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Please scan the QR Code or Click HERE
Friday 29 September 2023
Brunei: Defective Candy Dryer Appliances
All are encouraged to check and isolate the appliances as necessary.
Brunei: BFB Spouses Medical Professional Data Capture Questionnaire
To assist Commander BFB and the Defence Attaché Brunei in trying to change the current spouse employment rules, we ask for your assistance again in providing you CV’s which will provide the qualitative data by through evidencing the experience and qualifications held within the community.
There is no obligation for this however, if you are willing to provide your CV to help BFB in its aim, then please send this to Jacob.Hodgkinson100@mod.gov.uk (please remove your all personal details prior to sending) no later than the 3rd October 2023.
Your continued support and help with this issue is greatly appreciated.’
For further information or questions, Please Contact:
Jacob Hodgkinson Jacob.Hodgkinson100@mod.gov.uk
Wednesday 27 September 2023
Brunei: The Art of Living - Online Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Program
Sahaj samadhi is the effortless meditation technique from the Art Of Living. This is the wonderful technique to go into deep meditation effortlessly. Learn the meditation very simply & easily with this program.
*Date: 3rd - 5th October 2023*
*Time : 7:15 pm – 9:15 pm*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mELAXXksrw
Connect with:
Mahesh:+673 747 1423
Swati :+673 741 1423
The above meditation CSE Cost - BND 100. The method of delivery is online.
For further information contact above numbers.
What is Service life like for you? AFCAS 2024 is now open
Every year the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) gives Service personnel an opportunity to share their views on working conditions, living conditions, and aspects of day-to-day life.
This year’s survey is now live, and as usual, the information it collects will help shape policies for training, support, and the terms and conditions of service. A representative sample of Service personnel is chosen to complete the survey each year. This year 30,000 personnel have been invited to take part.
Responses are treated in the strictest confidence and no one from any Chain of Command will see your completed survey. To make sure views remain confidential, only grouped answers of a certain size are reported in the results.
Personnel can check if they are part of the sample group using their Service number. Not in the sample? Even if you have not been selected to complete the full survey, you can still make your voice heard by completing a shorter survey that you will be able to access using your service number.
Charlie Charlie One - for Service Personnel and Veterans battling Cancer
Please click the image to enlarge.
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
Recruit for Spouses Job Vacancies
Recruit for Spouses have four new roles, suitable for veterans, Service leavers or military spouses/partners:
Delivery Lead - £65k FTE, hybrid / Salisbury, marketing agency, defence & security experience needed
Programme Manager – full time, up to £65k, hybrid – SW England, client - advanced technologies in Space, National Security & Defence
Assistant Accountant – full time, up to £40k, hybrid – SW England, client – advanced technologies in Space, National Security & Defence
HR Advisor – full time, up to £34k, hybrid – SW England, client – advanced technologies in Space, National Security & Defence
Tuesday 26 September 2023
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
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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.
Monday 25 September 2023
Brunei: BFB Ladies' Volleyball Competition - Wednesday 0800 - 1730 hrs, 27th September 2023 @ Garrison Gym
Please scan the QR Code or Click HERE to submit your name and the information.
Brunei: BFB ID Card Registration
Please click the image to enlarge.
Please see requirements for BFB ID Card Registration.
Winter Flu / COVID-19 Campaign
Guidance from Army Health Promotion: As we move towards the influenza & respiratory infections season, good respiratory hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. These include:
Hand hygiene;
Cover mouth & nose during coughing & sneezing with disposable tissue & dispose of in nearest bin;
Sneeze or cough into elbow, if disposable tissue is not available;
If presenting with symptoms avoid contact with others.
Due to the spread of new CV-19 variant (BA.2.86) spreading in the community, the autumn vaccine programme has been brought forward for at risk groups and eligible persons in England (Autumn 23 - COVID-19 Vaccination Programme ). For information on the Welsh & Scottish Govts COVID-19 autumn programmes respectively, Wales COVID-19 vaccine Autumn Programme and PH Scotland COVID-19 Seasonal immunisation Programme.
Useful links:
Get Winter Strong: revisiting respiratory infection guidance for a safer season
Living Safely with resp infections, including, COVID-19
What to do if presenting with signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19.
Thursday 21 September 2023
Service Family Accommodation: Preparing Your Home for Winter
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.
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National Breastfeeding Week
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
Wednesday 20 September 2023
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: 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
Little Troopers free online weekend workshops
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Little Troopers has announced new dates for its All Together online series of weekend workshops. Until Christmas, the charity will be running free online sessions for children under ten as part of its All Together deployment club to support military children from all three services.
The workshops are designed to keep children busy with a free, fun activity, especially if they have a parent serving away. They will also be logging on with lots of other little troopers in a similar situation.
All military children are welcome, whether they are living in the UK or overseas. The charity has ensured there is something for everyone from baking to drawing, science, dancing and more!
