Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

 

If you have any concerns or would like support with your child’s eating habits, please contact your SSAFA Health Visitor or GP.

For further information in childhood nutrition please visit:

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/
https://infantandtoddlerforum.org/
https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/
https://www.childfeedingguide.co.uk/tips/tips-tools/

Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

 

Celebrate the small wins! ⭐ 

• Did they try a bite of broccoli? Yay! 
• Did they sit through the meal without fussing? Amazing! 

Positive reinforcement builds confidence. 💪

✨ The Mason Jar Reward System: A Fun Way to Encourage Positive Behaviour! ✨

Looking for a simple and effective way to motivate your child and reinforce good behaviour? Try the Mason Jar Reward System! It’s a great visual tool that encourages children to make good choices while having fun.  

How it Works:
1️⃣ Choose a Goal – Decide on behaviours you want to encourage (e.g., sitting at the dinner table, having something new on their plate, trying the new food).
2️⃣ Set Up the Jar – Label a mason jar with your child’s name or decorate it together for extra excitement.  
3️⃣ Use Small Rewards – Fill the jar with marbles, pom-poms, or beads each time they demonstrate the desired behaviour.  
4️⃣ Celebrate Progress – Once the jar is full, let them choose a small reward (extra playtime, a fun outing, or a special toy).  

Why It Works: 
✅ Teaches children that positive actions lead to positive outcomes.  
✅ Provides a visual representation of their progress, keeping them motivated.  
✅ Encourages consistency and responsibility in a fun and engaging way.
  
Would you try this with your children? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

#PositiveParenting #MasonJarRewards #EncouragingGoodBehavior

Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

 

It’s okay if they don’t eat it all. 😊 

• Avoid pressuring or forcing bites. 
• Encourage exploration—touching, smelling, and licking are wins too! 

Let kids take the lead. It’s about progress, not perfection. 💕

#FussyEating #ParentTips #HappyMealtime

SHAPE: Calling all keen Cricketers, SHAPE Cricket Club needs you!

The sun is shining, what better time to start thinking about Summer?

The SHAPE Cricket Club are seeking new players….

They train every Wednesday between 17:30 and 19:00 at SHAPE Indoor Tennis Courts.

Membership open to all NATO AMIS Card holders.

Contact James.YARWOOD@shape.nato.int for more information.

Your SSAFA Health Visiting Team Needs You!

If you have used the SSAFA Health Visitor Service during your time in Belgium, please leave feedback for them here. They would love to know what is working well and what could be done better.

 Take part in the SURVEY here or scan the QR Code above.

SHAPE: Save the Date for Ladies Day, Saturday 26th April 2025, 17:00 - 00:00

 

SHAPE: The Bookshop Mons celebrates its first anniversary

Owners Jerry Systermans and Laura Desmedt, celebrate the first anniversary of The Bookshop, Mons

A passion for reading in English is fuelling the literary community in the Hainaut capital. The Bookshop is a very welcoming English-language book service with a growing community of passionate readers.

Find The Bookshop Mons at:
Rue de la Chaussée, 26-28
7000 Mons
Belgium


Read More Here: The Bookshop Mons: A passion for reading in English fuels literary community in Hainaut capital | The Bulletin

 

BRUSSELS: Five SHAPE Trips and Tours with BRUSSELS stops

Love to Travel? Want to sit back and let the coach take the strain? These ‘SHAPE Trips and Tours’ visits will certainly do that.

Saturday 15th March 2025 - Head off to the beautiful PierreFonds Castle - the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty - and then discover the gorgeous gothic city of Amiens.

SHAPE: Technology Petting Zoo, March 13th and 28th

Curious about coding? Relish in all things Robot? Want to Tackle Technology? Pop along to the Makerspace for the Technology Petting Zoo.

On Thursday 13th March, 15:00-18:00, this extra special Makerspot session will be fun for everyone, with all ages welcomed. 

The Friday 28th March session running from 17:30 - 19:30 is aimed at more experienced coders and is open to ages 13+.

No sign-up required for either session, just come along and enjoy.

Please note: Children must be 11+ to attend without an adult. 

SHAPE: Paws to Read and Snack & Story, March 2025

And something for the younger readers too. 

If you have a reluctant reader, reading aloud to therapy animals can really boost confidence and reading skills. Sign-up at the SHAPE International Library for a reading slot on Monday 17th March between 16:00-17:20 for your little reader to read to Dude to Dog.

