Rory is our Little Trooper of the Month

Rory Mullan aged 5, has been named ‘Little Trooper of the Month’ after undergoing brain surgery just before Christmas.

Born the second of four children, Rory has always suffered with severe headaches and back pain. In 2019 he was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, a condition that means Rory’s brain tissue was extending into his spine. Rory’s Dad works at RAF Odiham and like all military personnel, he sometimes has to spend long periods working away from home which can make life even more challenging for Rory and his family. Rory’s Dad once had to return home early from an overseas deployment after Rory developed sepsis and ended up in hospital.

In 2020, Rory’s headaches got worse and the family were told that surgery was the only hope of stopping the pain. Rory had decompression surgery three weeks ago at Southampton Children’s Hospital where surgeons removed part of Rory’s brain and some bone to open up a passage so Cerebral Spinal Fluid can move freely. The family were told that it is one of the most painful surgeries they do, but Rory has taken it all in his stride and was mobile again just 48 hours after the operation on basic pain relief. He is now recovering well at home.

Mum, Jemma Mullan explains: “We are incredibly proud of Rory and everything that he has been through. He is such a brave boy who always puts a smile on our faces and the faces of his brother and sisters. Thankfully he is recovering well and he is absolutely delighted to win this award from Little Troopers.”

Rory was sent a special medal, certificate and a £50 voucher from Little Troopers as part of his prize.Thank you to Amazon for sponsoring this Little Trooper of the Month.

FREE Online Courses with REED.co.uk

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Brunei: PCMF Patient Satisfaction Survey Results - Dec 2021

 

Domestic Abuse support: Aurora New Dawn

 

Skills Toolkit - free online learning for all

Digital and numeracy skills are amongst those that are most sought after by employers, and can help you progress in work and boost your job prospects. Digital skills can be anything from using social media and staying safe online to coding, programming or digital marketing.


You can choose from a selection of high quality courses put together in collaboration with experts. Find a level and time to study that’s right for you. The Skills Toolkit makes it easy for you to boost your skills.

To access the website CLICK HERE

Applying for a newborn passport overseas

Are you a British National, and need to apply for a newborn passport whilst living overseas?

Gov.uk provide a step by step process here. 

The online application is guided and usually takes around 6 weeks for the passport to arrive, from completion of application. Please note, application can also be made through company clerks and RAO but this paper based application process can take much longer than 6 weeks. 

Depending on travel circumstances and time frames, you may also need to apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). This can also be completed online and more information on this process can be found here. 

There may be a requirement to show that you have already applied for a full passport when applying for ETD's so the passport tracking reference number provided through your online passport application will be required in the ETD application. 

When applying online, you will be able to track the application at each stage.

For Non-British Nationals, please liaise directly with company clerks and RAO 

Advance to Justice - HM Prison and Probation Service

If you're a service leaver or armed force veteran, you have a wide range of transferable skills that are a good match for prison officer roles. Available across 50 prisons, 'Advance into justice' is a bespoke recruitment scheme that provides an opportunity to fast-track into a second career where you can continue to protect the public

​More Information at: Advance to Justice​

New plans to boost veterans employment launched

Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan launches, including more than 60 commitments to help veterans with employment and healthcare.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-plans-to-boost-veterans-employment-launched--2?​​ 

Brunei: Post Office - Damaged Parcels!

There are a number of damaged parcels with missing names and addresses due to milk and curry paste exploding during transit and destroying other mail items. 

If you are expecting anything from Amazon and not yet received, please pop into the post office to check and claim your damaged items. Please bring your receipt to claim it from Forces Post Office in the Chit Chat Centre.

There is a strong request to all in BFB to be considerate when ordering liquids, especially those that are available here in Brunei. Incidents like this cause damage to other customers parcels and risks the already strained mail service to BFPO 11. 

The postal team thank you for your co-operation.  