Families can sign-up here
Most of the events are taking place on Saturday morning with some events happening on Sundays or during half term. Here is the full list:
* Saturday 23rd September, 10am: CookStars Baking (stuffed crust pizza)
* Saturday 7th October, 11am: Pineapple Dance Studios
* Sunday 22nd October, 10am: Art Base drawing
* Friday 27th October, 10am: Adventures of Sgt Brown and the Mini Marines
* Saturday 4th November, 10am: ZooLab
* Saturday 18th November, 10am: Sciencedipity
* Saturday 2nd December, 10am: Space Detectives
* Saturday 16th December, 10am: CookStars Baking (stained glass cookies)
The Little Troopers All Together online workshops have been funded by the Veterans Foundation, Greenwich Hospital, HDH Wills, Henry Sale Foundation and The Prince of Wales Charitable Fund.
For more information about Little Troopers All Together and to learn more about other initiatives the charity has in place to support service children, visit www.littletroopers.net
Background information:
Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting service children who have parent(s) serving in our British Armed Forces, regular or reserve. These children often face unique challenges including frequent house and school moves, as well as regular periods of separation from their serving parent(s) for varying lengths of time due to exercises, training, operations and other service commitments.
As a charity, Little Troopers ensures our British Armed Forces children and their families have access to child-focused support wherever they are in the world and whatever community they live in. We provide fundamental resources and initiatives to help ease repeated separation periods and keep parent and child connected even when miles apart. We are the only charity in the UK dedicated to celebrating just how special all our Little Troopers out there really are.
For more information visit www.littletroopers.net
DWP Veteran Community Stakeholder Upskilling and Awareness Events - 27th October 2023
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National Breastfeeding Week
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
Tuesday 19 September 2023
Togetherall: National Fitness Day 20th Sept 2023
Exercise is a mood booster. It can help keep you physically AND mentally healthy and can also be a great way to connect with other people.
Togetherall has a safe online community with useful self-help resources such as the ‘Get Physical’ article with tips on how to strengthen your willpower to get active this #NationalFitnessDay.
National Breastfeeding Week
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
For information and support, call the National
Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. Lines are open 9:30am to 9:30pm every day.
#NationalBreastfeedingWeek
Monday 18 September 2023
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-knowFor any queries please email: People-AFFS-Education-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Brunei: Hornbill Helping Hands Welcome Meeting - Tuesday, 19th Sept 2023 1300 - 1350 hrs @ Hornbill School
The funds raised are spent on the children, arranging events, purchasing resources and helping to make all aspects of school life a memorable experience.
If you would like to learn more about the work of Hornbill Helping Hands, and might like to help on occasion, then HHH would like to invite you to attend their ‘Hornbill Helping Hands Welcome Meeting’ at Hornbill School on Tuesday 19th September at 1300 - 1350 hrs.
We would appreciate whatever support that you feel you may be able to offer, from occasionally supporting a fundraising event to being a Hornbill Helping Hands Committee member – no offer of help is ever too small! Any amount of time you can give to HHH would always be well received.
If you would like to attend this welcome meeting or would like to express an interest in volunteering, please let the school office know or complete the Hornbill Helping Hands form that can be accessed by clicking this link: https://rb.gy/c05m3
We would appreciate whatever support that you feel you may be able to offer, from occasionally supporting a fundraising event to being a Hornbill Helping Hands Committee member – no offer of help is ever too small! Any amount of time you can give to HHH would always be well received.
If you would like to attend this welcome meeting or would like to express an interest in volunteering, please let the school office know or complete the Hornbill Helping Hands form that can be accessed by clicking this link: https://rb.gy/c05m3
National Breastfeeding Week
There are many ways you can get support with breastfeeding. Health visitors, midwives, peer supporters, helplines, grandparents - who helped when you were learning how to breastfeed?
Call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.
For more information, head to: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-help-and-support/
#NationalBreastfeedingWeek
Friday 15 September 2023
Brunei: BFB Barracudas Swim Club - 7th Brunei Open & Masters Swimming Championships, 17th - 19th November 2023 @ Bandar
7th Brunei Open & Masters Swimming Championships
Event List
Scan the QR Code or Click HERE to join Swim Club Signal Group
Please click the image to enlarge.
Swimming Event on 17th - 19th November 2023 in Bandar at the 7 Masters Championships 25m.
Closing date for entries is on 27 September.
For more information please contact -
Edward Schlesinger edward@eschlesinger.co.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
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
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.
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
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
Thursday 14 September 2023
National Breastfeeding Week
Here are a few ways you can help to support breastfeeding.
For more information, head to: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-help-and-support/
#NationalBreastfeedingWeek
Have you got questions about breastfeeding? Start for Life's Breastfeeding Friend Chatbot has lots of useful information and advice.
Available whenever you need it, get the answers you need now: http://m.me/Start4LifeBreastfeedingFriend/
#NationalBreastfeedingWeek
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