Autism Awareness and Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organisations, and others around the world with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

For anyone interested in Neurodiversity Awareness week then you can check out https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/ to sign up for the 2026 sessions, all of which are free to join.

If you missed the 2025 sessions you can still catch them via the Neurodiversity Celebration Week Event Recording Library.

Free Stroopwafel food truck

On Thursday the 10th of April The Aelia Duty Free Store will have a food truck in front of the store serving a Dutch Specialty: Stroopwafels, with all kind of toppings. FREE of charge!

Come shop and enjoy a typically Dutch treat with us!

The food truck will be at the store from 12:00 to 16:00.

Alliance Theater April showings

 

JFC Arts and Crafts Center April Workshops

The JFC Arts and Crafts center are offering the following workshops:

Spring/Easter Wreath Making – April 2nd 18:30 - 20:30
Create your own spring wreath with real greens!
€35 per person.

Paint & Sip – April 9th, 18:30 - 20:30
Theme: Spring. Guided painting suitable for all skill levels.
€25 per canvas. Open to ages +16 years.

Black Light Painting - April 16th, 10:30 - 12:00
Join us as we paint in a black light room! 
€15 per person. Fun for all ages!

Dutch Clog Decorating - April 23rd, 10:30 - 12:00

Decorate your own Dutch clog with paints, decoupage, and more.

€18 per person. Fun for all ages!

Intro to Stained Glass Workshop – April 30th, 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.

*Classes not meeting minimum registrations by identified date(s) are subject to cancellation.

To see more details and book for any workshops please visit the JFC Arts and Crafts website

VE80 Day Street Party and Afternoon Tea Celebration

Please see information here about our upcoming BCM Event, VE80 Day Street Party and Afternoon Tea Celebration on Friday the 16th of May 2025.

This event will be held in the British Community Club (Brit Bar) on Camp Hendrik starting at 1500 until 2000. Afternoon Tea will be served from 1600 by Lady Jane Maastricht and her team. 

This event will be free to attend to all BCM members, their family’s and member of the British Community here in Brunssum. Please confirm your attendance by scanning the QR code at the bottom of the poster or fill in this Microsoft Forms link, the signup will close 8th May 2025 . It is important for us to know how many people are coming so we can cater for everyone attending.

New guidance for schools and local authorities on supporting Service pupils

On 1st April 2025, the Ministry of Defence and Department for Education published non-statutory guidance to help state-funded schools and local authorities in England to understand and address the needs of Service pupils in schools (reception to year 11).

Speaking about the new guidance, Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said:
“Armed Forces families play a vital role in supporting our Service personnel to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad. Fittingly, this announcement coincides with the Month of the Military Child, which is a time to speak up for our Service children.

Weekly update to the Community Resource List

Weekly update to the Community Resource List!

Access the Community Resource List here

Submit your recommendations here 

To make it easier for everyone to find local recommendations and information, check out the Community Resource List or CRL for short.

This is a go-to list for information guides, local businesses, babysitters, pet sitters, restaurants, days out, local businesses, mechanics, hairdressers, and more!

This resource should help new arrivals and anyone with a burning question that might have already been asked and answered previously in different groups. The benefit of this being you can check the list anytime, especially if you need to know something ASAP.

This list is for and by our community so please add any and all of your if you have a recommendations by using this quick MS Form.

The list will be updated each week with any new entries.

Dandelion Day 4th April - Wear Yellow!

 

April is the international Month of the Military Child

Springo Bingo in the Brit Bar

JFC Library Easter Events

See the above poster for what's on this Easter at the JFC Brunssum Library. For more details you can find their contact details and opening times here.

FOR CHILDREN: Festival Expeditie NEXT is coming to Roermond on 30th April 2025

Attention all children, parents, carers and friends! Festival Expeditie NEXT is coming to Roermond in Limburg on Wednesday 30th April this year.

The city centre will be immersed in science during this holiday. There will be experiments, real scientific research, mini-lectures and spectacular shows!

The Details:
When: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Indoor and outdoor locations in the city centre of Roermond
For whom: Children from 4 to 12 years old and their parents/guardians
What is there to do: Experiments, workshops, shows, games - view all the different expeditions available here

SSAFA Forces Additional Needs & Disability Forum (FANDF) Conference – Registration Now Open

The Forces Additional Needs & Disability Forum (FANDF) Conference 2025 is taking place on 2 June 2025. This is an empowering and informative event designed for current service personnel and their families with additional needs or disabilities. Hosted by the FANDF committee and facilitated by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, this conference will offer expert insights and practical advice for service families.

The event will be FANDF’s first hybrid FANDF event. You can join in person or virtually, making it accessible for those with caring responsibilities or living further afield.

Families First newsletter - Issue 25

Please use this link to read issue 25 of the Families First newsletter (and previous issues) online: Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK

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German Coffee Morning – Happy Easter Edition

General Admission tickets are now available for the German Coffee Morning – Happy Easter Edition.

The Details
April 8, 2025
10 AM – 12 PM
Schinvelderhoeve

Limited space – Sign up required - Secure your ticket via this link https://bit.ly/4iZlOb6

Autism Awareness Week 31st Mar - 6th Apr 2025

 

2000s Trivia Night

White Ensign Association Visit JFC Brunssum 20th and 21st May 2025 White Ensign Society

White Ensign Association Visit JFC Brunssum 20th and 21st May 2025 White Ensign Society

Where: Brit Bar.
When: 1000 on Tuesday 20th (Royal Navy only) and 1000 on Wednesday 21st May 25 (RN/Army/RAF).
Who: Royal Navy, Army, RAF (including spouses) – x2 presentations Tuesday for Royal Navy only and Wednesday for Army/RAF with follow on bespoke 1-1 discussions as required.
White Ensign Association can support with employment and resettlement, Armed Forces pensions, Armed Forces compensation, financial wellbeing and personal and domestic matters.

NAAFI Fund 2025 – Applications now open!

NAAFI have just announced the launch of the NAAFI Fund Date for 2025!

The NAAFI Fund was launched back in 2020 and has supported 467 projects so far, donating over £4 million to help improve the lives of service personnel and their families around the world. To read more about the projects that NAAFI have supported to date: https://naafi.co.uk/giving-back/

To read the blog post announcing new information regarding the NAAFI Fund 2025: NAAFI Fund: Applications Open Soon - NAAFI

Applications now open: https://naafi.co.uk/fund/

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

Josie's British Themed Cafe opening times and menu

Josie’s British Themed Cafe Opening Times

Mon-Thur 1000-1330
Orders Welcome by Phone Ext 2247

The Josie’s British Themed Café can also cater for small events & meetings. For further information please speak to a member of staff.

Forces Employment Charity Monthly Update - Award Nominations, Marathons, and Events

Forces Employment Charity’s monthly update is now available, and the latest news includes:

• Heropreneurs Awards 2025 nominations are now open
• A round-up of events across the UK and online webinars
• Marathon preparations
• Get to know Forces Employment Charity’s military women employment lead
• Satisfaction survey
• Links for further information

Read the update in full at this link: Get involved: Award Nominations, Marathons, and Events

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

Follow the link to the survey at https://surveys.mod.um/index.php/198869?lang=en​ and Sway for more info: Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot Survey is now open

The survey will close at 18:00 GMT, 14 April 2025.

Little Troopers celebrates the Month of the Military Child – come and get involved!

April is the international Month of the Military Child and the charity Little Troopers is celebrating by launching a new dandelion-themed book for military children, as well as organised a special month packed full of workshops, activities and events for all forces families and schools with service children.

Dandelion Book