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Store Opening Hours
Monday- Saturday 08:30 am - 07:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am - 07:00 pm
Thursday 30 November 2023
Civilian Housing: An update on the MOD Referral Scheme service
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)
Wednesday 29 November 2023
Brunei: British Forces Social Work Service (BFSWS) - Job Vacancy
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British Forces Social Work Service Overseas (BFSWS)
Business Support Officer (BSO). Click here for Job Advert
Closing date on Friday, 30th November 2023.
Should you have any questions, please send an email to rachana.poudel@forcessocialwork.com or contact Rachana at Ext: 3285/ 3717.
Brunei: Volunteers Needed - Jolly Holly Hamper Wrapping Evening - Thursday, 30th November 2023, 1900 hrs onwards @ Hornbill School
Volunteers needed!
Please join us at Hornbill School this Thursday, 30th November 2023 at 19:00 for a Christmas hamper wrapping party! Come and help Santa make our Jolly Holly Fair a super success. Any time you can spare is greatly appreciated. Thank you! 🙏 🎄🎅🏼🧑🏻🎄🎁
Brunei: BFB Library Satisfaction and Suggestion Survey
The merged BFB Library has been open for over 5 months! We want to know how satisfied our users are with the library and services we offer.
We have also successfully won a Naafi Funding bid and would like to know any suggestions to best spend the money and improve our services.This survey is anonymous.
Results will be shared and will directly impact decisions that the library team make in planning and improving services.
Please CLICK HERE to complete the survey.
Closing date on the 30th November 2023.
Brunei: Fitness Classes Survey
Fitness Classes and sessions in the New Year and Nicola the instructor would like to be able to understand what the needs are from the BFB Community so that she can plan a program of activity.
Tuesday 28 November 2023
Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) Winter Newsletter
Recruit for Spouses Career Academy: ACCESS Programme online information sessions Dec & Jan
ACCESS will create a platform alongside other key partners to provide valuable insights, resources, and strategies enabling you to overcome unique challenges and achieve career success in whatever you choose.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and ask as many questions as you want to the team to understand the programme and make sure it's right for you. The specific programme details will be shared at this meeting. We are running 3 sessions so hope you can fit one in your schedule!
Thursday, 14th December 2023, 1200-1300
Zoom link https://jpmchase.zoom.us/j/98918277514
Thursday, 14th December 2023, 2000-2100
Thursday, 14th December 2023, 2000-2100
Zoom link https://jpmchase.zoom.us/j/94689325754
Thursday, 11th January 2024, 1200-1300
Thursday, 11th January 2024, 1200-1300
Serve & Protect Credit Union - Online Webinars
- Budgeting & Spending
- Boosting Credit Score
- Managing the Cost of Living
- What Lenders are looking for
You can view and register for our webinars at - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/serve-and-protect-credit-union-53580404643
Places are limited and are on a first come first basis
Monday 27 November 2023
Brunei: PCMF - Paediatric Flu Nasal Spray Clinics - Monday 27th November 2023 @ 1400 - 1630 hrs
FLU NASAL SPRAY CLINICS
1. All children from the age of 2 years old to school children from Reception to Year 11 are highly encouraged to have their annual Flu vaccination to avoid flu illness and serious problems such as Bronchitis and Pneumonia. By having the vaccination, they also protect others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies, people with low immunity and older people.
2. Flu vaccination for children comes in a version of nasal spray that is quick and painless to administer.
3. Parents who wishes their children to have flu vaccination may contact the PCMF to book an appointment via reception staff at ext. 3226 or 3224893. The clinic schedule is organised according to age groups as per below:
Brunei: Panaga Pharmacy Non-Prescription Medicines List
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Some over the counter and pharmacist only drugs can be purchased from PANAGA Pharmacy.
Brunei: PCMF Urgent Notice on Drug Recall
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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.
Thursday 23 November 2023
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.
