Brunssum: What's on in September

There's lots going on this September around JFC Brunssum. Whatever your tastes, there's bound to be something that suits. 

If you are new to JFC Brunssum, welcome! Here are a few things that are available all the time that may be of interest:

For the kids

Blote Voeten Park - a barefoot trail and child-friendly cafe with toys

Kinderstad Heerlen - indoor amusement park with both rides and soft play. 

Mondo Verde - outdoor amusement park with rides, animals, gardens, and a water play area.

Regular Activities are hosted on the base by:

JFC Crafts Centre

JFC Library

The Hub

Get involved - speak to the HIVE for information on the below clubs:

Military Wives Choir

British Ski Club

Book Club

Something missing? Email the Brunssum HIVE for more information: RC-Pers-HIVE-Brunssum-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk 

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

BELGIUM: Has your Child gone to Boarding School or University?

If you have a child/children who have gone to Boarding School or University having lived here, don't forget to inform the UK Medical Centre...

It is important that their medical records follow them too!


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUNEI: BFB Job Vacancies - Teacher Cover Supervisor (Casual) and Learning Support assistant Level 2 (Casual) No closing date

 

British Forces Brunei Entitled BFB SPOUSES Job Vacancies

Hornbill School

1. Teacher Cover Supervisor (Casual)

Click here for Job Advert.

Please note: Only applicable for BFB SP or Civil Servant Spouses, NOT for external applicants.

Closing date: No closing date

Anyone who wishes to apply for this role, has any specific questions and to request an application form, kindly send an email to LPPO at BruneiGar-CivSec-LPPO-Group@mod.gov.uk

2. Learning Support assistant Level 2 (Casual)

Click here for Job Advert.

Please note: Only applicable for BFB SP or Civil Servant Spouses, NOT for external applicants. 

Closing date: No closing date

Anyone who wishes to apply for this role, has any specific questions and to request an application form, kindly send an email to LPPO at BruneiGar-CivSec-LPPO-Group@mod.gov.uk

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Brunssum: Newcomer and Family Day

JFC Brunssum is hosting their annual Newcomer and Family Day on 2nd September 2026, celebrating food, culture, and connection. 

Situated at the Flags area (outside Miners Rest), there will be stalls from all the nations represented at JFC Brunssum, as well as from local clubs and resources. The national stalls will have a variety of foods and drinks to try - for example, the British stall has Pimms, strawberries and cream, and a bake-off challenge from the local community. The event is aimed at all ages, including some activities specifically for children. 

Alongside the event, there is an International Tug of War competition at 1500. Contact details to participate are available from the HIVE. 

There are also discounts available at Aelia's Duty Free in line with the event. Certain products will be available for 20% off - more information can be found in store.

If you would like to volunteer with the British stand, please contact the HIVE or the CLOs. 

Information provided by the Brunssum HIVE. 

DIO: Families First Newsletter – 27 August 2026

The latest issue of the DIO Families First newsletter for SFA occupants is now available to read online at Families First Newsletter - Issue 41

You can sign up to receive the latest news direct to your own inbox from DIO at: Newsletter Landing Page – Defence Homes

Brunssum: GDP Medical and Dental Update Brief

 

The Defence Global Practice and RoW Dental Representative will host a short Medical & Dental Update Brief for British personnel and families at JFC Brunssum:

📅 10 September 26

🕦 11:30–12:30

All are welcome to join for the latest updates and opportunity for Q&A.

Please contact the Brunssum HIVE or the NSE for the Teams link. 

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE. 

BRUNEI: PCMF - Monthly Health Promotion for September - Sepsis Awareness Starts With You

 

Please click the image to enlarge.

Brunssum: Cultura Nova 2026

Copyright Luc Lodder, Cultura Nova 2025

Cultura Nova, an annual ten day arts festival in Heerlen and surrounding towns, begins on Friday August 28th.

The festival includes more than 250 performances in the fields of theater, circus, dance, music, film, and visual arts. There are performances for all ages, in a wide variety of locations, and includes both local and international talent. There is a mix of free and paid events, as well as both pre-booked and walk ins. 

For the full programme and information about the event, visit the event website: https://www.culturanova.nl/

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE. 

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Free financial webinars this September

Dates are detailed below; to find out more or to register for a webinar, please go to: https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars

Car Finance: More than a Monthly Payment
Date: Tuesday 1st September
Time: 12:00-12:45

Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills
Date: Thursday 3rd September
Time: 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Tips for living a greener life to save money and protect the planet!

