Brunei: Brunei HIVE Notice - Christmas Stand Down

Brunei HIVE Notice - Christmas Stand Down

Chit Chat HIVE office will be closed from Monday 18th December 2023 to Friday 5th January 2024.

Chit Chat HIVE office will resume on Monday 08th January 2024.

Mumong HIVE office will be closed from Monday 25th December 2023 to Tuesday 2nd January 2024.
Mumong HIVE office will resume on Wednesday 03rd January 2024.

BRUNEIGAR-SpSvcs-HIVE-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Emails will not be actioned until our return.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Please contact your Unit Welfare Team for urgent matters.

Shop smart, not shark, this Christmas

Christmas can be a very challenging time and people may find they have to borrow money to keep up with gifts, parties and food.

The Stop Loan Sharks team want ​to share the most common red flags for people to look out for to help them avoid loan sharks, and what things organisations can look out for when dealing with clients.

We want people to shop smart, not shark this Christmas.

Find out more about Stop Loan Sharks here​

The Annington Challenge - applications now open for 10-19 year olds from Military families

Are you aged 10-19, in a Service family and looking for an adventure next Summer?

The Annington Challenge is an exciting initiative run in conjunction with The Outward Bound Trust.

Since 2012, it has offered military youngsters, regardless of their parent’s rank, the chance to experience their very own Outward Bound adventure at one of Outward Bound's inspiring locations in the Lake District, Snowdonia or the Scottish Highlands.

The courses are an amazing opportunity to discover spectacular new places with new friends and develop a host of new skills whilst experiencing real challenge and adventure.

Applications are now open for Summer 2024 - click here to apply or to find out more information!​

HIVE Social Media over Christmas

Please click the links below to access the Social Media pages:

• Facebook
• X (formerly Twitter)
• Instagram

Royal Mail Home Click & Drop Home Collection Service

With Parcel Collect, Royal Mail pick up your parcels from your home, safe place or work, they will even bring your labels too.

You can also put all your orders from your online stores into your Click & Drop account and get your packages out the door in no time.​

Please click HERE to watch the video on YouTube.

Office for Veterans' Affairs Consultation Closes on 4 Jan 24.

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) launched a consultation on 26 Oct ​​to gather evidence on the experience of Armed Forces Veterans.

If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran, visit GOV.UK​ for further information and details of how to respond to the survey before it closes on 4 January 2024.

Brunei: BFB Welfare Christmas Stand down

Please click the image to enlarge.

Brunei: SSO Department Christmas Stand Down

Please click the image to enlarge.

British Army - Headspace

Please click the image to enlarge.

Please click HERE to get started.

Brunei: Water supply disruption for JKR supplied areas

Please be informed there will be water disruption as of today, 11th December to fix water leak within the supply network at H15/J16. It was a fastball notification from the supplier (JKR). The current volume of water at H15/J16 water tank should last for the next 24 hrs. After that, there will be no water supply unless the leak is fixed on time. The warning issued is the disruption may last up to 7 days.

Please inform all and be prepared for this disruption, especially H15/J16 areas. Attached flyer also indicates the location of blue tanks where you can go and fill in your water cans.

BSP supplied areas (G16/part H16/G15) should be ok. 

For any issues, please contact DIO at Ext 3375.

Brunei: Location of Blue Tanks Provided by JKR at H15 & J16 Flats

Please click the image to enlarge.

For any issues, please contact DIO at Ext 3375.

Brunei: Shower facilities - Water Shortage Issue in H15 and J16

 

New Accommodation Offer: Updated Sway Now Available

Updated communications have now been released on the New Accommodation Offer. To view the new information please go to this SWAY​

Brunei: Reflection Garden Project

Awareness of SP and families around H15 areas and BFB sitewide.

What: Reflection Garden. This is a DIO Stewardship funded programme under native tree conservation initiatives and DIO has fully supported this. This will provide a naturally shaded area under the native and imported tree species grows up fully in 4-5yeras time. This area also included a hard concrete footpath around with a scattered effect of solar street lighting in order to allow SP and the families to walk/with baby push trolley around in a safe manner during the evening/night period. Future plan will include a couple of ATAP, a central Choutara and stepping stones to explore through woodland in the future.

Where: This will be created within the empty land parcel in between H15 Flats and CCCC next to play park.

When: The plan is to start the project on site from 18 Dec and DIO will try to minimise the disruption where possible, especially machinery movement. This will go all the way to mid Feb.

DIO PoC: Mr Shenton is DIO PoC. Please contact him if you have any concern or issue

Future look of Reflection garden

Brunei: BFB Quarterly Newsletter - Edition 4

Please click the image to enlarge. 

