Brunei: Defective Candy Dryer Appliances

Although the ASU does not issue tumble dryers or anything from that brand, as a fire safety precautionary measure and for awareness of ‘faulty plugs’ on ‘Candy Smart’ and ‘Candy Smart Pro’ Tumble Dryers.

All are encouraged to check and isolate the appliances as necessary.

Increase in Visa Fees from 4th October 2023

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Charlie Charlie One - for Service Personnel and Veterans battling Cancer

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Cancer is indiscriminate and does not differentiate; age, gender, ethnicity, background, and status are irrelevant. But those seeking our support, regardless of their rank, are united by military service, common values, and, of course, their cancer diagnosis. While established as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in August 2021, we seek to support individuals throughout the United Kingdom.

Visit the website at Charlie Charlie One - Cancer Support

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison announces New Accommodation Offer and Widening Accommodation Entitlement

Today, the Minister of Defence People Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison, announced the New Accommodation Offer for the Armed Forces. From 11 March 2024 this new offer will deliver greater access to subsidised accommodation for our Service personnel, their families, and partners.

The New Accommodation Offer forms part of Defence’s outputs from the recent Defence Command Paper Refresh and Haythornthwaite review which aims to improve the offer to current and future Serving personnel.

Alongside this, the Minister also announced Widening Accommodation Entitlement (limited locations) which will allow those in Established Long Term Relationships on eight sites to benefit from Service Family Accommodation starting on the 31 October 2023.

Make yourself heard - 999 calls in the UK when you can't speak

If you’re in an emergency situation and need police help, but can’t speak, Make Yourself Heard and let the 999 operator know your call is genuine.​

DWP Update: Second 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment dates announced

On 20 September the Government announced that millions of UK households will shortly get a Cost of Living Payment of £300. The payment will be made to eligible customers between 31 October and 19 November.

​This is the second of three payments over the financial year totalling up to £900. Eligible pensioner households will also receive a further £300 payment later this year as an addition to the Winter Fuel payment.

Eligible tax credits-only customers who do not qualify for a payment from DWP will receive £300 from HMRC between 10 and 19 November.

Customers will receive the payments automatically. They do not need to contact DWP or do anything to receive the payment.

From 20 November, people who have become retrospectively entitled, or think they should have had a Cost of Living Payment but have not received one can report it via GOV.UK. If the person is not able to use the internet or they do not know someone who can help them, they can report a missing payment via their benefit telephony line.

Read more information about the Cost of Living Payments on GOV.UK.

For further information about the government's cost of living support package, please visit Help for Households on GOV.UK.

New Accommodation Offer: Live-Stream Dates

For those unable to attend a New Accommodation Offer Roadshow in person, check out the live-stream events - open to all Service personnel and their partners/families.

​Just click on the link at the time of the event.​

For further information on how to join the live-streams, please see this Sway: New Accommodation Offer Live-Stream Dates (office.com)

Brunei: Ongoing Improvement Projects in Istana Pantai

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Continuous infrastructure works at Istana Pantai are being done to make it a more welcoming facility for SP and their families to book/use. Some plantations have been completed along with solar security lights around the perimeter. MEP access is also improved.

National Breastfeeding Week

Everyone plays a unique role in supporting breastfeeding. 

Could you support with cooking food, running errands or looking after older children? This can all help to make breastfeeding more achievable as a family. 

More advice: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/ 

#NationalBreastfeedingWeek

Brunei: Hornbill School - Volunteering & Application Form

We are keen to encourage volunteering here at school. 

Working offering your services as a parent helper is a great way to gain some insights into what actually goes on during the school day – and in some cases, could even pave the way for a school-based career. 

Volunteering in a school can take many different forms. 

We are keen to offer our children help at playtimes – perhaps you could share some traditional playground games with groups of children (things like ‘What’s the Time Mr Wolf’ or ‘Ring-a-Ring-a-Roses’) or allow children opportunities to develop their conversational skills. Maybe you would be happy to help children to consolidate their learning in maths by playing some simple maths games or rapidly recalling number facts? Giving time to read with children would be invaluable or perhaps you would like to help us to keep our school library organised and tidy… Whatever you can think of – we would be grateful for your help! Volunteering at school is a great way to help us in our work to support your child in their learning. It is also a brilliant way to show your child the partnership between you and the school, so that they can see us working together for their good. The role of volunteers can vary, so it is a good way to develop new skills and meet new people. 

All volunteers will be invited to complete a Volunteer Information Sheet with their contact details, and complete the Volunteer Agreement which sets out the school’s expectations of volunteers but, just as importantly, explains what volunteers can expect from our school. 

Prospective volunteers will also be required to complete safeguarding training, learning how we keep children safe and ensuring that we are vigilant of signs of risk or harm. If working without direct supervision, volunteers will also be required to complete a routine Disclosure and Barring Service check, to ensure that there is nothing in their background that may pose a risk to children, before starting to help in school. 

If you do have some free time and would like to get involved we would really value your contribution. 

Please contact the school office at Tel: 322 4101 Ext 3214 or 3893 to express interest.

For Volunteer Application Form Click HERE

Brunei: PCMF - Use of Face Masks in Medical Facilities (REVISED) and Medical Appointment Requirements

Brunei: Hornbill Helping Hands - seeking volunteer Chairperson, Secretary & Treasurer

Hornbill Helping Hands are seeking volunteer committee members to fill the role of Chairperson, Secretary & Treasurer .

If you are interested in supporting and enhancing the experience of our children at Hornbill School, please request a role description by emailing:  hornbillhelpinghands11@gmail.com and someone will come back to you.

Many thanks
The Hornbill Helping Hands Committee

National Breastfeeding Week

If you're returning to work, you might wonder whether you can continue breastfeeding. 

The answer is yes - it's completely possible! Here are some tips to help you with breastfeeding and going back to work.

For more information, head to: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/

#NationalBreastfeedingWeek

RAF ENVOY Magazine - Autumn edition

To read the latest edition please click here

National Breastfeeding Week

Can you breastfeed in public?Breastfeeding in public may make you nervous, but you have a legal right to breastfeed anytime and anywhere.

 Remember, if you are asked to leave somewhere whilst breastfeeding, you're within your rights to challenge this.

For more information, head to: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-in-public/

#NationalBreastfeedingWeek

If you or someone you know has questions about breastfeeding, there's lots of help available. 

For information and support, call the National

Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. Lines are open 9:30am to 9:30pm every day. 

For more information, head to: http://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/

#NationalBreastfeedingWeek

Service Pupil Premium 2023

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For more information on eligibility, please visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-servicepupil-premium/service-pupil-premium-what-you-needto-know​

For any queries please email: People-AFFS-Education-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk​

Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund - New awards to support Service children along their educational pathway

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) excited to announce the first awards made under the Service Pupil Support Programme – an MOD funded programme, which is part of the Armed Forces Families Fund. Over £1,700,000 has been awarded to 46 fantastic projects which will deliver real change to Armed Forces communities by improving the educational pathway of Service children and helping to address the challenges they can face.

Dept for Work & Pensions: Roundup of recent DWP announcements

Work Capability Assessment - consultation

The Government has launched an important consultation on proposals to revamp the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to better reflect changes to the world of work potentially opening up new opportunities for disabled people.

Supporting people into work is a key priority for this government with £3.5 billion of additional investment at the last Budget to get more people into work. This includes £2 billion targeted at those who are sick and disabled.

The WCA has not been significantly updated since 2011 and among the mooted changes is refining categories related to mobility and social interaction, reflecting the increasing support for flexible and remote work arrangements by employers.

Under plans included in the consultation, those identified as capable of work preparation activity under the new criteria would receive tailored support, preventing automatic exclusion from available support.

The consultation is open until 30 October, and we are urging people to get involved.

The consultation, which includes details of how you can share your views at accessible virtual events hosted by the DWP, can be found on GOV.UK.

Read full press release here

Pension Awareness - 11 to 15 September 2023

Pension Awareness is a campaign helping people understand their pensions and prepare for the retirement they want.

This year Pension Awareness is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Between 11 and 15 September, there will be free live and interactive webinars that dismantle essential pension topics into bite-sized chunks. Webinars will be led by industry experts including former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), and numerous pensions providers.

View the full schedule and register for the interactive webinars.

Keep across the latest developments by following the campaign: @PensionDay (X, formerly Twitter) and Pension Awareness Day (LinkedIn) #PAD23.

Access the promotional toolkit

Reducing Parental Conflict programme evaluation

DWP’s Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) programme has published new research showing its positive impacts on families participating in interventions - both parents and children.

The reports show around half of parents supported by RPC reported improved relationships, even up to a year later. These were parents experiencing regular and intense conflict, and with different relationship statuses – the sample included couples and those separating or separated.

Most parents also found their children’s mental health improved after being helped by RPC, with almost three quarters (73%) receiving relationship support seeing it positively impact their children for the long-run - even a year later.

Read the reports

Move to Universal Credit update

September's expansion of Move to Universal Credit (UC) activity to move claimants on legacy benefits to UC will see work commence in:

· Cumbria and Lancashire

· Essex

· Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight

· Southwest Wales

· East Scotland

· Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland

October will see work beginning in:

· Southeast Wales

· Central Scotland

We are continuing with our small-scale discovery phase for tax credit couples, learning and adapting to ensure couples can make a claim to UC effectively, before we increase numbers later this year.

From September we are commencing a separate small-scale discovery phase with other legacy benefit combinations, to support our preparation to move households on different combinations of legacy benefits at scale in 2024/25.

Building on the positive reception to January’s publication Learning from the Discovery Phase which outlined our learnings from the ‘Earliest Testable Service’ cohort (the first 500 Migration Notices issued in Bolton and Medway), we have published: Completing the Move to Universal Credit: learning from initial Tax Credit migrations and Move to Universal Credit statistics, July 2022 to May 2023.

Extra home adaptation funding

Fifty million pounds has been allocated to local authorities in England to help older people and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes.