Services Cotswold Centre

 

The Services Cotswold Centre (SCC) is a tri-service facility managed by Headquarters Army Welfare Service (AWS) and funded by Headquarters Support Commands (HQ Sp Comd) on behalf of the MOD. It provides short to medium term transit and emergency accommodation for service personnel, their spouses, civil partners and families. Accommodation can also be booked for R&R. 

The SCC accommodation comprises of 60 self contained chalet style homes, all come conveniently furnished, with bed linen and towels. Chalets include TV/DVD players with Freesat.  There is an onsite launderette open 24 hours a day. The community centre and bar offers access to free wifi and the lending library contains a variety of books, toys, games, puzzles, baby items, DVD's and local tourist information. There is a fantastic play park on site complete with climbing frames, swings, zip wire and basketball and football pitches. There is also an onsite fitness suite.  

The site is located near Corsham, a small historical Wiltshire town with all expected local amenities about 20-30 minutes walk along pathways into the centre. Most main supermarkets are located nearby, but online food deliveries are also permitted on site. 

There are regular bus routes to Corsham, Chippenham and Bath. The nearest mainline train station is Chippenham. London Heathrow (LHR) is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, and Bristol airport is also close by. The National Express Coach Service runs directly through Corsham to LHR. National express also offer 60% discount to Armed Forces. 

Local sites of interest include Corsham Court, Bowood Hall, Lacock Abbey, Castle Coombe and the Avebury Stone Circle. Longleat Safari & Adventure park is 45 minutes by car, and Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa just 20 minutes by car. 

Chalets cost between £1 per day up to £20 per day per unit. For all enquiries please contact: 

Services Cotswold Centre

Neston, Corsham, Wilts, SN13 9TU

Telephone: civilian 01225 810 358, military (9)4382 4521

Email: rc-aws-scc-bookings@mod.gov.uk

Armed Forces Families Strategy - Support for Military Families

Wide-ranging support boost for military families

The Families Strategy, is a new 10-year plan recognising the unique nature of military life and setting out bespoke support for service families, published today. Click here to read the full report. 

New Government resource to help keep children safe from sexual abuse

It's estimated that one in ten children in England and Wales will experience sexual abuse before they turn sixteen. That's equivalent to three in every classroom. Most children won't tell anyone at the time of their abuse. That's why it's important for everyone to know how to spot the potential signs of child sexual abuse and where to go for support if concerned. 

The Government's new Stop Abuse Together Campaign Website can help you learn to spot the signs, and have regular conversations with your child which can help keep them safe, and know when it's right to reach out for more support. 

If you feel something's not right, you can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. No matter what's happened, there's always someone who will listen to you and take what you say seriously. All children have a right to be safe from sexual abuse, and we all have a role to play in keeping them safe. 

Let's stop abuse together.​

MoneyHelper - clear money help that’s on your side and free to use - impartial and backed by the government

MoneyHelper is here to make your money and pension choices clearer. Here to cut through the complexity, explain what you need to do and how you can do it. Here to put you in control with impartial guidance that’s backed by government and to recommend further, trusted support if you need it. For clear money help that’s on your side and free to use, just search for MoneyHelper.

MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help. MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers:

* the Money Advice Service

* the Pensions Advisory Service

* Pension Wise

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk

Army Transition Information Sheets

Transition Individual Planning and Personal Development (IPPD) is the offer of support, advice and education that will increase personal knowledge and awareness and supports soldiers' personal development and long-term planning. It should be undertaken throughout your military career in order to enhance your professional portfolio and career prospects as well as prepare you for your inevitable transition to civilian life.

To support this there are a variety of free Transition Information Sheets that are available on the Army website and cover everything from securing accommodation, pensions, health and wellbeing to immigration information and managing personal finances.

https://www.army.mod.uk/people/leave-well/service-leavers-veterans/transition-to-civilian-life/

Brunei: Online Telephone Directory

Brunei: Essential Information

Children's Mental Health Week 7th-13th February 2022

Some Free Resources for Children's mental health week are available at:

Children's Mental Health Week (childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk)

Mental Health Resources For Children and Young People | YoungMinds​

DOWNLOADS | CAMHS Resources (camhs-resources.co.uk)

Gurkha Services for Gurkha Veterans and their families

Gurkha Services provide tailored support for Gurkha veterans and their families who have settled in the UK.