British Forces Brunei Quarterly Newsletter - Edition 4

To read the full Newsletter Click HERE.

Domestic Abuse: MOD Guidance on Where to Find Help

Please click the image to enlarge.

Alternatively click HERE for a PDF of the document.

Brunei: Empire Hotel - Boat Trip at Sea

Please click the image to enlarge.

GamCare: Christmas Gambling Harms Awareness

Would you know how to spot the signs of gambling harm and where to get support this Christmas? GamCare can help with some practical steps.

The festive period can be a difficult time for people affected by gambling harms.

For many, Christmas can expose financial issues, social isolation and mental health difficulties that often surround or worsen gambling harms. An early December payday can also add extra temptation to gamble, alongside the influence of alcohol, changes in routine and high-profile sporting events. Altogether, the holiday season can bring about increased risk for people struggling with their gambling.

Whatever it is, GamCare is here to help. We support anyone who has an issue with their gambling or someone else’s. We're available 24/7, we operate the free National Gambling Helpline, and provide treatment in all regions across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Our trained Advisers will help you find the right kind of support – whether it’s free tools to block gambling sites; forums and groups where you can get support from people in the same situation; or free confidential treatment in your area or residential treatment. The National Gambling Helpline offers 24/7 free confidential support all year on Freephone 0808 80 20 133, via WhatsApp on 020 3031 8881, or via online chat at gamcare.org.uk.

Spotting the signs of gambling harm at Christmas

GamCare hears from people who have become isolated and lonely as a result of their gambling, and who haven’t spoken to anyone else about what they are going through. This can feel worse at Christmas, when people might encounter loneliness or pressure to seem as if everything is alright.

We recognise that gambling is known as the ‘hidden addiction’, and often the signs are not clear. From experience, we understand that these are the most common ways to identify if your own or someone else’s gambling has become harmful.

Some signs to consider about your own or someone else’s gambling:

• Preoccupation – Do you spend much of your day thinking about betting? Are you finding that your gambling is taking you out of the moment when you spend time with friends and family this Christmas? Often thinking about or planning to gamble can be one of the early warning signs that gambling could be harmful

• Withdrawal – Removing yourself from social situations so that you can place a bet is another warning signal that your gambling might be going too far, and that the urges to gamble are potentially harming other areas of your life and the people around you. Withdrawal may be one of the early warning signs that someone’s gambling could be harmful this Christmas; such as wanting to stay at home more frequently or needing to check their phone constantly to check the latest results

• Escape – Life – and the Christmas season in particular - can be overwhelming at times, and you might feel like you want to escape it for a while. Using gambling as a coping mechanism is a sign of harmful gambling and can lead to losing significant amounts of money

• Chasing losses – Chasing losses is where your motive for gambling changes from winning money to getting back the money you have already lost. This can be dangerous and lead to significant losses. There might be more financial signs that a loved one is struggling with gambling, such as a need to borrow money or money missing from bank accounts

• Changing mood – There could be noticeable changes to your mood and behaviour, including looking worried, agitated or upset for no apparent reason in the lead up to Christmas

• Lying – You may find yourself hiding how much you are spending or lying about the amount of time you are spending gambling, or perhaps asking for money to cover bills that you are spending. These are just some signs that gambling is harming your life, and possibly risking your relationships with family and friends

How to stop a gambling issue from escalating

Stopping an issue around gambling can be difficult if it has become a key part of your life. However, a mix of practical activities or hobbies to occupy your time along with taking positive action with the following steps can help.

• Talk to a friend or a family member – talking to someone you trust is often the best place to start if you feel your gambling is going too far. Even if they may not be able to help immediately, sharing any concerns you have can be an important first step to stop your gambling from escalating

• Talk to a trained adviser at GamCare – if you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, then talking to someone you don’t know can also help. Call the National Gambling Helpline for free on 0808 8020 133 where you can speak to an adviser for non-judgmental advice and support: gamcare.org.uk

• Restrict access to gambling websites – using practical tools can also help. Gamban is a software provider that blocks access to gambling websites, and you can also self-exclude from gambling websites through GAMSTOP for free. Gamban is available for free when calling the National Gambling Helpline through the TalkBanStop partnership (talkbanstop.com)

• Put banking blocks on your card – Many retail banks now offer the ability to block transactions to gambling companies. This can be an important extra layer of protection when trying to cut down or restrict your gambling. Find out more about this tool via gamcare.org.uk/banks

The National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 for free during the Christmas period. Contact our Advisers on Freephone 0808 80 20 133, via WhatsApp on 020 3031 8881, or via online chat at gamcare.org.uk.

Defence People Communications: Child benefit – get financial help if you have children

Did you know that parents can claim child benefit to help with the cost of raising children? Find out if you’re eligible and how to make a claim.