Brunei: NAAFI - Late Night Christmas Shopping, Friday 24th November 2023, 19:30 - 21:30 hrs
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Brunei: Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) training, *TODAY* Thursday, 23rd November 2023, 1700 - 0000 hrs @ Education Centre
Are you interested in Cyber Activities…
Ex ARMY CYBER SPARTAN offers high quality Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) training within a secure environment in order to attract, assess, advise and educate personnel in a challenging and realistic cyber environment aligned to Defence Outputs.
Please join our team in Signal app and get access to Immersive Labs.
Immersive Labs is an excellent platform for upskilling and allows you to learn and improve at the pace you prefer in a practical environment.
POC:
Capt Oliver Hall
Cpl Bikash Gurung
PS: Ex ACS 23 is being held 23/11/23 at Education Centre, Tuker Lines (Cassino Classroom) from 1700-0000 Local. Feel free to pay us a visit.
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.
Wednesday 22 November 2023
Veterans Housing - Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund
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
Brunei: Relative Visit Visa Cancellation
If sponsor is not in Brunei during visitor’s Brunei Visa cancellation, then the following procedure must be followed.
Please click HERE for application form.
Please contact all enquiries through to 1RGR UWO Team.
Brunei: Nepal Earthquake Fundraiser Running Event - Goggins Run, *TODAY* Wednesday, 22nd - 24th November 2023, 2000 hrs @ Garrison Temple Car Park has been POSTPONED
Nepal Earthquake Fundraiser Running Event - Goggins Run, *TODAY* Wednesday, 22nd - 24th November 2023, 2000 hrs @ Garrison Temple Car Park has been POSTPONED. Unfortunately we do not have sufficient workforce available to ensure the smooth running and safety of the event. It will be rescheduled for March 2024.
What: Run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours.
When: Start 2000 on 22 Nov 23 for 48 hrs
Where: Start point Temple Car park and run around the housing areas of J16 and H15 in a figure of 8.
Donation: All participants will be kindly requested to donate to the Nepal Earth quake appeal on the day. Spectators can donate at the pool on the day or before the event to help motivate the runners.
Participation: All HoDs are kindly requested ask for support from all departments in BFB and send to OC C Coy @Millar, Jack Maj (1RGR-CCoy-OC) NLT Tue 21 Nov.
Run brief will be on 22 Nov 1600 @ training classroom.
Nepal Earthquake fundraiser running event - Goggins Run
Please click the image to enlarge.
When: Start 2000 on 22 Nov 23 for 48 hrs
Where: Start point Temple Car park and run around the housing areas of J16 and H15 in a figure of 8.
Donation: All participants will be kindly requested to donate to the Nepal Earth quake appeal on the day. Spectators can donate at the pool on the day or before the event to help motivate the runners.
Participation: All HoDs are kindly requested ask for support from all departments in BFB and send to OC C Coy @Millar, Jack Maj (1RGR-CCoy-OC) NLT Tue 21 Nov.
Run brief will be on 22 Nov 1600 @ training classroom.
Tuesday 21 November 2023
Brunei: Pay, Allowances & Pension Brief by Army RemPol Team - Wednesday, 22nd November 2023, 1400 hrs @ CCCC
a. 14:00hrs to 15:30hrs All Ranks Brief - Pay, Allowances & Pension
b. 15:45hrs to 17:00hrs Q&A session
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.
Last posting dates 2023
Get your cards, gifts and greetings there in time for Christmas. Check HERE the latest recommended posting dates for all UK and international services.
MOD bullying, harassment and discrimination helpline
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You can also access support by visiting the Workplace Wellbeing Platform at MOD | (workplacewellbeing.com)
Accommodation provided by MOD for ARAP Afghan Families
Please click the letters below for further details:
Winter Preparedness Announcement SFA
Winter Preparedness Announcement
Earlier this week, Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps outlined the steps being taken to ensure DIO and our suppliers are prepared to provide the right level of service for families over the colder months, recognising the challenges we faced last winter.
