Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £300K awarded to enhance Early Years provision for Service families

Ten projects by nurseries and childcare settings across the UK have been awarded a share of £300,000 in grants to help forces families access early years education - in the latest round of grants from the MOD's Armed Forces Families Fund.

The projects, which will also provide development and upskilling opportunities for early years staff, will work to further improve educational experiences for young children from service families as part of the Fund's Early Years programme.

“Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years programme. These projects and the meaningful change the funding will create, allows the organisations to enhance their services to mitigate the challenges faced by young Service children and their families, due to military life” - Debra Barton, Early Years Specialist Lead, Ministry of Defence.

Providing better learning environments

Permanent notification for recruitment

 

Applications are always welcome from UK Military Dependants or UKBC Dependants who are enthusiastic, motivated and flexible individuals for supply roles within the British Section.

For more information including job descriptions and application forms, please contact Jenny Brown, School Business Manager via email on jenny.brown@modschools.org

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Servicewomen - Seen and Heard Programme reopens for applications

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are pleased to let you know that the Servicewomen: Seen and Heard programme is now open and ready to welcome new applications!

Following the popularity of the programme in 2024, the Trust conducted further research with servicewomen from all three armed services, via several meetings and discussions, to discover more about their current needs and challenges to ensure this year’s programme hits the mark. The Trust would like to thank everyone who shared their experiences to help shape the programme for 2025.

What’s the programme all about?

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £290,000 to support those with seldom heard needs in Armed Forces communities

Ensuring under-represented voices in armed forces communities are heard is vital. In the latest round of their Hidden Voices programme, the Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) awarded grants totalling more than £290,000 to 15 projects delivering accessible mental health and wellbeing support for those with seldom heard needs in armed forces communities.

These projects will focus on improving access to bespoke support for groups whose voices, opinions or needs are not adequately represented or who face barriers to accessing support services.

Thursday Shred Class at The Hub

Strengthen and tone with Thursday Shred class. Every 1st Thursday of the month starting from April 3rd at 5pm at The Hub

Cycling in Zuid-Limburg

There is much to discover when you cycle through Zuid-Limburg. The network of cycling routes takes you through the forests, heaths and along the water. There may some challenging hills, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views all over the region.

For maps and useful information about popular routes, click here

Co-ed Open Gym Volleyball

Join us for Co-ed Open Gym Volleyball – a fantastic opportunity for players of all levels to enjoy the game! Bring your friends and make new ones on the court.

Every skill level is welcome!

When and Where: New Gym (bld 206) on Tuesdays 18.00-19.30

Contact: ofc-sws-sport@naew.nato.int

Discover the Tri-Border Area with JFC Brunssum Official Clubs

Discover the Tri-Border Area with JFC Brunssum Official Clubs
Are you ready to explore new activities and connect with others in the vibrant Tri-Border region? Join our official clubs at JFC Brunssum and be part of a welcoming community that offers something for everyone!

For Individuals and Families
Whether you’re looking to meet new friends, engage in exciting activities, or involve your whole family, our clubs have got you covered. From sports and fitness to hobby and interest groups, there’s a club for every interest!

Limburg House - UK Community/Welfare Accommodation, Netherlands

Limburg House is the UK community and welfare house located in Brunssum.

Property details:

• 3 Bed semi-detached located within 10 min walk into Brunssum town centre.
• Driveway and street parking available.
• Property has been fully refurbished within and includes, Oven, Fridge freezer, Microwave, induction hob and a dishwasher.
• Underfloor heating downstairs, tiled and laminate flooring throughout the property.
• Electric shutters with remote on all windows.
• The cost per night is €30, which includes WiFi and bedding.
• The community carpet cleaner is available to book through Limburg House - cost is €20 per day.

Available to all UK military personnel and family.

For enquires and bookings please email:

LimburgHouse@gmail.com

GBR JFCBS Welfare Flyer

Click on the link to view the GBR JFCBS Welfare Flyer

MWR Library online resources available

The online resources of the MWR Library are available to non-US personnel and their families.

