International Team Fireworks competition
Each year in the great garden of the Herrenhausen. the international Team Firework event takes place. From May to September five countries have 25 mins to wow the judges with their best displays.
Teams are allowed to place fireworks in different zones across the gardens, the judges haves chosen the same first piece of music for the teams. After that the choices are up to them.
These are teams from professional companies which work all over the world.
Over £290,000 to support those with seldom heard needs in Armed Forces communities
Ensuring under-represented voices in armed forces communities are heard is vital. In the latest round of their Hidden Voices programme, the Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) awarded grants totalling more than £290,000 to 15 projects delivering accessible mental health and wellbeing support for those with seldom heard needs in armed forces communities.
These projects will focus on improving access to bespoke support for groups whose voices, opinions or needs are not adequately represented or who face barriers to accessing support services.
Trust CEO Anna Wright said: "This programme is all about giving a voice to armed forces communities who may have been overlooked or unheard. Providing tailored, accessible mental health and wellbeing support, these projects will improve awareness and understanding of the of the unique needs of these communities, improving service provision for years to come."
Thursday 8th May 1015-1045hrs - Service of Remembrance (Memorial outside HQ NFS (Bldg 78).
This will be the official GSU event to mark the day.
The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:
GFIE 430 - Dept for Work & Pensions (DWP) Service Delivery
Stratford, Barking, Hounslow, Ealing, Forest Hill and Gloucester
Closing Date: 9 May 2025
GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).
To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form (also see Guidance notes) and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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Defence Secretary commits to improving homes for Service families
Earlier today, Defence Secretary John Healey announced a new Consumer Charter to improve SFA for personnel and families. This forms part of the Defence Housing Review that is underway following the MOD’s landmark deal to bring 36,000 UK SFA homes back under our ownership.
The Charter outlines a list of commitments we will be making to improve our accommodation service offer for you, including:
• A more robust move-in standard so that you can have confidence that the home you are moving into will be ready on time and will be clean and functional.
• Providing you with improved, clearer information ahead of your move, including photographs and floor plans when you apply for SFA.
• More reliable repairs, including a requirement to complete urgent repairs within a set timeline consistent with Awaab’s Law, and an online portal for service personnel to manage repairs.
• Raising the minimum standard of SFA with a new programme of works targeted at the worst homes, with up to 1,000 refurbished.
• Better and clearer communication for you, including a named housing officer for every service family who you can contact for specific housing related queries.
There’s a job opportunity at Relate (now part of Family Action, a national charity) that might be of interest to Service leavers, veterans, spouses, partners and the wider military community.
Family focused events in the holidays are a big deal in Germany and Easter is no exception. So take the opportunity this year to join in the festivities. Two of the favourite activities at Easter are traditional egg hunts and Easter Bonfires.
Please note the Eggs used in the hunt will be the traditional brightly coloured hard boiled eggs! it might be a good idea to bring some chocolate, sweets etc to swap out the eggs as prizes.
Rietberg Gartenschau Egg Hunt
Possibly the largest Egg hunt in NRW! With a reported 7,777 Eggs on Offer. at 27 min drive time from Sennelager it is a nicely packaged day out. Entry fees are 6 Euro for Adults and 2 Euro for kids from age 4.
The Rietberg Gartenschau offers play areas and more on the day. In addition to the Egg hunt, a spectacular magic show in the circus tent begins at 11 a.m., and at 3 p.m., the stage is set for acrobatics, artistry, and clowning in the Easter Circus. Puzzle lovers can challenge their brains and solve the tasks of the exciting Easter Rally.
The Easter egg hunt, magic and circus performances, and the Easter Rally are included in park admission. Adults pay €6 for a day ticket, and children ages 4 and up pay €2. Younger children and season ticket holders are admitted free.Rietberg Gartenschau is a massive space with it's own herd of water Buffalo, camping area, play parks and more.
Bad Lippspringe Gartenschau - Easter Puzzle
From Saturday to Monday you have the chance to find 17 magic eggs in the garden park. When combined they will spell out the magic phrase (In German). Take this to the ticket office and claim a prize.
Drive time is 15 mins. Entry 9.50 Euro Adults, Kids / teenagers have free entry up to 17 yrs.
