Brunei: Kids' Halloween Disco - Friday, 01st November 2024, 6 - 8 PM @ Patio Bar, Mumong

Please contact Karina for Tickets on 8293763.

Brunei: BFB Fitness Classes - Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7 - 8 PM @ Mumong Community Centre

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Join the BFB Fitness Classes Facebook group.

Stem Cell Donation: Sign up to save a life!

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Stem cell transplants are used to treat blood cancers like leukaemia, aplastic anaemia as well as other diseases of the immune system. Chemotherapy can help in some cases, but for many people a stem cell transplant is the only chance of a cure.

30,000 new donors are needed in the UK each year to find matches for the steadily rising number of stem cell transplants taking place in the UK every year. Stem cells are found in the bone marrow – a soft, spongy tissue at the centre of certain bones – and can produce all essential blood cells, including red and white cells and platelets (which stop bleeding).

Give blood and save a life

Sign up today

Supporting each other – give blood and save a life

Places where kids eat free (or for £1) this October half-term

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Money Saving Central - October half-term​

Forces in Mind Trust Post-Service Employment Research Policy & Practice Summaries

New research and policy summaries focused on post-Service employment among ex-Service personnel and their partners.

These summaries form part of our commitment to ensuring evidence is at the heart of decision making for the benefit of ex-Service personnel and their families.

The summaries provide easy digestible access to up to date research evidence and an overview of current policy and service provision focused on post-Service employment among ex-Service personnel and their partners.

A robust methodology has been used to create these summaries meaning they are an accurate and trustworthy source of information which can used to inform and transform policy, practice, and future research priorities.

You can access the full summaries and two-page infographics here:

Research summary: Research | FiMT Research Centre (fimt-rc.org)

Policy summary: Policy Practice | FiMT Research Centre (fimt-rc.org)

Brunei: Brunei HIVE - Let's Celebrate 40 Years of Information Support! - Wednesday, 23rd October 2024, 10 AM - 1 PM @ Chit Chat HIVE, Chit Chat Community Centre

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EVERYONE is WELCOME!

Armed Forces in Policing Recruitment Event

We have planned the 2025 series of events called National Joining Forces – these are police recruitment events for all police organisations in England and Wales. They are designed to provide insight and understanding into police careers; the recruitment process and the structures in place to support candidates through the process. In particular the events highlights the qualities and skills veterans possess which are transferable into British policing.

​The events are advertised on Eventbrite and are as follows:

Tuesday 14th January 2025 from 1800 x 1900

Tuesday 15th April 2025 from 1800 x 1900

Tuesday 15th July 2025 from 1800 x 1900

​Friday 14th November 2025 from 1800 x 1900

Travel to Refuge Scheme: Free travel for those fleeing domestic abuse

Travel to Refuge is an umbrella scheme in which travel companies cover the cost of train or coach tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse travelling to refuge accommodation. It’s made up of two schemes:

• Rail to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and the Rail Delivery Group, set up in April 2020, providing free rail travel for survivors of abuse.

• Road to Refuge, a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and National Express, set up in 2023, providing free coach travel for survivors of abuse.

For more infomation please visit: Travel to Refuge

Reminder: Set up your eVisa Account

You can now set up your eVisa account. An eVisa is an online record of a your immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply. It can be viewed by logging into the online ‘View and prove your immigration status’ service using your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

For more information on getting an eVisa, visit: ​​​www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa​

Introductory Flight Scholarship (IFS) and Junior Rank and Officer Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JROPSS) 2025 - applications invited from RAF Personnel

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The following opportunity may be of interest to RAF staff within Tri-Service locations both UK-wide and worldwide.

Applications from RAF Junior Ranks (JR) and Junior Officers (JO) are now invited for the IFS and JROPSS 2025. Generously funded by the RAF Charitable Trust (RAFCT), and delivered through selected RAF Flying Schools, the JROPSS is open to JR (Cpl and below) JO (Flt Lt and below) from the RAF Regular and RAF Reserve Services.

​Further details can be found here​

Full eligibility requirements and terms can be found at www.RAFSA.co.uk

Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

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It is estimated that up to 880,000 households are missing out on Pension Credit, and it is worth, on average, £3,900 per year, providing additional benefits such as help with Council Tax and Housing Benefit and a free TV licence for those over 75.

In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Payment and other support like help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.

Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to 3 months, (ticking the backdating box on the claim form). This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for Winter Fuel Payment is 21st December 2024.

To note, Pension Credit can also provide extra support for heating costs such as The Warm Home Discount Scheme and Cold Weather Payments​.

Checking entitlement is easy with this on-line calculator: Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

NDNA Childcare Works supported employment programme - starts next week!

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Are you a spouse/ partner of a serving military personnel or a reservist?

Are you interested in career in childcare but don't know where to start?

Then the Childcare Works project could be for you.

Act quick as the project starts on 22nd October and there are only a couple of spaces left!

Contact Lesley.williams@ndna.org.uk or call on 07718 803652.

Please click here to read more about this project online

Army HQ Welfare Matters Newsletter - Families Edition

Army HQ publishes the Welfare Matters newsletter quarterly, and this is shared internally with MOD staff and Army units.

A new families version of the newsletter is now available, as it is recognised that Service family members may also be interested in the latest news updates, and will find the newsletter informative.

Please click here to view the newsletter online 

Brunei: Families Day 230 Sqn welcomes BFB - Friday, 18th October 2024, 1300 - 1630 @ Medicina Lines

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Please scan the QR Code or Click HERE for sign up.

Veterans ID Card accepted as Polling ID

The government has backed the armed forces community by allowing HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to be used as Voter ID in forthcoming elections.

More information can be found here.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust: Over £380K awarded to enhance Early Years provision for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) have awarded funding worth over £380,000 to a further 12 fantastic projects supporting Service children in the latest round of the Early Years programme!

These projects are set to help enhance early childhood education and childcare to better support the unique needs and challenges of young children from Armed Forces families.

Dedicated resources for Service children across the UK 

Part of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund, the Early Years programme supports initiatives that help Armed Forces families access good quality early childhood education and childcare provision. This will enhance capacity, allowing more Service children to enrol, create improved learning environments, and offer suitable training for staff development to address the unique challenges faced by Service children.

Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education support to Service families

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

Letter for families

Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ

EAT(UK) leaflet

OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

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Please click here for full guide.

Launch of New British Forces Cyprus Community Website

HQBFC are pleased to announce the formal launch of the new British Forces Cyprus Website:

Welcome to British Forces Cyprus - The central point for all information on living and working in British Forces Cyprus.

​This open-source website will provide a one-stop shop for service personnel, UK based civilians and their families to access useful information about being assigned to Cyprus alongside key information for living in Cyprus. HIVE and the HIVE location guides for BFC are to be added soon.

It is an iterative project that will continue to develop and improve over time and will seek to replace what is a high volume of individual unit SharePoint sites, unofficial social media groups and old-fashioned paper arrival packs.

The website will significantly improve the information available to personnel and their families, accessible in a way that modern communications demands, enabling the whole family to understand what they need to know to consider an assignment in Cyprus or what they practically need to do once assigned here.

You will find the link within the BFC Sites list on the BFC SharePoint Home page and under BFC Key Information.

Stage 2, through the Autumn Term, will be continuing to develop the generic information such as what information is needed for when families depart Cyprus and working with the Stations to enhance their information pages.

If you have any specific questions or wish to propose content, please email our British Forces Cyprus Community Information Website email: BFC-HQ-CmntyWebManager@mod.gov.uk

Duke of York's Royal Military School - Cyprus Visits 10-15 Oct

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Please click the link for further information: https://www.doyrms.com/​

Brunei: JIS Parents Community Committee (JPCC) Panaga Coffee Morning - Friday, 11th October 2024, 9 - 11 AM @ Murai Cafe, Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC)

The JIS Parents Community Committee is hosting a Coffee Morning for parents of Panaga School, residing in Panaga and nearby areas. The event aims to strengthen relationships among JIS parents, provide a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for new families, and foster a sense of community within the school’s extended network.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, 11th October 2024
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Venue: BSRC Murai Cafe, Brunei Shell Recreational Club, Panaga

We’re excited to invite you to our JPCC Panaga Coffee Morning at BSRC Murai Cafe! Please kindly fill out this [ REGISTRATION FORM ] to confirm your attendance.

If you have any questions or would like to contact the JIS Parent Community Committee (JPCC), please feel free to email us at jpcc@jis.edu.bn.

To view this in more detail please login by clicking here

Once logged in, select the 'Message Centre' tab from the homepage.