If you already have a library account:

1. you can log into Libby,
2. select the DOD MWR library and where it asks 'are you a local national', select yes.
3. You will then need to enter your library card number (which is the long OJN number on your ID card)
4. and *voila* about 100,000 e-book and audiobook titles will be at your fingertips!

If you need help accessing any of this, or getting a library account, visit the library - it's a brilliant resource!!

Visit Nuenen - Van Gogh's Village

The pretty Village of Nuenen is a 20-minute drive from Eindhoven airport - well worth a visit if you are in the area.

From 1883 to 1885, Vincent van Gogh lived and worked in Nuenen; you can take a walk and connect his paintings with real places in the area, which is dotted with 23 locations directly linked to the artist. There are interactive information signs around the village where you can read and listen to stories about Van Gogh and the locations you’re standing in front of.

To learn more about Vincent's life in Nuenen and the importance of his Brabant period to his first masterpiece, 'The Potato Eaters', visit the Van Gogh Village Museum

JFC Fitness Centre classes and open sports

The JFC Fitness Centre offers classes and open sports programs on a weekly basis just for you! Here's the updated calendar as of 11th November 2024.

From spinning to volleyball, HIIT to basketball, there's something for everyone to get in a good sweat! Some of the classes are even FREE!

Be sure to check out the schedule on our website here: https://www.jfcbrunssum.com/spor.../fitness-center/schedule/

Tri-Border Sailing Club

The NATO Tri-Border Sailing Club (NTSC) is a recognised Club of the Allied Joint Force Command HQ Brunssum (JFCB) Morale and Welfare Activity.  

The club has a variety of boats for beginners and advanced sailors. One membership cost allows the unlimited use of boats throughout the season (April - October) at the sailing location in Roermond.
Training is available.

For more information please visit:
https://www.sailnato.org/

Visit Hoensbroek Castle

Located less than 4 miles from Brunssum in the province of Zuid-Limburg, Hoensbroek Castle is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in The Netherlands.
Hoensbroek is a castle museum which offers adventure hunts for children, and for adults, collections featuring fashions and objects dating back centuries.

Other activities for children include workshops for perfume-making, fencing, birds of prey and falconry, shepherding, archery and clay pigeon shooting. Participate in all these activities dressed in typical castle attire!

Meet the Knights of the Lordship of Hoensbroek every first Sunday of the month - enjoy their sword fighting skills and practice archery with them.  

Discount on tickets if booked online.

For more information: https://www.kasteelhoensbroek.nl

Aurora New Dawn: Armed Forces Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Stalking Helpline launches on 31 Mar

The new Aurora New Dawn Armed Forces Helpline for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking is now live.

This Helpline is for any members of the Royal Navy British Army and Royal Air Force and their family members, including those deployed abroad, who are victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence or Stalking.

The Helpline operates 6 days a week. It is independent, confidential, and free.

Victim Witness Care Unit

 

Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) - GOV.UK

Functional Fitness Class in The Hub

 

Serve & Protect Credit Union: 2025/26 Cash ISA now launched

Serve and Protect Credit Union's latest Fixed Cash ISA is here

Secure a guaranteed and tax-free 4% AER return on your savings for the 2025/26 tax year, while supporting the wider community of those who serve and protect. Here’s how the new Fixed Cash ISA benefits you:

• Start Small, Save Big: Deposit as little as £5, with contributions up to £20,000 for this tax year.
• Tax-Free Growth: Enjoy a guaranteed 4% AER return to maximise your savings effortlessly.
• Peace of Mind: Your savings are protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme).
• Community Impact: Your savings make a meaningful difference by supporting others within the credit union.

Learn more at: https://sandpcu.co.uk/isa-hs-email

Airborne Museum Dedicated to the Battle of Arnhem

 

The Airborne Museum is located in Villa Hartenstein in Oosterbeek. During the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, part of Operation Market Garden, Hartenstein served as headquarters for British airborne troops.