Eligible disabled people of all ages will be able to apply to their local authority for a grant to adapt their home to better meet their needs and is available to homeowners, private renters and those in social housing.

Read the full press release

More detail for local areas can be found on the Foundations website.

Landmark survey seeks women’s views on experiences of reproductive health

Women across England are being encouraged to help shape future reproductive health policy by sharing their experiences of a range of issues as the Government launches a new landmark survey.

Delivering on a key commitment in the Women’s Health Strategy to ensure the health and care system prioritises women’s voices, the Women’s Reproductive Health Survey will seek women’s views across England on issues including menstrual health, contraception, fertility, pregnancy and the menopause.

Take part in the survey

Read the full press release

Brunei: International Coastal Cleanup & Tree Planting - Saturday, 16th Sept, 0630am onwards @ Silver Jubilee Park, Kuala Belait

Please send an email to bsp-volunteers@bsp-shell.bn to register.

National Breastfeeding Week

A happy baby isn't just a fed baby. Every cuddle, smile and interaction counts, for you and your baby. 

Here are some top tips for keeping your little one happy. 

For more information, head to: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/learning-to-talk/learning-to-talk-0-to-6-months/

#NationalBreastfeedingWeek

Reading Force Volunteer Coordinators needed for Bookclubs

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The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund launches first programmes

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) are delighted to announce two exciting new programmes under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund that will help increase the stock of housing available to veterans.

The grants awarded under these programmes will enable homes for veterans with a housing need to be brought up-to-date through a refurbishment grant, or will support organisations with the early-stage development of more complex building projects.

Refurbishing existing veterans’ housing

The Refurbishment Grants Programme will award grants of up to £75,000 for projects that will refurbish or extend existing accommodation for veterans. This could be transitional or permanent housing. Permanent housing can only include properties that are available to veterans under a social rent; or are part of a wider facility that provides a rented home to a veteran with the tailored support that meets their needs (this can include care homes).

You can apply to this programme if your project will:

* enable refurbishments of existing affordable homes for rent to veterans

* enable refurbishments of sites that increase the availability of veteran housing

* ensure properties meet decent homes and energy efficiency standards.

Help with development costs

The Development Grants Programme can help with the costs of getting a building idea to provide new housing for veterans to the stage where on site works could start. Grants of up to £25,000 are available for projects lasting up to one year.

You can apply to this programme if:

* your project is at an early stage of development; and

* you require funding for professional support costs such as architects, qualified construction project managers or quantity surveyors to develop detailed building plans and cost assessments for projects that would provide additional capacity in services for veterans who are at risk of homelessness.

This is a development grant programme – grants cannot be used for direct capital costs to create or refurbish buildings.

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.

More programmes will open under this Fund later in 2023 for larger new build or major refurbishment capital projects.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP said:

“Today is another important step in our commitment to ending veteran rough sleeping. £2 million worth of grants are now available to improve and help build affordable housing for veterans across the country.

“I encourage all providers of rented, social housing for veterans to apply and help us deliver part of our £20 million capital housing project. Quality housing can make a big difference in helping veterans to thrive in civilian life”

Deadlines and how to apply

There will be two rounds each of the Refurbishment Grants Programme and the Development Grants Programme this year. Organisations with a project at a mature stage of development could consider applying to the first round, and would receive a decision in 2023.

If you apply by 23 October 2023, you’ll receive a decision before the end of December 2023.

If you apply by 8 January 2024, you’ll receive a decision before the end of March 2024.

Find out more

Full details of both programmes are available on the Trust’s dedicated programme pages alongside useful guidance and further information on eligibility.

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

Stand Out & Show Up - Young Minds

Please Click Here for fundraising pack

Wraparound Childcare (WAC): Did you know?

Service personnel with eligible children aged between 4 and 11 years old can claim up to £3,400 on childcare costs.

Information about WAC can easily be overlooked or misunderstood, so we have created quick tips and key information below to answer your questions and make WAC registration as seamless as possible.

Togetherall Groups – free access for the UK Military Community

Togetherall’s groups feature allows members to connect, share and support each other in smaller spaces, on topics that matter to them. For example, Meet the Community, Gratitude Diaries, Work-Life Balance and more.

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

Click here to join!

Brunei: Rescinded Safety Notice

The attached safety alert has been rescinded. Should you have a confirmed faulty kettle issued by the ASU, please return to the ASU for them to liaise/return to supplier (Do not dispose of).

To access to further information click HERE

Combat Stress: How we can help

Please click the image to read a leaflet regarding the support Combat Stress offers.

Or to visit the website, please click here.

Brunei:*Updated* QR Code - Community First Aid and First Response Workshop

UK Health Security Agency - Around 1 in 8 New Students Unprotected Against Meningitis

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and leading meningitis charities are urging students to make sure they have been vaccinated against meningitis and other diseases before the start of the academic year.​​​​. Find out more HERE​

The Gurkha Welfare Trust - Mira Rai leads GWT Opening Ceremony & Monthly Update

To read more Click HERE. &  To read Monthly Update click HERE

To read more about GWT and visit their blog, to subscribe to the newsletter Click Here