And if you have pre-schoolers at home, why not pop along to Snack and Story on Friday 14th March 2025 at 14:00. No sign-up required, just come along.

SHAPE: Tween Book Club at the SHAPE International Library; March, April and May dates

If your teenager is a bookworm, get them along to the Tween Book Club at the SHAPE International Library.

Runs Friday afternoons 16:00 - 17:00

• March 7th and 21st
• April 25th
• May 9th and 23rd

No registration required, just turn up!

Op ASCEND – Careers After Service

Op ASCEND is a free, government-backed service to support veterans in growing their careers.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking employment or an employer looking to attract skilled veterans to your workforce, find out what signing up to the Op ASCEND service can do for you.

For more information visit: https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk

Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

Children thrive on routine! ⏰

✅ Serve meals and snacks at regular times.
✅ Avoid letting them graze all day.
✅ Sit together as a family during meals—it helps children feel secure.

Small changes can make a big difference!

#MealtimeRoutine #HealthyEatingHabits #ToddlerLife

Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

 

Repetition is key! 🥕

Try offering the same food in different ways:

✅ Raw carrot sticks.
✅ Grated carrot.
✅ Carrot soup or puree.

Switching up textures and flavours makes a difference!

#HealthyKids #BalancedEating #ParentingTips

Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

 

Introduce new foods one at a time. 🌟

• Offer small portions alongside familiar favourites. 
• Be patient—it can take 10-20 tries before children accept a new taste! 
• Keep calm and keep trying. 💪 
• Track progress with the Child Feeding Guide https://www.childfeedingguide.co.uk/tips/tips-tools/

#NewFoods #ParentingWin #ToddlerNutrition

BRUSSELS: First Friday of the Month, 7th March 2025

Don’t miss the First Friday of the Month Social this Friday.

WHEN: Friday 7th March 2025    
WHERE: De Foyer, Markt 7b, 3080, Tervuren
MORE INFORMATION: BrusselsChair@rbl.community

BRUSSELS: Neil Young and Jean-Michel Jarre to perform in an Open-Air Concert at Brussels Palace

 

If you are a fan of Neil Young or Jean-Michel Jarre, don’t miss their performances at a new Summer Festival at Brussels Palace Open Air.

Neil Young is performing at the end of June 2025 with Jean-Michel Jarre performing at the beginning of July 2025.

For more information see this link: Gracia Live | Home

BRUSSELS: Made in Asia is back, Friday 7th to Sunday 9th March 2025

📣 Calling as Cosplay, Anime, Manga and Video Games Fans; the pop culture show Made in Asia is back in Brussels and offers an immersive experience for all ages.

The show is packed with entertainment for all the family. Here are some of the activities and shows lined up that will appeal to children and teens. 

• Pose with real Disney princesses such as Belle, Ariel and Elsa for a magical photo moment
• The Great Pokémon Hunt
• Retrogaming and arcade machines 
• Become a voice actor for a day
• Dragon Ball in real life
• Korean bracelet workshop
• Origami

Note: admission is free for children under 11 years old.

WHEN: 7th - 9th March 2025
WHERE: Brussels Expo, Place de la Belgique 1, Laeken
MORE INFORMATION: Made in Asia Expo

BRUSSELS: The Brussels International Animation Film Festival, 28th February to 9th March 2025

The Brussels International Animation Film Festival Anima is in party mode for its 44th edition from 28 February to 9 March 2025.

WHEN: 28th February to 9th March 2025
WHERE: Flagey, Cinemathek and Marni, Brussels
MORE INFORMATION: Anima

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 is open!

 The Families Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 – which hears from Service spouses and civil partners about their views on Service family life – is now open!   

Take part in this year’s tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) and help Defence to understand your experiences and thoughts across a broad range of areas. Your feedback will help Defence to make changes and develop policies to better meet your needs. 

 

The survey invites a random sample of civil partners and spouses of regular serving personnel to take part. To see if you’ve been invited to complete the survey, and to access the survey, please check the online eligibility tool.

 

The eligibility tool and survey work best with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and will ask for a token/access code. This refers to your partner’s Service number, which is required for security reasons only. Please be assured that all survey responses are anonymous. 

 

The closing date for FamCAS is Monday 7 April 2025.

 

How can FamCAS benefit me and my loved ones? 

