This snapshot, taken on 31/10/2006, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.

The following items can be quickly accessed by clicking on the links below:

Army Welfare Services

Garrison Welfare Centre ‘The Woolwich Wheel’

The Garrison Welfare Centre or ‘Woolwich Wheel’ is situated in Block 6, Woolwich Barracks, adjacent to the Church Army shop and provides a co-located confidential welfare and advice service. At the Woolwich Wheel you will find:-

  • The Army Welfare Service (AWS)
  • The HIVE
  • Relate
  • Garrison Information Officer (GIO)
  • Petrol Coupons Office
  • Early Years Service
  • Army Families Federation Office

    • The Army Welfare Service (AWS) consists of the following

  • Garrison Welfare Support Officer
  • Personal Support
  • Community Support
  • Child Care Administrator
  • Child Minding Supervisor
  • Admin Support

    • Every department of the AWS strives to deliver a non-judgmental and antidiscriminatory service. All AWS services provided in the Woolwich Wheel are in support but secondary to your first line welfare support provided by your Unit Welfare Officer.

    Personal Support

    The AWS Personal Support consists of professionally trained Army Welfare Workers (AWWs), supervised by a Senior Army Welfare Worker. They are here to support individuals, families and their dependants offering a confidential advice, support and counselling service. Members of the Personal Support work closely with all other agencies both here in the Garrison and at home in the UK. Whatever the problem you may be concerned with, or the subject you need information about, the AWWs will endeavour to assist, giving you time, space and respect, because they recognise the importance to you of your issues. These could cover relationship difficulties with your partner or children, budgeting and financial pressures, UK benefit problems, Special Needs or Disability issues and many more. The Personal Support is located on the first floor of the Woolwich Wheel, Block 6, Woolwich Bks. Appointments for both office and home visits can be arranged by telephoning Osnabrück Mil 2494 or Osnabrück (0541) 960 2494.

    Community Support

    AWS Community Support is here to provide learning and personal development opportunities through a range of planned activities and experiences for military personnel, UKBCs and their families. Community Support directly provides youth provision including: Youth Centres, Youth Activities, Easter/Summer Activity Programmes, Summer Youth Camps, Ski Residentials and Out of School activities. Community Support is responsible for: The management and development of two Youth and Community Centres (Osnabrück and Münster). Award schemes for young people i.e. Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Youth Achievement Awards etc. Registration of Community Groups/Clubs. Implementation of AWS Policies including Child Protection and Hazardous Activities. Support and Advice for youth groups i.e. uniformed, sports etc. Advice and support for Community Centres. Developing Community and Neighbourhood involvement and initiatives. The administration and management of the Youth Service Transport Scheme. The recruitment training and vetting of staff and volunteers. Liaison with other Garrison & station agencies. In addition, it supports crèches, pre-schools and daycare groups and all voluntary projects and activities. Community Support is here to help you help yourself. For further information contact your local Garrison Youth and Community Officer on Osnabrück Military 2465 (Civil 0541 960 2465).’

    Childminding Co-ordinator - Registered Childminding in Osnabrück and Münster

    A childminder is defined as a person minding one or more children for payment in their own home for a period of 2 hours or more per day, who is not a relative of the child.    Comprehensive clearance procedures are carried out prior to registration and a grant of up to £250 is currently available to assist with ‘start up’ costs.  Unregistered Childminding is ILLEGAL.

     

    If you would like to run your own business from home and require further information on how to become a registered childminder or indeed how to employ a registered childminder, please contact the AWS Childminder Co-Ordinator on:

     

    Osnabrűck Military (66) 2674 (civil 0541 9602674) or visit the office:

     

    AWS, Block 6, Woolwich Bks, Osnabrűck, BFPO 36

     

    Munster Military (60) 2369 (civil 0251 9272369) or visit the office:

     

    AWS, Block 71, York Bks, BFPO 17

    La Leche League Germany - Breastfeeding Information and Support

    La Leche League Germany offers practical information and moral support to nursing mothers through monthly meetings and telephone help. These monthly meetings are informal discussion groups which present information on a variety of topics covering the practical, physical and psychological aspects of parenting the breastfeeding child. Mothers are encouraged to share their experiences during the meetings. The Leaders are experienced breastfeeding mothers who are familiar with common difficulties and current findings about breastfeeding. La Leche League Germany is part of an international, non-profit organisation providing information and support to all women interested in breastfeeding. Active in some 60 countries, a network of more than 7,000 accredited Leaders working on a volunteer basis reaches approximately 100,000 mothers monthly. LLL Germany was originally established 30 years ago to serve the US military community. Over the last decade, however, the focus has moved to supporting English-speaking families of different nationalities throughout Continental Europe. Series meetings are held in or near most of the major German cities, and there is a network of Leaders who are available for telephone help. Conferences and workshops are held twice yearly, open to health care professionals and interested mothers alike. LLL Germany survives through membership fees, donations, the sale of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and other items from the La Leche League International catalogue available free on request.

