Thursday, 6 March 2025
The BFBS Big Salute Charity Quiz Night
BFBS ‘Big Salute’ Open Day at Limburg House with Tea & Toast
BFBS will present their ‘daily radio show’ from Limburg House followed by an evening quiz at the Brit Bar - details can be found here
What: BFBS will conduct a section of their radio show ‘live’ from Limburg house. The show will include a number of our UK community providing radio interviews. This will be followed by a charity quiz provided by BFBS in the Brit Bar from 1800, with quiz starting at 1830.
Where: Limburg House 0900-1100 (Tea &Toast) – Brit Bar 1800 (Charity Quiz)
When: Monday 17th March 25
Who: Everyone (including families). Tea and Toast donations fee donated to support Armed Forces Charities.
Come along to Limburg House see what it has to offer and then look forward to the evenings ‘biq quiz’ with BFBS Prizes to be won.
Out and About Coffee
Join your CLO Thea and your Hive Officer Bee for an out and about coffee in Tuincafe, bijSTOX Garden center from 10am-12pm on Wednesday 12th March 2025.
This location has a play area for children, along with a selection of hot drinks and some food available.
Wednesday, 5 March 2025
JFC Brunssum Swimming pool updates
We are excited to announce that starting in March, we will be reintroducing the lane swim booking system through Acuity. We greatly appreciate your participation in the recent trial in February, and your feedback has been invaluable.
Please note the operating rules for lane swimming:
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
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
JFC Arts and Crafts Center workshops
The JFC Arts and Crafts center are offering the following workshops:
Paint & Sip – March. 12th, 18:30 - 20:30
Theme: Highland Cows. Guided painting suitable for all skill levels.
€25 per canvas. Open to ages +16 years.
Stained Glass Open Studio – March 17th, 17:30 – 20:00
For those that completed the Stained Glass Intro Workshop, you are now able to attend Monday night open studios! Use this time to complete projects and start new ones.
€20 per person. Open to ages +16 years.
Intro to Stained Glass Workshop – March 19th, 18:15 - 20:45
Learn the basics for Tiffany styled stained glass projects. Suitable for all skill levels. After this intro course, you will have access to our monthly stained glass open studio on Monday evenings!
€38 per person. Open to ages +16 years.
Ceramic Egg Tray Workshop – March 26th. 18:30 - 20:00
Bake Sale in Miner's Rest Monday 10th March 9:30-11:30am
The aim of the bake sale is to raise money to buy some toys and items for the children in the Explorer Tots group.
We’d love it if people are able to volunteer to bring/bake cakes and sweet treats and help run the bake sale. Please click on this MS form for details if you’re able to donate your time or cakes.
Have Your Say: Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship Overseas Pilot Survey open until 14 Apr
Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship Overseas Pilot Survey opens on 8th January 2025
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?
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.
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.
Families First newsletter - issue 24
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.
Pancake flipping contest!
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Family Friendly Friday Fun!
Join your CLO Thea in the Brit bar on Friday 7th March from 2-6pm to enter the pancake flipping competition, where you can win a frying pan! Or just head on over to watch and cheer on those competing.
Thursday, 27 February 2025
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:
Paris Express Trip - Only a few days left to register!
Do you want to experience the magic of Paris in just one day? Don't miss the Paris Express trip on March 15th! It's an amazing way to see a ton of iconic landmarks!