Maxipark Hamm - Easter Bunny Smartypants Hunt
Download your mission sheet and figure out the clues and puzzles placed throughout the park. Maxi park is a 55 min drive from Sennelager entry Adults 6 Euro. children 3.50 euro up to 17 years.
Hannover Herrenhausen - Easter Walk 20th April
This estate is just outside the City of Hannover. The Easter Bunny will handing out sweets for the children. The Great Garden, decorated with spring flowers, invites you to the traditional Easter walk on20th April. A varied family program will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drive time 1hr 27 mins.
Easter Services at St Bonniface & Schloss Neuhaus
This Helpline is for any members of the Royal Navy British Army and Royal Air Force and their family members, including those deployed abroad, who are victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence or Stalking.
NHS England’s Spring 2025 Armed Forces health stakeholder brief provides updates on the following topics:
To read the brief use this link
Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme
This 6-week virtual programme is available to spouses of serving personnel, veterans, and reserves. It covers a range of topics, including:
Managing isolation and anxiety
Communication strategies
Building support networks
Foreign & Commonwealth Programme
This programme provides support to the Foreign and Commonwealth community, helping individuals convert their home nation qualifications to their UK equivalents, alongside tailored employment support.
For further information please visit: Recruit for Spouses - Championing Military Spouses for Career Success.
The Department of Work and Pensions has 76 new Executive Officer Team Leader opportunities across multiple locations. These are now open for applications until 24 Apr 2025.
Civil Service Jobs link: Operational Delivery - Team Leader - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK (job reference 366699)
There are jobs available at the following locations: Bangor (Gwynedd), Basildon, Bristol, Burnley, Dundee, Glasgow, Hastings, Motherwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Preston, St Austell, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Swansea, Wigan, Wrexham
Candidates will be asked to complete two online tests, then if successful complete a 250 word personal statement.
If the statement is successful they will then be invited to interview. Microsoft Teams.
Aurora New Dawn’s Athena Domestic Abuse Awareness/Recovery Group is military specific and all online via zoom. This programme is for 8 weeks taking place on Tuesday evenings 3 Jun to 22 Jul, and is open to serving personnel and families worldwide.
Details of how to sign up are on the poster, and to find out more about Aurora New Dawn’s support to the Service community, are available on this link.
Pader Sprinter - Holiday tickets and free chocolate
Two great offers from Padersprinter this week.
What's on
Nexus is a three-year project funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust. The project aims to improve support, resources and access to services for young carers within armed forces families.
To find out more, and the latest updates, you can read the Easter Newsletter
Army personnel and Army civil servants are eligible to sign up to Headspace for free, and also to extend this free subscription offer to five friends and family.
Please use your @mod.gov.uk, @armymail.mod.uk or @csmail.mod.uk email address to verify your account when prompted.
Tackling cancer, one try at a time - Join us for the Military vs Cancer Rugby Event at Kingston Park on 21 June at Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle.
This Armed Forces Day, be part of an unforgettable event that celebrates courage, community, and the fight against cancer. Watch as the UK Armed Forces Rugby Teams take on the North Select XV in thrilling men’s and women’s matches. This is more than just rugby — it’s a day of unity, remembrance, and support for a vital cause.
6th April – 10:30 Holy Communion 5th Sunday of Lent St Boniface
13th April – 10:30 Holy Communion Palm Sunday St Boniface
18th April – 3:00 pm Good Friday reflection Good Friday St Boniface
20th April – 10:30 Holy Communion with celebration of Easter Easter Day St Boniface
Children and families welcome, refreshments after the service
Any question please contact Padre Nick on +40 1722 595317
The Holy Week services are mostly in collaboration with the local German churches.
Peace be with you, Friede sei mit Dir,
On 1st April 2025, the Ministry of Defence and Department for Education published non-statutory guidance to help state-funded schools and local authorities in England to understand and address the needs of Service pupils in schools (reception to year 11).
Speaking about the new guidance, Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said:
“Armed Forces families play a vital role in supporting our Service personnel to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad. Fittingly, this announcement coincides with the Month of the Military Child, which is a time to speak up for our Service children.
“Service children face many challenges due to the unique nature of Service life, but it’s important that they are able to benefit from their exceptional experiences.
“That’s why this joint guidance with the Department for Education, explains how we can break down barriers and help our Service children to thrive in education.”
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