The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Service charity. We provide practical care, advice, support and financial assistance to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families.
The service can be accessed by an outreach support service to anyone who has served for over 7 days in the armed forces or who has a family member who has.
After an initial assessment which can be phone based, at a mutually convenient place or home based, a plan of support will be created
Locations we operate in
Bristol - 0117 905 8903
Broad Quay House, Bristol, BS1 4DJ
Services we Provide
Finance, benefit and debt
Overview
If you are having financial difficulties, feeling overwhelmed by debt or confused about the benefit system, the Benefits and Money Advice team are here to help you.
Our advisers offer free, impartial and confidential advice that will help you to manage and in some cases even get the debt written off.
What we do
Benefits and Money Advice
You'll recieve discreet, impartial and non-judgemental advice about how to maximise your income by claiming the benefits and tax credits you're entitled to and managing your debts - all completely confidential and free of charge.
Immediate Needs Grant Scheme
Each year our Immediate Needs Grants Scheme helps thousands of people through emergencies by providing small hardship grants. The Scheme doesn't provide cash, but can provide essentials for you and your household in times of need.
A grant might be to cover the costs of something like:
- a funeral;
- furniture and household appliances;
- essentials, like food and clothing;
- mobility vehicles;
- adaptations to your home for a disability; or
- help getting into rented accommodation.
But we'll carefully consider the individual needs in most situations, so don't hesitate to get in touch. However, you should be aware that we are not able to help with the following:
- where state assistance or statutory services are available
- repayment of business debts
- legal expenses, such as county costs and solicitors' fees
- loans, other than Property Repair and Be the Boss loans
- medical care.
Money Force
MoneyForce is a new programme designed to improve the financial capabilities of members of the Armed Forces.
The focal point of the programme is the MoneyForcd website www.MoneyForce.org.uk, created by the Legion working in collaboration with the MOD with funding from Standard Life Charitable Trust.
Where we do it
All services can be access via The Bristol Royal British Legion Advisors, which cover the following postcodes in Avon and Somerset:
BS1 - 16, BS20 - 32, BS34 - 37, BS39 - 41, BS48 - 49, BA1 - 3, BA11, BA22, TA1 - 2, TA6, TA23, TQ13.
The main office is currently housed Broad Quay House with all services offered on an outreach basis.
The Royal British legion will be opening an accessible 'shop front' in the Old Barclays Building in Bristol City Centre.
How to access
Benefits and Money Advice
If you require assistance with money issues, please contact an office directly using our full listing with phone and email details (in pdf format).
Immediate Needs Grants Scheme
You can call them on 08457 725 725.
Or email us at info@britishlegion.org.uk
Who is Eligible
We provide an outreach support service to anyone who has served for over 7 days in the armed forces or who has a family member who has.
After an initial assessment which can be phone based, at a mutually convenient place or home based, a plan of support will be created.
Select below useful downloads relating to this service
Education, training and employment
Overview
Adjusting to civilian life after a career in the Armed Forces can be very difficult, and although ex-Service personnel are often very disciplined, determined and great at teamwork, finding a job can be one of the hardest parts of leaving Service.
The unique challenges faced by Service families can also make it difficult for partners and dependants of serving personnel to start and maintain a career.
What we do
Having trouble finding a job?
Our Civvy Street website helps you build a CV, gives advice about interviews , tells you how to retrain and provides financial support to help you into a job.
The site also lists hundreds of current vacancies, and you can look for jobs aimed especially at ex-Service personnel - all in one place.
Click here for more information.
There is also funding available for support with accessing employment, education and training of up to £2500.
The Career Transition Partnership
The Career Transition Partnership was set up by the Ministry of Defence to provide eligible Service leavers with free, comprehensive guidance and information about life after the Forces.
They can help you with education, retraining and job opportunities, as well as with practical matters like finance, housing, pensions, training grants, education for children and employment benefits.