Recruit for Spouses: Jobs for spouses, partners & veterans at Serco

This update covers the latest in Service community recruitment opportunities across healthcare, corporate ops, leisure & hospitality, and more.

To view this newsletter, which provides further information on all of the above, please go to: NEW - Jobs for spouses, partners & veterans at Serco

Wifinity: Exclusive connectivity discounts for personnel in Single Living Accommodation

Low cost eSIM for deployment and travel - Wifinity | Explore our low cost eSIM plans

Cheapest options on the market for MOD personnel and families going abroad
10% discount for MOD personnel and families using code HIVE10
20% discount for existing Wifinity customers. Customers can log into their ‘My Account’ to get their code

Wifinity: Exclusive connectivity discounts for personnel in Service Families Accommodation

Ultrafast broadband flexible for families into SFA homes - Wifinity Forces Fibre Monthly rolling contracts available.

Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results

Students at Defence Children Services secondary schools have been celebrating throughout August, with many progressing to university, military careers and apprenticeships. Read more about this year's results at Queen Victoria School, King Richard School and St John's School:

Defence Children Services students celebrate 2026 exam results

Germany: Weekend Guide 28th- 30th August

Late-August Family Weekend Guide: 

Summer is winding down, but the family fun is just getting started! If you are looking for the perfect way to spend the upcoming weekend,  you are in luck. From historical fairy tales to glowing light displays and bustling carnivals, local towns are packing this weekend with unforgettable experiences. 

Google map link

Use this link to find locations and plan journey times 

CTP Employment Fair: London date now added on 01 Oct 2026

CTP Employment Fairs are open to Service leavers, Veterans, Reservists, partners and spouses
Service leavers/veterans/Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

Alternatively register via the Forces Employment Charity (FEC): Link and click 'REGISTER' from the menu.

Other upcoming CTP Employment Fair dates are:

Salford - 10 Sept
Bournemouth - 24 Sept
Belfast - 14 Oct
Cardiff - 5 Nov
Telford - 19 Nov

To view all 2026 CTP Employment Fair locations and dates, please go to: https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2026/01/career-transition-partnership-2026.html

Department for Work & Pensions: Latest roundup of news – 21 Aug 26

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) arrangements for Monday 31 August bank holiday

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) arrangements are different for 31 August bank holiday:
England, Scotland and Wales
On Monday 31 August offices and phone lines are closed
To make sure people get their payment on a day when our offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early.
If the expected payment date is Monday 31 August, then benefits will be on Friday 28 August.
If the expected payment date is not shown, customers will get their money on their usual payment date.

Free bus travel 24/7 for disabled people
From 1 April 2027, people who hold a disabled bus pass can travel on buses for free, no matter the time of day. This extra support will help to open up access to workplaces, education, training, and other opportunities as well as giving people breathing space on the cost of living and putting money back in people’s pockets.
Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel between 9.30am and 11pm during weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension.
Read the press release

Brunssum: Thrift-Tea Takeovers

Curios Thrift Shop will be holding "Thrift-Tea Takeovers" once a month at Tea and Toast. 

The JFC Brunssum thrift shop, part of the British Community Mess, will be coming to Tea and Toast once a month for a takeover. This is a great chance to find a bargain - clothes, books, and more - while enjoying some tea and a chat with other community members. 

It's also a great chance to pick up a "thrift-tea loyal-tea" card - collect stamps at every Tea and Toast or each thrift purchase, and save €2, whether for Tea and Toast or at the thrift shop!

The dates for 2026 are: 26 August, 23 September, 21 October, 18 November, and 16 December. 

Tea and Toast runs on all other Wednesdays, in the British NSE community room, and is €2 a person. 

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Gibraltar: GCSE Results August 2026

Year 11 learners at Bayside and Westside Schools today received their GCSE / Level 2 results, marking the completion of their first public examinations and an important milestone in their education. Across both schools, staff are celebrating the many individual stories of effort, progress and achievement represented by today’s results.

Across the full range of GCSE and Level 2 courses in Gibraltar, including legacy letter grades and vocational outcomes, pupils at Bayside and Westside Schools achieved 3,457 pass grades out of a possible 3,536, representing an overall pass rate of 98%.