 
FamCAS is one of the main ways that Defence hears from Service families on their attitudes and experiences about various aspects of Service family life. This includes childcare and children’s education, housing, deployment, employment and more.  

 

Every response counts in providing crucial evidence to help Defence make decisions and changes that will better address your family’s challenges and needs. 

 

Previous FamCAS feedback has contributed to the new Families Hub, which Defence launched yesterday. The Families Hub is a “one stop shop” platform – which signposts to a wealth of information, support, and guidance – to help you navigate Service family life. To explore your options – across childcare, housing, finance, health and wellbeing and partner support – visit the Families Hub.

 

Service families play a vital role in the Armed Forces, and your feedback will help to make sure that Defence’s “Armed Forces Offer” continues to reflect the needs of you and your family. To explore a range of allowances, opportunities, and benefits as part of Your Offer, visit the Discover My Benefits site.

                                                              

If you have any questions about this year's FamCAS, please email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk. 

Blue Light Card Offers - February Round-Up

 

Member Days:
Blue Light Card’s Member Days are back and bigger than ever before. Each year, attractions across the UK will close their gates to the public, on selected dates, and open them exclusively for our members. Expect smaller crowds, free parking, selected discounts on food and drink. Our first Member Day at Alton Towers takes place on Friday 7th March so don’ t delay in getting your tickets.

Find out more about Member Days here: Blue Light Card News

Mother’s Day campaign:
From the first-time mum and work mum, to foster mums and stepmums – in the run up to Mother’s Day, we celebrate all those who mum. We have a range of offers so those in the Blue Light community can celebrate the mother figure in their lives. Make the most of deals with brands such as eFlorist, SpaBreaks, Moonpig and many more.

Big Saver Weekend:
Taking place between Friday 28th March – Monday 31st March, our Big Saver Weekend is a four day sale-event, providing fantastic discounts to the Blue Light Community. From fashion and homeware, to everyday essentials and gifting – there are Spring savings for everyone to take advantage of.

New Offers:
We’re always on the lookout for new brands and offers to ensure our community gets the most out of its membership. Some of the new and exciting offers we’ve recently introduced, include: 20% off food, Sunday – Friday at Banana Tree, £10 off your first order over £15 or more with Just Eat, save 10% on the latest trends at All Saints. For more information on offers, see Blue Light Log-in

About Blue Light Card
Blue Light Card is the UK’s leading discount service for those working in the emergency services, NHS, social care sector, teaching community and armed forces.

We’re here to help our members do more with less! For just £4.99, members can enjoy 2 years access to over 13,000 discounts online and instore.

For more information and to sign up, visit Blue Light Card

Month of the Military Child - April 2025

 

To find out more about this year’s Month of the Military Child, please visit: www.neversuchinnocence.com

You can watch the Dandelions music video, a song written by the Armed Forces Children's Choir for Month of the Military Child, on YouTube: Dandelions Music Video

Forces Employment Charity: ‘Empowering You’ Employment Workshop, Manchester and Online – 10-12 March 2025

Empowering You is brought to you by the Forces Employment Charity, from Monday, 10 March, to Wednesday, 12 March 2025. It is a hybrid three-day employability and confidence-building workshop for spouses and partners, including military women, and those who are separated, divorced, or bereaved. Please note military spouses and partners of any gender may attend. 

  

Your top 5 reasons to attend: 

1. Receive a free one-to-one mentoring session with a corporate mentor 

2. Join us in person in Radbroke where Barclays will host our sessions 

3. Hear from employers about pathways into employment and regional job opportunities 

4. Understand the value that your transferrable skills can bring to employers 
5. Expert sessions delivered by our Families Employment Advisors

 

For more information and to register, please go to:  https://rfea.my.site.com/forcesemployment/s/community-event?id=a48N1000000C66TIAS

 

ONLINE: An Introduction to Military Co-Working and Courses Available, Tuesday 18th March 2025, 12:00

The Military Co-Working Hub are delivering on online session to us to tell spouses and family members what’s available to them and all the courses they have on offer.

It is FREE to join their network and there is so much available on the hub.

The Online Session, scheduled for Tuesday 18th March 2025 is due to start at 12:00.

A group are meeting in-person at SHAPE House at 11:45 to join the call; if you would like to join the call in a group setting, please do come along.

