BELGIUM: Claim your VAT back from UK Amazon orders to the BFPO address

 

Did you know that you can claim back your VAT from UK Amazon orders that have been delivered to the Belgium BFPO 26 address?

To claim back your VAT you need to email vat-refund-requests@amazon.co.uk.

Below is a basic draft email for you to copy and edit. Once you’ve written your email, you need to send it to: vat-refund-requests@amazon.co.uk to claim back your VAT from UK Amazon orders to the BFPO address. 

SHAPE: Vehicle Access Pass Introduction, Deadline Looming

Please see the update on the introduction of Vehicle Access Passes (VAPs) as parking on base gets tighter with the progression of the redevelopment of SHAPE.
 

If you drive your car onto base, please do not miss the deadline to register for a Vehicle Access Pass. QR Code on the poster or click this link

Who: All Personnel Driving on SHAPE
What: Vehicle Access Pass Registration
When: By 12 June 2026
Where: Use the QR Code in the flyer or click this link
Why: Mitigate the impact of parking reductions and improve oversight

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: The best ice-cream shops in Brussels

Are you an Ice-Cream Connoisseur, a Gelato Gourmet or a Sundae Specialist?

Be sure to check out the favourite artisanal ice-cream shops across Brussels. I wonder how many you could visit this Summer? Challenge accepted? Find out more HERE

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Could your organisation help strengthen support for serving families facing separation and relocation?

Could your organisation help strengthen support for serving families facing separation and relocation?

Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) are inviting applications for a new place-based grants programme, giving organisations the chance to strengthen support for serving families affected by separation and relocation.

For many serving families, separation and relocation can affect every part of life - from daily routines and relationships to wellbeing and a sense of stability. Together for Service Families: place-based grants is a fantastic opportunity to help change that by backing strong local partnerships that make support easier to find, easier to access and better suited to the realities of service life.

What’s it all about?
At the heart of this new programme are place-based portfolio projects led by one organisation and delivered with a range of partners. If your organisation understands its local area, values partnership working and wants to create meaningful change for serving families, this is a fantastic opportunity to drive that change locally.

Up to £350,000 is available for portfolio grants lasting up to 3.5 years, including an initial discovery or development phase of up to six months. This gives organisations the chance to build strong local partnerships, understand needs in depth and create lasting change beyond the life of the grant.

Is it for me?
This programme is open to UK-based registered charities with substantial recent experience of supporting armed forces communities, as well as local authorities. If your organisation is ready to lead ambitious local partnership work that improves support for serving families, we’d love to hear from you.

What type of projects can be supported?
The Trust want to hear from organisations ready to lead projects that tackle immediate challenges and strengthen how support is designed and delivered locally over time.

Applications will follow a two-stage process, starting with expressions of interest from organisations that want to act as the lead organisation for a local portfolio of work.

Find out more

If this sounds like the right opportunity for your organisation, submit your expression of interest by 12 noon 19 August 2026. You can find full programme guidance, eligibility information and application details on the Trust’s website www.covenantfund.org.uk

Keep up to date with funding opportunities

For the latest updates and announcements on each of these Covenant Fund programmes, and any other funding opportunities the Trust has available throughout the year, sign up to their e-newsletter via their website www.covenantfund.org.uk

SHAPE: MyZone at SHAPE

Sgt Boothby has been successful in obtaining funding to get a license to manage Myzone at SHAPE.

He is currently working on another bid to get more Myzone belts; this will allow belts to be available to the SHAPE community at a big discount. Usually priced at £139.99, they will be on offer via Sgt Boothby for €50. The money raised through sales will then go towards prizes.

A fabulous, healthy initiative to get involved in and kick start that Summer Bod!


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Mons-Nimy-Casteau Roadworks Latest Update

From Monday, June 8th to Friday, June 19th, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction on the side of the road usually used towards Mons, between Rue des Wartons and Rue du Grand Pays. Speed ​​limits will be in place in the construction zone. During this period, Rue Comte Cornet, Rue de la Vieille Fontaine, and Rue des Wartons will no longer be accessible from the N6. A detour will be in place via Rue de la Lanterne. Parking will also be prohibited along the odd-numbered side of the N6.

A second phase will follow from Monday, June 22nd to Friday, July 3rd. This time, traffic will be diverted onto the lanes usually used towards Casteau. Access to the N6 from the Cité des Epinois, as well as Rue des Pierres, Rue Baron Dubois de Chantraine, Rue Juniaux, and Rue Léon Dewolf, will be closed. A detour will be in place via Chaussée Brunehault. Parking will be prohibited on the even-numbered side of the road. Sofico specifies that "access to businesses along the N6 and to SHAPE will remain possible for most of the works." The vehicle inspection centre will also remain accessible.

And finally...the project will also allow for changes to the road markings between the Les Portes de Maisières shopping centre and the Nimy interchange. Heading towards Mons, traffic will be reduced to a single lane to free up space for parking and pedestrians. The resurfacing of the final section, between Rue du Grand Pays and Rue Brisée, will be scheduled at a later date.

More Information HERE

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Belgium Location Guides; SHAPE Mons and Brussels

Welcome to SHAPE and Brussels HIVE! 

Our mission is to provide you with the most up-to-date information. This new and improved Location Guide, replacing the HIVE Arrival Guide, is a collection of such information.

SHAPE - Click Here for Location Guide

BRUSSELS - Click Here for Location Guide

If further information is required, please do contact me at SHAPE and Brussels HIVE on: RC-Pers-HIVE-SHAPE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE 

Updated copies for 2026

REME Connect now live!

REME CONNECT is live!

REME CONNECT is the new digital hub for the entire REME Family (our serving personnel, veterans and families). It’s free to download and includes over 150 REME groups, latest news and events across the Corps and Association. Download and register now!

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reme-connect/id6759965779
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details...

For a step-by-step guide https://remeconnect.org

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

NAPLES: Ordering Repeat Prescriptions

 

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE