AFF’s Overseas Manager, Esther, was recently invited to Brunei by the Commanding Officer of 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles, Lt Col Stanford-Tuck.
British Forces Brunei is the second largest overseas command location. It’s a unique community with a high percentage of Gurkha families with their own terms and conditions of service.
Lt Col Tuck was keen that serving personnel and families understand what AFF can do for them and he recognised that AFF’s independently gathered evidence would be useful to help challenge some of the current issues his community was experiencing. These included delays with immigration-related issues such as naturalisation.
Another issue is the lack of spousal employment and clear guidance for those who wish to work remotely for a UK company. 1 RGR are currently in discussion with the Defence Attaché to try and find a solution to working there for those with professional qualifications.
Lt Col Tuck was pleased to hear that AFF now supports single serving personnel as, due to the Gurkha married accompanied status rules, new recruits remain unaccompanied for the first three years of service.
Esther was able to chat to:
- The senior medical and dental officer on topics such as supportability, mental health, prescription charges and emerging additional needs for some young children.
- The new headteacher of Hornbill School.
- The health visitor and one of the midwives – they were able to outline the current support for expectant mums and those with young children. They gave Esther an update on the cultural difference and how they try to support the diverse community. They also discussed the process for claiming child benefit from overseas.
- The Army Education Centre – discussion ranged from functional skills for service personnel to iGCSE for spouses; continuing professional development and training opportunities, resettlement; as well as the classes they offer to those for whom English is a second language to gain the qualifications to support their immigration applications.
Esther says: “Having been assigned to Brunei in 2006-07 as a family and then visiting with AFF again in 2015, I can see that the country has progressed – roads and infrastructure are much improved. There is now a thriving café culture, cinema and bowling local to the garrison. However, public transport is still very absent so being able to drive is beneficial for families.”
She also delivered several briefs to service personnel and families, including one-to-one Q&A sessions and virtual link-ups with the AFF Specialists. They were able to advise on and resolve several queries immediately.