To join the call:

Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 389 945 509 014

Passcode: Sn7RV7Ca

 

To join the network:
Www.militarycoworking.uk/online-membership

Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

 

Children love to be involved! 👩‍🍳 

Let them: 

• Sprinkle cheese on pizza. 
• Arrange veggies on their plate. 
• Mix batter or sauces. 

When children help, they’re more excited to eat. 🍕❤️ 

#CookingWithKids #FussyEatingTips #HealthyHabits

SHAPE: Breast Friends Support Group, Tuesday 11th March 2025, 17:00 - 18:00

 

If you have been affected by Breast Cancer in any way, the Breast Friends Support Group is here for you.

Next Meeting Tuesday 11th March, 17:00 - 18:00 at SHAPE Healthcare Facility.

Need more information? Contact Fiona Cousins-Webster, Midwife, details in poster.

SHAPE & BRUSSELS: SSAFA Health Visitor hosting F2F and Online Parent Sessions

Your SSAFA Health Visitor, Kerry will be facilitating a number of parent sessions (face to face and online) over the next few weeks and months, as per the attached timetables.

 

These sessions aim to equip parents with practical tools and knowledge to navigate key developmental stages with confidence, ensuring the best outcomes for their child each session will allow for discussion and Q&A.

More details on online sessions to follow in the coming week, stay tuned!

Keep your eyes peeled on the blog for adverts for the Face-to-Face sessions

All the details will also be shared on the SSAFA Health Visiting Teamhea FB group: www.facebook.com/groups/mainlandeuropeandturkey/

SHAPE: Charity Bake Sale at Pop-Up Coffee next Wednesday 12th March 2025

When you come along to pop-up coffee next Wednesday, don’t forget to bring your pennies and treat yourself to a delicious home-bake.

Charity Bake sale hosted by Paul Railton as he fund raises for the Royal British Legion prior to running the London Marathon for them in April 2025.

Please note the Bake Sale is Cash Only.

Coffee remains payable by card only.

Month of the Military Child Creative Workshop, Wednesday 26th March 2025, 15:30-17:00

Did you know that April is Month of the Military Child? 

In preparation for this, the CLOs are hosting a Creative Workshop at the Britbar on Wednesday 26th March 2025 between 15:30 and 17:00 for all primary aged children.

There is a small charge of 3 Euros per child and parents are required to stay.

Sign-up on the QR code above or pop along the community corridor to scan the poster there.

Calling all Serving dads or Dads-to-be; Webinar on perinatal mental health, Wednesday 5th March 18:00

Are you a Serving Dad or Dad to be?
 
Come and join us for 30 minutes to find out more about:

• perinatal mental health, focusing on men
• signs and symptoms
• guidance for serving personnel and their families 

The session will be delivered by leading perinatal mental health charity, PANDAS Foundation. The leading UK charity offering support for every parent, carer who may be struggling with their mental health from conception through to birth and beyond.

Your SSAFA Health Visitor will also be available for signposting and guidance on support locally, whilst you are living overseas.

Join on the day by clicking the link: https://tinyurl.com/5bvku6e9 
 
More Information: https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/

 

Monthly Rail Strikes planned between now and July

Please be aware….

A general strike that would also include the larger railway unions is scheduled for 17 and 31 March. Rail unions are planning two strike days a month between now and July, likely on a rotating basis, for example by district.
 

At this time, the unions are threatening four strike days per month from April onwards with a new strike notice filed that runs from Sunday 23 to Sunday 30 March

See Here for more information.

SHAPE: Bicycle Maintenance Workshop, March and April 2025

Are you a bike enthusiast? Looking to extend your maintenance skills? Then don’t miss this Bicycle Maintenance Workshop, hosted by SHAPE Outdoor Recreation.

WHEN: 8th April 2025, 17:00-18:30

WHERE: Outdoor Recreation, Bldg 504A, SHAPE

WHO: All NATO ID Card Holders and their Families

HOW MUCH: 20 Euros for adults, 15 Euros for 15-17 year olds (need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian)

MORE INFORMATION: outdoor.recreation@outlook.com

Serve and Protect Credit Union - March update

 

📢 Free financial webinars this March from Serve and Protect - don't miss out!