Trip runs from 4:00 AM on the 15th to 2:00 AM on the 16th March 2025
Spots are extremely limited, click here for more details
JFC Alliance Theatre March Movie Showtimes
Movie showing: DOGMAN - Rated PG
Date and time: Wednesday 5th March at 13.00
Movie showing: MICKEY 17 - Rated R
Date and time: Friday 7th March at 18.00
Date and time: Friday 7th March at 18.00
Movie showing: NOVOCAINE - Rated R
Date and time: Friday 14th March at 18.00
Movie showing: THE BRUTALIST - Rated R
Date and time: Saturday 15th March at 18.00
Movie showing: DISNEY'S SNOW WHITE - Rated PG
Date and time: Friday 21st March at 18.00
Date and time: Saturday 29th March at 18.00
Movie showing: BLACK BAG - Rated R
Date and time: Saturday 22nd March at 18.00
Movie showing: THE ALTO KNIGHTS - Rated R
Date and time: Friday 28th March at 18.00
Date and time: Saturday 22nd March at 18.00
Movie showing: THE ALTO KNIGHTS - Rated R
Date and time: Friday 28th March at 18.00
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Defence launches the Families Hub – an information portal to help navigate Service family life
The Families Hub – which signposts to information, support and organisations to help navigate all stages of Service family life – has launched.
For the first time, Armed Forces families will be able to access a “one stop shop” digital platform – which signposts to a wealth of information, support and organisations – to help you navigate Service family life.
The Families Hub is for all Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) families and personnel – from the moment of entering the Forces, through to leaving.
Visit the Families Hub today and explore a range of topics, including partner support, housing, health and wellbeing, childcare and finance.
Families Hub – empowering you to make informed choices about Service life
Headspace App – Five FREE family & friends subscriptions available for Army Personnel and Army Civil Servants
To sign up, please go to https://work.headspace.com/britisharmy/member-enroll
Please use your @mod.gov.uk, @armymail.gov.uk or @csmail.mod.uk email address to verify your account when prompted.
Headspace says, “We make mental health support accessible to everyone, no matter their background or experience. Through our flagship Headspace app, we provide mindfulness tools for everyday life, including meditations, sleepcasts, mindful movement and focus exercises. Our enterprise offerings combine this experience with a human-centered model of care, with coaching, therapy, psychiatry and EAP services under one roof. Our team of experts ranges from mental health clinicians, to Emmy award-winning producers and data scientists, working together as one to help millions of people around the world be healthier and more productive.”
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
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
Give Us Time: respite breaks for military families - 2025 dates are live!
The charity ‘Give Us Time’ offers accommodation for respite breaks for UK military families. No referral is required from Welfare for families to sign up. Please see the info poster for more details and the current March dates, but more 2025 dates are available on the website: https://giveustime.org.uk/
NEW!
Service Leavers' Guide - latest edition
Please click the link to read this edition online: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66eabc22ba4b4b3f9450167f/Service_Leavers_Guide_Sep_24.pdf
Unlock Your Potential: Master Immigration, Visas, and Career Growth with Us!
Calling All Foreign & Commonwealth Military Spouses!
Unlock Your Potential: Master Immigration, Visas, and Career Growth with Us!Are you navigating the complexities of life in the UK? Let us help you thrive! Join the exclusive workshop hosted by the Army Families Federation (AFF) and Recruit for Spouses (RFS), tailored specifically for Foreign & Commonwealth military spouses.
Date: 4th March 1930 – 2030 Location: Virtual
What’s in Store?
Women into Employment 2025:Tues 18th March in London. Event for women from across the military community
Are you a family member of a Veteran who is suffering with addiction?
The next Tom Harrison House Family experiential therapeutic retreat is 4-6th April 2025, at Derwent Hill Outdoor Centre, Keswick. For more details please see the poster or website: https://tomharrisonhouse.org.uk/events/afcft-family-retreats
Places are limited and will go fast so to find out more or book your place email: events@tomharrisonhouse.org.uk
Funded by Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
Places are limited and will go fast so to find out more or book your place email: events@tomharrisonhouse.org.uk
Funded by Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
Applications open for the Service Pupil Support Programme
The Service Pupil Support Programme is back and bigger than ever, now offering grants up to £150,000!
Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3), the Service Pupil Support Programme will award grants between £5,000 and £150,000 to projects supporting service children along their educational pathway, and to reach their full potential.
Service Police Confidential Crime Line, available 24/7 - You are not alone
Are you a Serving Dad or Dad to be?
