Generic and local information for the UK Military community in Brunei including Serving Personnel, Families, Veterans, and MOD Civilians.
This is best viewed through a personal device because the MODnet firewall may prevent access to some links.
Monday 31 January 2022
Brunei: Leaving BFB soon? Things to add to your to-do list!
Moving back to the UK soon? Here are a few things to add on to your to-do list before leaving Brunei:
Amey - Everything you need to know about moving into Service Families Accommodation: HERE
Good Conduct Certificate - It’s recommended that people who have lived overseas for more than 6 months during the past 5 years provide this certificate when seeking employment back in the UK.
The Good Conduct Certificate application form can be obtained from the SSO Office. More about Good Conduct Certificate and how to apply: HERE
National Insurance (NI) Credit - The National Insurance credits will fill in the gaps in your National Insurance record and enable you to continue to receive certain benefits like Job seeker's Allowance and the State Pension. The NI Credit application form can be completed online or obtained from the SSO Office. More about NI Credit : HERE
Forces rail card - The card will save you 1/3 on most rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year. That works out to under £2 a month for huge savings. You're eligible if you're a member of the Regular Forces or Volunteer Reserves or a spouse/civil partner of a member. For more information about Forces Rail Card and where to get it click HERE
School applications - Secondary school applications opened on 1 September 2021 and closed at midnight on the evening of 1 November 2021.
Applications needed to be submitted by 1 November 2021 for your child to be guaranteed an offer of a school place on 1 March 2021.
If you missed the deadline, you can still submit an application for a school place for September 2022. Once you have submitted, you will receive an email confirming when this school place will be offered.
See below the link that will take you to the relevant page for schools in Kent www.kent.gov.uk
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/secondary-school-places#tab-2
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/primary-school-places#tab-1
Brunei: NAAFI
Entitled Customers
Monday - Sunday: 0900 - 1600
Non- Entitled Customers
Monday - Sunday: 1615 - 2000
Pricing
Brunei Entitled Price
(This is the price shown on the shelf edge label)
+ 25%
=Brunei Non- Entitled Price
- Face masks are to be worn at all times when inside the premises
- Scan on Entry
- Temperature Check
- Use hand sanitizer provided
- Keep your distance
The NAAFI have now received confirmation of delayed shipments arriving this week:
Thurs 10th March - Chilled & Ambient Delivery
Fri 11th March - Frozen Delivery out
Fri 11th March - Bulk Issue Store delivery
Mon 14th March - Chilled & Ambient Delivery
Mothers Day Offers
We have a few offers running from 17th - 31st Mar 2022.
- 20% off AquaPix Cameras
- 20% off GoXtreme action Camer's
- 20% off all sports nutrition
- $10 saving on Blair Athol 10 year Scotch Whiskey
Rory is our Little Trooper of the Month
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.”
Friday 28 January 2022
Thursday 27 January 2022
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.
Applying for a newborn passport overseas
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
Tuesday 25 January 2022
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 JusticeNew 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!
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.
Thursday 20 January 2022
Services Cotswold Centre
Armed Forces Families Strategy - Support 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.
Monday 17 January 2022
New Government resource to help keep children safe from sexual abuse
MoneyHelper - clear money help that’s on your side and free to use - impartial and backed by the government
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
Army Transition Information Sheets
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/
Children's Mental Health Week 7th-13th February 2022
Children's Mental Health Week (childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk)
Mental Health Resources For Children and Young People | YoungMinds
DOWNLOADS | CAMHS Resources (camhs-resources.co.uk)
Thursday 13 January 2022
DIO: Impact of Covid-19 surge on SFA repairs and maintenance
* Urgent calls – may be increased by up to 4 working days after the requested appointment (excluding the date of the revised appointment)
* Routine calls - may be increased by up to 10 working days after the requested date of the appointment (excluding the date of the revised appointment)
* Wind and weather calls - may be increased by up to 15 working days (excluding the date of the revised appointment)
Any delays to Critical calls will be avoided wherever possible and there will be no changes to Emergency call deadlines.
We would like to assure families that these extended timescales will only be applied in exceptional circumstances and all efforts will be made to deal with every case as quickly as possible.
We would also like to reassure families that services to your homes will continue to be delivered safely and DIO and our Industry Partners will continue to maintain Covid-19 safe working practices including:
* contractors will continue to call in advance of a visit to SFA/SSFA to ensure occupants are not self-isolating
* all operatives will wear a face covering whilst working in SFA/SSFA
* contractors will continue to sanitise their hands and equipment before entering an SFA/SSFA
* social distancing protocols will continue to apply
For more guidance on how we will continue to ensure Covid-19 safe working practices in your homes please refer to Covid-19 guidance for the MOD Housing Community here
Wednesday 12 January 2022
Monday 10 January 2022
Gurkha Services for Gurkha Veterans and their families
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.
Maintaining your mental fitness
Friday 7 January 2022
Action for Happiness Calendars
Brunei: PCMF launched eConsult
eConsult can be accessed via the link below:
Consult Online from Home - Brunei Medical Centre (webgp.com)
Brunei: PCMF Patient Satisfaction 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.
Brunei: Health Visitor Well Baby Clinic
This is a drop in session to have your baby weighed, clinic times are between 0900-11.00.
Wednesday 5 January 2022
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
Educating your child at home
Find free early education and childcare
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
Brunei PCMF Seria: eConsult
eConsult can be accessed via the link below: