Gibraltar: Start-Up Hub for new businesses.

The Gibraltar Government Office of Fair Trading has announced a new facility for new business start-ups (for their first year). Based in Europort. The Peter J Isola Foundation will cover the rent of the premises, but the Government will ask businesses to pay the rates and service charges, which is estimated to work out at around £100 a month.

Internet services will be provided by U-mee and security support donated by Focus Security and El Martillo.

If you are interested, contact the Office of Fair Trading through their website oft.gov.gi

Gibraltar: Three Kings Cavalcade 5th January

Gibraltar Government has released information about plans for this year's event:

As the festive season reaches its peak, preparations are well underway for the annual Three  Kings’ Cavalcade, organised by the Cavalcade Committee in collaboration with Gibraltar Cultural  Services (GCS). 

Arrangements for Distribution of Sweets 

GCS is working closely with the Committee to ensure sweets are distributed to all attendees.  The distribution of sweets will be carried out by GCS’ staff as from 7:00pm, followed by the  presentation of floats at 7:30pm. The Cavalcade will start at Casemates Square, continue along  Main Street and conclude at the Inces Hall Theatre. 

The Mayor’s Stand for Elderly Persons 

A seated enclosure will be available opposite the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned. This  facility is intended to provide seating for elderly persons, subject to availability, on a first come,  first served basis. 

Safe Space for those with Sensory Issues 

The Supported Needs and Disability Office for the Ministry of Equality will be setting up a  cordoned-off safe space outside of No.6 Convent Place for individuals with sensory issues. This  area of Main Street is quieter and there are various entrances and exits available via Town  Range, Governor’s Lane, Convent Ramp and Victualising Office for those that require a quick  exit. Individuals who want to avail themselves of this area will be required to present their  Disability Information Card to a member of staff upon arrival. Entry will be on a first come, first  served basis. 

Stands with seats will not be provided; however, persons with mobility issues who require  seating should contact the SNDO on: sndo.events@gibraltar.gov.gi by 4pm on Tuesday 23rd  December 2025. 

The public are advised that there may be loud music and those affected by this should bring their  own ear plugs / headphones. 

We look forward to welcoming the community and ensuring an enjoyable experience for all.

 

BELGIUM: Celebrating the Success of SSAFA's Togetherness Parenting Programmes

As we approach the end of the year, we are delighted to share the success of SSAFA’s Togetherness (Solihull NHS) online parenting programmes.

Launched in April 2025, these courses have grown significantly thanks to your support in promoting and using them. We now have over 100 active users worldwide a fantastic achievement that reflects our shared commitment to supporting families overseas.

What is Togetherness?

Togetherness is designed to support parents at every stage of their journey from pregnancy through to adolescence. These courses empower parents to:

• Understand their child’s brain development and emotional health.
• Decode behaviours and respond effectively to foster positive interactions.
• Develop strong communication skills to nurture confidence, kindness, and emotional awareness in children.

SSAFA Community Health recognises the importance of raising emotionally resilient and socially aware children within our community, particularly for British Forces families living overseas. This programme complements the highly regarded health services delivered by our charity worldwide.

Key Highlights of the Online Learning Pathways:

• Understanding emotional health and brain development
• Reading and interpreting behaviours
• Building effective communication strategies

How Families Can Access Togetherness:

• Website: Home - Home - Togetherness
• Access Code: MILITARY
• Families should register using their BF1 postcode (e.g. BF1 2AG).

Who can use?

Togetherness is available to everyone, including grandparents, aunties, uncles etc of families living overseas. They can also access it by using the BF1 postcode linked to their family members abroad.
There are no restrictions as long as you have a BF1 postcode you can access our courses.

Courses available include:

• Understanding your baby
• Understanding your child
• Teen brain development
• Parenting children with additional needs

For more information on SSAFA and the support they can offer, visit their dedicated page on the SSAFA website.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Gibraltar: Free Christmas Night Buses, every day from 19th December to 5th January.

 

Gibraltar Government's Department of Transport has announced that the Night Bus Service will be running every day from Friday 19th December 2025 to Monday 5th January 2026 during the following times:

Friday 19th to Tuesday 23rd Dec

First Trip - 21:10 - Last Trip 02:00

Wednesday 24th Dec (Last Trip of Daytime Route at 19:00hrs).

First Trip - 19:30 - Last Trip 02:00

Thursday 25th Dec to Tuesday 30th Dec

First Trip - 21:10 - Last Trip 02:00

Wednesday 31st Dec (Last Trip of Daytime Route at 19:00hrs).

