'Travel to Refuge' scheme - free travel for those fleeing domestic abuse.

Travel to Refuge is an umbrella scheme in which travel companies cover the cost of train or coach tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse travelling to refuge accommodation. It’s made up of two schemes:

Rail to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and the Rail Delivery Group, set up in April 2020, providing free rail travel for survivors of abuse. Road to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and National Express, set up in 2023, providing free coach travel for survivors of abuse.

For more information please visit: Travel to Refuge

BELGIUM: Pairi Daizi Re-Opens on Saturday 7th February 2026

After its annual closure period for maintenance, Pairi Daiza is due to re-open on Saturday 7th February 2026.

Have you visited the zoo yet? Coined the best zoo in Europe, Pairi Daiza is a zoo and a resort all in one. Set in the grounds of an old Cistercian Cambron Abbey, you will find over 7,500 animals from all 7 continents across the globe, beautiful gardens and impressive exhibits dotted throughout the zoo.

The Pairi Daiza Foundation are huge advocates for conservation, support scientific research & education and seek to protect & restore nature. They are involved in multiple conservation and research projects across the globe and have reintroduced & supported the Yellow-Bellied Toad and European Tree Frog populations here in Wallonia.

At the zoo itself, they have thought of environmentally supportive measures too, like the insect homes in all the Recycling and Waste bin casing and Solar Panelling covering the car park (genius idea, keeping cars cooler in Summer and drier in winter!).

The Pairi Daiza Resort also enables you to spend a night close to the animals. From hobbit houses in the Last Frontier and face-to-face rooms in the Penguin House to farmyard views from the Farmhouse Lodges and newly added windowed rooms into Shark Cove, there is something for everyone.

New for 2026 is Edenya, the recently completed (and world's largest at four hectares) Tropical Greenhouse which is home to Jaguars, Tapirs, Sharks, Manatees, Butterflies and more. Don't miss the Subaquatic Caves, the Dry Forest or the Suspended Walkways and to complete your visit, lunch in the Abyss, a unique underwater restaurant, has to be an absolute must.

Pairi Daizi hold two incredible annual light shows, one for Halloween and one for Christmas. In October, the zoo becomes a haven of enchanting decorations, animations and performances with visitors coming bedecked in their finest Halloween Costumes. 

The animals even join in with the celebrations as they enjoy some seasonal treats. 

From late-November until early-January, as the sun sets, the zoo is transformed in a magical world lit up by illuminated animals, video mappings and thousands of fairy lights. You will also see the Illuminated Train travelling the zoo, can visit Santa's Post Office and enjoy the Christmas Market in the Land of the Cold.

An annual ticket is a popular choice among Shapians; being only 20 minutes up the road, the annual access enables a quick after school visit to burn off steam, leisurely strolls on an otherwise quiet day or a full on day trip. The Halloween and Christmas Spectacles are all covered with the ticket and it will even give you 10% off purchases in the refreshment stalls, gifts shops and eateries throughout the zoo!

Parking is €12 per day, so adding that to the Membership is also a top tip.

If you haven't made it to Pairi Daiza yet, be sure to put in on your to-do list when it re-opens in February.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUNEI: NAAFI - Chautari Menu

Chautari Menu

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE. 

BRUNEI: Discipline - Muslim Customs in Brunei

DISCIPLINE - MUSLIM CUSTOMS IN BRUNEI 

1. It is against the law of Brunei to: 

a. Give alcoholic beverages to Muslims. 

b. Have sexual intimacy or any other relations with a married or unmarried Muslim woman. 

c. Gamble in public. 

2. If any service person is in contravention of these specific laws of Brunei, he/she will automatically have disciplinary proceedings taken against him/her irrespective of whether the Brunei Government demands his deportation or not.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: SSAFA Health Watch Week - When health information needs more than translation

In British Forces Brunei, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, supports families through its Community Health Team by helping ensure health information is understood, culturally appropriate and meaningful. For some families living overseas, access to health advice is not just about language, but about how information is explained, framed and discussed.

Health information is most effective when families can relate it to their own experiences and cultural understanding. In British Forces Brunei, much of SSAFA’s Community Health Team work supports Gurkha families, where Nepali cultural and linguistic context shapes how some health concepts are understood and discussed.

Germany: Take A Hike

We are blessed with some fantastic trails in our area of Germany. Though the weather may stay cold in the next week or so it should also stay dry. 

The English language version of the Tutoburger wald website is a fantastic tool for finding hikes and days out in our part of Germany. Not far from us we have the low mountains of the Tutoburg forest and the Egge mountains. 

If you wanted to get started on the local trails here are some routes for hiking.

