Brunei: Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) - ECO Festival - Sunday, 1st December 2024, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM @ BSRC

Please Follow FEL.BN for Updates

Swimming Class

For Both Kids and Adults

BSRC Swimming Class is back with our Instructor Salmah!

If you are looking to perfect your strokes or just have some fun in the pool? Our swimming lessons are just what you need!

For more information, please contact our BSRC front desk or call at 7403000. 

Brunei Shell Recreation Club
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No need for long-term commitments – seize the opportunity now with our flexible and affordable *Day Pass! *Term & Conditions apply.

Please contact or visit BSRC Admin Office to purchase your Day Pass from 7:30am to 4:30pm (Monday-Friday) or from 4:30-10.00pm, weekend and public holiday from Sports Complex.

Call now for inquiries at 7403000/ 3373499.

Email: admin@bsr-c.com

Brunei Shell Recreation Club
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CLICK HERE to access BSRC website

NHS 'Help Us, Help You' - Pharmacy First

Community pharmacies can offer treatment and when appropriate some prescription medicine, for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.

Highly trained pharmacists at more than nine in ten pharmacies can now assess, treat, and when appropriate, provide some prescription medicine for earache (for those aged between 1 and 17), impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 - without the need for a GP appointment.

Available at the heart of local communities, community pharmacy teams have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need, with no appointment necessary and private consultations available. Community pharmacists will signpost patients to other local services where necessary.

By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to help free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.
Don't wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacy team.

For more information, visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst

Service Prosecuting Authority welcomes HMCPSI inspection report

“We hope this report will reassure the public, members of the Armed Forces, and the Defence community that the SPA is performing well and making a meaningful contribution to Service Justice” – Director of Service Prosecutions, Jonathan Rees KC reflects on the publication of an inspection report on the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA).​

To view more about the Service Prosecuting Authority, and additional information on this report, please go to: Service Prosecuting Authority - GOV.UK

The report can be read in full at this link: The Service Prosecuting Authority – HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate

Domestic Abuse - Help is at hand

A message to domestic abuse victims/survivors poster

Domestic abuse - help is at hand poster

Brunei: AWS Community Support - BFB Christmas Celebration - Friday, 29th November 2024, 1500 - 1700 hrs @ CCCC

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• Meet Santa and get a present.
• Goody bag
• Children's Games
• Craft Activity
• Gingerbread Decorating

Please be informed that we have reached maximum capacity on the hall for our Family Christmas Event on Friday 29 November and CLOSED the booking system on MS Forms.

For any queries, please send an email to AWS at: BRUNEIGAR-SpSvcs-AWS-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Brunei: BFB Garrison Splash Tots Zone - Fridays, * CANCELLED next session* 29th November 2024, 0930 - 1030 hrs @ BFB Garrison Pool

NOTICE - 

Due to swimming pool closures, the upcoming Splash Tots Zone is CANCELLED unless the pool reopens in time. 

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Pay as you go. B$5 per entry.

Booking is required due to limited spaces.

Click here to REGISTER - November

Brunei: BFB Stray Animals

BFB STRAY ANIMALS

1. BFB personnel, incl LECs, UKBCs and Spouses, have been actively feeding stray animals within BFB estates.This needs to stop immediately
because:

a. By feeding stray animals you are encouraging them to breed uncontrollably which can increase its population at an alarming rate and
when it gets too overwhelming to feed, the strays will starve even worse thus causes further malnourishment and diseases will spread between each other, and possibly to humans.

b. Uneaten leftovers attracts flies and, in some cases, maggots, all ideal vectors for diseases.

c. Stray animals leave excreta where they are known to congregate because what goes in must eventually come out. This is no trifling matter for other BFB personnel who have to endure the odour.

d. Stray animals have caused damage to valuable equipment and buildings eg helicopter engines, store rooms, roofs and many small spaces where it is difficult to determine the extent of damage that may have been
done.

2. Do not feed stray animals just because you want to have the ‘feel-good, warm fuzzy feeling’ inside - it doesn’t end well for the stray animals. If you want to be do-gooders, you must then carry out your good deeds through (i.e. adopting AND neutering) without leaving others to deal with the aftermath. The bottom line is that humans and stray animals coalesce is part of living in Brunei but do not be part of the problem.

Brunei: Pets in SFA Policy

References: 

A. Tri-Service Accommodation Regulation - JSP 464 

B. License to Occupy SFA

1. All dogs and cats kept in the SFA must be registered with the SSO Housing and Welfare Department. Obtain the prior written consent of the SFA sponsor’s local housing staff or station unit commander (as relevant to local instructions) before acquiring or bringing a pet into the SFA. 

