Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education support 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

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Pumpkin Decorating Contest at the Brunssum Commissary on 20th October at 1pm.

There are awesome prizes to give away to the winners in each age category, and entry is free.

Age categories:
5-11 years old
12-17 years old
Adults

Come for the contest but stay for the free food and drinks. Don’t forget, there will also product samples so you definitely want to get a chance to taste those too!

Free Zumba classes at JFC Brunssum

 

If you're looking for a fun way to exercise, or you simply love to dance, then come along to the new Zumba class at JFC Brunssum.

It's free to join and is held in the gym on JFC Brunssum.

Classes are on Mondays 11-11:45am and Fridays 12-12:45pm.

For more details click here.

DIO Vacancy: Estate Manager Assistant role

DIO are looking to recruit a part-time Estate Manager Assistant for the DIO Offices in JFC Brunssum. It is a part-time non-industrial position category S4 of 25 hours per week apportioned over 5 days.

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

Please click here to view the 'An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness' leaflet

SSAFA public health campaign: Communication from the start (14th - 18th Oct)

Next week SSAFA will be sharing tips on early communication for children aged 6-12 months, as well as promoting DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) Awareness Day on Friday 18th. Please find a comms plan and supporting images here.

Please also see our campaign poster for more information.

Don't forget you can also view this and any other campaign on our Family Hub!

2024 Beaujolais Nouveau event

On behalf of the French community, it is my pleasure to inform you that the 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau event tickets are now available for purchase!

BFPO Last Christmas Posting Dates - 2024

Click here to view the latest BFPO Christmas Posting Dates - 2024 

Forces Discounts information

Click here to view the latest Forces Discounts news and offers.

Geilenkirchen Fall Festival

 

Geilenkirchen Fall Festival is on the 30th October from 2-4pm.

There's lots of to do such as:

• Apple decoration
• Bouncy castle
• Zombie run
• Free trunk or treat
• Beer Garden
• Face Painting

For the full details and timings please click here.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: Various UK Locations

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have the Executive Officer opportunities shown below coming up with roles across England:

Curios Thrift Shop Update

 

The Curious Thrift Shop will hopefully be opening soon. It's been closed due to ill health, holidays and being reorganised and deep cleaned.

You can find all the latest updates on The Thrift Shop's Facebook page.

Launch of New British Forces Cyprus Community Website

HQBFC are pleased to announce the formal launch of the new British Forces Cyprus Website:

Welcome to British Forces Cyprus - The central point for all information on living and working in British Forces Cyprus.

Alliance Movie Theater Showings: The Wild Robot and Piece by Piece

 

The Alliance Theater is showing the following films in October:

• Thursday 17th October 2024 at 14:00 showing The Wild Robot

• Friday 18th October 2024 at 18:00 showing Piece by Piece

To book or see any other details please see the Morale and Welfare Activities (MWA) website here

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

Headspace App: Free Enrolment for Army Personnel and MOD Civilian Staff

For more information see the poster here Please use your mod.gov.uk email address to sign up before downloading the App. Link to enroll: Headspace for Work

Ministry of Defence Civil Service Bulk Recruitment: Army Administrative Officer Vacancies Nationwide - UK

Whether you are starting out in your career, or you already have an administrative background and are looking for a change, MOD Administrative Officer roles are an opportunity to join the Civil Service and deliver outputs for the benefit of the Army and Defence.
The MOD is recruiting for a variety of exciting Administrative Officer roles throughout all areas of the Army in locations across the UK. You will have the opportunity to work directly with military colleagues to enable key outputs and can take advantage of training and development opportunities available to enhance your skills and career pathway in the Civil Service.

A total of 34 job vacancies are open for applications until 17 Oct.