Across Bayside and Westside, 701 grades were achieved at levels 9, 8 and 7, the highest grades available at GCSE, with 359 secured at Bayside and 342 at Westside.

BRUNEI: BFB Spouses Coffee Morning & Welcome Mahima Limbu Didi (Incoming GM's Wife) - Monday, 24th August 2026, 0900 - 1030 hrs @ CCCC

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Exceptional GCSE Results at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School

Exceptional GCSE Results at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School
Students at The Duke of York's Royal Military School are celebrating another year of exceptional GCSE results, where a third of grades were 9-7 and 69% of students gained a 5 or above in both English and Maths. Many students have also secured prestigious academic and sports scholarships as they continue their educational journey into the school's Sixth Form.

Principal Alex Foreman said: "Education today asks more of schools than ever before, and I am incredibly proud that our students continue to rise to every challenge. These results are a testament to their commitment, ambition, and perseverance, alongside the dedication of our outstanding staff.

BFBS Esports Grand Final takes over the iconic RAF Museum London this September

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service), the Ministry of Defence’s trusted media service for UK Armed Forces personnel is pleased to announce the BFBS Esports Pro League is back. This year it’s bigger than ever, taking over the iconic Royal Air Force Museum, London!

Following a first season that attracted more than 700 players from across the UK Armed Forces community, the Season Two Grand Final featuring Rocket League, will take place on Sunday 27 September, bringing together esports, Defence engagement, military innovation and the wider Armed Forces community.

Alongside the live championship action, featuring all three services, the event will also feature exclusive augmented reality esports experiences with HADO, simulators and gaming experiences with RAFAC, Royal Navy STEM activities, live performances from the British Army Rifles Band, and much more!

For the first time, selected elements of the event will also be open to the public, including a live screening of the Grand Final in the RAF theatre.

To read the full press release, please Click HERE

AFCFT ‘Supporting Partners Programme’ opens for applications, closes 23rd Sept with notification by end of Nov

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are pleased to let you know that the Supporting Partners programme under the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund is now open and ready to welcome new applications!

What’s the programme all about?

Since 2023, the Trust have awarded over £2.5m on behalf of the MOD to 45 projects under the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme which seeks to provide support and solutions to help partners of serving personnel navigate the challenges of service life.

Career Transition Partnership: Employment Fair in Salford on 10 Sept

CTP Employment Fairs are open to:

Service leavers
Veterans
Reservists
Partners and spouses

Service leavers/veterans/Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

Alternatively register via the Forces Employment Charity (FEC): Link and click 'REGISTER' from the menu.

Next upcoming dates are:

Bournemouth - 24 Sept
Belfast - 14 Oct
Cardiff - 5 Nov
Telford - 19 Nov

To view all 2026 CTP Employment Fair locations and dates, please go to: https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2026/01/career-transition-partnership-2026.html

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Supporting service children to thrive - a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open.

Supporting service children to thrive: a new round of the Service Pupil Support Programme now open

Service life can bring unique challenges for children and young people. Frequent moves, disrupted learning and periods of separation can all add up - and they can affect how children feel, learn and achieve.

Delivered on behalf of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Service Pupil Support programme (SPSP) funds practical, evidence-led projects that respond to these challenges and strengthen educational outcomes for service pupils. With a new round of funding now open, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are inviting schools and local authorities across the UK to apply, so more service pupils can get the right support to feel settled and succeed at school.

Combat Stress Race to Remember: Choose Your Challenge This Remembrance

This Remembrance, do more than remember.

Join hundreds taking on Race to Remember — walking or running 36km or 76km. Support veterans living with PTSD and make your miles matter. The date is Saturday 7th November 2026, and race start points are Aldershot or Petersfield, finishing at Portsmouth.

Find out more and sign up at: https://events.combatstress.org.uk/event/racetoremember2026/home

Combat Stress online event: The role of Peer Support in veteran recovery - 23 Sept 26

Join the next Combat Stress Learning event on 23 Sept with Simon West, veteran and Lead Peer Support Coordinator, as he explores the power of Peer Support.

You will hear valuable insights and takeaway tips for how Peer Support could be relevant for you, a veteran you support, or a veteran you live with.

Suitable for professionals, organisations, family and friends alike.

To find about more about the webinar programme series, or to register, please go to: For Family and Friends – Combat Stress Learning

National Cadets Week 2026

First-ever National Cadets Week to celebrate cadets and reconnect young people with the Armed Forces.