Gurkha Services work collaboratively with other Gurkha specific organisations such as the Gurkha Welfare Trust, the Gurkha Brigade Association, the Army Welfare Service, Gurkha communities and others.

Gurkha services are available to all serving and veteran members of the Brigade of Gurkha's, and their families. We provide local SSAFA volunteers with up to date information, awareness and translation services, to ensure the Gurkha community have the same support opportunities as any other member of the Armed Forces community.

Click HERE to find the contact form to communicate with the SSAFA Gurkha team.

Connected Forces

Brunei: PCMF Patient Satisfaction Feedback

The SMO and the PCMF team would like to thank you for your feedback.

Patient feedback is a valued aspect of health care. It helps us to improve the quality of care, identifies gaps in care and aids us to improve where we are not providing the best of services.

It allows us to see trends of good and bad practice and then try to improve or address some of the issues that you the customer have raised about the service we are providing to the community.

Click here to access the patient satisfaction feedback booklet. 

UK Driving Licence

Get your first provisional driving licence for a car, motorbike, moped or other vehicle from DVLA online. To apply you must:

• be at least 15 years and 9 months old
• be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
• have legally lived in the UK for at least 185 days in total in the past 12 months

Step by step guide: Check what you need to do to learn to drive. 

Educating your child at home

You can teach your child at home, either full or part-time. This is called home education (sometimes ‘elective home education’ or ‘home schooling’).

You can get help with home education from your local council.

If your child is currently at school, you should tell the school if you plan to educate them at home. The school must accept if you’re taking your child out completely. They can refuse if you want to send your child to school some of the time.

If your child is attending school because of a school attendance order, you must get permission from your local council before you can educate them at home.

Click here to read more.

Find free early education and childcare

Find out what free early education and childcare is available in your area.

Available in England only

All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early education or childcare a year. This is often taken as 15 hours each week for 38 weeks of the year.

Some 2-year-olds are also eligible.

HeadFIT For LIFE

Mental fitness is all about the good management of good mental health.

HeadFIT for Life helps defence people stay mentally fit and on top of their game…

At work and at home.

All the HeadFIT tools

About HeadFIT for Life

Click here to find out more.

Brunei: Community Support Activities 2022

Leave a gift in your will: Writing your will

A will is one of the simplest ways to safeguard the future of your family and friends. After you’ve taken care of the people closest to you, a small gift in your will could make a huge difference.

We've got some great resources to help provide you with information and advice when writing your will, including:

• Will information booklet
• Suggested wording to include in your will
• Guidance on adding a bequest to your will via a codicil

We also strongly recommend that you consult a solicitor or a STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualified will-writer when you make your will, to ensure it is accurate and reflects your wishes.

Click here to read more.

Brunei: Delivery and Takeaway Services ​

A number of restaurants around Kuala Belait and Seria offer delivery and takeaway services. Click here to see the list of restaurants around the areas.

Distance Learning Centre: Flexibility and support every step of the way

Dedicated to online learning

DistanceLearningCentre.com has been providing Access to Higher Education courses for over 25 years, helping over 10,000 students to achieve their goals and transform their careers.

We also provide Advanced British International Diplomas aimed at non-UK residents, creating an afforable alternative route into UK Universities. All our courses are 100% online by distance learning.

For more detailed information, click through to our Courses, and take a closer look at the courses that interest you and if you have questions or require advice you can ring us on +44 333 224 9451 or send an Enquiry. We'll be happy to help.

 

Higher education courses: find and apply

You can search and apply for most higher education courses online.

You usually have to be 18 or older to take a higher education course. They’re usually taught in:

• universities
• colleges
• specialist institutions like art schools or agricultural colleges

Higher education qualifications include:
diplomas

• bachelor degrees
• foundation degrees
• post-graduate degrees

Click here to check full-time and part time courses.