RBLI Impact Report 2021-2022

IMPACT REPORT

We have focussed on recovery and ensured our building work can continue

INTRODUCTION

As has been the case with many organisations, this past year has been one of recovery for RBLI.

The pandemic placed substantial pressures on the services we deliver. Not only did the lockdowns fundamentally change how and when we delivered our support, but the pandemic undoubtedly had a direct effect on the lives of our beneficiaries and those we look to support.

Our older residents faced increased isolation, unable to see their families as frequently, while younger veterans, who have started their journey back towards independence at RBLI, faced disruption to the employment which has given them back their deserved sense of purpose. We saw a 45% increase in the demands for our services for homeless veterans.

Despite the challenge however, the whole RBLI team were determined to adapt and I’m pleased to say that we have continued on our mission to support those who are most in need. Our great charity is now not just back to pre-pandemic levels but we have achieved more in the past year to deliver on our strategic vision than ever before.

In 1919, RBLI’s founders wanted to set up a community which could support military veterans, no matter the conditions they faced. And whilst over recent decades, RBLI has substantially expanded its care offering, developing assisted living accommodation and care

homes to support older residents, care for the elderly has become increasingly complex.

Dementia has fast become the leading challenge in the social care sector, and we as a care provider owe it to those we support to tackle this challenge head on.

This year in May, this vision of our founders became a reality. We had the pleasure of welcoming The Lord-Lieutenant of Kent The Lady Colgrain to our Kent village to officially open Bradbury House. A result of a £3.5m development of care services, Bradbury House has become a leading dementia facility.

Meanwhile, our Centenary Village development has continued at pace. Recent weeks have seen the very first of our veteran residents progress through our village pathway, move into new homes and onto the next step on their journey to independence.

The completion of the Centenary Village remains our charity’s primary strategic goal. We now have little more than £3.11m to raise of the original £22m target we set ourselves just a few years ago. We would not be in the situation we are in without the unwavering support from our close friends and partners from across the public, private and third sector.

Importantly, however, we also owe huge gratitude to Her Late Majesty the Queen.

RBLI’s goal to support disadvantaged individuals has been as steadfast as ever

In what was her final visit to our home county of Kent, we had the pleasure of welcoming Her Majesty to our charity’s headquarters to launch the Centenary Village development in 2019. The Queen shone a spotlight on this nationally significant project and her sincere and unswerving support of the Armed Forces and the veterans community was felt by all that day. We are immensely proud to say that her legacy will live on through our village which will support the country’s most disadvantaged veterans for generations to come.

LISA FARMER Chief Executive

FOREWORD

BY STEVE ROWBOTHAM CHAIRMAN

Whilst recent years have been challenging for us all, RBLI’s goal to provide support to the country’s most disadvantaged individuals has remained as steadfast as ever.

As we reflect on another successful year of delivering our outstanding services, we remain committed to achieving our strategic goals.

Firstly, we must secure the funds necessary to complete the Centenary Village development which will see our great charity provide a home for another 100 years for veterans in need. This can only be done with further support from our friends across the philanthropic and private sector.

Underpinning our phenomenal care and accommodation offer must be a further tailoring of our services to reflect the increase in mental health challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensure we can support those with the most complex and varied needs.

Meanwhile, our social enterprises, which have thoroughly weathered the storm of the pandemic and now sail through calmer waters, will continue to expand, entering new markets, offering a more diverse product range, which will in turn allow for the employment of an even greater number of people.

Lastly, we will continue to establish the Tommy brand which has so proudly become a true national symbol of veteran support, representing RBLI’s leading care for military veterans and their families.

We have only been able to achieve our great successes with the help of others and it is only with this help that we can continue to do so.

STEVE ROWBOTHAM Chairman

OUR MISSION

TO FURTHER EXPAND OUR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMES AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ACTIVITIES TO HELP EVEN MORE PEOPLE TO CREATE LEADING VETERAN COMMUNITIES WITH THE BEST ACCOMMODATION AND A FULL PATHWAY OF SUPPORT TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE

TO FURTHER DEVELOP OUR WORK, HEALTH AND TRAINING BUSINESSES AND WORK WITH PARTNERS TO ENSURE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THRIVE IN THE WORKPLACE

TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FIRST-CLASS PRE-EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT TO THE MILITARY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE UK

TO BUILD A 21ST CENTURY SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT ACADEMY THAT SHOWS THE POWER OF SOCIAL VALUE

TO RAISE OUR PROFILE THROUGH FUNDING, SPONSORSHIP, AND EVENTS TO MAXIMISE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR BENEFICIARIES

We have worked hard to return our activities to pre-pandemic levels

KEY FOCUS

RBLI’s key focus over the last year has been to continue our recovery from the pandemic and continue our construction works for our unique and expanding veteran community.