Full details of the announcement can be found here
Brunei: Nepalese Passport Collection
SPs and families who applied for Nepalese passport renewal on 07th - 08th October 2023 in Brunei, are to handover their passport to Admin Office by COP Wednesday 22nd November 2023.
Old passport must be cancelled to receive the new one. You will receive your new passport with OGS endorsement, and you will be notified accordingly.
Brunei: PCMF - Flu Vaccine Reschedule Notice
Should you wish to cancel your appointment, we kindly ask that you contact our reception.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this change and appreciate your understanding and co-operation. If you have further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to us".
Mental Health First Aid England
These also give you an opportunity to either get involved, share on your social media, or learn more.
10 September - World Suicide Prevention Day
10 October - World Mental Health Day
October - UK Black History Month
28 November - #techtimeouttuesday
Please Click HERE to visit the Mental Health First Aid website, where you will find more resources to help your overall mental health.
Monday 20 November 2023
Brunei: BFB Job Vacancy - Bus Escort - Closing Tuesday, 21st November 2023
British Forces Brunei Entitled SPOUSES Job Vacancy
Hornbill School
Closing date 1200 hrs on Tuesday, 21st November 2023.
Anyone who wishes to apply for these roles or has any specific questions and to request for an application form should email LPPO at BruneiGar-CivSec-LPPO-Group@mod.gov.uk
Friday 17 November 2023
British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) - Introduction to CV Writing and Interview Skills Workshop on Wednesday, 10 April 2024
British Forces Resettlement Service is a social enterprise that helps individuals find employment and training opportunities outside of the Armed Forces. The services extend to veterans, reservists and military families. BFRS Supports service leavers with resettlement and employment following a career in the Armed Forces. They host a number of career events throughout the UK.
Introduction to CV Writing and Interview Skills Workshop on Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 13:30 to 16:00 (UK Time)
For further detail on the upcoming workshop click here
For the latest Events Calendar click here
Brunei: Employment and Occupancy of Amah in Service Family Accommodation (SFA)
Employment and Occupancy of Amah in Service Family Accommodation (SFA)
A. JSP 464 Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations.
B. Licence to Occupy SFA.
C. BFB Standing Orders No: 8021.
1. General. Employing an Amah in Brunei is classified as ‘Employment of Foreign1 Labour’ by the Bruneian Govt and is regulated by the Ministry of Labour and the Dept of Immigration. Employing an Amah is a private arrangement between the Service Person or UK BC as the ‘employer’ and the Amah as the employee. It is incumbent upon the employer to ensure that the regulations stipulated by the two Govt depts are adhered to – failure to do so could result in a fine up to B$10,000 and imprisonment for a term of not less than six months and not more than three years.
2. Key Legal Requirements. To comply with Bruneian Law, JSP 464 and not breach your licence to occupy the employer is to ensure that following elements are in place:
a. BUR301 – Application for a Licence Recruiting Immigrant Worker (Domestic Help).
b. The Employee is to have an in-date Brunei Identity Card and Employment Pass.
c. A Government endorsed Contract of employment.
d. Employer arranged domestic worker insurance.
e. Amah Bond.
3. Part Time Employment. It is illegal in Brunei for an immigrant worker to engage in part-time, temporary, or casual work – the only contract available in Brunei is for full time work. It is illegal for an immigrant worker to have more than one employer. Any Amah found to be in breach of this law is liable to deportation with the employer facing a fine and or imprisonment. Local (Bruneian Nationals) are allowed to work part time or on a casual basis.
4. Failure to abide by the above rules breaks Bruneian Law, BFB Standing Orders and could lead to disciplinary proceedings being instigated against the head of household.
Forces Employment Charity: Career Change & Apprenticeships Event - Andover, 21 Nov
Please click the image to enlarge.
They will be bringing employers from tech to nursing and everything in between all under one roof to discuss the exciting apprenticeship and career change opportunities in their area.
Come along and network, explore possibilities and demystify your future.
Brought to by @Forces Employment Charity, Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Leisure Centre.
Find out more at this LINK
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