DIO: Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 2 October 2026

Military families invited to help shape the future of Service Family Housing

The MOD has today launched the Red Tape Challenge, inviting families to tell us about processes that are getting in the way of them enjoying their homes, so that we can work to change them.

This is just one of a series of new pledges setting out clear commitments to Service families on the quality of their homes, customer service, and ensuring their voices are heard.

For more information and details on how to make a submission, click here.

DIO: Families First Newsletter – 2 October 2026 edition now available

To read this issue online, and any back issues, please go to: Families First newsletter – Defence Homes
Don’t forget that you can also sign up to receive Families First and other email updates from DIO Defence Homes, direct to your own inbox – please go to this link to subscribe: https://defencehomes.mod.gov.uk/newsletter-landing-page/

Girls Brigade: 'Forces Connect' free online group launched for girls aged 13+ from military families

The Girls' Brigade is currently partnering with the Methodist Forces Board to provide opportunities for girls and young women in military families. You can read all about the project on their website.

Are you aged 13+ and part of a military family? Join online for a fun, relaxed, and welcoming Girls’ Brigade session via Zoom! This special event is a great opportunity to connect with other young people from military families across the country, share experiences, and make new friends.

Who: Young people aged 13+ from military families
When: Thursday 15 October • 7 PM - 8:30 PM GMT
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: FREE!
What to expect: We'll be diving into the fantastic Girls' Brigade programme. Expect a relevant Bible theme, a fun craft activity, and plenty of relaxed group discussions.

No matter where you are currently based, everyone is welcome. Come along, get involved, and discover a supportive community of young people who understand the unique journey of military life.

How to book: Spaces are free but must be booked in advance. https://girlsbrigadeonline.eventbrite.co.uk

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) - Armed Forces Personnel Portal Beta Testing

As part of the continued development of the Armed Forces Personnel Portal (AFPP), Defence are preparing to commence the next phase of Beta testing for the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) service. They are seeking current or recent WAC users who may be interested in supporting this important activity. User participation is essential to ensuring the service meets the needs of Service Personnel and their families and has been tested by representative users prior to wider release.

 

Expression of Interest Required

 

Any Service personnel who would like to be considered for participation in the Beta testing programme, please complete the Expression of Interest survey using the link below:

Expression of Interest Survey Link

 

Survey Deadline - The Expression of Interest survey will close at 2359hrs on Fri 23 Oct 26.

 

Only individuals who complete the survey by this deadline will be considered for participation in the Beta testing programme.

 

The Beta testing programme is currently planned to commence from Mon 2 Nov 26 and may be conducted across multiple iterative testing periods. This approach will enable the AFPP team to gather user feedback, implement improvements and, where required, re-test enhancements before wider release.

BRUNEI: AWS Community Support - Movie Session Tuesday, 06th October 2026, 0900 hrs @ Paradise Chalchitra, Mumong Community Centre

BRUNEI: AWS Community Support Activities - What's On in BFB...

AWS CS Monthly Calendar

Closures Dates

Please be informed that the Parents and Toddlers session will be CLOSED on 30/10/2026.

BRUNEI: BFB Job Vacancies - Key Person (Qualified) and Teamer Leader - These vacancies will close once suitable candidates have been identified

 

British Forces Brunei Entitled BFB SPOUSES Job Vacancies

Treetops

1. Key Person (Qualified)

Click here for Job Advert.

Please note: Only applicable for BFB SP or Civil Servant Spouses, NOT for external applicants.

Closing date: Not applicable. This vacancy will close once a suitable candidate has been identified.

Anyone who wishes to apply for this role, has any specific questions and to request an application form, kindly send an email to LPPO at BruneiGar-CivSec-LPPO-Group@mod.gov.uk

2. Team Leader

Click here for Job Advert.

Please note: Only applicable for BFB SP or Civil Servant Spouses, NOT for external applicants.

Closing date: Not applicable. This vacancy will close once a suitable candidate has been identified.

Anyone who wishes to apply for this role, has any specific questions and to request an application form, kindly send an email to LPPO at BruneiGar-CivSec-LPPO-Group@mod.gov.uk

Hornbill School

1. Teacher Cover Supervisor (Casual)

Click here for Job Advert.