With the rising cost of living, the Government are offering parents and carers up to £1,248 a year to help with the cost of raising their first child – and up to £826.80 for any other children. This means that by the time a child is 16 years old, their child benefit claim could be worth almost £20,000.

What is child benefit?
Child benefit is a monthly payment for anyone with parental responsibilities for children under the age of 16, or up to 20 if they stay in approved education or training.

How does it work?
There are two child benefit rates. The allowance for the eldest or only child is £24.00 per week. For additional children, the allowance is £15.90 per child.

Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

To find out if you’re eligible, and how to make a claim, visit GOV.UK (UTM).

What other benefits are included?
By claiming child benefit, you can also get national insurance credits which counts towards your state pension, and a national insurance number for your child without them having to apply for one. For more information, visit GOV.UK (UTM).

Other types of support

Cost of living support
Child benefit are the Government’s way of helping parents with the cost of raising a child as part of their Help for Households campaign. Other types of Government support include free school meals, free childcare, and universal credit childcare support. For more information about Government support with childcare costs, visit GOV.UK.

There are over 40 schemes to help with the cost of living, including how to save energy and lower your bills. To find out what support is available, visit GOV.UK.

The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme
The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old who are in school or being home schooled in the UK.

WAC is also known as ‘Out of School care’ in Wales and ‘School Age Childcare’ in Scotland.

Families can find out more about the Wraparound Childcare scheme on the Discover my Benefits website:

• Discover My Benefits - Army
• Discover My Benefits - Royal Air Force
• Discover My Benefits - Royal Navy

Tickets for Troops: Fundraising Prize Draw for Bruce Springsteen, Cardiff May 25

Tickets for Troops are organizing a special prize draw, where the prize is a pair of front pitch standing tickets to see the legendary Bruce Springsteen in concert at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on May 5th 2024.

All funds raised in the draw will go towards building a new Tickets For Troops website.

To enter the prize draw please go to this LINK

Togetherall: Mental Health Support for the Armed Forces

Togetherall is FREE to anyone in the UK Military, Veterans & Family members aged 16+

To sign up, please click on the following link - Togetherall Armed Forces community access

Brunei: PCMF - Influenza Immunisation for 50 - 65 years *TODAY*

The Flu Immunisation eligibility is now extended to individuals between the age of 50 to 65 years old, under the recommendation of Defence Primary Health Care. Individuals within this age group who wish to have the immunisation are invited to book an appointment through PCMF Reception Desk at Ext 3226 or 3224893. 

More information can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/

This clinic is only for TODAY until PCMF open another one will be next year.

DWP Benefits Payment Dates December

DWP Payment days over the Christmas and New Year are as follows:

• Payments due 25-26 December will be paid on Friday 22 December.

• Payments due 27 December: Universal Credit paid as normal, all other benefits paid on Friday 22 December.

• Payments due 1 January will be paid on Friday 29 December.

Civilian Housing: An update on the MOD Referral Scheme service

Last year, the services provided by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) were transferred to the Defence Transition Service (DTS), part of Defence Business Services (DBS), to deliver. This followed a review as part of the MOD’s ‘Strategy for Our Veterans’ to bring efficiency to the co-ordination and delivery of housing services.

The MOD Referral Scheme provided advice and guidance on accessing social housing and has now become part of the existing services provided by DTS and Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). This has been done to simplify and widen access and eligibility across serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families.

To refer someone for support or self-refer go to - Help for service leavers, service personnel and families from Defence Transition Services - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What is DTS?

The Defence Transition Services (DTS) team is the MOD’s tri-service focal point to provide service personnel and their dependants with civilian housing information for those wishing to move to civilian accommodation at any time in their career, and for those leaving service who require extra support with the transition to civilian life.

DTS, together with colleagues in the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) can provide advice and guidance to help individuals make informed choices on their civilian housing options as they transition out of the forces. For further information please visit: Information and guidance on civilian housing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) Winter Newsletter

Please click the image above to read this newsletter online.

Brunei: Panaga Pharmacy Non-Prescription Medicines List

Please click the image to enlarge.

Some over the counter and pharmacist only drugs can be purchased from PANAGA Pharmacy.

Brunei: PCMF Urgent Notice on Drug Recall

Please click the image to enlarge.

Anyone issued with the mentioned medication from hospital or any other place, please bring the drug back to PCMF Brunei Pharmacy for destruction. Please make an appointment with a doctor, should you require any replacement.

Brunei: DIO - Collaborative Working Discussion

Collaborative Working Discussion

The following points were deliberated about during the recent collaborative working discussion:

All storerooms lights at the flats (H15 and J16) will be replaced for LED. This will prevent the lights in the stairway not working when there are issues with the lights in the storeroom. 

Removal of all Astro dishes on the BFB Estate.

Request for Flat window keys to go keyless. Occupants are constantly losing window keys and when the locks are replaced it is different make and model to the existing windows.

Request for the back doors at H15 flats to go keyless. This is to avoid the risk of occupants getting locked out on the balcony. 

Amah quarters cookers. DIO is not installing any new electric cookers in the Amah quarters. This will be the responsibility of the Occupant, he/she will need to get the electric cooker Portable Appliance Tested by the QM Dept and will need a sticker on the appliance before use.

Keys / access to vacant quarters during out of working hours for an Emergency. Another meeting required with presence of the GSM and WSM. 

Self Help. Under the conditions of the self-help application, if an occupant agrees to take responsibility of the project, it is their responsibility to remove it. Maintenance Team to liaise with the Estate Wardens if any requests are received from occupants for removal and disposal of a self-help task.

NW500. Any NW500 requests for the SFAs will require the approval from the Estate Wardens prior to any works being done to create a new column in the NW500 application for Estate Wardens.

Carbon monoxide batteries and insecticides can be requested through the GQMS. This is to reduce works raised to the contractors and will save reactive maintenance burden.

Bird nesting to liaise with Estate Wardens for greasing bird nesting areas.

DWP Conversational Platform

Please click the image above for further details.

Conversational Platform is a new technology being introduced onto the Universal Credit telephony channel. From early December 2023 when customers call Universal Credit, their call may be routed through the new technology, whereby the DWP Virtual Agent will ask the customer why they are calling and will then tailor the response based on what the customer says.

Veterans Housing - Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund

New major funding programme to support Veterans’ housing needs

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) is delighted to announce a new, major grants programme supporting new builds and significant refurbishment, including extensions, of rental accommodation offering high quality support for Veterans with a housing need.

On behalf of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, the Trust will award grants of £75K to £500K under the Major Capital Grants programme, across four rounds of funding, to projects that contribute to the aims of the Government’s ambition to reduce Veteran homelessness and end rough sleeping.

Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund

The Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund. It is open to charities and registered social housing providers (registered social landlords in Scotland), with at least five years’ housing experience. To be eligible for this funding, you’ll need to show that most of your organisation’s work is with Veterans, or that you have extensive experience of working with Veterans.

Larger grants available

Larger grants of £500K to £1M are available for exceptional projects. These larger grants will be subject to additional eligibility criteria, including secured match funding of at least 30% at the time of application. Full details of this additional criteria are available on the Trust’s website.

Ensuring your project meets the needs of Veterans

To receive funding from the Major Capital Grants programme, you’ll need to clearly show that your project:

* is needed and is an effective way of supporting Veterans at risk

* was developed with Veterans

* doesn’t duplicate existing provision, but rather fills a gap in support for Veterans

* will support longer-term change, providing a wider impact for Veterans that will last beyond the life of your grant.

Sonia Howe, Director Policy & Comms at the Trust said: “This is an exciting opportunity for organisations to access a significant grant to build new homes that can have positive, tangible impact upon Veterans in need. Projects could focus on either transitional or permanent housing, including Veteran care homes. We’re expecting some big ideas and some truly life changing proposals.”

What’s available?

There will be four rounds of funding under the programme and decisions will be made via a two-step process.

The Trust is accepting Expressions of Interest for round 1 now. The closing date for applications is 3 January 2024. Those successful at Expression of Interest stage will be invited to submit a second stage, full application.

About the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is delivering the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. The Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund supports

projects that contribute to the wider aim of ending veterans’ homelessness by providing affordable and viable homes for veterans.

Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said:

“I’m committed to ending Veteran rough sleeping this year. This is why we're launching the second tranche of the £20m capital housing programme, with applicants now able to bid for up to £1 million to support Veterans’ housing needs.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to showcase how we can transform the lives of Veterans across the UK and I encourage all those eligible to apply.”

Find out more

Full details of this fantastic new programme, including the timetable for applications to each of the rounds, are available on the Trust’s website www.covenantfund.org.uk

Keep up to date with funding opportunities

For the latest updates and announcements on Covenant Fund programmes, and any other funding opportunities the Trust has available throughout the year, sign up to their e-newsletter via their website www.covenantfund.org.uk

FAQ - Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy

FAQ's for Service Personnel regarding ARAP persons living in SFA 

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund

The Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund.

More information is available HERE. 

Accommodation provided by MOD for ARAP Afghan Families

Please click the letters below for further details:

Accommodation provided by MOD for ARAP Afghan families

Attached ARAP letter for Service families March 2023

Little Troopers - Christmas Smiles for Service Children