BRUNEI: SSAFA Health Watch Week - When health information needs more than translation

In British Forces Brunei, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, supports families through its Community Health Team by helping ensure health information is understood, culturally appropriate and meaningful. For some families living overseas, access to health advice is not just about language, but about how information is explained, framed and discussed.

Health information is most effective when families can relate it to their own experiences and cultural understanding. In British Forces Brunei, much of SSAFA’s Community Health Team work supports Gurkha families, where Nepali cultural and linguistic context shapes how some health concepts are understood and discussed.

Germany: Take A Hike

We are blessed with some fantastic trails in our area of Germany. Though the weather may stay cold in the next week or so it should also stay dry. 

The English language version of the Tutoburger wald website is a fantastic tool for finding hikes and days out in our part of Germany. Not far from us we have the low mountains of the Tutoburg forest and the Egge mountains. 

If you wanted to get started on the local trails here are some routes for hiking.

NAPLES : Community Volunteers Needed

Community Volunteers provide emotional and practical support to serving personnel 
and their families. 

To get involved, Apply Here

Community Volunteers can provide an all-important listening ear when it is most needed or a more hands-on approach such as when a lift to a medical appointment or help with shopping is required. 

Military life can bring its own unique challenges; a loved one deployed or frequent 
moves due to postings. Some people find themselves facing illness, bereavement or 
unexpected financial problems. Day-to-day activities can become difficult without a 
little help and support.

This is where our Community Volunteers can step in to provide emotional and 
practical support to serving personnel and their families. Community Volunteers are 
part of SSAFA’s volunteer-led Serving Community Teams that operate in 41 locations on 
military bases around the UK and overseas. 

Community Volunteers are fully vetted and receive dedicated training and support via e learning modules and a trainer led webinar, with the option to earn a recognised 
accreditation through the Open College Network. 

Our Community volunteers receive robust support and supervision to ensure they are fully supported with the support they are providing to the community. 

A referral can be made by the client, the Community Volunteer or another welfare 
provider on behalf of the client. 

To find out more, contact the Serving Community Support Team –sct.interest@ssafa.org.uk or speak to Nicki on 07900 959946 

NAPLES : What is SSAFA?

To be able to meet the unique needs of Armed Forces personnel and their families, SSAFA provides volunteer support to local serving communities both in UK and at British military bases overseas. 

Our volunteer-delivered Serving Community Teams (SCTs) help the serving community access financial, practical and emotional support whenever they need it. 

Separate from the chain of command, SCT volunteers provide a confidential service to those in the serving community, including Reservists, serving personnel and their families whether living on bases or in their own homes.

Raising awareness and funds are important elements of the work Serving Community Teams do. All monies raised go back into the local serving community through grant giving. Depending on your location, other types of support available could include:

• Community Connection events - groups that bring community members together 
promoting connection and reducing loneliness and isolation.
• Community Volunteer support – a listening ear, practical help with odd jobs, or 
signposting to other organisations.
• Community Grants – small grants to assist services as they deliver support to the 
serving community.
• Individual Grants – small one-off grants to support individuals with urgent needs 
that are not funded by welfare or statutory agencies.
• Fundraising activities and events – from bingo evenings to cake sales, craft activities 
to running a stand at a families day. Anything that engages the community to raise funds 
and awareness of SSAFA. 
• Loan stores (mainly overseas) – hire equipment to help service families in their own 
home.

The SCTs will benefit:
Current serving personnel and immediate family members including long-term partners (as defined by Service Family Accommodation (SFA) criteria), Reservists and their immediate family members. 

To get Involved, Apply Here

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

BRUNEI: Saraswati Puja (Goddess Saraswati - Symbol of Wisdom) - Friday, 23rd January 2026, 1530 - 1630 hrs @ BFB Temple

SARASWATI PUJA (GODDESS SARASWATI – SYMBOL OF WISDOM) – Friday, 23rd January 2026

BRUNEI: Basic Sewing Workshop - Every Wednesday or Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM @ Pandan B Kuala Belait

Basic Sewing Workshop

Make it a Perfect Fit!
From measurements to mastery — learn how to draft skirts, tops, and dresses that flatter every form.
Expect face to face classes with hands-on learning.

Wednesday or Friday Classes
Limited slots only!
 IG golden.needle15

Message our page to enrol!
Or
WhatsApp: 8844912
Golden Needle Dressmaking & Arts Training Centre - Pandan B Kuala Belait.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: MOD Staff Bank - Are you a healthcare professional? Can you support the PCMF here in Brunei? - Register as Temporary Staff

Staff bank provides temporary assignments to Healthcare Professionals in support of the MOD at times when resource cover is required.  

If you a Non-Serving person, medically trained, doctor, nurse, carer, healthcare worker or ambulance driver you may be able to secure temporary work at the PCMF SHOULD temporary positions become available. 

To find out more, scan the QR code on the posters. 

Register your skills on Staff Bank here: hcrg.uk.com/staff-bank

Staff Bank team email: fhrbanksupport@hcrg.uk.com

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Posted to Scotland? A Guide for Service Personnel & Families moving to Scotland

Are you leaving Brunei and posted to Scotland? Gov.scot have produced a service families guide covering all things Housing, Education, Healthcare, Employment and other useful information to get you started. Click HERE to access the full 17 page booklet.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Posted to Wales? Welcome to Wales guide for serving Armed Forces personnel and families

The Welsh Government Welcome to Wales guide for Serving Armed Forces Personnel & their families has been published to the Welsh Government website. 

To view the document in full please follow the link below:

Support for serving Armed Forces personnel and their families | GOV.WALES

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Posted back to England? Check out the Welcome to England guide

Did you know that Welcome Guides have been produced to help Service families as they move across the UK or return from overseas?

The guides have been provided by the Nation States of the United Kingdom to explain what support and services are available to Service personnel and their families when they move between the Devolved Administrations or return from overseas. The guides include information on key topics such as housing, education, healthcare and employment.

The Welcome to England Guide can be accessed HERE . Other guides are also available via the Armed Forces Covenant website

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.