RETURN TO FACE-TO-FACE SUPPORT

Many of RBLI’s activities changed significantly during the pandemic. Last year saw us put our efforts into returning our lifechanging face-to-face activities. This included the delivery of our employment courses and our social enterprise. Crucially, we have integrated many practices put in place during lockdowns which were of tremendous benefit to those we support.

CONTINUING OUR BUILDINGS

We continued our building projects at pace last year, including the Centenary Village development which will support hundreds of veterans every year for the next 100 years, and our refurbishment of Gavin Astor House , now known as Bradbury House, which is now a leading dementia facility for our older residents.

HOW WE HELP

RBLI LIVING

We specialise in employability support - particularly for those who are disadvantaged or have served their country.

We are also a leading care provider who supports military veterans, their families, and civilians no matter their age nor condition.

We provide homes for Armed Forces veterans and their families, at any stage of their life. Our accommodation can provide a temporary stepping stone or emergency cover for veterans and families, while they work towards independence. For others who need long-term support, we provide family housing, specially adapted homes for wounded veterans, an assisted living scheme and a highdependency nursing home with specialist dementia care. Residents are supported by our welfare team, via our holistic health and social care. They have access to benefits support, advice on managing health conditions and more, all designed to improve their overall independence.

EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT

Whilst a military charity at our core, we also put our industryleading employment expertise to good use for civilians who are long-term unemployed or face significant barriers to employment, including disability. We support people with disabilities across Great Britain, ensuring they are not disadvantaged when doing their job. We also provide employment support for veterans who are struggling on civvy street. In Kent and Sussex, our Employment Services teams work to support local people gain the skills they need for work, as well as helping them find sustainable, relevant employment or volunteering opportunities.

RBLI delivers a wide range of services, but fundamentally our aim is to help those we support overcome barriers and move towards greater independence.

LifeWorks is our unique awardwinning programme which supports veterans and the military community towards sustainable work and training. Delivered widely across the UK, now both face-to-face and remotely, it gives individuals the tools they need to find work and helps them better understand the job market on civvy street.

Courses and support are tailored to suit the requirements of those who need it and our specialist advisors are on hand throughout to help find an opportunity that is right for those who attend.

Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company is RBLI’s social enterprise providing vital employment to Armed Forces veterans and people with disabilities. The employment we provide gives them the necessary skills and support they need to regain their independence. Their skills and work ethic means we can manufacture highquality signs and wood-based products as well as deliver print, mail and fulfilment services, all to an exceptionally high standard.

Based at the heart of RBLI’s Kent village and at a second site in Leatherhead, BBMC offers a place where those who have left the Armed Forces and people with disabilities can become genuine industry leaders.

Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company opened in June 2019, situated in the Erskine Veterans’ Village Estate in Bishopton, Renfrewshire. The location has been famous for supporting Armed Forces veterans since the darkest days of WW1, when many service personnel returned from conflict needing lifelong care and support. Today, the Estate is a vibrant veteran community providing accommodation and care for veterans in a village environment. The factory boasts state-of-the art technology and provides jobs and support to those brave men and women adjusting to life outside the military. Some may be learning to live with an injury or disability, others may need support adapting to civilian life.

SCOTLAND’S BRAVEST

HIGHLIGHTS

RBLI’s focus has been on recovering from the pandemic. However, despite the challenges faced we were still able to support more than 8,500 people last year through our life-changing employment, welfare and housing support.

have continued the expansion of our village, with the Centenary Village constructions and Bradbury House refurbishments having continued at pace.

the £22m left to raise for the Centenary Village development.

rate for Tommy Club champions all over the UK.

plaques sold for the Queen’s Green Canopy.

face-to-face Lifeworks courses delivered across the UK.

our Access to Work customers satisfied with our service

media

more than

grew

2021 -

Charity values

WE BELIEVE IN DIVERSITY, BUILDING A UNIQUE COMMUNITY FOR ALL AGES AND ALL THREE SERVICESAND FOR PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS NO MATTER THEIR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES, OR SOCIAL BARRIERS.

