SHAPE: Community Openings at the BritBar April to July 2026

Here are your Community BritBar Openings from April to July 2026.

Come along after work, have a drink and decompress with friends. 

Uniform accepted, All Welcome.

See you there!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Military Connected Children and Young People – Survey invitation: Our Health, Our Community, Our Voice

We need your help! We're asking children and young people from military families to answer some questions and we'd really love to hear from you!

What is it all about? We want to find out what life is like for children who have a parent or guardian in the military. We're asking questions about your home, your school, your friends, and how you feel. This helps us understand what's great about military life, and where young people might need more support.

What are Social Determinants of Health? These are just the things around you that can affect how healthy and happy you feel, like where you live, who you spend time with, whether you feel safe, and whether you can get help when you need it.

What will I need to do? You'll be asked to fill in an online survey. It's not a test and there are no right or wrong answers! It will take about 10–15 minutes and you can do it at home or at school.

Everything you say is private. Your name won't be shared with anyone.

Why should I do it?Because your opinion really matters!
To help other children in military families get better support
Hundreds of young people all over the UK are doing it too and you'll be part of something really important

Please use the relevant QR to your age group in the poster attached. Or follow the links below to the survey:

Age 8-11 – Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Age 12-15 – Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Age 16-18 - Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: New funding opens to help young service children get the best start in life

New funding opens to help young service children get the best start in life

Young children in serving armed forces families often experience change in their early years before they even start school.

Frequent moves, long periods of separation, and the pressures of service life can all affect a child’s sense of stability at a critical stage of development.

A new round of funding has now opened to help early years providers and local authorities respond to these challenges and give service children the strong, nurturing start they deserve.

SHAPE: Trips and Tours Itinerary is here

The SHAPE Trips and Tours Schedule is here!

Whether you are looking for a day trip or seeking a longer getaway, check out the itinerary available.

Click on the photo to enlarge or see here for more information about specific destination.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: the 1st SHAPE Sea Scouts are recruiting both children and adults!

The 1st SHAPE Sea Scouts are recruiting!

There are spaces for BEAVERS available now and both CUBS and SCOUTS will have spaces open soon.

The team are also recruiting adult volunteers to help support the Scouting movement here on SHAPE and a new Trustee is required too.

To sign your child up, please scan the QR code in the poster.

For further information on volunteering or trustee positions, please contact: 1stSHAPE@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk    

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Brunssum: Cycling in Zuid-Limburg

 

There is much to discover when you cycle through Zuid-Limburg. The network of cycling routes takes you through the forests, heaths and along the water. There may some challenging hills, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views all over the region.

For maps and useful information about popular routes, click here

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: AI Skills for Military Partners hosted by BFBS Academy

AI Skills for Military Partners hosted by BFBS Academy.

This is a first‑of‑its‑kind AI skills course, created especially for military spouses and partners, and it is:

Completely FREE
Open to all levels – no prior AI or technical experience needed
Focused on practical, real‑life skills

Participants will explore what AI is, how it is already being used, and how these skills can support learning, personal development, and future opportunities - whatever their background or aspirations.

As part of the programme, the BFBS Academy team will also be delivering a series of free, live and interactive webinars, starting in March 2026.

These sessions will give spouses and partners the chance to learn directly from experts, ask questions, and build confidence in using AI in everyday life.

Details of how to register to take part can be found at:
https://sms.bfbs.com/course/ai-skills-for-military-partners

We would be incredibly grateful if you could share this opportunity as widely as possible, using all the methods and channels available to you. This is a fantastic chance to reach and empower a wide range of military partners and spouses across our communities.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Defence UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) – launches Sept 2026

To access any document links, please view the document online here.

Further information will follow in due course, but please contact HIVE with any queries in the meantime.

Welcome to International HIVE

Welcome to International HIVE, our mission is to provide you with the most up to date information, the Overseas Locations Guides are an in-depth collection of that information.

Brussels - Click here for the Overseas Location Guide.

Brussels - Local Location Guide from the Belgium HIVE.

SHAPE - Click here for the Overseas Location Guide.

SHAPE - Local Location Guide from the Belgium HIVE.

If further information is required, please contact your nearest HIVE or the iHIVE, details below:


SHAPE HIVE Email: RC-Pers-HIVE-SHAPE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Call: +47 (0)1611 678


iHIVE Email: RC-Pers-HIVE-iHIVE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Call: +44 (0)7974 287738

NAPLES: British Forces Clinic Update re Meningitis B outbreak

 💉British Forces Clinic Update 💉

 

We’re aware of the current Meningitis B outbreak in the UK and understand that this may be worrying for some families.

At present, guidance from the UKHSA indicates that this is a localised outbreak linked to the University of Kent, specifically involving individuals who attended Club Chemistry between 5–7 March 2026. Those identified as being at risk will be contacted directly by the appropriate authorities.

 

The situation is being closely monitored by UKHSA, the NHS, the Defence Public Health Unit, and Defence Primary Healthcare.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cases-of-invasive-meningococcal-disease-confirmed-in-kent

 

At this time, there are no plans to offer the Meningitis B vaccine outside of the affected area, and vaccinations will continue in line with the NHS routine immunisation schedule only. Should there be any changes to current guidance, we will share updates and any necessary actions as soon as possible.

 

📞If you would like to discuss any concerns, please arrange an appointment with a nurse by calling us on +39 081 721 2336.

❗For families with children attending boarding schools in the UK, we kindly ask that any queries are directed to the GP practice where your child is registered, as we do not have access to their medical records. This helps ensure safe and consistent care.

🖥️For more information on symptoms and meningococcal disease, please visit the NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/

 

Thank you for your support, BFC. 🩵

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE