You can check your state pension forecast here...

Plan your retirement and find out how much your state pension is forecast to be here 

Are you aware of the support & benefits available working in Defence? Discover my benefits...

 

www.discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk

Brunei: Anderson Education - SURVEY CLOSING...would you like to understand boarding school options & CEA?

Would you like to learn more about Boarding School options and information regarding Continuity of Education?

Anderson Education will be hosting an online information event and would like to hear what topics you would most like to hear about....

Please click the link below to a very short questionnaire. This shows multiple options of topics surrounding the subject. They'd love to hear which ones are most relevant.

The information of most interest will then be collated by Anderson Education and a future date arranged to host an online information event for BFB families. 

Please complete the short survey by no later than Monday 30th January 2023.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7BLSn6WJHClVQT5fp9Ki6MhZVqG2HXfIUkDgeITnlRYll9g/viewform

(link may not work on MODNet) 

Brunei: Hornbill School Headteacher Advert

The Hornbill Headteacher Advert has been released on CS Jobs, the closing date is 17th Februrary 2023.

Please Click the CS jobs link for full details Defence Children Services (DCS) Headteacher, Hornbill Primary School, Brunei - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK.

Brunei: BFB Spouses Inter Coy Badminton Championship is POSTPONED

BFB Spouses Inter Coy Badminton Championship – Wed 22 Mar 2023 is now postponed until May 2023.

Industrial Action & School Closures.

 

Please click the image to enlarge or Click here

A little bit about HIVE...

HIVE 2022 Enquiries

UNIVERSAL INFANT FREE SCHOOL MEALS (UIFSM)

UNIVERSAL INFANT FREE SCHOOL MEALS (UIFSM)

1. Service children and children of entitled MOD civilians in schools overseas aged 4, 5 and 6 (FS 2, Year 1 and Year 2 or equivalent) are entitled to a Universal Infant Free School Meal. In schools without facilities to provide meals, a refund of £2.34 per meal can be claimed. This is in line with government funding allocated to schools in England. As year groups differ overseas, the date of birth of a child is used to confirm eligibility. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check they are eligible to claim by carefully reading the relevant 2021DIN01-060.

2. Prior to making a refund claim via JPA i-Expense, applicants must submit Annex A to UIFSM DIN and proof of attendance to SO3 Coord/SO3 G6 for approval. On receipt of approval, applicants are to submit a JPA i-Expenses claim for a refund of UIFSM. Guide on how to submit a claim via JPA i-Expense can be found here. Eligible MOD Civilians, without access to JPA, should submit claims to their overseas administration for reimbursement.

3. Claimants can only claim for days that a child has attended school; proof of termly attendance can be obtained from Hornbill School on request . Applicants must retain all documentation linked to their UIFSM claim for auditing purposes.

Brunei: Visit of the Minister for Defence Personnel, Veterans and Service Families (DPV), the Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP

What. Visit of the Minister for Defence Personnel, Veterans and Service Families (DPV), the Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP to Chit Chat Community Centre.

When. Monday 06 February 2023 at 1340 hrs (SP and spouses with school age children can join later)

Where. Chit Chat Community Centre.

Who. BFB SP, UKBC/UKBT & Spouses.

Refreshment. Tea/coffee/biscuits will be available.

Advocating for vulnerable veterans: the Acute Hospital Settings programme

Sign up today to our webinar: Loneliness and the Armed Forces Community When: Tuesday 31 January, 10am-11:30am Where: Online via Zoom. Sign up below to receive details Is this for me? Great for those working with or on behalf of veterans or their families in acute hospital settings, or for those with an interest in this issue. What to expect: Our evaluators, University of Chester, will share the latest about the fantastic progress this programme is already making to vulnerable veterans and their families. You'll hear from four organisations who received funding through the programme, and the positive impact their work is having. Get the funders perspective from our dedicated Trust team.

 

Register your attendance here

Full details of the webinar are available on our website.

TAFCTF are hosting a webinar on Tuesday 31 January. 

The positive impact of Armed Forces advocates on veterans in acute hospital settings will share more on the latest findings from the Supporting Armed Forces in Acute Hospital Settings programme.

You’ll hear from the programme lead Steven Inman and Project Co-ordinator Gemma Calvert, as well as programme evaluators at Chester University, Dr Becky Randles, Lottie Ainsworth- Moore, and Professor Alan Finnegan.

TAFCTF are also honoured to be joined by four of the projects from across the UK who’ll be sharing insights into the work they are doing for vulnerable veterans.

It’s free to join for this great learning opportunity,Register your attendance above or  click here to register​

Brunei: Closure of Splash Pool Mumong under maintenance

Brunei: BFB Community Library Survey - have your say!

WIN WIN!! Your opinion really matters to the BFB Community Library team! Please help us by completing this quick survey and stand a chance of winning a $50 cash prize*!
It’s a WIN WIN situation for you and the community!! 🤩📚🚂

Link below ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://forms.office.com/r/MkXPxZQbz7

*the winner will be randomly drawn and emailed. Survey and competition is only open to BFB community members. One survey per person. Survey closes 26 January 2023 at 11:00am.

Brunei: Sold a property recently? You may be exempt from Capital Gains tax if you are eligible for Private Residence Relief....

 

How the relief works
You would normally have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on any gain you make if you dispose (sell) of:

 

* a dwelling house (which can include a house, flat, houseboat or fixed caravan) which is your home
* part of a dwelling house which is your home
* part of the garden attached to your home

However, you’ll be entitled to full relief where all the following conditions are met:

* The dwelling house has been your only or main residence throughout your period of ownership
you have not been absent, other than for an allowed period of absence or because you have been living in job-related accommodation, during your period of ownership (ie. living in SFA) 

* The garden or grounds including the buildings on them are not greater than the permitted area

* No part of your home has been used exclusively for business purposes during your period of ownership. Working from home using a room that is also used for non-business purposes will not prevent entitlement to full relief. 

To find out more about Private Residence Relief from HMRC and if you can claim on your tax return click here. 

Defence Discounts Service - Member Days are back!

Since 2015, members have had the opportunity to book reduced priced tickets to exclusive days out at Merlin attractions, and 2023 is no different!

The only slight change this year is we have secured even more Member Days than ever before and will be launching all dates together. Making it easier for you to find a day out that works best.

To learn more, please use this link.​

Interested in joining the Army Reserves? Already a Reservist?

Are you an Army Reservist living in BFB? It might be possible for you to fulfil your duty days supporting BFB. For more information, contact the unit welfare team. 

Interested in joining the Reserves? To find out if you are eligible, how apply, what skills you might gain and the level of commitment required, click HERE

The Army Reserve | The British Army (mod.uk)

NUKN Awareness Brief

Forces Employment Charity: FREE Microsoft Office Skills online training - 7th Feb 2023

Take your Microsoft Office skills to the next level and join us for our first free Microsoft Office skills training of 2023! 

Created for absolute beginners all you need:

A computer with Microsoft Office on it 💻
An internet connection 🌐
And a quiet place to work 🤫

Interested? Sign up at: forcesemployment.org.uk/EM3

Problem Gambling: The Impact and Support Available Webinar

Serve & Protect are holding a live webinar on Thursday 19th Jan at 14:00 (UK). 

Exploring the impact of gambling on a individuals​'s​ financial resilience and the support available to both organisations and individuals.

To find out more and join follow the link below...

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spot-the-signs-problem-gambling-and-the-impact-on-financial-resilience-tickets-495165191417?fbclid=IwAR3N231vPlMO8pShV6JS3R4kzQobe8zNg-yV5IRK1O2jo9PR6jcnkdep9B0​

Civil Service Active Wellbeing 2023

Back for its 5th year Active Wellbeing 2023 (AW23) is the initiative to help the entire Civil Service and Public Sector be more active.

Register for the Around the World Challenge by 27th Jan and receive a free reward of six months of OS Maps Premium. 

Record and track your progress and see and download hints, tips and support: AW23 Challenge – Active Wellbeing 2022 AW23 Challenge

What you need to know about changing schools during the year

Sometimes it is necessary for children to change school during the school year, for example if they have moved house into a new area.​

What you need to know about changing schools during the year​

Serving Personnel and Cost of Living

The full Army Cost of Living Resource Pack can be found here

Brunei: Autism & ADHD News

 

Click here to read the latest newsletter 

Brunei: Book donations wanted for BFB Community Library

 

Mortgage advice webinars January - March

Available to all service personnel. Webinars running each Wednesday evening from 25th Jan - 29th March...

Understanding your Credit Report
Understanding Forces Help to Buy

Voter ID requirement

From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.​

With changes to the requirement, please check The Electoral Commission to see what the requirements are in your area.

The Open University has joined forces with MoneySavingExpert

The Open University has joined forces with MoneySavingExpert (MSE) to produce this new free course to give you the skills and knowledge to master your finances. The course was written by The OU, with MSE providing support and guidance.​ Read more HERE.

Op Courage

Life outside of the Armed Forces can be very different and at times challenging. Find out what support is available HERE

EU Settlement Scheme Amendment - important information

EU Settlement Scheme Immigration Amendment 

Until now, European Economic Area (EEA) and non-EEA family members of British citizens in the UK Armed Forces serving in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus were unable to enter or return to the UK by applying for an EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) family permit, or to the EUSS. This is because the SBAs, as British Overseas Territories, are not part of the EEA meaning free movement rights could not be exercised. 

The Home Office has now amended the immigration rules. For the purposes of qualifying British citizens serving in UK Armed Forces assigned back to the UK from Cyprus, the SBAs will be treated as part of the EEA. 

This means that where an EEA or non-EEA family member is accompanying a qualifying British citizen in the Armed Forces who was posted in the SBAs before the end of the EU transition period (23:00 GMT on 31 December 2020), and providing they meet all other requirements as a ‘family member of a qualifying British citizen’ (FMQBC), they will now be able to use this temporary FMQBC route to apply to the EUSS.

To read more about the EU Settlement scheme, to check eligibility and timings for processing applications along with Q&A. Click here. 

BFB Christian Centre - service schedule

BFB Christian Centre is located next to 1RGR Sgts Mess

National Transition Event - Silverstone

Find out more by visiting: www.nationaltransitionevent.com or register by scanning the QR code, or following the link: https://nte23.eventbrite.co.uk

Army & You Spring Edition

Please click this link to read the latest edition.

Army & You Winter Edition

Scan the QR code above, or click this link to read the latest edition.

New/Existing Repair Form Pinnacle...

​​To assist the NSC with reducing call waiting times​​, if you are aware of anyone with non-urgent repairs, please use the link provided...

​https://www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/repairs/new-existing-repair-form/​

Brunei: BFB Spouses inter Coy Badminton Championship – Wed 22nd Mar 2023

BFB Spouses inter Coy Badminton Championship – Wed 22 Mar 2023 (date for your diary)

Who: Three teams (double) from A, B, C, HQ, SP & GST and one team from BHQ. Total 19 teams.

When: Wed Mar 23 (0900-1700 hrs).

Where: Tuker Lines Gym

Further details to follow...

CEA - Continuity of Education allowance application process

For further advice surrounding CEA, contact Education Advisory Trust UK (EAT UK) Formerly CEAS at: RC-DCS-HQ-CEAS@mod.gov.uk

Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF)

The Ombudsman provides independent and impartial oversight of the Service Complaints system for members of the UK Armed Forces

Further information can be found HERE​

Brunei: BFBS Need you!

Aimed at confident talkers (or those needing that confidence boost!) aged 5+

All five questions would be recorded in one session lasting no more than 30 minutes at a convenient time for you and your examiner.

Email Brunei@bfbs.com, Whatsapp +6738644931 or speak to Hayley Hammond for more information/to sign your child up.

They will of course receive some goodies for their time!

Cost Of Living - Resources Pack for support with financial wellbeing, managing debt & allowances

The Army has produced the attached presentation to assist with information regarding the Cost of Living crisis, for Serving Personnel and Civilians within MOD. It covers allowances and entitlements, but also money support advice, debt advice and further national support agency links. 

Some of the links within will not be accessible unless on a MOD Device, other links may not work from MODNet, therefore if you require access to further information then please contact HIVE. 

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

To read the full Cost of Living Resources Pack click here

Gov.uk - Dealing with Debt

Options for dealing with your debts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Bet Regret, Gambling Awareness

Problem gambling is behaviour related to gambling which causes harm to the gambler and those around them. This may include family, friends and others who know them or care for them, such as those they work with.

If someone is struggling to control their gambling behaviour it can cause stress, depression, anxiety, or they may fall behind at work and worry about money. If someone’s gambling is causing any of these effects, it is considered problem gambling.

For some people, the impact of problem gambling may be severe and can lead to social and emotional difficulties, such as the breakdown of relationships, struggling to maintain employment, or unmanageable debt. Gambling Disorder is recognised by doctors, psychologists and counsellors as a mental health problem, and there are treatments available which can help. Find out more about the free, confidential services available across the country here.

GamCare: Changing your relationship with gambling

GamCare has designed these resources to assist anyone who has recognised that gambling may be an issue for them. If you have arrived at this realisation and have made the decision that you would like to change your relationship with gambling, the following workbook is designed to help you, working at your own pace.

Gambling problems can have many impacts for an individual, their family and their friends. If at any time you would like additional support from the GamCare team, you can contact us over the phone on Freephone 0808 8020 133​

Workbook is: GamCare-Self-Help-Workbook-2019.pdf (d1ygf46rsya1tb.cloudfront.net)