The Royal British Legion

TRBL has undergone huge changes in the last 3 years in order to become more accessible, easier to reach and provide a more integrated service for both those that are serving and those that were.

The focus for the TRBL area team is getting out into the community, reaching out to those we support through GP surgeries, hospitals, local authority services and charities they work with, making sure they are accessible to many more people in locations across the country. 

Welfare

TRBL provides a range of welfare services to their beneficiaries subject to eligibility including:

• War pensions and compensations information, advice and representation at appeals
• Immediate Needs Grant Schemes – help to meet unexpected expenses or at times of crisis. The scheme does not provide cash but can provide essentials in times of need.
• Benefits and Money Advice – from a simple check to ensure all benefit entitlements are being claimed to supporting at tribunals. The service also offers options on dealing with debts and offers support, as appropriate, in negotiating with creditors and getting debts under control.
• Poppy Breaks – via break centres, family holidays and adventure breaks for young people.
• Poppy Calls – help with small household repairs and minor adaptations around the home (this service is not available in all areas).

Each case is assessed using a person centre approach and on an individual basis

They're due to open their new Area Office Pop In Centre towards the end of this year in Swindon. The Pop In will be open to the public and we will be providing face to face support to their beneficiaries. To compliment the Pop In Centre we are also running a programme of outreach sessions in various locations across Wiltshire and Somerset, details of the locations of the outreach sessions can be found on our website www.britishlegion.org.uk

They have developed the largest on line Knowledge Base on our website which enables our beneficiaries to self help using the search tools to locate information and fact sheets on a wide variety of subjects relevant to the serving/ex-serving community and their families and dependents.

They've launched a new national free phone help line open 7 days a week from 8am – 8pm where individuals can call for advice and information, the telephone number is 0808 802 80800808 802 8080.

If you support or work with an individual who may be eligible for assistance from TRBL please encourage them to contact them using one of their three touch points, either on the telephone, via their website or face to face at the Pop In or an outreach location.