The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country's most effective youth organisations.

• The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country’s most effective youth organisations
• A new Cadets Action Plan will set out the government’s long-term vision for the cadet forces
• The initiative will help deliver on the Strategic Defence Review’s demand for a whole-of-society approach to defence

First-ever National Cadets Week to celebrate cadets and reconnect young people with the Armed Forces - GOV.UK

Germany: Guide to the Weekend

Food and festivals are the theme for events this weekend. Locally a Winefest and a British Weekend are the local highlights to enjoy.

Paderborner Weindorf

Independent winemakers from across Germany are setting up shop to serve premium vintages. Pair your glass with ambient live music, local culinary snacks, and lingering late-summer nights.

• Dates: Friday, August 21st to Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
• Opening Hours: Friday and Saturday from 3:00 PM to midnight; Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
• Ticket Cost: Free admission.

Copyright SCHLOSSPARK UND LIPPESEE GESELLSCHAFT MBH

NAPLES: Parenting Support for Overseas Military Families Worldwide

 

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

NAPLES: NEW Virtual New Parent Group

 

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Latest Trust grant programmes

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust are pleased to announce a new grant programme: Reveal & Respond. This programme funds tailored projects that improve access to mental health and wellbeing support for specific groups in the armed forces community.

Funding is available through two routes: Test and Develop Grants (£20,000 to £40,000) and Scale and Strengthen Grants (£150,000 to £300,000). Applications close 12 midday, 28 October 2026.

To find out more please visit Reveal & Respond: improving access to support for underrepresented groups - Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

To view other open grant programmes please go to the Trust’s open programmes page

Little Troopers: August Newsletter

To view the latest Little Troopers newsletter and updates, please go to: Fully-funded football workshops next week plus a summer catch up and looking forward to September

Recruit for Spouses: August Update

To view the latest RFS newsletter and updates, please go to: Looking for a new job? Read this

📢 DIO Store Closure Notice

Please be advised that the DIO Store will be closed this week due to staff absence.

This affects routine collections, including: 

🗑️ Bin bags
🧂 Salt
📦 Other standard store items

The store is scheduled to reopen on Monday 24 August.

✅ There should be no urgent requirements that cannot wait until the store reopens. However, if you have any concerns or believe you have an urgent need, please contact the Helpdesk for assistance.

Thank you for your understanding.

BRUNEI: BFB New Arrivals Induction Brief - *Next Date* Thursday, 17th September 2026, 0900 - 1230 hrs @ Main Hall, Chit Chat Community Centre

For all the New Arrivals in British Forces Brunei, please attend the Mandatory Induction Brief on Thursday, 17th September 2026 at Chit Chat Community Centre.

The session will run from 0900 - 1230 hrs. (be seated by 0855 hrs)

Tea and coffee will be provided.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Pets in SFA Policy

References: 

A. Tri-Service Accommodation Regulation - JSP 464 

B. License to Occupy SFA

1. All dogs and cats kept in the SFA must be registered with the SSO Housing and Welfare Department. Obtain the prior written consent of the SFA sponsor’s local housing staff or station unit commander (as relevant to local instructions) before acquiring or bringing a pet into the SFA. 

BRUNEI: RMP - Reporting Crime and Wrongdoing

Reporting crime and wrongdoing

If you or someone else are in immediate danger or you need support right away, always call 993 if in Brunei (or 999 if in the UK).

If you wish to report a crime committed by a person or persons subject to Service law/discipline, and wish to remain anonymous, this can now be reported through the charity Crimestoppers.

Give Us Time - September 2026 update

To find out more please go to www.giveustime.org.uk

Have You Experienced an Overseas Posting?

Your story could help improve support for military families.

RAND Europe has been asked by the Army Families Federation, RAF Families Federation and Naval Families Federation to carry out an important study on the experiences of UK military families during overseas postings.

BRUNEI: On Government Service (OGS) Stamp and Special Pass

1. All permanently assigned service personnel, UKBC and MOD contract civilian staff (including family members) require a valid On Government Service (OGS) Stamp in their passport.

2. It is the responsibility of the head of household to ensure that new applications, extensions, Special Pass, Special Pass extension and OGS cancellations are submitted to the LEC Pay & Personnel Office (LPPO) for him/herself along with their family members. All service personnel (including family members) must submit through the Regimental Admin Office (RAO) first.