Go to the JIS SchoolsBuddy Portal

Brunei: Popular Nepalese singer, Trishna Gurung is on her way to Brunei for Dashain Kalaratri - Thursday, 10th October 2024 @ Tuker Lines

1RGR Kalaratri entertainment 2024 presents popular Nepalese singer, Trishna Gurung who will come to British Forces Brunei to perform at the Dashain Kalaratri event on Thursday, 10th October 2024.

Click HERE to watch the full video.

World Mental Health Day - 10th October: Defence Relaunch of HeadFIT for 2024

HeadFIT is an externally accessible website, developed by Defence to assist our people in developing a proactive approach to mental fitness. It provides techniques and methods to manage your mental resilience, enhance your mood, and improve your confidence. For further information please go to: HeadFIT - Success, it's all in your head

Headspace App: Free Enrolment for Army Personnel and MOD Civilian Staff

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Please use your mod.gov.uk email address to sign up before downloading the App. Link to enrol: Headspace for Work

Ministry of Defence Civil Service Bulk Recruitment: Army Administrative Officer Vacancies Nationwide

Whether you are starting out in your career, or you already have an administrative background and are looking for a change, MOD Administrative Officer roles are an opportunity to join the Civil Service and deliver outputs for the benefit of the Army and Defence.

The MOD is recruiting for a variety of exciting Administrative Officer roles throughout all areas of the Army in locations across the UK. You will have the opportunity to work directly with military colleagues to enable key outputs and can take advantage of training and development opportunities available to enhance your skills and career pathway in the Civil Service.

A total of 34 job vacancies are open for applications until 17 Oct.

To find out more, and to apply, please go to the Civil Service Jobs website (job reference 364057): Army - Administrative Officers - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK​​

Brunei: Extra Tutoring with Shannon - Support from FS1 to GCSE

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Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health support

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For more information on any of the resources within this poster, please contact your nearest HIVE or use the 'contact Army HIVE' facility on the right-hand side menu of this Blog.

Samaritans Walk 50 miles with your dog in November

Take on the challenge to walk 50 miles with your dog this November, whilst raising vital funds and awareness for Samaritans!
We know that life can sometimes be incredibly tough. Thanks to the dedication of more than 20,000 volunteers, Samaritans can be there for anyone, whatever they are going through and whenever they are struggling to cope.

Visit the website to sign up - https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/events-and-fundraising/walk/walk-50-miles-with-your-dog-in-november/

To find out more about Samaritans support to the Armed Forces community, please go to In the military and Armed Forces Community | How we can help (samaritans.org)

The Poppy Factory: Supporting veterans and families towards employment

The Poppy Factory Employment Support Leaflet 

​Register for Support - Veterans Employment Services

The Poppy Factory Families-service-flyer

Register for Support - Families Employment Support

Research Participants Request: Study into the effects of Impostor Phenomenon in Military Veterans

Imposter Phenomenon, commonly known as Imposter Syndrome, is a widely reported but hugely misunderstood mental health condition that affects the majority of the population and is suspected to affect Veterans in transition to civilian life, perhaps more than other groups; stopping veterans from integrating back into society and limiting their success in their new employment.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, we are studying Impostor Phenomenon and UK Veterans, and what might be done to limit its effects.

If you are a veteran, and you could spare a few minutes, please click on the link below to complete the online survey, and help us understand more about how to improve services and support for those in transition: 

https://mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9YMwSZetUtQ5v3U

Additionally, if you would be interested in a short interview to talk about how impostor phenomenon may have affected you as a veteran, please click on this link below to confidentially submit your details:

https://mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5u0zvRjXphc1Nu6

This link is also available in the questionnaire.

Thank you for your time, and I hope that together we can make a real difference to our veteran community.

#impostorsyndrome

https://mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9YMwSZetUtQ5v3U

Please click here for Information Sheet.

Forces Employment Charity's next LinkedIn Essentials online workshop on 14 November

The Forces Employment Charity has an online workshop 'LinkedIn Essentials', which is free for the whole military community (including Families) to join.

​Registrations are now live. Past feedback received says, “The most useful LinkedIn session I have attended to date. No sales speak or jargon, just practical advice and thoughts with supporting reasoning. Really helpful and much appreciated thank you."

Register here: https://loom.ly/kazxuKc

It's also advertised on Facebook and LinkedIn.