Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancies for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

 

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 419 Carers Allowance Administrative Officer

Two vacancies – Wrexham
Job Description 
Closing date: 14 Mar 25

​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

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme reopens for applications

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new round of funding under the Reducing Veteran Homelessness (RVH) Programme in a bid to deliver further sustainable, supported housing options for veterans in need.

The Trust is delivering this important programme on behalf of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in support of the government’s ambition to end veteran homelessness and ensure veterans have access to the support they need, including housing.

Current findings from the RVH programme

Following on from the initial awards made in July 2023, the Trust commissioned Alma Economics to consult with key stakeholders in the housing sector, including those awarded funds in the first round. Key recommendations from this consultation include:

• A need for increased support for veterans with acute, complex or multiple support needs.
• Promoting a needs-based approach to support provision.
• Addressing bottlenecks across the lifecycle of support provision.
• A focus on partnership working.

Both the RVH interim programme evaluation report and the summary of consultation findings are available to read on the Trust’s website.

Further funding available

Under this new round of the RVH programme, charities, local authorities and registered social housing providers can apply for up to £300,000 towards a project delivered for up to nine months.

There is also an opportunity for organisations to apply for an enhanced award of up to a further £200,000 where that work will fill a significant level of unmet need.

What applicants will need to show

Projects should improve the capacity of services in supported housing to better help veterans with a range of different needs. Full details of the programme priorities are mapped out in a Programme Guidance document available on the Trust’s website.

Op Fortitude

Funded projects will need to work with Op Fortitude, a UK wide referral pathway supporting homeless veterans or veterans at risk of homelessness, into housing.

Find out more

Want to know more about applying to the RVH programme? Full details are available at: www.covenantfund.org.uk

Application deadline is noon, 31 March 2025.

The Ripple Pond – Spring Newsletter

Please click here to read online. 

Brunei: BN Post Room Updates

BN POST ROOM UPDATES

The BN Post Room located in Tuker Lines will release new parcels and letters on Wednesday 26 February 2025 from 10:30hrs to 12:00hrs. Because the Post Office, Chit Chat Community Centre will be closed on Monday 24 February 2025 in conjunction of 41st Brunei National Day (In Lieu).

Brunei: BFPO - Closure on Monday, 24th February 2025 and *NEW* Counter Opening Times from Monday 17th February 2025

Opening Hours:

Mon - Fri: 0930 - 1230 

Exchange Rate:

February - £1.00 = $1.6717

NOTICES

As of this Monday 17/02/25. There will be a change to the counter opening hours for the Post Office. Timings below.

Counter Opening Times

Mon – Fri

0930-1230

UPO collection times

Mon

1200-1300 (Depending on mail arrival times)

Tue – Thu

0930 – 1300

Fri

1130 – 1230 (Depending on mail arrival times)

Post Office Closure Dates

Post Office Closed on the following dates:

24/02/25 - 41st Brunei National Day

27/02/25 - GST Visit to Bandar

03/03/25 - 1st Day of Ramadhan

17/03/25 - Revalation of the Qu’ran

31/03/25 - 02/04/25 - Hari Raya Aidilfitri

18/04/25 - Good Friday

21/04/25 - Easter Monday

Due to the majority of our workforce being Muslim, we will not have the ability collect mail on their religious and public holidays.

Mail Services

All mail services from the BFPO 11 are with immediate effect back online, however the following conditions apply:

Restricted items in the mail (BFPO 11 Service)

1.      Dried Food Articles. Postage of dried food articles, including fish, tea and coffee are subject to the following conditions:

        a.      A maximum of 5kg per entitled person per week, up to 20kg each calendar month and parcels are to be packaged separately.

2.      Sold goods. Commercial postage of clothing, apparels and services for personal gain through the BFPO is strictly prohibited.

3.     Any misuse of BFPO services, such as using them for personal business purposes, constitutes an abuse of resources and is subject to disciplinary action. Misuse compromises the integrity and efficiency of services intended to support BFB’s Directives.

British Forces Post Office Services

British Forces Brunei post office is located in the Chit Chat Community Centre.

The BFPO system can be used to send and receive post from the UK.

All mails are distributed to work addresses only.

Authorised personnel

All BFPO services are available to entitled personnel only, which includes:

- Service Personnel & Families

- UKBC / Teachers & Families

Relatives and other UK or foreign civilians are to use local banking and postal services as they are not classed as authorised, under the MoD provision.

Brunei: PCMF and Dental Centre Notice - PCMF Closure on Monday, 24th February 2025

Please be advised that on Monday, 24th February 2025, in observance of the Brunei bank holiday, PCMF will be closed except for the Dental department, which will operate during it's normal hours.

PMCF can be contacted via the below number:

PCMF civilian line - 322 4893

PCMF military ext line - 3224101 Ext 3226

During out of office hours, our duty nurse can be reached via 833 0246.

Dental can be contacted via the below number:

Dental military ext line - 3224101 Ext 3354

Dental mobile number - 8301856

Brunei: AWS Community Support - Families Club - Saturday, 22nd February 2025, 1030 - 1200 hrs @ Mumong Community Centre

Brunei: AWS Community Support Activities - What's On in BFB... Parents and Toddlers *Cancelled* Monday 24th February 2025

AWS Notice

All sessions will resume back from 19/02/2025. 

AWS Notice

Parents and Toddlers at Mumong on Thursday will now be CLOSED.

Please click here for Annual Registration: 2025 Annual Registration Form.

Chit Chat Calendar - Chit Chat Community Centre
Mumong Calendar - Mumong Community Centre

To join AWS BFB Community Facebook group scan the QR Code or Click Link - Join BFB Facebook group

View PowerPoints of all sessions - All AWS CS Activities/Sessions

Please click the image to enlarge.

Brunei: BFB Ladies Night Programme - *Today* Friday, 21st February 2025, 1700 - 2359 @ CCCC

Please click the image to enlarge.

BFB Ladies Night

The theme for Ladies Night is the Zodiac. You can choose to wear something that represents your own zodiac sign or any other zodiac sign you like. If you'd prefer, simple party wear is also acceptable.

For the Zodiac Theme, you could consider incorporating colours associated with your zodiac sign, wearing relevant jewellery, or using face paint that symbolizes your sign.

Please do your best to match the Zodiac Theme, as there will be prizes for the Best Dressed and Raffle Draw as well!

Tickets. 

The ticket cost will be $20.00 BND per person.

All attendees will have to contribute towards the drinks.

Tickets are available with Department Heads, Company CSMs, Committee Members (CSM’s Wives) and at the Chit Chat HIVE Office. 

Purchase of tickets will be closed on Friday 14th February 2025.

National No Smoking Day 2025 – 12 March

• Take back your life this No Smoking Day – Wednesday 12th March 2025.
• Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.
• It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go this No Smoking Day.
• When you stop smoking, there are almost immediate improvements to your health.
• There’s no need to go it alone – it’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from.
• Getting free expert support from your local stop smoking service is proven to give you the best chance of quitting successfully. Some are now able to offer free vape starter kits too.
• NHS Better Health offers a range of free quitting support including the NHS Quit Smoking app, Personal Quit Plan, 28-day email programme, local stop smoking service look-up tool, as well as advice on stop smoking aids including information on how vaping can help you quit smoking.
• On average, you could save around £2,500 per year by quitting smoking.