Brunssum: Visit Hasselt

 

In Hasselt, Belgium, a 45 minute drive from Brunssum, is a tranquil Japanese garden.
It is the perfect setting to fully experience the Japanese culture.

There are benches to sit on to enjoy the sound of waterfalls, koi fish to spot and feed, picnic places and paths for peaceful walks.

There are different activities/events on every month. View their website here.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026.

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, the Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) will become a permanent waiver for eligible Service personnel (SP) and outdated waivers based on marriage and age will be retired.

First introduced in March 2024 the DAW was designed to support home ownership and replace older SLA waivers. The DAW supports eligible SP to use Single Living Accommodation (SLA) free of charge, providing they maintain a separate home elsewhere in the UK.

What are the key changes from 1 April 2026?

SHAPE: Please check your letterboxes regularly and read on...

Please check your letter box, a few letters have been sent recently.

• The local tax (waste collection) from Mons and Jurbise communes have been sent and Soignies will appear soon; DIO will pay on your behalf.
• Compulsory Education Check letter from Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles
• “Amende administrative – excercice d’imposition 2025” €50.00 fine for the income tax letter not been completed.

Please react quickly and email Nadia, our lovely HNLO, the letters to avoid reminder letters, fines and bailiffs knocking at your door.

It is good practice to get into the habit of checking your home mailbox regularly; its the one time you can pass the bills onto someone else!

Thank you for your support!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Non-UK Nationals: Guidance on Changes to Entering the UK as a Dual British National

HQ Regional Command

Regional Command Non-UK Support - RC-Pers-NUKNSp-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Changes to Entering the UK as a Dual British National

From 25 February 2026, dual British nationals must be able to demonstrate their right of abode when entering the UK. British citizens cannot apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and must instead provide approved documentation confirming their right of abode.

Brunssum: QR codes to help

Click here to view a larger version of the above image.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Family Action: Free counselling support for military personnel, veterans, and families

In support of the British forces, Relate (part of Family Action) can provide six free sessions of relationship and family counselling, and counselling for military personnel, veterans, and families (via webcam), for the following –

Who’s eligible

Serving RAF personnel

RAF Veterans

Family members of the above

Includes personnel posted/deployed overseas

Career Transition Partnership – Upcoming Employment Fairs in Bristol, Edinburgh, Kent and Plymouth

CTP Employment Fairs are open to:

Service leavers
Veterans
Reservists
Partners and spouses

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

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

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

BELGIUM: Monuments & Moments 16 June 2026 until 11 November 2028

In commemoration of the anniversaries of major memorial sites throughout the West Flanders region, a new First World War Tourism campaign is planned.

The commemorative programme includes anniversaries of the Menin Gate, the Last Post ceremony and Tyne Cot cemetery.

I hope you are able to visit and reflect during this poignant campaign.

For more information, please see https://www.toerismewesthoek.be/nl/monuments-moments

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Helping Your Children Make Sense of the News

Bounce Forward are the leading charity for building psychological fitness. Here are their three top tips on helping your child makes sense of the news....

When big stories are in the news, children hear about them - at school, online, from friends, and sometimes in ways that can feel confusing or worrying.

You don’t need to have all the answers. What matters most is helping your child think clearly, feel safe to ask questions, and respond in ways that protect their wellbeing.

Here are three simple ways you can support them at home:

1. Help them become a “detective”

If a story sounds dramatic or blames someone, pause together.
You might ask:

• What do we actually know?
• Where did this information come from?
• Could there be another side to the story?
• Is this using words like “always” or “never”?

This builds flexible and realistic thinking - and helps children avoid jumping to conclusions.

2. Use ‘what’ questions, not ‘why’

When emotions are high, “why” questions can sometimes feel blaming.
Instead try:

• What have you heard?
• What do you think about it?
• What worries you most?
• What would help you feel clearer or calmer?

“What” keeps the conversation open and supportive.

3. Choose hope and kindness

It’s easy for children (and adults) to feel overwhelmed by difficult world events. Remind them that choosing hope and kindness doesn’t ignore reality - it helps us move forward.
You could ask:

• What’s one small positive thing we could do?
• How can we show kindness right now?
• Who is helping in this situation?

Even small actions help children feel less powerless and more resilient.

You don’t need to solve the world’s problems in one conversation. Simply listening calmly, asking thoughtful questions and modelling balanced thinking makes a powerful difference.

For more information, resources, support and learning materials, check out the Bounce Forward Website

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Brunssum: Castle Arcen

 

Enjoy the castle and gardens where every season has its own charm. 
You can combine your visit with a bike ride or a creative workshop.

Plenty for children to do - they can go on a discovery tour in the park with a treasure hunt, have a game of mini golf, play on the man-made beach and feed the animals in the petting meadow.