Welfare

While the Riders Branch does not provide direct welfare support, we are here to connect you with the Royal British Legion (RBL). The Legion is dedicated to supporting serving personnel, veterans, and their families for life.

How to Get Help

Visit the RBL Welfare webpage or to discuss your needs, please contact the RBL Helpline by phone or by using the RBL online chat function:

  • Website: Click Here
  • Online Chat: Click Here
  • Phone: 0808 802 8080 (Free from UK landlines and most mobiles)
  • Hours: 8am to 8pm, every day
  • Republic of Ireland: 1800 992 294 (Free)
  • Overseas: +44 (0)20 3376 8080 (Standard rates apply)

What the Legion Can Help With

The RBL provides services to improve quality of life and promote independence. If they cannot help directly, they can often refer you to a service that can. Areas of support include:

  • Finance & Employment: Budgeting, grants, and finding work.
  • Independent Living: Support to stay in your own home longer.
  • Care & Respite: Residential care homes and short-term breaks.
  • Recovery: Physical and mental health support.

Who is Eligible?

Support is available to the entire Armed Forces community, including dependants and carers. The full list of eligible groups includes:

  • Serving and Ex-Serving Personnel: Those who received at least one day of pay and were aged 16 or over at the time of service.
  • Reserves and Auxiliaries: Current or former members.
  • Mercantile Marine: Those who served afloat in hostile waters.
  • Allied Civil Police: Current or previous full-time members of Allied Civil Police Forces.
  • Campaign Medal Holders: Those entitled to a campaign medal issued to the Royal Navy, Army, or RAF for providing direct support or serving under their command.
  • Voluntary Aid Societies: Members who served full-time and in uniform in direct support of the UK Armed Forces.
  • Allied Forces: British subjects who served at least one day in the Forces of an Allied nation during hostilities.
  • Resistance Organisations: British subjects who served in a resistance organisation of an Allied nation during hostilities in which the UK Armed Forces were engaged.
  • Home Guard: Anyone who served for at least six months (or three months in a Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit).
  • Defence Medal Recipients: Anyone awarded the Defence Medal for service in the Home Guard or a Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit.
  • Commonwealth & Gurkhas: Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK, and past or present members of the Brigade of Gurkhas and their families.