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- perinatal mental health, focusing on men
- signs and symptoms
- guidance for serving personnel and their families
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
DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 21 February 25
Tackling damp and mould in SFA remains a top priority for DIO and our suppliers. Over 9,000 homes have already benefited from the delivery of damp and mould works since the taskforce stood up in 2023. In response to the works delivered, reoccurrence of damp and mould has been addressed in circa 85% of cases.
It is important that you report all cases of damp and mould and to let us know of any reoccurrence of the issue so that we can continue to tackle this. Please also see our guide for families that outlines helpful tips to prevent damp and mould developing in your homes.
Monday, 24 February 2025
Time for you
Are you parenting in mainland Europe or Turkey and looking to connect with other parents while receiving expert guidance and emotional support?
Join our online parenting and emotional support sessions, facilitated by Health Visitor Kerry Riley, Specialist Community Public Health Nurse.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme reopens for applications
The Trust is delivering this important programme on behalf of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in support of the government’s ambition to end veteran homelessness and ensure veterans have access to the support they need, including housing.
Current findings from the RVH programme
Friday, 21 February 2025
Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) - latest Civil Service job vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners.
Please click image to enlarge
The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:GFIE- 419 Carers Allowance Administrative Officer
Two vacancies – Wrexham
Job Description
Closing date: 14 Mar 25
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 (also see Guidance notes) 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)
Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) - latest Civil Service job vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners.
The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:
GFIE- 416 – HMRC Criminal Investigator Officer
Multiple vacancies – UK wide
Job Description
Closing date: 4 Apr 25
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 (also see Guidance notes) 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)
Thursday, 20 February 2025
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Reducing Veteran homelessness programme reopens for applications.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new round of funding under the Reducing Veteran Homelessness (RVH) Programme in a bid to deliver further sustainable, supported housing options for veterans in need.The Trust is delivering this important programme on behalf of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in support of the government’s ambition to end veteran homelessness and ensure veterans have access to the support they need, including housing.
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
X-Forces: Self Employment Discovery 3-Day Online Course for Mil Spouses & Partners
A free 3 day workshop course designed especially for military spouses and partners. In a small
group of like-minded individuals, participants gain essential skills
and insight to enable an informed decision about self-employment.
Taking place on Wednesday 12th, Wednesday 19th and Wednesday 26th March 2025.
For more information view the flyer here and to register, visit Tri Service Spouses & Partners: Self-Employment Discovery 3-Day Course
National No Smoking Day 2025 - Wed 12 March.
Take back your life this No Smoking Day – Wednesday 12th March 2025.
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.
It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go this No Smoking Day.
When you stop smoking, there are almost immediate improvements to your health.
There’s no need to go it alone – it’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from.
Getting free expert support from your local stop smoking service is proven to give you the best chance of quitting successfully. Some are now able to offer free vape starter kits too.
NHS Better Health offers a range of free quitting support including the NHS Quit Smoking app, Personal Quit Plan, 28-day email programme, local stop smoking service look-up tool, as well as advice on stop smoking aids including information on how vaping can help you quit smoking.
On average, you could save around £2,500 per year by quitting smoking.
Women into Employment 2025:Tues 18th March in London. Event for women from across the military community.
The full day will focus on how you bring the real YOU to the workplace. With an agenda packed with key points and ideas, you are guaranteed to take away some key points and ideas for the next steps in your career path. Register here for the event.
Women into Employment 2025 (WIE25) is the Forces Employment Charity’s flagship event and offers support to women from across the whole Armed Forces community, welcoming those of you preparing to leave the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans of all ranks, military partners, spouses and young people.
Thursday, 13 February 2025
A Guide To Pre and Postnatal Care and Procedures JFCBS
DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update – Utility Bills
Water bills
We are aware of instances where water providers have written directly to SFA homes, requesting payment of water bills. Families in SFA are not responsible for water charges as a contribution is included in your accommodation fee and so this is paid by DIO. These letters have been sent in error and we apologise for any concern they may have caused. DIO is engaging with water and energy providers to resolve this issue.
