GOV.UK.

Stoptober 2024 Starts Today!

"Stoptober" is an annual campaign in the UK that encourages smokers to quit smoking for the month of October.

Research shows that participants in mass quit attempts, like Stoptober, are up to five times more likely to successfully quit smoking compare to those who attempt to quit alone.

The campaign runs throughout the month, with resources available to help people prepare and stay smoke-free for 28 days.

See Quit smoking this Stoptober - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for more information.

SHAPE: El Ducasse de St.Denis, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October 2024

 

The annual festival 'El Ducasse de St. Denis' takes place on 5th and 6th October 2024.

Pop along on Saturday 5th October 2024 from 1400h for an Introduction to Archery followed by a wander around the Creative Workshops to see the exhibitions, demonstrations, goods for sale and to discover the creative courses open to both adults and children. The evening concludes with a concert from the Flying Cervelazzzzz.

Then from 1000 on Sunday 6th October 2024, pop along for a School Walk organised by the students to raise funds for their trip. At 1100 there is an Accordian Concert and from 1200 why not have a walk around the exhibition of Vintage and Military Vehicles, where there will also be horse-riding and face-painting. The Creative Workshops are also open 1000-1800 today.

See Ducasse de Saint-Denis, Place de Saint-Denis, 7034 Mons, Belgique, 5 October to 6 October | AllEvents.in for more information.