Please note: Only applicable for BFB SP or Civil Servant Spouses, NOT for external applicants.

Closing date: No closing date

Anyone who wishes to apply for this role, has any specific questions and to request an application form, kindly send an email to LPPO at BruneiGar-CivSec-LPPO-Group@mod.gov.uk

2. Learning Support assistant Level 2 (Casual)

Click here for Job Advert.

Please note: Only applicable for BFB SP or Civil Servant Spouses, NOT for external applicants. 

Closing date: No closing date

Anyone who wishes to apply for this role, has any specific questions and to request an application form, kindly send an email to LPPO at BruneiGar-CivSec-LPPO-Group@mod.gov.uk

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: AWS Community Support - Families Club on Saturday, 31st October 2026, 1030 - 1200 @ Mumong Community Centre

Email BruneiGar-SpSvcs-AWS-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk for more information.

Ext: 3785

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: BFPO - General Accounting Rate (GAR) for October 2026

Exchange Rate:

October - £1.00 = $1.7135

Normal Opening Hours:

BRUNEI: OP NEPTUNE Preparation (Action Required)

Op NEPTUNE PREPARATION (ACTION REQUIRED)

BFB is moving towards the Monsoon season, which requires all building custodians, building users, SFA, and SLA custodians to review their current flood protection and mitigation.

All BFB people are to:

a. Check the serviceability of their flood boards and the seals around the board and door frame (check for cracks or other damage), reporting any issues to the DIO helpdesk urgently at BRUNEIGAR-DIOHelpDesk@mod.gov.uk

b. Ensure you have sufficient equipment in preparation for the flood season. 

c. Remove any ‘at risk’ items from any potential flooding location. Examples of this could be electrical cables near the floor, important documentation in a lower drawer, or any valuables left on a lower bookcase shelf.

If you have any major flooding concerns, please get in touch with the Duty staff

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: BFB Quarterly Spouses Coffee Morning - Wednesday 07th October 2026, 0930 - 1200 hrs @ CCCC

Please scan QR or click HERE and register your attendance by 5th Oct 26. A multi purpose BFB Coffee morning . Join the crowd and have a fun, gain knowledge & greet-meet with guest of the day (VIP)🙏

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Panaga Club Information - Mid Autumn Festival Celebration - Saturday, 03rd October 2026, 11 AM - 2 PM @ Main HALL

Mid Autumn Festival Celebration - Saturday, 03rd October 2026, 11 AM - 2 PM @ Main HALL

🏮🌕 Mooncakes, lanterns & good vibes! ✨

We’re celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with our Chinese Community, and you’re invited! 🥮💛 Bring the fam and join us for a morning filled with fun, creativity and festive vibes!

📅 Saturday, 3 October 2026
⏰ 11:00AM – 2:00PM
📍 Main Hall

Here’s what’s happening 👀👇
🥮 DIY Mooncake
🎨 Face Painting
🏮 Games
✨ And MORE!

And for all our little creatives… 👀🎨

🏮 DIY LANTERN COMPETITION! 🏮
Time to get crafty at home! Create your own lantern using recycled or repurposed materials ♻️✨ — the more creative, the better!

📌 Submit your lantern by 2 October 2026
🏆 Prizes are up for grabs!

Never celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival before? No worries! Come along, have fun and discover what makes this celebration so special. 🌕🥮

Round up the fam, get your creative caps on and let’s make some lantern magic! 🏮✨

BRUNEI: The Den Social Run - Sunday, 04th October 2026, 6 AM @ Seria Bowling Centre

Join us for a 5KM Beginner-Friendly Social Run this Sunday, 4th October at 6:00 AM! 🖤🤍

Run • Move • Connect

📍 Meet at Seria Bowling Centre
🏁 Post Run at The Den, Pusat Insani
🆓Free Community Run - No Registration Charges!
☕ Post-run light refreshments
💪 Free recovery gym access
15% OFF at Abacus Coffee

Bring your friends and let’s start Sunday strong!

See you at the run!

