The new system of Welfare provision established by the Royal British Legion aims to make it more visible, relevant and accessible to the Armed Forces Community.

The Regional Headquarters is now established in its new home. Independent Living Advice, the Admiral Nursing Service and the Legion's Advice and Information Officers occupy offices in the New Street premises together with administrative staff.

The new walk-in centre, at street level, opened its doors to the public for the first time on Tuesday 12th August 2017. It is situated on the left-hand side of New Street (walking up toward the Town Hall) between Morrison's and Greggs.

Staff will be available to help visitors access the information they need, for example through the Royal British Legion's 'Knowledgebase' website.

How to get assistance

Anyone seeking assistance should first ring the Contact Centre - this is now a freephone number: 0808 802 8080, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. A member of the team will take initial details including the name and service number of the beneficiary, the name of the person requiring assistance (if different), the address and a contact telephone number. If you are phoning on behalf of someone else, you must have their permission to do so, or the Legion will not be able to proceed. Team Managers will collect details of clients in their area and appoint a case worker/manager who will then phone the client to arrange a personal visit. 

Our Brand New Outreach Centres

A new venture has been the establishment of Outreach Centres, where beneficiaries can seek advice from a Case Officer/Information Officer. At present these are in the following places in this area, but more are planned:

Age UK, Dudley - Every other Friday (Appointments only)
Sandwell Council Offices, Oldbury - A drop-in centre every other Thursday. Details on the Sandwell Council website.
Citizens Advice Bureau, Wolverhampton - afternoons as needed, appointments only
Citizens Advice Bureau, Walsall -afternoons as needed, appointments only
Age UK, Wolverhampton - Drop in service

New centres are being planned/opened. There will be an Outreach location map on the Royal British Legion website, and the client will log in their postcode to be directed to the nearest centre.

At present, assistance can be obtained from the Contact Centre or 'Knowledge Base' site.

Who we can help 

Beneficiaries include members of the Armed Forces Community (both serving and former members) their spouses/partners and any dependent children. Service in the Army Reserves (formerly called the TA) of one year or more should also qualify.

Other types of assistance we can help with

The Caseworkers and Information Officers can assist you to apply for the help you need and can advise on the many schemes offered by the Royal British Legion such as:

• Benefit & Money Advice
• Handyvan Services
• A range of resettlement, learning and work services
• Employment support grants
• Immediate needs grants which can provide anything from a fridge to a mobility scooter

A new system has now been established when applying for a Welfare Break. The Contact Centre now deals with all such applications. Clients should phone the Contact Centre on 0808 802 8080 and ask for an application form:

BC1 : Application to attend a Break Centre

AB1 : Application to attend a Royal British Legion Adventure Break

FH1 : Family Holiday Application Form

Once completed, the client should post it back to the address on the form.

Clients who wish to apply for a place in one of the Royal British Legion's six Care Homes, should contact the Matron of the Home, who will advise on eligibility and arrange pre-admission assessments.

For more information on the help available please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/can-we-help