2. The Head of Household must keep pets indoors and clean the quarter area, with the owner responsible for cleaning. It is strongly advised not to release your pet outdoors and let it roam around the estate. Pet owners must always take sensible safety precautions and be alert to risks that may affect their dogs and cats outside. Your dogs must be walked on leashes and keep your pet attended when outside to prevent them from being attacked by other animals. Be considerate and think of the health and safety of your pet, you, and the people surrounding it. 

3. All animals in the estate, if found without a collar, will be removed. You are required to have a collar fastened on your dogs and cats at all times with the Garrison Serial Registered No. on a metal identity disc stamped on it. 

4. Occupants caught keeping unregistered pets and feeding stray dogs and cats will be dealt with first by the CoC and then by HQ BFB as required. 

5. At the end of your license, the house must be fumigated and the carpets cleaned before you move out. Proof of the fumigation and cleaning receipt must be provided to the Housing Estate Warden. 

6. Your collaborative responsibility is highly anticipated. All inquiries on this matter should be addressed to the SO2 G1 Welfare/Garrison Support Officer and BFB Health Safety Advisor.

Brunei: Monkey Encounter - Dos and Don'ts

Long-tailed macaques are globally endangered, so we try to do our part to protect them whilst they are still a healthy population in Brunei. Having attended a briefing from Jane Goodall Institute of Singapore, their recommendation to a safe co-existence with monkeys are as follows:

• Bin cages or temporarily have a makeshift bungee rope around the lid to deter monkeys from having access to the bins. They will eventually exclude the patio bar/pool etc as part of their route due to the lack of food source.

• Where there are females and baby monkeys around, stay 1-2M away from them and make light clapping noises to make sure they are constantly aware of your presence. Loud noises usually startles them which will alter their behaviour towards you.

• Avoid eye contact or interacting with monkeys such as taking selfies, imitating their facial expressions and/or smiling at them. It causes them to alter their behaviour towards humans and resulting in ‘horror’ stories.

• Keep all your belongings in closed bags and close to you. Avoid using plastic bags if you can. If they do take any of your personal items, don’t bother chasing because they will drop the items (unless it is food).

• Never ever feed monkeys (refer to Point 1).

• Use your height to your advantage. Due to their social hierarchy status, the monkeys will usually move away from you if you follow the above steps correctly. If a monkey is on the roof or high up above your head, there is a very low percentage (almost zero) that they will jump on you because their ‘status’ is higher than you. Refer to point 2 and 3.

Brunei: Monkey Guarding - Dos & Don'ts when you encounter a monkey

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RBLI Life Works - Employment Course for Families

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Lifeworks Families (LWF) is an employability skills course that aims to help you find the right job for you, and having found it, to be able to get it!

We do this by firstly evaluating our situation, and then how to plan to get after our goals. This leads into what we need to do, and why we need to follow certain ‘rules,’ as well as how to make all that work to increase the chances we get what we want.

We cover so much more than how to write a CV, including a 5-course programme leading directly to nationally recognised qualifications. The 4 days are designed to work together as a whole rather than as individual sessions. Our qualifications package will provide you with a grounding in one of three career areas and provide a framework for your 12-month ‘Forward Assist’ period following the course.

Brunei: PCMF - Children's Flu Nasal Spray Clinics - 28th November 2024 @ 1400 - 1630 hrs

Flu Nasal Spray Clinics

The clinic schedule is organised by age groups.

The PCMF has arranged Children Flu Nasal Spray clinics on the following dates:

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Children's Flu Clinic appointments are available on Thursday for any child who has not had theirs.

Please contact the PCMF reception to arrange an appointment, if you would like your child to receive the vaccine or for any further information regarding the vaccine. 

You can contact the PCMF to book an appointment via reception staff at ext. 3226 or by calling 3224893.

Brunei: Combat Stress - Helping Veterans through obstacles

Please scan the QR Code above or Click the link below for donate
Combat Stress - Helping Veterans through obstacles

https://www.facebook.com/525996209/videos/1939669463109571/

Army's Guide for Care Leavers

The Directorate of Personnel in Army HQ have released a new Guide for Care Leavers, which will help both Care Leavers and their managers access the appropriate support. You can find it on the Pers Pol Conditions Defence Connect page at https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk/docs/DOC-1150391.

Togetherall: Holiday Season Support

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This season can feel lonely, but you don’t have to go through it alone. @Togetherall offers a safe, supportive, anonymous community—free and available 24/7.There’s also a range of other helpful resources. Find connection whenever you need it, at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

New Armed Forces Carer’s Passports are introduced

Carer’s passports are well established and widely used across many organisations throughout the UK, including the Civil Service, and have proven to be an invaluable resource for employees with caregiving responsibilities. They are now available for our Armed Forces.

It can be especially hard to balance a career in the Armed Forces alongside caring responsibilities, but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is dedicated to support those who do.

