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Friday, 7 February 2025

Brunei: BFB Education Learning Centre - A1 & B1 Registration Dates for the Spouses

A1 & B1 Registration dates for the spouses.

Test : 13th October 2024

Closing registration : 07th October 2024 by 2pm


Test : 17th November 2024

Closing registration : 11th November 2024 by 2pm


Test : 1st December 2024

Closing registration : 25th November 2024 by 2pm

Test : 19th January 2025

Closing registration : 13th January 2025 by 2pm

Test : 16th February 2025

Closing registration : 10th February 2025 by 2pm


POC: Rina Matari | Learning Centre Manager

For any questions, please call +673-3224101 Ext 3797 or send an email to bruneielc@dgw365.onmicrosoft.com

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


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 Wednesday 12th February 2025.

Brunei: Study UK Fair 2025 - 10th February 2025, 1400 – 1900 hrs @ The Empire Brunei Indera Kayangan Ballroom.


STUDY UK FAIR 2025


1. EVENT – Study UK Fair 2025. “Discover your further education pathway towards Great British undergraduate, postgraduate, & phD study”

2. DATE & TIME – 10 February 2025. 1400 – 1900 hrs.

3. VENUE – The Empire Brunei Indera Kayangan Ballroom.

4. ORGANISER – British High Commission in BAB & British Council.

Brunei: NAAFI - Quiz Night - Friday, 07th February 2025, 1930 hrs @ Patio Bar

Brunei: The Art of Living - The Happiness Program - Friday, 07th - Sunday, 09th February 2025

Please click the image to enlarge.

Please register HERE.

For further information, please contact:
Ravi: +673 8731503
Swati : +673 7411423

The above meditation CSE cost is BND150.

Action for Happiness Calendar - February 2025

Please click the image to enlarge.

Our monthly calendars are packed with actions you can take to help create a happier and kinder world. 

Click here to access the Action for Happiness Calendar.

Childcare Works project starting on 25th February 2025

Please click the image to enlarge.

To find out more, please see contact details on the poster or visit:

Wales Childcare Works project - NDNA Cymru

Childcare Works project overview

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Supporting the submariner community


The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has released the findings from new research into the needs of the Royal Navy submariner community and the impact of separation on family life.

The Trust commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to undertake further research following an event they attended in April 2024, hosted by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) and Greenwich Hospital.

Over two days, they heard from the Armed Forces community located in Helensburgh, Scotland, to understand more about the support available for Naval personnel and their families; and identify any gaps and opportunities.

Listening to the submariner community

The research highlighted that personnel and families can suffer poor mental health and emotional strain due to unpredictability, frustration, separation and feeling unprepared for deployment. This can also include a period of pre-deployment anxiety as well as the deployment period itself. Reintegration following deployment can also be a challenge as routines are disrupted. An enduring stigma around mental health can deter some from seeking the help they need.

This wasn’t limited to immediate family members, with extended family not feeling included in the support networks available.
Availability and accessibility of services was raised. Families reported a low awareness of support available and there was some hesitancy in accessing statutory services affiliated with the Royal Navy, in case of impact on the submariner’s career. There were added issues for those living in remoter areas, further from the base, with fewer activities and services available.

For the organisations themselves, the research found that collaboration could be better. Especially between military and non-military organisations, where there can be a lack of integration for military families into services designed for civilians.

Other issues included impact on the spouse’s career. However, those who took part in the research talked about the importance of coping strategies such as focusing on work, staying busy and maintaining routines.

Recommendations from the research included:

· Tailored mental health support

· Improved communication and practical advice for managing deployment challenges

· Fostering community connections and encouraging peer support initiatives

· Help with adjusting post-deployment, and the complexities of being away for a long time

· Initiatives that enhance career development for spouses.

Anna Wright, Chief Executive of the Trust said: “Lots of work on these recommendations is already underway under our three-year Covenant Fund framework. Our Hidden Needs programme focuses on tailored and specialist mental health support, while our Apart not Alone programme centres on reducing the impact of long or frequent separation for military families. However, until now, we have not focused this support on any particular service or location. This important research has informed what will come next and we are excited to share more about that very soon.”

Dr Jasna Magić, Research Director, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen): “This research has given submariners’ families a vital voice, highlighting the emotional and practical challenges they face due to long separations, uncertainty, and stigma around seeking support. By truly listening, we can shape support that genuinely meets their needs. We’re proud to have worked with the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust on this important project and hope these findings drive lasting change for the submariner community.”

Putting findings into action

The Trust in encouraging anyone in a position to support this community to read the research findings and consider how they too can make a difference.

You can read the report in full on the Trust’s website: www.covenantfund.org.uk

Soldiering On Awards 2025: Nominations Open Until 30th March 2025

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For more information and to make nominations online, please go to: Home - Soldiering On Awards

Serve and Protect Credit Union's latest Fixed Saver account


Serve and Protect Credit Union's latest Fixed Saver account is here

Secure a guaranteed 4.25% AER return on your savings over the next 12 months. Available to apply throughout February.

Learn more at: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/fixed-saver/