Defence Your Offer: Black Friday 2025 - Defence discounts make your money go further

Black Friday 2025: Defence discounts make your money go further

The countdown is on! Whether you’re ticking off your Christmas list early or saving up for something special, this year’s Black Friday event is your chance to make every penny count.

In Defence, your offer provides access to exclusive savings as a member of:
Defence Discount Service – For all staff, veterans, and Armed Forces families – giving access to thousands of online discounts from over 14,000+ brands.
Blue Light Card – The UK’s leading discount service for the Armed Forces, emergency services, NHS, social care sector and teaching community, giving access to thousands of online discounts from 15,000+ brands.
MyLifestyle – For Defence Civil Servants – giving access to thousands of online and instore retail savings from over 800 retailers.Defence Discount Service and Blue Light Card

Here’s what to expect this Black Friday…

Brunssum: Apres-ski Party XL Sittard 20th December

During the day, the streets of Sittard fill up with hundreds of Santas and Mrs. Clauses during the Santa Run and the Sittard Christmas Streets.

In the evening, the party continues. In the festive hall, you’ll feel like you’re in a ski lodge during the Après-ski Party XL. Cheesy hits, sing-alongs, overflowing beer steins and a lively winter atmosphere are all there.

Visit here for more information: Après-ski Party XL - Sittardse Kerststraatjes | Visit Zuid-Limburg

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

BELGIUM: Durbuy Christmas Markets start Today!

Durbuy Christmas Market starts today. Declared one of the nicest Christmas Markets in Belgium, this is a lovely one to kitchen off the season.

Experience the magic of the festive season as you stroll through the alleys of the historic centre and the aisles of the Christmas market. Discover fairy lights, many crafts men and delicious flavours, including the “Patate au Foie Gras".’

WHEN: Friday 21st November to Sunday 14th December 2025, Friday to Sunday only
Wednesday 17th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026 daily 11:00-23:00
WHERE: Place aux Foires & Park Roi Baudouin, Durbuy
HOW MUCH: Free Access

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Military Co-Working Online Event ‘How to Make & Edit Great Reels’, Thursday 27th November 2025 10:30-11:30

Military Co-Working are putting on a FREE Workshop…..

You asked for it so we’re delivering it!

An hour of learning from @bfbscreative all about how to make and edit great Reels. Whether it’s for a hobby or your business, if you want to create good short form video content you’ll want to be at this session.

Oh, and best of all? It’s FREE.

Head to our events section to sign up

https://www.militarycoworking.uk/online-membership


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

 

BELGIUM: Departure Pack for SHAPE & Brussels now available, Other Places to Visit Sheets also available!

Departure packs for SHAPE and Brussels Now Available!

To request yours simply pop into the office or drop me an email on RC-Pers-HIVE-SHAPE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk. 

Printed and E-Copies available.

Other information sheets available are:

• Belgian Castles
• Water Parks & Wild Swimming
• Woods and Walks
• Local Hotels (SHAPE)
• Swimming (Mons)
• Dog Walks
• Trollenbos
• Underground Palace, Brussels
• Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Germany: Sunday Services at St Bonniface Garrison Church Dec 2025

 Services, St Boniface Garrison church and other locations,  December 2025

 

Date	Service	Theme	Location
7th – 10:30	Holy Communion	2nd Sunday of Advent	St Boniface
9th – 16:30	Christingle	Christingle	Abdinghofkirche, Paderborn.
11th – 19:00	Anglo-German Carol service	Lessons and Carols	Hohen Dom, Paderborn
14th – 10:30	Holy Communion	3rd Sunday of Advent	St Boniface
21st – 10:30	Nativity	Teddy Bear’s Nativity	St Boniface
24th – 16:00 `	Carol Service	Carols for Christmas	Community Centre
24th – 23:30	Holy Communion	Midnight Mass	St Boniface
25th – 10:30	Holy Communion	Christmas Day	St Boniface
28th – 10:30	Holy Communion	1st Sunday of Christmas	St Boniface

 Children and families welcome, refreshments services in Sennelager.

 Any question please contact Padre Nick on +49 1722 595317

 

BELGIUM: Reminder of Notice of Closure of American Pharmacy, impacting UK Dispensary Services, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November 2025

 Reminder of Notice of Closure: 

Don’t forget that the American Pharmacy will be closed on Thursday, 27th November, and Friday, 28th November, in observance of Thanksgiving and this will impact the British Community too.
 
The UK Dispensary will also be closed during this time, and there will be no access to the pharmacy for medication collection. Any prescriptions issued on these dates will be dispensed via Pools Pharmacy. Be sure to collect any repeat prescriptions prior to this date if you will run out of medications during these two days.
 
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Romanian Christmas Market, Saturday 22 November 12:00-18:00

This weekend on SHAPE sees the Romanian Christmas Fair.

Pop along to the Cavoli Community Centre on Saturday 22nd November between 12:00 and 18:00 for some festive spirit Romanian Style with music, crafts, food and a Tombola.

Bon Weekend!


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUNEI: AWS - Parents & Toddlers and Youth Club are closed from 17th - 28th November 2025

Hi Community, 

Please be informed that the Parents & Toddlers session and Youth Club school years 1-8 are closed from 17 - 28 November 2025 due to BFB Children's Christmas event preparations. 

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) Allowance

PRIMARY SCHOOL AGED CHILDCARE OVERSEAS (PSACO) ALLOWANCE

1. What is the PSACO Allowance?

a. The PSACO Allowance is the final phase of the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme. Providing a reimbursement of before and after school childcare costs for 4–11-year-old children (4-16 years old if in receipt of certain UK disability benefits), in overseas locations where due to local rules or regulations the WAC Allowance eligibility criteria cannot be met or because Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) accounts are not available.

b. Service personnel that meet the eligibility criteria could claim around £3,400 per child, per year, for before and after school childcare costs.

c. The PSACO Allowance does not provide childcare spaces, it is a reimbursement of costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare.

2. Where to find further information? The eligibility criteria, further guidance and resources are available on the Defence Childcare Information page, Families Hub Information Portal, Defence Connect Childcare Information Page and 2025DIN01-122.

3. When will Registration be available? More information regarding registration and claims guidance will be available from January 2026.

4. Have questions? Personnel and Service families can email the policy team at PEOPLE-AFFS-WAC-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk.

5. A poster relevant to the subject can be found at [Annex B].