The Armed Forces Covenant Fund - How to raise awareness of the ‘Armed Forces community’ & the Armed Forces Covenant’ with Warwickshire County Council

Warwickshire County Council have developed an e-learning training module designed to raise awareness of the Armed Forces community and the Armed Forces Covenant, using a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Aimed at public and third sector staff across the country who are likely to engage with the Armed Forces Community, the new free e-learning gives an overview of:

* Who the Armed Forces Community are and what challenges they face.
* What the Armed Forces do on our behalf.
* What the Armed Forces Covenant is and how it can support personnel, veterans and their families.

Full details can be found HERE​

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund - New guide 'Veterans' Places, Pathways and People Programme' launched.

A new guide has been launched to raise awareness of the 10 portfolios that have received major grants and their work, which will take place over the next two years.

​​​Click HERE for more details and to read the guide​

Brunei: Fire Safety Precautions

Fire Safety Precautions

Following the recent fire incident within an SFA in the H15 area; the BOMBA report concluded and attributed the cause of the fire, to be from the wiring of a socket used for the Wi-Fi within the property. It is believed that the socket was closely restricted by a sofa which was tightly backed up to it, increasing the likelihood of overheating, which then caused the fire to start.

It is highly recommended that ALL SFA occupants inspect all electrical sockets within their SFA, to ensure that they have taken necessary precaution to reduce the likelihood of a fire. This should include, making sure that sockets are properly ventilated and not confined by other furnishings. The above should also be applied within all technical working areas. 

Any concerns are to be reported immediately to the GSM and the Garrison SHEP Advisor.

Message from Agility regarding removals this Summer

Agility is advising Service personnel to wait for confirmation of their removals booking request before they book move-in/out appointments otherwise they may not get the dates they need. 

This is because the removals industry is experiencing staff shortages this summer. If you have any questions or concerns then please contact Agility directly: Agility GRMS

https://grms-external.agility.com

Met Police: The Little Book of Big Scams 5th Edition

The Little Book of Big Scams aims to raise awareness of the ever-evolving ways that criminals use to scam the Public out of hard earned money.
Click here​ for an online copy.

Brunei: Travelling with pets? Here is some great advice from members of our community...

Taking animals to/from UK/Brunei can be a daunting process (& expensive). 

Here are some great tips and advice, pulled together by members of our Garrison community, from their own experiences. Please note, all opinions and views their own.

CLICK HERE to read the full document. 

Special Thank you to Vicky Mooney & Naomi Ozanne for sharing your experiences. 

Brunei: Do you provide a service from home? Important Information...

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UK Government - Changes to National Insurance Contributions from 6th July

From 6th July, changes to National Insurance Contributions mean everyone who pays National Insurance will see a tax cut. This means the majority of working people will see a boost to their take home pay. If you earn £36,600 a year or under, you could save over £330 a year. Use our tax checker tool to see how these changes will affect you: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/estimate-how-the-national-insurance-contributions-changes-will-affect-you?

Brunei: FREME Diving & Snorkelling packages with Oceanic Quest

 

Brunei: Travel Requirements Checklist - effective 15th June 2022

Brunei: BFSWS have replaced SSAFA Social work in Brunei....read more about their services

For more information and to read BFSWS leaflets in full regarding the services BFSWS provide in Brunei, CLICK HERE

NEW GUIDE LAUNCHED ON INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FOR VETERANS

NEW GUIDE LAUNCHED ON INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FOR VETERANS The Veterans’ Places People and Pathways programme is creating better, more sustainable support for veterans in the communities where they live. It is supporting major projects to enable veterans to access support that meets their needs. 14 major projects will encourage the development of safe, welcoming places for veterans to go in their local area, support for the people (staff and volunteers in organisations that support veterans) to be able to have access to good quality training and will connect veterans into wider pathways including for mental health support and treatment.

With funding from HM Treasury; the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund awarded £9M in the 2021/22 to 14 major projects through the Veterans’ Places, Pathways and People programme.

10 grants have been awarded in the countries and regions of the UK, to develop better, more joined up lasting support for local veterans with mental health needs. 4 grants have been awarded for national strategic projects.

There is strong potential that the veteran led projects will be able to support long term change and improvements for veterans. A new guide has been launched to raise awareness of the 10 portfolios and their work; which will take place over the next two years.

The Portfolios are at an early stage of their delivery; and have all developed their delivery plans through extensive regional consultations. The Portfolios actively encourage organisations in Statutory or Voluntary sectors to engage in their work, and contact details for all of the Portfolio projects can be found within each profile contained later in this document.

Anna Wright, Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust said

“The Trust is excited about the potential that these grants can have to deliver real and lasting change. Through these grants veterans with mental health needs can have better access to effective pathways of care and support in their region; and have safe places to go to access support, reduce isolation and support positive mental health. We hope that this guide gives a useful introduction to their work; and encourage voluntary and statutory organisations to work with the Portfolios to deliver lasting change for our veterans”

Find out more Read the guide here

Gov.UK - Cost of Living Support

We know people are worried about the cost of living, so the government is offering help. See what support you could be eligible for: ​costoflivingsupport.campaign.gov.uk/​

Service Parents guide to boarding schools - Spring 2022 Edition

Click here to access the guide in full 

Brunei: Posting parcels and belongings back to the UK? Max size parcel box details here....

For further information, please visit the Forces Post Office in CCCC

General Enquiries - HIVE

Overseas - HIVE

Non UK National - HIVE Support

Brunei: Guidelines for entry into Brunei via Air Travel 15 June 2022

All travel requirements and procedures for entry into Brunei via air travel are outlined in this document and take effect on 15th June 2022. Click here to read the full updated procedure. 