We are aware of instances where water providers have written directly to SFA homes, requesting payment of water bills. Families in SFA are not responsible for water charges as a contribution is included in your accommodation fee and so this is paid by DIO. These letters have been sent in error and we apologise for any concern they may have caused. DIO is engaging with water and energy providers to resolve this issue.
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Introducing MyCadet
Find out more by visiting: https://armycadets.com/mycadet/
NHS Step into Health webinar – 26 Mar: Helping you to return to practice after your serving spouse or partner is posted abroad
NHS Step into Health are pleased to announce their upcoming information session: Helping you to return to practice after your serving spouse or partner is posted abroad due to take place on Wednesday 26th March, 10 - 11am.
During this one-hour webinar, attendees will hear from representatives of various regulatory bodies across multiple clinical professions, as well as members of NHS England’s return to practice team.
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Mindful Mondays - Upcoming classes
Classes are open to all, free, and chapel sponsored childcare for ages 2+ is available! For kids under 2 we have some kind moms who volunteer their time for you.
Monday, 10 February 2025
Mindfulness Course
Ann McKenzie, a Mindfulness Teacher Trainer is delivering an 8-week MBSR Course.
This will take place for approximately 1 hour via Microsoft Teams on a Tuesday evening at 7pm starting on the 1 April 2025.
Mindfulness is a holistic approach and has been proven to help reduce stress & anxiety and improve mental health & wellbeing.
Anyone who may be interested and would like to attend the course, please contact Ann McKenzie on annmarie.mckenzie114@mod.gov.uk
JFCB International Club upcoming Events
The JFC Brunssum International Club has an updated calendar of events!
Along with monthly Coffee & Cultures, they offer activities and trips! They added a new ones that you won't want to miss including a chocolate day trip to Antwerp and a spa day in Belgium!
Sign up now:
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New funding to support bereaved military families
The Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme will seek to build a strong, collaborative network to meet the needs of those who have given most.
Understanding the needs of the bereaved military community
BFBS Survey – share your feedback
BFBS Survey – share your feedback
This is a 10-minute survey about the Forces Broadcasting Service currently provided by BFBS, which gives you access to TV and Radio and online news about the military, particularly overseas.
The survey is written by MOD’s Directorate of Defence Communications (DDC) based in MOD Main Building, who manage the contract, so all your feedback will go directly to those making decisions about the future of the service.
We want to hear from those of you who use BFBS services regularly as well as those who choose not to use them at all. We want to know what you find useful, or why you prefer not to use it, what you would miss most if the service changed, and what could be improved.
You can answer the survey on YouGov.
If you have family members who use (or have access but choose not to use) BFBS services, then please do forward the link to them. You can take this survey on a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet.
By answering this survey, you are helping us make improvements to the services and making sure all views and wishes of its potential users are taken into consideration.
This is a 10-minute survey about the Forces Broadcasting Service currently provided by BFBS, which gives you access to TV and Radio and online news about the military, particularly overseas.
The survey is written by MOD’s Directorate of Defence Communications (DDC) based in MOD Main Building, who manage the contract, so all your feedback will go directly to those making decisions about the future of the service.
We want to hear from those of you who use BFBS services regularly as well as those who choose not to use them at all. We want to know what you find useful, or why you prefer not to use it, what you would miss most if the service changed, and what could be improved.
You can answer the survey on YouGov.
If you have family members who use (or have access but choose not to use) BFBS services, then please do forward the link to them. You can take this survey on a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet.
By answering this survey, you are helping us make improvements to the services and making sure all views and wishes of its potential users are taken into consideration.
Spin Class at The Hub
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned spinner, this is the perfect way to energize your week and stay on track with your fitness resolutions.
When: 9-10AM every Wednesday
Where: The Hub Fitness Center
Where: The Hub Fitness Center
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