NAPLES : Community Volunteers Needed

Community Volunteers provide emotional and practical support to serving personnel 
and their families. 

To get involved, Apply Here

Community Volunteers can provide an all-important listening ear when it is most needed or a more hands-on approach such as when a lift to a medical appointment or help with shopping is required. 

Military life can bring its own unique challenges; a loved one deployed or frequent 
moves due to postings. Some people find themselves facing illness, bereavement or 
unexpected financial problems. Day-to-day activities can become difficult without a 
little help and support.

This is where our Community Volunteers can step in to provide emotional and 
practical support to serving personnel and their families. Community Volunteers are 
part of SSAFA’s volunteer-led Serving Community Teams that operate in 41 locations on 
military bases around the UK and overseas. 

Community Volunteers are fully vetted and receive dedicated training and support via e learning modules and a trainer led webinar, with the option to earn a recognised 
accreditation through the Open College Network. 

Our Community volunteers receive robust support and supervision to ensure they are fully supported with the support they are providing to the community. 

A referral can be made by the client, the Community Volunteer or another welfare 
provider on behalf of the client. 

To find out more, contact the Serving Community Support Team –sct.interest@ssafa.org.uk or speak to Nicki on 07900 959946 

NAPLES : What is SSAFA?

To be able to meet the unique needs of Armed Forces personnel and their families, SSAFA provides volunteer support to local serving communities both in UK and at British military bases overseas. 

Our volunteer-delivered Serving Community Teams (SCTs) help the serving community access financial, practical and emotional support whenever they need it. 

Separate from the chain of command, SCT volunteers provide a confidential service to those in the serving community, including Reservists, serving personnel and their families whether living on bases or in their own homes.

Raising awareness and funds are important elements of the work Serving Community Teams do. All monies raised go back into the local serving community through grant giving. Depending on your location, other types of support available could include:

• Community Connection events - groups that bring community members together 
promoting connection and reducing loneliness and isolation.
• Community Volunteer support – a listening ear, practical help with odd jobs, or 
signposting to other organisations.
• Community Grants – small grants to assist services as they deliver support to the 
serving community.
• Individual Grants – small one-off grants to support individuals with urgent needs 
that are not funded by welfare or statutory agencies.
• Fundraising activities and events – from bingo evenings to cake sales, craft activities 
to running a stand at a families day. Anything that engages the community to raise funds 
and awareness of SSAFA. 
• Loan stores (mainly overseas) – hire equipment to help service families in their own 
home.

The SCTs will benefit:
Current serving personnel and immediate family members including long-term partners (as defined by Service Family Accommodation (SFA) criteria), Reservists and their immediate family members. 

To get Involved, Apply Here

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

BRUNEI: Saraswati Puja (Goddess Saraswati - Symbol of Wisdom) - Friday, 23rd January 2026, 1530 - 1630 hrs @ BFB Temple

SARASWATI PUJA (GODDESS SARASWATI – SYMBOL OF WISDOM) – Friday, 23rd January 2026

1. Event – BFB Temple service will take place to conduct Saraswati Puja on Friday, 23rd January 2026.

2. Time – The puja will take place between 1530-1630hrs (be seated by 1525).

3. Request – All available SPs, Families and children from across the BFB garrison are encourage and warmly welcome to attend.

4. Dress - Comfortable smart casual or working dress

5. Sequence of Events:

• Puja

• Bhajan

• Prabachan

• Arati, Phool, Prasad & Tika

6. Significance of Saraswati Puja. As usual every Puja in Hindu culture/religious has its significance, the Saraswati Puja, which marks the first day of spring, falls in between January and February. In Nepal, it is mostly known as Saraswati Puja which means the day to worship Goddess Saraswati, the symbol of wisdom. Schools, children and musicians celebrate this blessed day very excitedly. In fact, in front of the Goddess, all of us are students, because we are always in the path of studying and learning. Throughout our life we face new changes and challenges where we never stop learning and becoming wiser. So we are not more than the mere pupils of that supreme power, thus, we all pray, sing and worship the symbol of wisdom observing the day as a good start or improvement for education with all skills.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Basic Sewing Workshop - Every Wednesday or Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM @ Pandan B Kuala Belait

Basic Sewing Workshop

Make it a Perfect Fit!
From measurements to mastery — learn how to draft skirts, tops, and dresses that flatter every form.
Expect face to face classes with hands-on learning.

Wednesday or Friday Classes
Limited slots only!
 IG golden.needle15

Message our page to enrol!
Or
WhatsApp: 8844912
Golden Needle Dressmaking & Arts Training Centre - Pandan B Kuala Belait.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.