Headspace Support your loved ones

Christmas is a period of family, friends and high stress! Details below for some brilliant meditations, guided workouts and mindful music to help you relaaaaax this Festive Season.

And Breeeaaaaaathe!

 Please click the images to enlarge.

Kooth - Online mental health and wellbeing support if you're aged 11-18

Kooth is an online Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Service available for children (aged 11 until their 19th birthday) with a parent serving in the British Armed Forces or working for the MOD or the British Government in the UK or overseas.

The free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing platform allows you to chat with a friendly mental health practitioner, find support from a helpful community or use a range of self-help tools.

Find out more at www.kooth.com/mod

Historic Letter from Queen Elizabeth I of England set to return to the City of Ghent in official ceremony

Whilst the signed historic document will need to be safely stored in archives, there will be a replica on display for local citizens to view, until 25th April 2025.

To read more, click Here

Money & Pensions Advice Service guidance: Making the Most of your Money

 

Taking the time to manage your money can make a real difference.

Whatever stage of life you’re at – whether you’re saving into a pension for the first time, buying or renting a home, starting a family or planning to retire – there are always ways of making your money go further.

Find out more on the Money and Pensions Advice Service's Money Helper website at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en​ 

and you can download the leaflet at https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ViewProduct.html?sp=Sengmakingthemostofyourmoney-400​​

Also there is a library of advice booklets that are free to download at: https://moneyhelper.apsmos.com/ArticleOverview.html?sp=Sguide​

GamCare: Spotting the signs of gambling harm at Christmas

 

GamCare hears from people who have become isolated and lonely as a result of their gambling, and who haven’t spoken to anyone else about what they are going through. These feelings can worsen over the Christmas period, when people might encounter loneliness or pressure to seem as if everything is alright.

We recognise that gambling is known as the ‘hidden addiction’, and often the signs are not clear. From experience, we understand that these are the most common ways to identify if your own or someone else’s gambling has become harmful.

Some signs to consider about your own or someone else’s gambling:

· Preoccupation – Do you spend much of your day thinking about betting? Are you finding that your gambling is taking you out of the moment when you spend time with friends and family this Christmas? Often thinking about or planning to gamble can be one of the early warning signs that gambling could be harmful.

· Withdrawal – Removing yourself from social situations so that you can place a bet is another warning signal that your gambling might be going too far, and that the urges to gamble are potentially harming other areas of your life and the people around you. Withdrawal may be one of the early warning signs that someone’s gambling could be harmful this Christmas; such as wanting to stay at home more frequently or needing to check their phone constantly to check the latest results.

· Escape – Life – and the Christmas season in particular - can be overwhelming at times, and you might feel like you want to escape it for a while. Using gambling as a coping mechanism is a sign of harmful gambling and can lead to losing significant amounts of money.

· Chasing losses – Chasing losses is where your motive for gambling changes from winning money to getting back the money you have already lost. This can be dangerous and lead to significant losses. There might be more financial signs that a loved one is struggling with gambling, such as a need to borrow money or money missing from bank accounts.

· Changing mood – There could be noticeable changes to your mood and behaviour, including looking worried, agitated or upset for no apparent reason in the lead up Christmas.

· Lying – You may find yourself hiding how much you are spending or lying about the amount of time you are spending gambling, or perhaps asking for money to cover bills that you are spending. These are just some signs that gambling is harming your life and possibly risking your relationships with family and friends.

The National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 for free during the Christmas period. Contact our Advisers on Freephone 0808 80 20 133, via WhatsApp on 020 3031 8881, or via online chat at gamcare.org.uk.

ONLINE: FREE Antenatal Course - in your own time

If you are a new parent/carer-to-be, this course has all the practical information and advice you could expect from a traditional Antenatal Class with the additional benefit of support around emotional and mental wellbeing for parent and baby.

To undertake this online course in your own time, go to HTTPS://inourplace.heiapply.com/online-learning/course/4 and register using your BFPO Postcode.

If you have any questions, contact your SSAFA Health Visitor or Midwife.

Domestic Abuse - Help is at Hand

 

Click to enlarge.

HIVE also has an information sheet on Domestic Abuse support, which can be downloaded from the Information Sheets section of the Army HIVE UK Blog.

Weembi - Freefall Simulator, Lille

If you are still searching for the perfect gift for that special someone or the difficult-to-buy-for person in your life, then how about a trip to Weembi?

 

Packages available for children aged 5 and up, and adults. For a gift with a difference, how about an experience of the true sensation of flying?