 🌍 Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money
📝 Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
🚀 Credit Score 101: Boost Your Score
🔍 Before You Borrow: Things to Know
🔗 Register here: https://sandpcu.co.uk/webinars
 
Mindfulness can be a simple and effective tool to live in the moment and reduce financial stress 😊 Discover how to navigate your financial journey with clarity in Episode 10 of the Smile and Save Podcast. 🔗 Watch here: https://youtu.be/gb8ItNJ76_A?si=-IvTvTA_qSesz-GT

 
Start of Spring | 📆 Thu 20th March
Why not give your finances a fresh start and start saving from your pay with Serve and Protect Credit Union? 🔗 Learn more via their website: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/
 
Debt Awareness Week | 📆 Mon 24th - Sun 30th March
Boost your financial knowledge this Debt Awareness Week with the free webinars provided by our friends at Serve and Protect Credit Union!
Discover 10 steps to improve your credit score and what to consider before applying for credit.
🔗 Learn more via their website: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/education/webinars/

Have Your Say: Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship Overseas Pilot Survey open until 14th April 2025

If you are in a Long-Term Relationship, this is your opportunity to share your views and help inform decisions & changes to the Overseas Accommodation Offer for Service Personnel.

Find out more Here

Take the Survey

How to protect yourself from loan sharks

How to protect yourself from loan sharks
A loan shark – or illegal money lender - is someone who lends money illegally without proper authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

That means if you borrow from them, they don’t have to follow the rules – they can decide how much you pay back and when.

These criminals are not always easy to spot - they can be a friend, a fellow service member, even a senior officer.

Whoever they are, they will usually appear as a friendly face, offering you a favour. They may tell you that what they are offering is nothing more than peer-to-peer lending and their offer may seem hard to resist.

But very quickly the situation can spiral out of control, and you could find yourself having to pay back much more than you initially borrowed. You might even be subjected to threats, violence and intimidation if you struggle to make a payment.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Latest round of grants under The Armed Forces Families Fund - Early Years Programme

 

The Early Years programme is back for 2025 and we’re excited to share that applications are now open!

Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3), The Early Years Programme will award grants between £5,000 and £80,000 towards projects that enable early childhood education and childcare settings to meet specific needs of young service children.

What’s the programme all about?

Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

Make food fun! 🍽️

Children are more likely to eat when meals look exciting. 

✅ Use bright, colourful ingredients. 

✅ Arrange food into shapes or faces. 

✅ Involve them in plating their food! 

Try this trick at your next mealtime. Let us know how it goes! 🎨👶 

#MealtimeFun #HealthyToddlers #BalancedMeals"

BRUSSELS: Don’t miss these local parades

If I have learnt anything whilst being in Belgium so far, apart from the need to always carry an umbrella, it is that the Belgians love a parade!

🔥 The Coin du Balai in the Sonian Forest is a vibrant event with giants, marching bands, dancers and a bonfire. 21st March 2025

🐯 Carnaval Sauvage, the Wild Carnival of Brussels celebrates the death of Winter and the rebirth of life. 21st March 2025

👑 Scharnaval is the heavyweight in Brussels Carnivals with a 2km long parade and dozens of floats, complete with a carnival Prince or Princess! 28th March 2025

For more information, Click Here

Healthy Eating Week with SSAFA Community Health Team

Fussy eating is common in children under 5—it’s just a phase! 💡

Here’s why it happens:

• They're exploring independence. 
• Taste buds are developing. 
• They love routine (even with food).

Don’t worry—we’ve got tips to help this week! Stay tuned. 💕

 
#FussyEaters #ParentSupport #NutritionMatters" 

This week is Healthy Eating Week at SSAFA Community Health and the focus is Fussy Eating

Did you know? A balanced diet is the key to your little one’s growth, energy, and brainpower! 🍎🥦🍗

• Protein helps them grow strong.
• Fruits and veggies fuel their immune system.
• Whole grains keep their energy levels up!

Let’s tackle fussy eating together this week! 🌟

Do you ever find it hard to choose what you’re having for dinner?

Break it down into 4 steps to ensure your family is getting everything they need from their food.

1. Choose a starchy carbohydrate (bread, pasta, pitta, rice, potatoes, wraps)
2. Choose a lean protein (chicken, chickpeas, eggs, fish, milk, yogurt, lentils)
3. Choose at least 2 different fruit or vegetables to offer on the family plate. Make it as colourful as possible! 
4. Accessorise with flavours! Experiment with fresh and dried herbs, flavourings such as garlic and ginger, grate some cheese!
   
   

Stay tuned for more information! 
#HealthyEating #Toddlers #ParentingTips