To find out more, and to apply, please go to the Civil Service Jobs website (job reference 364057): Army - Administrative Officers - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK​​

Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health support

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.
For social media platforms, please add: For more information on any of the resources within this poster, please send us a DM or contact your nearest HIVE: https://www.army.mod.uk/support-and-training/welfare/hive-information-centres/​

Ripple Pond - October Newsletter

 

Please click here to read the October issue of Ripple Pond

Duke of York's Royal Military School - Cyprus Visits 10-15 Oct

Click on this link to see further info: https://www.doyrms.com/​ and poster here

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)

What's on in October?

There's lot of things happening in October, please click here to view a roundup of some of the activities available, and keep your eyes on the blog for more events and activities happening at JFC Brunssum and in the local area!

Toverland Theme Park Halloween Nights

 

Face your fears at Toverland Theme Park, with their themed Halloween Nights. There's Spooky daytime parades and scary night time experiences available.

Toverland Theme Park is located in Sevenum, which is just over an hour away from JFC Brunssum.

To find what more and book please visit: https://www.toverland.com/en/halloweennights

The Poppy Factory: Supporting veterans and families towards employment

 

For more information please see:

TPF - Families Service Flyer

TPF Employment Support Leaflet

​Register for Support - Veterans Employment Services

Register for Support - Families Employment Support

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.

The autumn edition of Army&You magazine is out now!

To read this issue online, please go to Army&You Autumn 2024 Issue.

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

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: Disability Services and Retirement Services - Nationwide Locations

 

DWP have Executive Officer roles available in both Disability Services (Nationwide) and Retirement Services (Cumbria and Lancashire). Both will be open until 15/10.

Civil Service job links:
DWP Executive Officer - Disability Services - National (Ref: 711) 160 vacancies


DWP Executive Officer - Retirement Services - Cumbria and Lancashire (Ref: 712) 50 vacancies

​More information on DWP, the various roles currently being advertised, and the application process can be found on the DWP EO Microsite.

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?

10th Oct: World Mental Health Day and Togetherall

 

Whatever you're going through, you're not alone. Let's support each other this #WorldMentalHealthDay.

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

Functional Fitness Class in The Hub

 

Autumn Forces Discounts

Click here to view the Autumn Forces Discount offers

AFCAS 2025 is open – make your voice count!

The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) 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:

Explorer Tots Group at JFC Brunssum

 

'Explorer Tots' community group at JFC Brunssum. The inclusive group, aimed at parents and tots aged 0-3 (and also those expecting a baby), is designed to offer an interactive environment for both parents and little ones to play, talk and engage with the British community.

Tea and Toast every Monday in the NSE Building

 

Join the CLOs for Tea & Toast weekly in the Brit Community Cafe, UK NSE building.
€2 - cash only
Tea - Fresh Coffee - Toast - Crumpets - Biscuits & Pastries
Hope to see you there.
All NATO ID holders welcome.

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

Brunssum Military Wives Choir

The Brunssum Military Wives Choir meet on Thursdays 7-9pm. Please see here for more details if you're interested in joining.

Stoptober 2024 Starts Today!

Get ready to stop smoking this Stoptober

• Stop smoking for the 28 days of Stoptober and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.

• Over 2.5 million people have quit smoking with Stoptober – join thousands of other smokers committing to quit this October.

JFC Brunssum Library update

 

The JFC Brunssum Library renovations are still ongoing, and is not due to open before the end of October 2024 now.

There will be a mini version of the library at the Hub (USAG BENELUX – Brunssum) with a limited collection. Patrons will still be able to request items from other libraries.

Please follow 'JFC Brunssum Library' on Facebook for all updates.

Forces Employment Charity's next LinkedIn Essentials online workshop on 14 November

The Forces Employment Charity has an online workshop 'LinkedIn Essentials', which is free for the whole military community (including Families) to join.

​Registrations are now live. Past feedback received says, “The most useful LinkedIn session I have attended to date. No sales speak or jargon, just practical advice and thoughts with supporting reasoning. Really helpful and much appreciated thank you."

Register here: https://loom.ly/kazxuKc

It's also advertised on Facebook and LinkedIn