    Further information: Please contact the Midwives on Osnabrück Military

    2997 or Civil (0541) 960 2997.

    Back to top

    SSAFA Forces Help

    The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association – Forces Help. There are eleven SSAFA Forces Help Service Committees across Western Europe who provide assistance and support to serving men, women and their families as well as contributions to community projects. Made up entirely of volunteers, the Service Committees meet regularly to discuss applications for funding or other matters of concern for the local community. Every year they collectively raise and spend tens of thousands of Euros on a variety of local projects and offer financial assistance to many families in times of need. The Volunteer Projects Office based at JHQ, Rheindahlen, offers advice and support to the Service Committees and organises several big events during the year such as the annual activity holiday for children with special needs and disabilities, the Young Achiever Awards ceremony which recognises the outstanding achievements of young people in Western Europe, and a number of ‘Big Brew Up’ fundraising events during the Autumn to coincide with SSAFA Forces Help Week.

    If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for SSAFA Forces Help or would like further information on the services SSAFA Forces Help provides, please call JHQ Mil 3392 or 02161 472 3392 or visit www.ssafa.org.uk.

    Back to top

    Padre

    There are a team of padres working in both Osnabrück and Garrison. If you talk to the Community Padre, Paul Cattermole, he should be able to point you in the right direction. Phone him on mil 2427 or civ 0541 960 2427 or call in to see him in his office in the Community Church in Woolwich Barracks.

    Back to top

    WRVS

    WRVS works in partnership with the Army supporting single soldiers in Britain and abroad. Contracted by the Ministry of Defence, WRVS Services Welfare employs Services Welfare Officers, who run onsite recreation clubs, offer a listening ear and provide practical help to soldiers who may be far from family and friends. 

    There are WRVS personnel attached to units in the garrison. If you are not sure how to contact them, ask at your guard room.

    The WRVS website has just recently been redesigned and is well worth a visit! www.wrvs.org.uk
    Back to top

    BFSWS

    The British Forces Social Work Service

    The British Forces Social Work Service (delivered by SSAFA Forces Help) has 22 qualified and registered social workers throughout Western Europe. There are two Family Support Teams based throughout British Forces Germany (BFG), each managed by a team manager, a Joint Response Team based in Gutersloh where three BFSWS social workers are co-located with three members of the Special Investigation Branch of the Military Police. This team provides an out of hour duty system for the emergency accommodation of children. There are three specialists posts of ‘Additional Needs and Disability Co-ordinator’, ‘Fostering Senior Social Work Practitioner’ and ‘Adoption Senior Social Worker Practitioner’. The BFSWS also has a Central Referral Team as well as the support of a number of assessed and approved foster carers.

    The BFSWS provides preventative services to children and families. Identification and early referral can often prevent problems escalating and ensures that families are offered the appropriate help and support either from within BFSWS or from other relevant agencies. The BFSWS carries out its work in partnership with families and together they decide on best courses of action.

    The Social Worker for the Osnabrück area is based at Mercer Barracks and can be contacted on:

    Tel: Mil 66 2101 Civ 0541 9602101

    Back to top

    Home Start

    Home-Start

    Home-Start is a voluntary organisation working within the military environment. Our carefully trained volunteers from all walks of life give free emotional and practical help to anyone, by visiting a family in their own home and offering friendship. Home-Start volunteers represent a lifeline for many families who are finding it hard to cope. This may include experiencing feelings of isolation, loneliness, anxiety, your partner being away on operational tours/courses or many other reasons. The choice to accept or end Home-Start support is entirely up to you. A volunteer will only visit at the invitation of the family.

    For more information please call or visit your local Home-Start scheme.

    Home-Start Osnabrück
    Location & Contact Information

    Monday – Friday

    Above the NAAFI in Woolwich Barracks 0900 – 1300 hrs

    Tel: 0541 960 2683

    Mil: (66) 2683

    Courses to become a volunteer are offered on a regular basis. If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer please contact the Organiser on the above number.

    Back to top

    RELATE Counselling Service

    ‘Our marriage is boring’. ‘He doesn't understand how lonely I am’. ‘I think she loves someone else’. ‘We had a great sex life before the children came along’. ‘We don't talk to each other any more’.

    Anyone regardless of age, sex, rank or circumstance can be caught up in a relationship problem, and it is then a Relate counsellor might be able to help. Relate counsellors are professionally trained men and women who have been selected for their abilities to help and understand the problems experienced by people at different periods of their lives. This includes helping those going through loss and adjustments that follows bereavement, divorce and separation.

