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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- CENTRAL SECTION: All the latest posts in date order:
Thursday, 28 November 2024
Accommodation: Online e1132 Password Process Change on Monday 9th December 2024
Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Racecourse on Friday 24th January 2025
- Serving Members of the Armed Forces
- Veterans
- Personnel from any organisation who has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
RBLI Lifeworks - Employment Course for Families
Click to enlarge.
Lifeworks Families (LWF) is an employability skills course that aims to help you find the right job for you, and having found it, to be able to get it!
We do this by firstly evaluating our situation, and then how to plan to get after our goals. This leads into what we need to do, and why we need to follow certain ‘rules,’ as well as how to make all that work to increase the chances we get what we want.We cover so much more than how to write a CV, including a 5-course programme leading directly to nationally recognised qualifications. The 4 days are designed to work together as a whole rather than as individual sessions. Our qualifications package will provide you with a grounding in one of three career areas and provide a framework for your 12-month ‘Forward Assist’ period following the course.
Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Togetherall: Holiday Season Support
Army’s Guide for Care Leavers
SHAPE & BRUSSELS: Reminder to Check Your Oil Tanks
Monday, 25 November 2024
SHAPE & BRUSSELS: FREE Museums Sunday, the 1st Sunday of Every Month!
Friday, 22 November 2024
Army Families Federation (AFF) Representative for SHAPE & Brussels
SHAPE: La Fabrique à Jouets (The Toy Factory), Fleurus, Open until 5th January 2025
This is 1100 m² of immersive 360⁰ video mapping, virtual reality experience and interactive games… all you need to have a great time!
Open daily.
Accessible to Wheelchairs.
You will find La Fabrique à Jouets at rue de la Virginette 2, 6220 Fleurus (30 min. from SHAPE).
For more information and opening times, click Here
BRUSSELS: Lanterna Magica Winter Lights, Chateau de la Hulpe, 22nd November 2024 - 11th January 2025
Back for its fourth year, this enchanted walk through the forest of Chateau de la Hulpe, Tervuren is open from this weekend until 11th January 2025. Wrap up warm and discover the enchanting lights, music and mystery the forest has in store. And this year, a 200 m² synthetic skating-rink (with a roof) will be available – perfect for the whole family or friends, young and old alike!
Open every weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) and every day during the Christmas Holidays (from 1730 onwards).
The forest route is accessible to wheelchairs & pushchairs and dogs are welcomed on a lead.
Find the Lanterna Magica at Chaussée de Bruxelles 111, 1310 La Hulpe.
For more information, click Here
Thursday, 21 November 2024
New Armed Forces Carer’s Passports are introduced
It can be especially hard to balance a career in the Armed Forces alongside caring responsibilities, but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is dedicated to support those who do.
Introducing the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport
The MOD has launched the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport, a practical and effective tool to help carers in managing their responsibilities. The passport ensures that when carers move between roles or experience a change in manager, they do not have to renegotiate the necessary arrangements from scratch. By documenting required flexibilities, the passport provides continuity and support, reducing unnecessary disruptions for both the carer and the MOD.
The passport acknowledges that operational needs will always remain the priority. However, it ensures that the carer’s circumstances are formally considered, fostering an environment where personnel feel empowered to discuss their care-giving challenges, how these might impact their work responsibilities and feel supported in their dual roles by promoting openness and mutual understanding.
GamCare: Way Forward Programme - online support for women affected by harmful gambling
- Session 1 – Getting to know each other.
- Session 2 – Understanding gambling harm.
- Session 3 – Taking care of yourself.
- Session 4 – Dealing with guilt and shame / enabling behaviours.
- Session 5 – Dealing with anger and resentment.
- Session 6 – Having difficult conversations / expectations / acceptance.
If you’re interested in registering or want to know more, please email womenspathwaysupport@gamcare.org.uk
This group is for women based in England and Wales. We also have a Way Forward group in Scotland and to register your interest in future sessions, please contact scotland@gamcare.org.uk.
If you need support now, the National Gambling Helpline gives confidential advice and support to anyone affected by gambling in England, Scotland and Wales. You can speak to us for free, 24/7 on 0808 8020 133, or online.
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
ONLINE: Anxiety Unravelled hosted by Bounce Forward, Starting Tuesday 14th January 2025
JCCC Virtual Contact Card - Download it today!
As much as we never hope to need it, the JCCC (Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre) Card is one to have to hand in an Emergency. And it is now available in digital format.
Army Families Federation (AFF) Immigration Survey
Following a project funded by the Royal British Legion and working in partnership with the Naval Families Federation (NFF) and the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF), AFF have designed a survey to find out who people turn to when they need immigration information or advice.
If you are not British by birth and you or a family member are serving or have previously served in the UK Armed Forces, we would love to hear from you! British Service personnel with non-UK family members can also fill in the survey. It should take less than five minutes to complete.
Please go to surveymonkey.com/r/Non-UK_Questionnaire
Get Ready for a Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Expansion to some Overseas Locations. Coming Spring Term 2025
Are you assigned to a location within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision? WAC Overseas will be available to eligible families in these areas from 6 January 2025.
What is Wraparound Childcare funding?
The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC.
Monday, 18 November 2024
BRUSSELS: UK in NATO HQ Monthly Social, last Thursday of Every Month, 17:00-18:00+
Friday, 15 November 2024
BRUSSELS: The Christmas Experience at the Museum of Infinite Realities from 25th November 2024
SHAPE parkrun/parkwalk, Every Saturday, 09:00
Fancy a 5km Walk/Jog/Run on Saturday mornings to start your weekend off right? Come along to parkrun/parkwalk and join a group of friendly individuals clocking up the k’s before topping up the cals at Rendezvous-Vous!
The Impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance
Wednesday, 13 November 2024
In Flanders Fields read by Harper on BFBS this week
BRUSSELS: Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, Tour & Taxis until January 5th 2025
WHERE?: Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86c
WHEN?: Now until January 5th 2025.
See https://harrypottervisionsofmagic.com/be/ for more information.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New awards to build sustainable and resilient support networks for Veterans
BFPO Christmas Last Posting Date is Looming
The last posting date for BFPO 26 is Thursday 26th November 2024.
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Defence Transition Services (DTS): Civilian Housing Brief Dates 2025
To register for a brief: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing#civilian-housing-briefs
For more information on getting additional support when leaving the armed forces: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-additional-support-when-leaving-the-armed-forces
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Families First Newsletter - Issue 20
Please use this link to read issue 20 of the Families First newsletter (and previous issues) online: Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)