BRUNEI: On Government Service (OGS) Stamp and Special Pass

1. All permanently assigned service personnel, UKBC and MOD contract civilian staff (including family members) require a valid On Government Service (OGS) Stamp in their passport.

2. It is the responsibility of the head of household to ensure that new applications, extensions, Special Pass, Special Pass extension and OGS cancellations are submitted to the LEC Pay & Personnel Office (LPPO) for him/herself along with their family members. All service personnel (including family members) must submit through the Regimental Admin Office (RAO) first.

BRUNEI: Maghe Sankranti Puja - Thursday, 15th January 2026, 0930 – 1030 hrs @ BFB Temple

MAGHE SANKRANTI PUJA – THU 15 JAN 26

Timing. 0930 – 1030 hrs. Please be seated by 0925 hrs.

Dress. Working/suitable attire

Sequence of events:

• Puja

• Bhajan

• Prabachan

• Arati, Phool & Prasad

• Dispersal

Significance of MAGHE SANKRANTI PUJA. The word SANKRATI means “begin to move” and is also the beginning of the month. The day on which the sun begins to move northwards is called Makar Sankranti and it usually falls in the middle of January. Sun is the Symbol of light, the message of unity, impartiality, and the example of KARMA (deeds). It always serves the creation without seeking any return. So, this day, we salute the supreme Lord, the sun and the power that divide the year and the seasons. In this astronomical festival, we specially have offerings of yam, edible roots and Khichadi (cooked rice and pulse together) is also prepared and offered.

All available BFB personnel, families and children are kindly invited and welcome to join the Puja at the BFB Temple.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas Allowance - Now Live

Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) Allowance is now live.

The final phase of the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Scheme is completed and applications can now be made for providing a reimbursement for the costs of before and after school childcare in overseas locations where WAC eligibility criteria cannot be met due to local rules and regulations or because Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) accounts are not available.

The launch of the PSACO Allowance means eligible Service families will have access to before and after school childcare funding in all overseas locations.

PSACO eligibility criteria and guidance can be found on the Discover My Benefits website from January 2026.

BELGIUM: Managing Time Apart for RAF Parents

Managing Time Apart Coaching for RAF Parents (Regular and Reserve)

Are you an RAF Parent facing the challenge of being separated from your children for operational reasons, including serving at a permanent duty station unaccompanied? We know that spending time away from home as a serving parent can be difficult.

Following the success of our trial parental transition coaching sessions, the RAF Parenting & Wellbeing Team have invited the amazing Parent & Professional to run a new coaching session for RAF Parents called Managing Time Apart.

If you are a serving member of the RAF (Regular or Reserve) and are facing a period of separation from your children for any of the reasons below, you can register to attend one of these coaching sessions now!

• Operational Deployments
• Exercises
• Long Term Training and Development Courses
• Assigned to a Unit unaccompanied and maintaining your family home elsewhere
• Not living with your children permanently following relationship breakdown

All sessions will be delivered by a fully qualified and experienced coach and have been fully funded with a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant. There is no cost to you.

The sessions will be delivered online in a group setting with a maximum of 12 people per group and last for one hour. You will be provided with the Zoom link for the session via your preferred e-mail address.

The dates for the 2026 coaching sessions are on the Microsoft form below, allowing serving parents to indicate which one they would like to attend. The first session is scheduled to take place on 25th February 2026.

Managing Time Apart – Fill in form


The Parenting Team have recently created 2 new resources that parents may find useful. Leaflets on ‘managing time apart’ and ‘navigating a relationship breakdown’ have recently been published and can be found at the below links:

• Parenting_relationship_resource_guides_Support_for_managing_time_apart_V2_FINAL
• Parenting_relationship_resource_guides_Support_for_navigating_a_relationship_breakdown_V3_FINAL

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Naples : Fancy a Coffee in Lago Patria

 

Places to go for Coffee and Cornetto in Lago Patria

Gran Caffe Iguana,  4.3 ****

Parco del Lago, Via Staffetta

T. 081 3502321

Gran Caffe Iguana

Suisse Cafe,  4.3 ****

Via Lago Patria ,83 

T.081 5092177

Suisse Cafe

Domitiana Cafe,  4.1 ****

Via Domitiana, 3

T. 081 5091041

Domitiana Cafe

Party House, 4.2 ****

Via Lago Patria, 154

T. 081 5096276

Party House

Wild Buffalo, 4.4 ****

Via Lago Patria, 244

T. 081 18578889

Wild Buffalo

Premiere Cafe, 4.0 ****

Via Ripuaria, 320

T. 0818391062 

Premiere Cafe

La Casa del Caffe, 4.9 ****

Via Ripuaria, 283

T.328245 7130

La Casa Delcaffe

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

Naples: Trip Around the cities near Naples

 

From Caserta to Avella

Top 5 Cities to visit near Naples

Looking for places to go?

As the tourist season is slacking, this is the perfect opportunity to investigate the towns and experience the beauty that surrounds you.

Make your bucket list and start the adventures.

Information provided by Naples Hive

Civilian Housing Options Briefings – 2026 Dates.

To register for a Briefing, and provide your details please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing

For more information on MoD Veterans Services support for Service Leavers and their families please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families

Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy.

Defence sets out commitments to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in a new cross government strategy published on 18 Dec.

To view the Strategy documents, please go to: Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy - GOV.UK

Naples : First Sunday of the month - FREE entry to all state museums and archaeological parks.

 

As part of Italy's "Domenica al Museo" initiative, state run museums and archaeological sites offer FREE entry on the first Sunday of every month.

FREE Entry

Key places with Free Entry include :

* National Archaeological Museum (MANN) - Features vast collections of Roman Artifacts

* Museo di Capodimonte -Italian art Collections

* Villa Floridiana - Offers decorative arts collections

* Archaeological Sites - Nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum 

Key Tips

* Go Early

* Book Free Tickets - not always required

* Check official sites and participating venues Domenica Al Museo or Visit Naples

Information provided by Naples Hive.

Naples : Free Online Courses

 

The Open University

The Open University offers a wide range of free online courses across countless subjects — perfect for upskilling or exploring a new interest.

Explore courses on OpenLearn

HarvardX

You can also study with Harvard University through HarvardX, their online learning platform that gives free access to world-class courses from one of the world’s leading universities.

Browse HarvardX courses

Coursera

Explore and compare free courses and certificates from leading universities and companies.

Explore Coursera courses. 

Information provided by Naples Hive.