Hartenstein brings to life the personal stories of British, Polish, German soldiers and civilians, through unique items from the museum’s collection - an extensive and diverse display, consisting of original weaponry, genuine uniforms and equipment used in the battle. 

The numerous photos and films on display provide a realistic picture which is enhanced by interviews with Allied soldiers. 

Opening hours:

Daily from 10.00 to 17.00 (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day)

For more information please visit:

https://www.airbornemuseum.nl/

JFC Brunssum Golf Society

The JFC Brunssum Golf Society is open to all military personnel employed by, parented by, or associated to JFC Brunssum. Dependants are also welcomed and regarded in the same respect.
The society plays at Golf-Resort Brunssumerheide, which is approximately 1.2 miles from JFC Brunssum.

As a member, there is full use of the golf course - this consists of three 9-hole courses, a par-3 course and a 9-hole green course.

There is also a driving range and an excellent practice area for chipping putting, etc.
Regular events take place - monthly Stableford or Medal competition, 9-hole club night in the summer months and a Ryder Cup 2-day event in October.

For more information including memberships costs click here.

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.

Brunssum International Club

Brunssum International Club is a thriving organisation of over 200 members with all NATO nations and some partner nations represented.

The Club hosts a coffee and culture morning once a month, which is a chance to get together, enjoy a chat and a coffee and sample food from the hosting delegation. However, there’s much more on offer!

The Club has a number of Activity groups from Dog Friendly Walking to French Conversation, Pilates to Arts and Crafts. They also have a dedicated team who arrange trips throughout the year from Delft and Keukenhof to the Coffee Roastery and Cocktail Making.

If you want to spread your wings and make friends outside of the UK community, the International Club is a great, friendly place to start. Membership for the 24/25 year is €25 and you can sign up here.

Send Mail with the British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

 

The following information must be clearly stated on all packet/parcel mail:
Sender/return address in full
Recipient name and address in full, destination in full
Customs declaration - CN22 must be completed

Address format

Service Number

Rank or Title

Name

Unit

BFPO number

For family members start with:
Name of Recipient C/O Service Number, Rank and Name

The BFPO number for Brunssum is BFPO 28. The shadow postcode is BF1 2AH

For further details: https://www.gov.uk/bfpo/how-to-address-bfpo-mail

The minimum allowable address to ensure delivery in the UK is:

Number or name of residence
Name of Street
Town or City
Postcode

JFC Brunssum Library Story time on Mondays

 

Guide for Bringing Your Dog to the Netherlands

For information about bringing your dog to the Netherlands, including how to go about obtaining a Pet Passport and details of vets, boarding kennels and walking routes, read the Pet Guide
 

Open Air Museums

 

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

LOCKER ROOM RENOVATION – JFC Brunssum Swimming Pool

Beginning 14th April, renovations will begin at the JFC Brunssum Swimming Pool. Temporary shower unit trailers will be set up outside the main entrance to serve as an alternative while our locker rooms are renovated. Additionally, new lockers will be available in the “Kiddie Pool” area inside the pool building.

During this time, the front entrance to the locker/shower rooms will also be closed and there will be a reduction in parking at the front of the building.

Renovations are expected to last until November 2025. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we're excited to continue to welcome you for lap swimming, lessons, and more!

Reach, Release and Mobility Flow Class at The Hub

 

Reach, Release & Mobility class is TOMORROW at 9:00 AM
Join in for a morning of stretching, strengthening, and increasing your mobility!

Aurora New Dawn: Athena Domestic Abuse Awareness & Recovery Programme – 3 Jun to 22 Jul

Aurora New Dawn’s Athena Domestic Abuse Awareness/Recovery Group is military specific and all online via zoom. This programme is for 8 weeks taking place on Tuesday evenings 3 Jun to 22 Jul, and is open to serving personnel and families worldwide.

Details of how to sign up are on the poster, and to find out more about Aurora New Dawn’s support to the Service community, please go to: https://www.aurorand.org.uk/armed-forces/

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.

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/

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.