First Trip - 19:30 - Last Trip 02:00

Thursday 1st Jan 2026 to Monday 5th Jan 2026

First Trip - 21:10 - Last Trip 02:00

Normal daytime routes will be running until these times.

All Night bus services will be free of charge during these times.

For information on bus routes go to:

DAY https://www.gibraltarbuscompany.gi/routes-and-timetables/

NIGHT https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2015/Official%20Notices/NEW-TIME%20TABLE%20%20ROUTE%20MAPX.pdf

The Ministry of Transport encourages the use of public transport whenever possible and strongly condemns drink driving.

Minister of Transport, John Cortes, said: 'With the festive season upon us, most will be attending gatherings, visiting family and friends and moving around. I encourage everyone to consider using our wonderful bus service whenever possible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all GBCL staff for providing a great service to so many 365 days a year through rain and shine.'

Give Us Time - 2026 breaks are live!

Give Us Time first breaks for 2026 are live on the website now – there are dates in March and April across the UK, in both glamping pods (which sleep up to 4) and holiday lodges (which sleep up to 6). There are two new locations this year as well, at Malvern View in Herefordshire, and Glendal in Cumbria.

As always, the criteria for breaks is here https://giveustime.org.uk/what-we-do/faqs/ and the registration form is here https://bookings.giveustime.org.uk/login

Breaks are accommodation only – Give Us Time do not cover the costs of travel, food, or entertainment as part of the break.

Breaks are booked on a first come first served basis and they ask families to wait 2 years between bookings, but will always consider exceptional circumstances.

More dates for the rest of 2026 will be added soon – announcements will be made on Give Us Time socials here https://www.facebook.com/GiveUsTime and https://www.instagram.com/give_us_time/

Mission Motorsport – Christmas message and December newsletter.

The Mission Motorsport team have the following Christmas message, which includes a link to the Dec newsletter:

As 2025 comes to a close, we’ve been reflecting on another successful year of recovery sport. It has been a year packed full of events, some long-standing favourites and some exciting new additions to the calendar. This year saw a trio of exceptional Race of Remembrance events and alongside incredible fundraising for the #YourRoR campaign. Thank you everyone for your outstanding support and commitment. It has been truly wonderful to share so many memories with you all, and we hope you have enjoyed our activities as much as the team has enjoyed delivering them.

Enjoy a read of December's Newsletter as we look over Race of Remembrance, recovery motorsport, some incredible fundraising and ways to get involved with Mission Motorsport in the new year. There is the exclusive first access to the link to sign up to the National Transition Event 2026.

Our staff will be taking some well-earned Christmas leave, and we will be operating with reduced numbers between 22nd December and 2nd January. If you can’t reach the office by phone, please note that the team@missionmotorsport.org inbox will be checked regularly. If you are struggling over the festive period, you are not alone, and we know that reaching out for support can be a big step but there is always an option Mental Health — MISSION MOTORSPORT.

Finally, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you, beneficiaries, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and supporters for your continued commitment. We truly couldn’t do it without you. We’ll be doing it all again in 2026, so keep an eye out for next year’s calendar of events, which will be published soon!

We’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

New Awards Made under The Armed Forces Families Fund: The Early Years Programme.

600K Early Years Funding Supports Youngest Service Children

Speaking at the SciP Alliance conference in November, Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones reminded attendees that “Service is rarely an individual act. It’s a collective commitment shared and shouldered by a wide network of people who themselves have to develop the same qualities of strength and resilience that we ask of those family members serving in the military.”

But how does this translate to our youngest service children aged 0-5 years?

SHAPE: Free Parking in Mons increased to 2 hours

Driving into Mons? Good News; since September 2025 free parking has increased to 2 hours, Monday to Saturday between 0900 and 1700.

If you are parking in covered parking lots, your first hour parking will be free.

A ticket still needs to be purchased and you will need to put your registration number into the meter but the option to select free parking or adding extra paid hours will come up on the parking meter.

If you are parking using a Blue Badge, remember to put your blue badge number into the parking machine when purchasing a ticket (even it its free parking only).

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

This Christmas, settle in for something special – only on BFBS TV 🎄 - 20-26/12/2025

 

Your weekly guide to the must-see TV across all the channels provided by BFBS. Full listings can be found on our website

Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2025.

The Ministry of Defence published the 14th Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report on 16 Dec.

To view the Report documents, please click this link: Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2025 - GOV.UK

For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant, how it can support you and the upcoming Legal Duty extension, visit the Covenant website.