Regular Forces Employment Association
The Regular Forces Employment Association's aim, since 1885, has been to help those leaving the Armed Forces to find and remain in employment throughout their working lives
Their employment consultants can 'connect the dots' between military skills and the job market, and they understand what Service leavers are looking for.
Where we do it
All services can be access via The Bristol Royal British Legion Advisors, which cover the following postcodes in Avon and Somerset:
BS1 - 16, BS20 - 32, BS34 - 37, BS39 - 41, BS48 - 49, BA1 - 3, BA11, BA22, TA1 - 2, TA6, TA23, TQ13.
The main office is currently housed Broad Quay House with all services offered on an outreach basis.
The Royal British legion will be opening an accessible 'shop front' in the Old Barclays Building in Bristol City Centre.
How to access
You can log into Civvy Street by clicking here.
If you'd prefer to access Civvy Street's support and information services using the telephone, you can call our helpline for free on0800 169 4073.
Who is Eligible
We provide an outreach support service to anyone who has served for over 7 days in the armed forces or who has a family member who has.
After an initial assessment which can be phone based, at a mutually convenient place or home based, a plan of support will be created.
Accommodation
Overview
What we do
The Joint Service Housing Advice office
The Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) provides Service personnel and their families with information and advice on the increasingly complex range of civilian housing options.
The JSHAO provides a focal point for housing information and advice to all Service personnel and their families - in particular those about to return to civilian life, and to ex-Service personnel who are still in Service Families Accommodation.
Housing Support
Guarantee bonds 1st months’ rent or support with rent arrears are available by request and application.
Where we do it
All services can be access via The Bristol Royal British Legion Advisors, which cover the following postcodes in Avon and Somerset:
BS1 - 16, BS20 - 32, BS34 - 37, BS39 - 41, BS48 - 49, BA1 - 3, BA11, BA22, TA1 - 2, TA6, TA23, TQ13.
The main office is currently housed Broad Quay House with all services offered on an outreach basis.
The Royal British legion will be opening an accessible 'shop front' in the Old Barclays Building in Bristol City Centre.
How to access
Housing Support
To find out how to access housing support you can contact your local office or click here.
Financial Support
To find out how to apply for a guarantee bond contact your local office - 0117 905 8903
Who is Eligible
We provide an outreach support service to anyone who has served for over 7 days in the armed forces or who has a family member who has.
After an initial assessment which can be phone based, at a mutually convenient place or home based, a plan of support will be created.
Mental health
Overview
The Royal British Legion offers a number of services to support individuals who have suffered mentally and emotionally from either serving in the forces or a family member of a personnel.
The Royal British Legion recognise the being involved in combat not only affects those directly involved but family members of those serving or who have been lost in battle.
What we do
Volunteer Visitors
Volunteer Visitors are available to provide companionship to beneficiaries who are vulnerable, unwell or isolated.
If you've suffered a bereavement our volunteer caseworkers or visitors can also provide some basic information on bereavement services that might be available to you in your area.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress is a charity that offers free, dedicated treatment and support to people suffering from a psychological condition related to their Service career. This might be depression, anxiety, a phobia or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Where we do it
All services can be access via The Bristol Royal British Legion Advisors, which cover the following postcodes in Avon and Somerset:
BS1 - 16, BS20 - 32, BS34 - 37, BS39 - 41, BS48 - 49, BA1 - 3, BA11, BA22, TA1 - 2, TA6, TA23, TQ13.
The main office is currently housed Broad Quay House with all services offered on an outreach basis.
The Royal British legion will be opening an accessible 'shop front' in the Old Barclays Building in Bristol City Centre.
How to access
Volunteer Visitors
Our friendly helpline can tell you everything you need to know about our volunteer visitors. The number is 08457 725 725.
or use our online form to email us.
Combat Stress
Call our 24 Hour Helpline 0800 138 1619
Who is Eligible
We provide an outreach support service to anyone who has served for over 7 days in the armed forces or who has a family member who has.
After an initial assessment which can be phone based, at a mutually convenient place or home based, a plan of support will be created.