    Counselling is totally confidential

    Relate has centres throughout Germany and can offer an initial appointment in most areas of BFG within 10 working days. Counselling takes place in total privacy and usually for an hour a week for as long as it is useful. If you feel you can't talk to a counsellor face to face an alternative service is now on offer through our telephone service. This was introduced in November 2004 and is an opportunity to receive counselling over the phone. All appointments are made through our central booking office on JHQ Mil: 72 2826 or dialling 181 from any Military phone, or Civ: 02161472 2826.

    Back to top

    AFF

    Use Your Voice – Voice Your Views!

    What is the AFF?

    It’s your independent voice! The Army Families Federation (AFF) is a Registered Charity formed in 1982 to provide a unique two-way communications link between the Army and its families. AFF’s role is to act as the independent voice of Army families, raising their concerns and highlighting issues with the Army, the MOD and Government. We promote communication, information and liaison between the Army, its families and the policy makers, representing the views of soldiers’ families and lobbying for change where necessary.

    Where to find us in Germany

    AFF’s Branch in Germany represents the views and concerns of BFG families to the chain of command, external agencies and to AFF Central Office. AFF Germany operates from the Branch Office in Herford and has a network of local Co-ordinators and volunteer Unit Representatives throughout BFG, most of whom are Army spouses. You can find an AFF Germany Co-ordinator in Hohne, Gütersloh, Osnabrück, Paderbornand Rheindahlen.

    Having your say

    AFF Germany holds its own Conference every two years, which gives Army spouses in BFG the chance to ask their own questions of the people whose decisions affect their lives, and to find out why things happen the way they do. AFF G also holds regular Roadshows throughout BFG which enable local families to talk to the experts and the BFG chain of command about their particular concerns.

    YOUR magazine!

    AFF publishes a quarterly magazine, the AFF Families Journal, distributed FREE to all Army families worldwide, including Germany. Written and edited by Army spouses, the AFJ is sent to all units in March, June, September and December. The AFJ is YOUR magazine, full of news, information and articles about life with the Army – if you haven’t received your free copy, contact your Unit Welfare Officer and find out why not! For more information about the Army Families Federation in Germany, how it represents you and how to find your local AFF Co-ordinator, contact:

    AFF Germany
    Block 1
    Hammersmith Barracks
    Herford BFPO 15

    Tel: 05221 995 3180
    E-mail: affgermany@bfgnet.de
    Website: http://www.army.mod.uk/aff/aff_new/branches/branch_germany/index.htm

    Back to top

    HCSOs

    Housing & Community Support Office Osnabrück

    The Housing & Community Support Office (HCSO) Osnabrück (formerly known as the SSO Department) is responsible for the allocation, administration and general running of all Service Families Accommodation (SFA) and Official Single Hirings (OSH) throughout the Station.

    The main department is located in Woolwich Barracks Osnabrück which is headed by Major (Retired) J A S Clunn MBE. He is ably supported by a pool of support staff who are contactable on the following telephone numbers:

    Civil dial from the UK - Dial Code 0049 541 960 XXXX

    Civil dial within Germany - 0541 960 XXXX

    Military Network - 66

    HCSO - 2441

    Assistant HCSO - 2667

    Housing Supervisor - 2768

    Billing Clerk - 2770

    Register/Utilities Clerk - 2769

    There are 5 SFA Estates spread out over Osnabrück which all have Housing & Estate Managers (HEM) on site. Contact telephone numbers are:

    Dodesheide - 2680 or

    0541 1505220

    0541 1505246

    Kleine Moscow - 2561 or 0541 9774044

    Kleine London - 0541 6853216

    Atterfeld - 0541 2021340

    Lotte - 05404 918275/05404 918276

    Back to top

    GLSU Job Opportunities

    This link - http://www.army.mod.uk/lec/lec_vacancies_os_glsu_info.htm will take you to the Garrison Labour Support Unit (GLSU) website where you will find a list of current job vacancies in Osnabrück and Münster and contact details for the GLSU staff who will help you in your search for work. They will also give you guidance if you want to look for work on the German net. The GLSU office is in Woolwich Barracks next to the Post Office.

    There are other jobs listed in the Sixth Sense Newspaper and notice boards around the garrison.
    Back to top

    Volunteering Opportunities

    There are many opportunities for volunteering in the garrison. Contact the Garrison Youth and Community Officer on mil 2465 or mil 0541 960 2465 for more information.

    Back to top

    Home Garrison Units Local History Facilities Welfare Adult Education Kids
    Out and about in Osnabrück     Clubs and Activities Sports Contact Us Links How to get here