Introducing the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport

The MOD has launched the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport, a practical and effective tool to help carers in managing their responsibilities. The passport ensures that when carers move between roles or experience a change in manager, they do not have to renegotiate the necessary arrangements from scratch. By documenting required flexibilities, the passport provides continuity and support, reducing unnecessary disruptions for both the carer and the MOD.

The passport acknowledges that operational needs will always remain the priority. However, it ensures that the carer’s circumstances are formally considered, fostering an environment where personnel feel empowered to discuss their care-giving challenges, how these might impact their work responsibilities and feel supported in their dual roles by promoting openness and mutual understanding.

Brunei: Parent Drop in Session - Wednesday, 27th November 2024, 1530 - 1800 hrs @ Hornbill School, Gill Theatre (Main Hall)

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Brunei: Second Phase Opening of Reflection Garden by BFB Spouses and 1RGR Wives Committee - Friday, 22nd November 2024, 1630 - 1715 hrs

SECOND PHASE OPENING OF REFLECTION GARDEN BY BFB SPOUSES AND 1RGR WIVES COMMITTEE AT H15

BLUF. The completion of the second phase of the reflection garden project has now been pushed to the third week of Nov 24 from the end of Oct 24. The DIO team has done their best to complete the project on time with the local contractor and affirmed that the project will be completed in the third week of Nov 24.

Aim. The aim of the second phase opening is to acknowledge the key stakeholders who have done so much for the community, particularly for this project. Secondly, to make everyone aware of the facilities added to the reflection garden. And finally, to promote and encourage healthy and well-being activities within the BFB community.

Request. It is therefore on behalf of BFB Spouses and 1RGR Wives Committee warmly invite, encourage and request your presence with your families to join the Opening of the second phase of the reflection garden at H15 if you are available.

Time. Friday, 22 Nov 24. 1630 - 1715hrs.

Dress. Equivalent dress.

Location. Assemble in Chit Chat Community Centre Main Car Park.

The garden is located between H15 Flats and CCCC next to the play park.

Bounce Forward - Anxiety Unravelled online course starts 14 Jan

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Registration is now open for the next Anxiety Unravelled course for military parents and carers, funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

This the 3rd of three courses being delivered in response to what military parents told us they need, both for themselves and for their children. There are more than 100,000 children with parents actively serving in the British Armed Forces, and the number of children seeking support for mental health problem is rising.

Wellbeing of the adults impacts children, if adult wellbeing is poor, then it can pass on through to their children. Children are often the forgotten service members with limited research into the impact they feel, so they are often left to struggle alone. This course helps parents to understand and recognise how best to develop resilience in their children.

​Places are FREE of charge, and there are 500 funded places. Register at this link: Anxiety Unravelled for Military Families

GamCare: Way Forward Programme - online support for women affected by harmful gambling

 

Way Forward is GamCare's support group for all women affected by someone else’s gambling harm. Groups aim to provide a safe, supportive and confidential space for women to share their experiences, find comfort and empower one another.

Way Forward online sessions are semi-structured, running for 1.5 hours over six weeks. Groups are led by trained facilitators specialising in supporting women who are affected by gambling-related harms.

Each week will focus on the impact of different areas of gambling harm:

• Session 1 – Getting to know each other.
• Session 2 – Understanding gambling harm.
• Session 3 – Taking care of yourself.
• Session 4 – Dealing with guilt and shame / enabling behaviours.
• Session 5 – Dealing with anger and resentment.
• Session 6 – Having difficult conversations / expectations / acceptance.

If you’re interested in registering or want to know more, please email womenspathwaysupport@gamcare.org.uk

This group is for women based in England and Wales. We also have a Way Forward group in Scotland and to register your interest in future sessions, please contact scotland@gamcare.org.uk.

If you need support now, the National Gambling Helpline gives confidential advice and support to anyone affected by gambling in England, Scotland and Wales. You can speak to us for free, 24/7 on 0808 8020 133, or online.​

Army Families Federation – Childcare Survey

AFF want to know about your experience of early years childcare.

“We want to understand how issues such as availability and cost affect your family, and how your experience varies by location, so we've launched a short survey that runs until 6 December".

Army Families' Experiences of 0-5 Childcare Survey​

Veterans Access to Healthcare Research Briefing

To access the Research briefing: Veterans: Access to Health Services, please click here.

Get ready for a Wraparound Childcare (WAC) expansion to some overseas locations. Coming spring term 2025

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Are you assigned to a location within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision? WAC Overseas will be available to eligible families in these areas from 6 January 2025.

What is Wraparound Childcare funding?

The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC.

Temporary registration and claims process for WAC Overseas.

