Royal Signals Association - Welfare

GENERAL

1. One of the objects of the Royal Corps of Signals Association is to provide comfort and relief either generally or individually to past and present Signallers and their dependants who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.

2. It is the responsibility of the Welfare Section of the Association Headquarters to control expenditure for the purposes of assisting signallers, their families and dependants and also the families of deceased signallers who are judged to be in need.

3. All welfare and benevolent matters are co-ordinated by the Welfare Secretary who is a member of the Regimental Headquarters Royal Signals. The present Secretary is:

Mrs Linda Sizeland
RHQ Royal Signals
Blandford Camp
Dorset DT11 8RH
Telephone: 01258 48 2089
Fax: 01258 48 2084 E-mail: welfare@royalsignals.mod.uk

ELIGIBILITY

4. There are no hard and fast rules covering eligibility for assistance, but the following are considered to be the most eligible:

a. All Signallers, including those who have held commissioned rank, who are serving or have served in the Corps either as regular soldiers or with the TA.

b. All past members of the WRAC who served with the Corps either as a regular soldiers or with the TA.

c. The spouses, widows or widowers, and children of all Signallers and past members of the WRAC who are serving or have served
with the Corps.

d. Individuals who may be totally dependant on Signallers who are serving or have served in the Corps either as regular soldiers
or with the TA. This includes past members of the WRAC.

ASSISTANCE

5. All applications of assistance are judged on their merits but in all cases the question of NEED is the most significant factor.
Some examples of the sort of assistance that can be provided are as follows:

a. Assistance with debts but NOT credit card debts or bank loans.
b. Purchase of items essential to a reasonable quality of life.
c. Funeral expenses - (limited assistance)
d. Education. (not tertiary)
e. Nursing/Convalescence Home fees through Army Benevolent Fund
f. Holidays/Respite (where there is clear NEED).

APPLICATIONS

6. All applications for assistance MUST be supported by an independent report from a welfare organisation such as SSAFA Forces Help,
Royal British Legion, Officers Association. These organisations have caseworkers who will complete the necessary application form and forward it directly to RHQ. RHQ Royal Signals cannot act without these forms.

7. The application chain is as follows:

a. Step 1 - Contact the Branch Welfare Officer if there is one.
b. Step 2 - Contact one of the following organisations:

(1) SSAFA Forces Help
(2) Royal British Legion
(3) Officers Association
(4) British Commonwealth Ex-Services League
(5) War Pensions Agency

c. Step 3 - If in difficulty, contact the Welfare Secretary in RHQ Royal Signals at Blandford Camp, 01258 48 2089.

PROCESSING

8. Applications are examined in RHQ Royal Signals and dealt with in relation to the amount of assistance being requested.

9. Awards are not made to individuals directly, but through the sponsoring welfare organisation.

HELP AND ADVICE

10. Help and advice can be obtained from the following:

a. Local SSAFA Forces Help Office See your local telephone directory

b. Local Royal British Legion Office See your local telephone directory

c. Local Citizens' Advice Bureau See your local telephone directory

d. SSAFA Forces Help.

Central Office
19 Queen Elizabeth Street
LONDON SE1 2LP
Tel: 0207 403 8783
Fax: 0207 403 8815

Web: www.ssafa.org.uk

e. The Royal British Legion

Royal British Legion
199 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1AA

Tel: 0203 207 2100

Web: www.britishlegion.org.uk

f. Officers Association

48 Pall Mall
LONDON SW1Y 5JY
Tel: 0207 930 0125
Fax: 0207 930 9053

g. Veterans Helpline

Norcross
BLACKPOOL FY5 3WP
Tel: 0800 169 2277

Web: www.veteransagency.mod.uk

h. British Commonwealth Ex-Services League

Haig House
48 Pall Mall
LONDON SW1Y 5JY
Tel: 0207 973 7263

Web: www.commonwealthveterans.org.uk