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Social Run - Sunday, 04th October 2026, 5 PM @ Sports Hub, Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium

There’s something about a late afternoon run - the streets soften, the day slows down, and there’s a cold drink waiting at the end. ☕️✨

Get ready for the BWN Coffee Convention Outbound Social Run! Whether you’re up for a 3K Stroll or a 5K Frolic - nothing serious, just good movement, great company, and coffee after 🤩

🗓️ Friday 2nd October & Sunday 4 October | 5:00 PM
📍 Sports Hub, Stadium Hassanal Bolkiah
🎁 Bonus: The first 20 new Pacemate users to sign up and join the run on each day score a $5 Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf voucher courtesy of @coffeebean_brunei !

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Action for Happiness Calendar - Optimistic October 2026

Please click the image to enlarge.

Our monthly calendars are packed with actions you can take to help create a happier and kinder world. 

Click here to access the Action for Happiness Calendar.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Army HQ: Army HQ: Family Welfare Matters Edition 04 now available

To read online with accessible links, please go to Family Welfare Matters Sept 2026

For those with access to MODnet, both this edition and the full internal Welfare Matters newsletter is uploaded onto the Army HIVE SharePoint site in the Welfare Latest News section. The link to access is: Welfare

From gripping mysteries to unforgettable drama, there's something for everyone on BFBS TV! — 3-9/10/2026 - Week 40

Your weekly guide to the must-see TV across all the channels provided by BFBS. Full listings can be found on our website

Give Us Time - Autumn last minute breaks and more!

Give Us Time still have lots of breaks and other opportunities available over the coming months – read all the way down for the big news!

“Give Us Time supports Forces families to spend time together on donated respite breaks following separation due to deployment, bereavement, physical or mental injuries, financial need, or other welfare issues.” Find out more at Frequently asked questions - Give us time - Breaks for service personnel and their families

OCTOBER
Cwm Llan cabin, North Wales, 5 – 9 October, sleeps 2
Broadland Sands Holiday Park, Suffolk, 5 -9 October, sleeps 6
Seawick Holiday Park, Essex, 12 – 16 October, sleeps 6Give Us A Moment days out for half term:
Visit the newly re-opened Palm Houses at Edinburgh Botanic Gardens
Enjoy Pumpkin Picking at Hatters Farm, Essex
Explore the Gardens at Monteviot House near JedburghNOVEMBER
Polperro, Cornwall, Platinum standard lodge, 9 – 13 November, sleeps 6
Pevensey Bay, Sussex, Platinum standard lodge, 9 – 13 November, sleeps 6DECEMBER
Kidlandlee holiday cottage, Northumberland, 7 – 11 December, sleeps 6PLUS THE RV GUESTHOUSE, FALMOUTH - DATES THROUGHOUT OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

THE BIG ONE!! 🎄🎅🎁

We’re also thrilled to have more tickets for the Polar Express! This year we’ll be travelling along the Spa Valley Railway from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, on Friday 6 November, leaving at 7pm - please visit the website for more information!

As always, we book on a first come first served basis via the website - https://bookings.giveustime.org.uk/login - breaks are accommodation only, days out are entry ticket only – GUT cannot cover the costs of travel, food etc.

Germany: Guide for the Weekend

This is your Sennelager HIVE What’s On Guide for the week ahead. 

Garrison Notices:

• First up, if you didn’t grab a ticket for the coach trip, bad news—it is now officially sold out.
• The Community Support Team’s Coffee Morning runs every Wednesday at 10:00 AM.
• Keep Wednesday October 7th free for the BFBS big salute Cake Morning at Brydon House.
• Art classes with Kellie are happening this Sunday, October 3rd, at the LCC. Classes start at 10:00 AM, costing 10 euros per person. Themes include "Flutter and Flow" and "Pencil Postcards." Contact Kellie directly to book your spot.

This Saturday is German Unity Day.

Shops treat this exactly like a Sunday Everything will be closed, so make sure to stock up on your groceries and essentials before Saturday.

Events on our door step:

The Schloss Neuhaus summer season finale is this Saturday.

Brunssum: What's on this October?

There’s lots happening in and around JFC Brunssum in October. Below is a summary of a few things to pique your interest. More information on some events will be provided throughout the month.