Checklist for travelers below: 

Pets In SFA

References: A. Tri-Service Accommodation Regulation-JSP 464 B. License to Occupy SFA

1. All dogs and cats kept in the SFA must be registered with the SSO Department.

2. All animal in the estate, if found without a collar will be removed. You are required to have a collar fastened on your animal at all times with Garrison 4 Serial Registered No. on a metal identity disc stamped on it.

3. During March out, the house must be fumigated and the carpets cleaned. Proof of the fumigation and cleaning must be provided to the Estate Warden. Please be ensure to kept all the pets in door at all time and make sure the flats area is clean up to standard. If pets are found released out door, it is the Pet’s owner responsibility to clean the area.

4. Failure to comply with orders will result in the authorisation to keep a cat in a SFA being withdrawn immediately and you will be responsible for its immediate disposal.

Services Cotswold Centre (SCC)

Are you looking for a short break in the UK or just in need of a change of scenery?

Or perhaps you are based at a local* unit and are unable to book a Welfare house for family wishing to visit?

We may have just the thing! In the beautiful Wiltshire countryside lies the Services Cotswold Centre, a Tri Service Accommodation facility near Corsham with easy access to Chippenham & Bath.

The Centre is open to any Service person or MOD Civil Servant and their families who need short-term housing for welfare purposes (including contact housing); between assignments; on discharge; home leave; or just a short break in the country.

For a relaxing break at minimal cost and in easy reach of the many tourist attractions the South West offers, visit the SCC webpage or contact the team on 01225 810358.

*local = Serving Personnel based within one hour from SCC can sponsor family visits

Families deployment guide edition 5

 

Click here to access the online support guide for families 

New Financial Leasing Authority Protocol issued

New Financial Leasing Authority protocol published that will remove disadvantage

Financial Leasing Authority, with National Franchised Dealers Association, released new protocol to provide bespoke support to armed forces personnel deploying overseas.

With effect from 1 June 2022, serving personnel will benefit from a new protocol that ensures motor financing works better for them when deploying overseas

Chief of Defence People, Lt Gen James Swift said:

“This new protocol is yet another step in ensuring our Armed Forces personnel are treated as fairly as other members of the public across the country, through the Armed Forces Covenant. Thank you to the Finance & Leasing Association and National Franchised Dealers Association for working together with Defence to ensure motor finance works better for our serving communities.”

This new policy is one of the many benefits the Armed Forces community can take advantage of thanks to the Armed Forces Covenant. Now in its eleventh year, the Covenant is a pledge from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

As part of a long-term strategy of supporting the Armed Forces Community, and as a full-time member of the MOD Financial Services Steering Group, the Financial Leasing Association (FLA) has worked with MOD to aim to remove disadvantage for serving personnel deploying overseas.

This policy will ensure that, from 1 June 2022, serving personnel deployed overseas should no longer have to face the distress of returning a lease-hire vehicle unexpectedly or repaying the loan in full prior to deployment.

While motor finance providers have endeavoured to find a solution that is acceptable to serving personnel for nearly 2 years now, the FLA’s issuing of this protocol formalises this bespoke arrangement for the armed forces community across its full membership.

It is essential that any personnel taking out lease-hire must ensure they make clear at the outset of the process they are a member of the Armed Forces, to ensure this protocol applies. This protocol will only be followed by providers that are members of the FLA.

You can find full details of the protocol, and confirmation of which members have signed it, on the FLA website.

ETS - 9th June - MS Word Basics - Set up a JSP 101 Template Virtual Session

This is a 45 minute session teaching the basics of MS Word, including formatting, spacing, and other handy hits and tips. 

Also, you will be shown how to save a JSP 101 compliant template to work from. 

For more information, click here​

Brunei: PCMF - polite reminder to take an ART test before hospital appointments

In line with the current MoH direction, all BFB personnel are reminded that when attending a Brunei Government Hospital or Private Hospital (Including JPMC and Panaga) you must perform an ART test. The result must be upload onto your BruHealth App on the same day as the appointment. This includes any parents accompanying a child.

How to report a complaint to Pinnacle

The process for reporting complaints to Pinnacle. P​lease click below to report your complaint. Complai​nts - Pinnacle Service Families 

Fire Safety Matters

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Brunei: Reef Check Brunei are seeking volunteer BFB Eco Divers - can you help?

Reef Check Brunei is a non-profit organisation leading citizen scientists to promote stewardship of sustainable reef communities worldwide. Reef Check’s fast growing network has expanded throughout all tropical seas with the objective to preserve and sustain their reef ecosystems. Reef Check Brunei is currently leading two major projects: Project AWARE® Dive Against Debris and Coral Restoration Brunei.

As these are self-funded and community lead projects, we are approaching you, the British Forces Brunei, as we feel that both our ethos and mission statement aligns together. Making links between our organisation would strengthen community ties and also give BFB the opportunity to act as a caretaker and guardian of the local environment whilst supporting a local NGO. 

We are currently seeking volunteer BFB divers to help us maintain and provide manpower support so we can continue to strive for the conservation of coastal and nearshore environment.

For further information please email info@rcbrunei.org or email me directly at wendy.han678@mod.gov.uk

Brunei: Help us improve the BFB Welfare service - survey closes 10th June

The BFB Welfare team would greatly appreciate your time to complete this survey. The survey is 100% anonymous and can be completed within 10 minutes. This is an opportunity to give valuable feedback about your time and experience with the Welfare provision, including AWS, HIVE, SSAFA & Unit Welfare here in BFB. The insights will be used to help shape the future provision and create a directed road map of improvements to enhance and better meet the needs of our community. 

Please scan the QR code to access the form, or click here

Thank you!