A temporary process will be in place from January until at least April 2025. Due to the migration of JPA to the Cloud it is not possible for WAC Overseas registrations and claims to be added to the WAC area of JPA straight away. The temporary process has been put in place to enable eligible families to claim WAC Overseas funding while this migration work takes place. Once JPA migration to the Cloud is complete, there will be a requirement to re-register to continue to submit claims, via JPA in the future. Further guidance documents will be available on the Defence Childcare Information Page on DefNet and Defence Connect in January.

Brunei: 7 Marathons in 7 Days Running Charity - 19th - 25th November 2024 @ H15 BBQ Area Car Park

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BLUF: Seven Marathons in Seven Days charity event from 19 November to 25 November 2024.

I am organising the Seven Marathons in Seven Days charity event. The event aims to raise support for two essential charities, The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) and Combat Stress for Veterans' Mental Health (CSVMH), both of which provide invaluable services to our community.

The concept behind "7 Marathons in 7 Days" is for participants to complete a marathon each day for seven consecutive days, with each marathon covering the standard distance of 26.5 miles.

LCpl Roshan and I, along with other committed runners, are determined to make this event a success. We will be leading the runs, with the event open to all interested participants who can choose to complete either the full marathon or a selected distance. The link to the nominal roll is included in the warning order attached above.

If you have any question regarding the charity event please contact @Lama, Newal Wang Dorjee Sgt (BruneiGar-HQ-Fuel-SNCO), 

@Gurung, Roshan LCpl (BruneiGar-QOGLR-ClarityJNCO-O)and @Gurung, Hombahadur Cpl (BruneiGar-GAR-RQMS-NCO).

Your generosity is very much appreciated. I would kindly request you to use the QR Code below to access the Go Fund page or Click HERE for the link.

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Brunei: Deepawali Nite 2024 & Daimond Jubilee - Sunday, 17th November 2024, 3 PM @ Pusat Insani, Seria

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Ticket Price - $ 25 (Adults & Children above 5 years with food included)                                     Below 5 years are free. 

Food - Veg & Non Veg

Please contact above numbers for Tickets and more information.

The Closing Date for Ticket Sales is Thursday, 14th November 2024.

Click HERE to watch the full video.

Brunei: BFB Education Learning Centre - IGCSE, AS & A level registration for SP and Spouses

IGCSE, AS & A level registration for SP and Spouses

IGCSE, AS & A level for May/June 2025 registration will commence on 18th November 2024 and ends on 31st January 2025 (last submission by 1200 hrs).

For further information or enquiries, please contact Rina and Krisstine from ELC office of Education Centre.

The Impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA)

In the Budget speech The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the government will remove the VAT exemption for private schools from 1 January 2025.

For families claiming the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) this is likely to increase private school fees.

To minimise the impact of this change, the Secretary of State has directed that the CEA rate cap will be uprated, to ensure it continues to pay up to 90% of school fees for eligible claimants.

What does this mean for CEA claimants?

The CEA scheme recognises the enormous sacrifices our military families make and aims to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home.

The government remains committed to improving service life and renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and their families. Whilst the new VAT policy does not offer any exemptions, the government is committed to monitoring how these changes affect military families, with any potential adjustments to the scheme being considered during the next Spending Review.

To protect the integrity of the allowance the Secretary of State has directed that the cap on the current rates is uprated, and CEA rates are recalculated to take into account the addition of VAT. This will ensure the MOD continues to pay up to 90% of private school fees following the taxation changes.

Whilst the CEA cap uprating will provide some protection from fee changes as a result of the VAT exemption being lifted, the parental contribution may also increase in schools choose to pass this on. Some claimants may need to consider this before the policy takes effect.

If you need to change your child’s school due to affordability, contact the Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) via DBSMilPers-MilOps-PACCC-Group@mod.gov.uk. You can also contact the Educational Advisory Team UK (EAT UK) via rc-dcs-hq-eat@mod.gov.uk if you require specific educational advice regarding your child.

CEA Rates Adjustment

The CEA rates are influenced by pricing adjustments made by the UK education sector. The rates are calculated on an annual basis using the range of school fees, most used by the Service personnel claiming the allowance. The MOD’s reassessment of rates will allow claims paid in December to reflect the new CEA rates ahead of any school fee increases from January 2025.

The annual CEA rating cycle for the academic year 25-26 will still be conducted in August 2025 in advance of the beginning of the new academic year in September 2025.

The single Services will be issuing further communications about the changes to CEA claimants today.

Point of Contact: 

Armed Forces Remuneration: People-AFRem-AllcesGroup@mod.gov.uk

NHS England: 2024 Autumn/ Winter Armed Forces health stakeholder brief

Click here to read the document.

Easy Resettlement Magazine - Autumn 2024 Edition

Click here to access the Autumn 2024 edition of Easy Resettlement Magazine.

BFPO Latest Christmas Posting Dates - 2024

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BFPO Website https://www.gov.uk/bfpo​