Brunei: BFB Temple Service - Sansari Mai Puja - Saturday, 11th May 2024, 0830 hrs @ Tuker Lines (in the vicinity of the War Memorial Wall, Education Centre)

SANSARI MAI PUJA – SAT 11 MAY 2024

BLUF. As per the Brigade of Gurkhas Religious Festivals FOE 2024/25, the SANSARI MAI PUJA falls on Sat 11 May 24. 

All BFB Service personnel are welcome to attend the service.

Scheme of Manoeuvre:

• Puja (worship) ceremony
• Hawan
• Prabachan
• Aarati, Tika, and Prasad

Timing: Puja commences at 0830hrs (please be seated by 0825hrs).

Dress: Smart Casual (Shirt / Chinos).

Location: The service will be taking place at Tuker Lines (in the vicinity of the War Memorial Wall, Education Centre).

Significance: Sansari Mai Puja is specially arranged as a community prayer to divine nature, who is believed to be the process of this earth. Communities select a solitude place, if possible, near the river or in a forest or at least under a tree, and the celebration starts with the erecting of seven stones as the image of Goddess mother. We do not use the temple idol for the celebration because we believe that all matter is a manifestation of God and God is omnipresent. Holding various singing, dancing, playing, and ritual praying in a traditional way, the joyful festival concludes with the hope of desired rainfall, good harvest, and being free from seasonal diseases in the coming year.

Brunei: SSAFA - E Redbook Feedback Day - Tuesday, 30th April 2024, 1100 - 1230 @ CCCC Cafe Area

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Brunei: BFSWS - What are the Signs of Domestic Abuse?

Does Your Partner…..

Isolate you from friends and family?

Deprive you of food or heating?

Monitor your time?

check up on what you do online?

Take control over aspects of your everyday life, telling you where you can go, who you can see, what you can wear and when you can sleep?

Stop you from getting medical help or support?

Repeatedly put you down, such as saying you’re worthless?

Humiliate or degrade you?

Control your money and access to your home?

Make threats or intimidate you?

Has physically abused you?

You are not alone…..

In the year ending, an estimated 2.1 million adults aged 16 to 74 years experienced domestic abuse in the England and wales (by the end of March 2023) 751,000 men and 1.4 million women, and risks increase when a woman is pregnant. Over 105,000 children live in homes where there is high risks domestic abuse according to the ‘Safelives UK’. If domestic abuse is something that affects you there is help available.  

How we Can Help…..

If you are worried about your immediate safety and / or that of your children, please call the RMP on 8330251

Royal Military Police (non-emergency)

Tel: 3224101 Ext: 3767

AWS Personal Support Service

SSgt Jady Minhas

Email: Javaid.Minhas294@mod.gov.uk,  Tel: 3224101. Ext:3300

BFSWS-Overseas Brunei Team

During office hours

Neil Whatley
Email: neilwhatley@forcessocialwork.com, Tel: 3224101. Ext: 3371, 8330224

For out of hours Duty Phone: 0044 (0) 808 168 3111

BFSWS (O) Email: Crt.bfsws@coreassests.com

Other Sources of Information……..

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

www.womensaid.org.uk

www.mankind.org.uk/

Brunei: Did you know....there are TWO HIVE offices in BFB....

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Did you know there are TWO HiVE Offices in BFB?

Chit Chat Community Centre office is located a few doors down from the post office and is run by Mrs Rajina Rai.  

The Mumong Community Centre office is run by Mrs Ashtrid Leahy and is located on the Mumong SFA patch, just off the main car park near the playpark and Mumong Patio Club. 

Offices are open Mon-Fri 0900-1300. 

Pop in to see us and browse our literature, we're here to help!

Lincoln University Research Survey for Military Families with Neurodiverse Children

University of Lincoln are running a tri-Service survey for military families who have neurodiverse children (both diagnosed and not diagnosed). They want to know what support families are receiving, and what support they don't have but that would be helpful.

Researchers hope to have a large response to enable them to move forward with establishing services to support families in the future.

The survey is linked HERE, which starts with the full information sheet. The survey is entirely voluntary and anonymous.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Funding to Support Military Spouses and Partners

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) is delighted to announce that they have awarded over £790,000 under the Supporting Partners programme, to improve support for Service partners and spouses and celebrate the skills and experiences they bring to the workplace.

In the latest round of grants, 13 projects have received funding across the UK and overseas. The projects aim to improve understanding of Service partners and spouses; addressing their needs and the challenges they encounter as their family transitions to civilian life.

New collaboration between Service Police and the independent charity Crimestoppers

Service Police and the independent charity Crimestoppers have teamed up to help further protect Defence people and assets.

Joining all UK police forces and law enforcement agencies, Service Police will now also benefit from access to information reported 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers.

The new partnership provides:

• A data sharing agreement – which means that any information reported to Crimestoppers on crime committed by a person or persons subject to Service law, is shared directly with the Defence Force Intelligence Bureau for allocation to the appropriate Service Police department.

• ​A Service Police Integrity Phone Line – for Service Police to report concerns about a colleague's behaviour. This reflects the bespoke Crimestoppers Police Integrity Phone Lines introduced for other UK police forces in recent years – including the Ministry of Defence Police.​

Please click here to read more about this announcement.

Army Carers – Supporting Serving Personnel with Caring Responsibilities

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Tickets For Troops

You are eligible to apply for tickets through Tickets for Troops if:

• You are a serving member of HM Armed Forces
• Have been medically discharged from the Forces since the commencement of military action in Afghanistan in 2001
• You have been awarded a medical pension by the Ministry of Defence and discharged after 2001
• You are the next of kin to a service person who has died as a result of their service

Serving members include both Regulars and Reserves, membership is not open to Cadet Forces, Officer Cadets nor MOD Civil Servants.

Serving members must have a valid MoD 90 (Service ID Card) and Service ID number to register and use the tickets available on this site. Those who have been medically discharged must enter the Service ID Number issued to them whilst serving in the HM Forces.

You will be required to verify that you are eligible to use Ticket For Troops. ​​

To sign up or to see the latest events, please visit www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk​

Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges

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Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Almost £3M to support systemic change in Armed Forces communities

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has awarded almost £3 million to nine transformative projects in this year’s round of the Covenant Fund Transformational Grants programme.

Continuing the trend from last year’s awards, the Trust has selected projects which aim to deliver systemic change within the Armed Forces community in a variety of different ways.

Each of the funded projects has a different focus, from supporting older Veterans, to tackling stigma amongst female Veterans. Mental health and wellbeing outcomes are an important element of many of the projects, though the ways of taking on these challenges vary from sports to e-learning, and training to inclusive programmes of activity and new and improved ways of delivering services.

School Admissions: Which primary/ secondary school will my child attend?

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Please click HERE to read this full document online.

Talent In The Ranks - Artist Development Programme for the Armed Forces community

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To view this document online, please click HERE.

Brunei: Brunei Supermarkets Store Opening & Closure on the First Day of Hari Raya on Thursday, 11th April 2024

All Milimewah branches are open as usual during Hari Raya.

For questions, please contact Milimewah at 3336933 or 3227716.

Supasave will be closed on the first day of Hari Raya on Thursday, 11th April 2024. Business operations will resume as usual on Friday, 12th April 2024.

For any questions, please contact Supasave at 3224638.

Soon Lee Mega Mart will be closed on the first day of Hari Raya on Thursday, 11th April 2024. Business operations will resume as usual on Friday, 12th April 2024.

For any questions, please contact Soon Lee at 3227661 or 8929230.

Igniting Futures – Careers and Entrepreneurship for Young People.

As part of Month of the Military Child, we’re pleased to launch Igniting Futures – Careers and Entrepreneurship for Young People.

If you’re 18-24 years old and part of a military family, why not work with one of our experienced career mentors to build your confidence and plan your working future?

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/wVG450RaVlA or contact the social value team at psv@pinnaclegroup.co.uk

Serve and Protect's new Cash ISA

Introducing Serve and Protect Credit Union's new Fixed Cash ISA account! 💼💰

The account offers a guaranteed tax-free return of 4% AER for the 2024/25 tax year so it could be a great opportunity for you to grow your savings.

​Click HERE to learn more. 

Brunei: A reminder to re-fuel before the Hari Raya holidays

A reminder that over the Hari Raya local holidays (11th April to 13th April) many fuel stations across Brunei will be closed. 

Please consider filling your vehicle up TODAY 10th April to avoid any inconvenience. 

Brunei: Brunei Shell Retail Stations Business Hours during Hari Raya Celebrations

For further information, please visit BSM's Instagram page. 

The public may also contact BSM's call centre at 2244739. 

Brunei: DIO - Boiler Ignition Tutorial

Due to the interruption of the gas supply, there are numerous ongoing issues with the gas boiler ignition turned off (hot water boiler not working). 

For occupants to perform self help by igniting the boiler themselves , please see the tutorial videos below:

Video 1

Video 2

Each video is for a specific boiler, please find whichever video is relevant to you.

For any questions, please call DIO(B) Helpdesk at Ext 3375 or 3224130.

Modernised Accommodation Offer - Service Chiefs Letter

Modernised Accommodation Offer:

Many of you will have already heard details of the Modernised Accommodation Offer (MAO), previously the New Accommodation Offer, through roadshows, outreach events, or shared on defnet, Defence Connect and social media. We recognise that the offer was well received by many, but there were aspects that have caused concern for some of our people that we must consider during the review announced by Secretary of State for Defence.

Please click HERE to read the message.

BFBS Social Media Specialist?

*Ring ring* 📞 It's the social media police calling! 🤭

We think it's time to 'up' your social media game. 💻✨

In case you didn't get the memo, BFBS are now offering FREE social media courses to...

✨ Partners of UK military personnel

✨ Bereaved forces families

✨ Veterans

✨ Partners of veterans

Sign up for any (or all) of our seven courses 👉 http://sms.bfbs.com/

Dandelion Military Families - Upcoming Events

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Please click HERE to visit Dandelion's website 

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Small grants worth over £450,000 create a big impact for Armed Forces Communities in the final round of Force for Change

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce grants totalling more than £450,000 have been awarded to 34 outstanding projects in the final round of their Force for Change programme. This small grant programme supports projects that reduce isolation and promote integration in local Armed Forces communities.

Discover My Benefits: Discover Benefits for You and Your Family – What’s New?

Discover My Benefits now gives a more accurate and tailored financial value for your Army Regular or Reservist total reward package.

Have you ever wondered how much extra you get in addition to your standard salary and, more importantly, what could be available to you and your family in the future? Or have you previously used Army ‘The Offer’ webpages to find this out?

To see how you receive more than just pay, visit Discover My Benefits – with information on pensions, facilities, allowances, discounts and offers, to help with cost of living and the unique demands of military life and operations.