For more information, click Here

Togatherall: New Year - resources and peer support

Feeling uncertain about what’s ahead? You’re not alone. @Togetherall is here with free, anonymous peer support anytime you need it—24/7, all year round. There’s also a range of other self-help resources. 

Connect with others who understand at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

Tervuren is home to a new and unique wooden cycling bridge!

Great News for Pedestrians and Cyclists in the Brussels region - a new Wooden Bridge in Tervuren is revolutionising the commute.

Read more Here

Drielandenpunt: The tri-border point

If you are looking for a day out with less of a festive focus, Drielandenpunt is a great shout.

Once the only place in the world where the borders of four countries met, when Neutral Moresnet was awarded to Belgium soon after the First World War, Vierlandenpunt became Drielandenpunt.

Tickets Now on sale for low-cost rail service between Mons/Brussels and Paris

A new low-cost train line connecting Brussels with Paris in 3 hours goes into service from 19th December 2024.

OUIGO rail service - a collaboration between SNCB and SNCF - is already selling one-way tickets priced between 10 and 59 Euros, with a fixed price of 8 Euros for children.

Three daily return trips are scheduled in each direction, with the line also serving Mons as well as Aulnoye-Aymeries (North) and Creil (Oise) in France.

Read more Here

Book your ticket under this link : Straight to Paris by train | SNCB International

Do you know the Belgian Snow Day Rules?

As we get further into Winter, do you know your responsibilities under Belgian Law with regards to snow?

* Sledging or ice-skating on public roads is forbidden.

* As a tenant, you are responsible for clearing the paths and access to your home.

* When clearing snow, it should not be placed where it would block gutters or down pipes.

* When driving, all ice and snow must be removed from your windscreen as a motorist must have 100% visibility at all times.

* Whilst Winter Tyres are not mandatory, they are recommended in wintry conditions. A minimum profile depth of 1.6mm is mandatory with a profile depth of 4mm being recommended. 

Happy Winter ☃️❄️

Your Armed Forces Offer explained

 

The Defence Armed Forces Offer recognises the unique demands of Service life, and the vital work our people do to keep us safe at home and strong abroad.

​​Find out more about the range of benefits, opportunities, and support available to you:Discover My Benefits

Those with access to MODnet can also view the full article at: 

• Defnet: Your Armed Forces Offer explained (sharepoint.com)
• Defence Connect: Your Armed Forces Offer explained | Defence Connect (mod.uk)

HM Government Money & Pensions Service - Money Helper: Credit Unions and other alternatives to high-cost credit

 

This Money Helper (Money & Pensions Service) ​​guide is for you if you need access to credit but you can’t use a mainstream lender and you don’t want to use a payday loan or other forms of high-cost credit. When you read it, you’ll know:

• how credit unions work and how they can help you
  
• how to join a credit union
  
• what other sources of fair and affordable credit might be available to you.​
  

To view this guide please click HERE

More information can be found on the Money Helper website at https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit

For the Service community, there are three MOD-endorsed credit unions - see https://www.joiningforcescu.co.uk/​

Digital Veteran Card to make accessing support even easier for ex-service personnel

 

New Digital Veteran Card to make sure former service personnel can prove their Veteran status as easily as possible, enabling smoother access to often essential support.

DVC Link

SHAPE: Have you seen the new HIVE Noticeboard?

Full of the gen on all things Health, Welfare, Education, Discount and What’s On

Why not pop along the Community Corridor and have a look? If there’s anything you would like to see on the board, do let me know!

Duke of York’s Royal Military School (DOYRMS); supporting military families by providing affordable, exceptional eduction and outstanding opportunities for it’s students.

 The Duke of York’s Royal Military School has proudly supported military families since 1803 and is home to over 200 students from forces families.

Located in Dover, Kent, this unique state boarding school is distinct from independent schools as it is funded by the MOD. This means it operates outside of the scope of VAT on fees which makes it an affordable and financially stable option. They have also introduced a Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) Guarantee to offer additional support to military families.

To find out more, visit https://www.doyrms.com/

Leaflets available in the HIVE

The Beaver continues to thrive in Belgium!

Beavers have successfully repopulated Wallonia, Belgium, after being reintroduced in the 1990s following their extinction in the 19th Century.

They thrive in Wallonia’s rivers and wetlands, building dams that enhance biodiversity by creating habitats for other species. In neighbouring Flanders, it is estimated that between 150 and 400 Beavers are creating homes and one has been spotted very recently in Brussels!

While their activities benefit ecosystems, they sometimes cause conflicts with farmers due to flooding and tree damage. Conservation efforts in Wallonia focus on balancing human needs with protecting this keystone species and its significant ecological contributions.

More here