Social responsibility

RBLI ACHIEVED A 7% DECREASE IN NET GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS (TCO2E)

Disability support

MORE THAN 6,800 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, HEALTH CONDITIONS OR OTHER WORKPLACE BARRIERS WERE SUPPORTED BY RBLI’S ACCESS TO WORK PROGRAMME.

THOUGH FUNDRAISING

These funds have been raised through a combination of our friends from the third and corporate sectors as well as our unwavering committed group of supporters all over the UK.

MANUFACTURING WITH A PURPOSE

Royal British Legion Industries’ two social enterprises, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC) and Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC), are the UK’s leading factories providing direct employment and upskilling opportunities to disadvantaged military veterans and people with disabilities. Together, the two factories employ more than 150 people – more than 70% of whom are disabled military veterans or civilians. Whether facing daily challenges due to physical disability, such as amputation, or hidden disability such as post-traumatic stress disorder or learning difficulties, those working at RBLI’s social enterprises are given the tools to change their own lives.

Whilst Royal British Legion Industries may have been providing employment, welfare and accommodation support to the country’s most disadvantaged individuals for more than 100 years, it’s within the last 12 months that its two social enterprise projects have had the most substantial impact.

Continuing sector-wide adaptation following Britain’s departure from the European Union left some in industry hesitant to commit and, due to potential regulatory changes, suppliers have often been unable to offer reassurances. This, coupled with the devastating impact of the pandemic, left RBLI’s social enterprises having to rapidly adapt to the new climate to ensure its leading delivery of social value continued.

We have continued to invest in machinery and in our teams

However, both BBMC and SBMC were quick to respond, going above and beyond their normal day-to-day operations to support their own beneficiaries and wider communities.

Their teams were proud to contribute to the pandemic response by manufacturing Covid-19 safety signage for the NHS hospitals, The Prison Service, and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

In addition, both social enterprises have been resilient in their approach to growth, ensuring that their beneficiaries have the greatest employment opportunities possible.

Recent investments, including a state-of-the-art Anapurna printer in the signs’ graphics department, has increased print production five-fold.

This expansion has enabled the development of excellent relationships with customers committed to social value in Scotland through the Scottish Government Supported Business Framework and Scotland Excel Framework working with organisations such as BEAR Scotland, Sir Robert McAlpine, the NHS, Forestry and Land Scotland as well as most recently Social Security Scotland.

Meanwhile, BBMC have continued their multi-million pound work as the sole provider of track-side signage for Network Rail, which has seen six physically disabled Gurkhas secure permanent employment.

SCOTLAND’S BRAVEST TURNOVER SINCE LAUNCH

total turnover for Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company since its 2019 launch.

DELIVERING SOCIAL VALUE: HAVING A DEMONSTRABLE IMPACT THROUGH OUR ACTIVITIES

Vocational training for disadvantaged Scottish veterans

RBLI’s social enterprise in Scotland, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company has a tremendous impact on the lives of its beneficiaries.

Over the past year, the factory secured new business such as producing safety signage for the NHS expanded its support to provide direct employment to the spouses of serving military personnel.

But now, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company is set to have an even greater impact on its beneficiaries,

thanks to the support of the Forces in Mind Trust.

SBMC is now able to deliver a manufacturing qualification programme, fully accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority for its beneficiaries. The programme has seen SBMC employ a full-time vocational trainer who will work to oversee flexible plans tailored specifically to suit individuals, as well as advise on career development, interview techniques and CV writing skills.

A team at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) will conduct an independent evaluation to examine the impact of attaining a recognised SQA qualification on long-term job prospects, confidence levels, work readiness, employability and the mental health of participants.

The project is expected to last three years and will support up to 60 ex-Service personnel.

£600k

in social value delivered through the employment of people with disabilities.

£900k+

£100k+

in social value delivered for Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company’s customer Bear Scotland.

£177k

in social value delivered by Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company’s Leatherhead site alone.

Shirley Morrison-Glancy, project lead at GCU, says: “The research team at GCU are absolutely delighted to be involved in such a vitally important project. The programme that Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company is proposing, enabling our valued ex-service personnel to gain accredited skills, has the potential to be of great benefit both socially and economically to many veterans and their families.

“We are hopeful that our evaluation will enhance the evidence base and support a widened access in the long-term.”

in social value delivered by just our social enterprises on an annual basis.

£300k+

in social value delivered by Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company through the hiring of people are long-term unemployed.

NEIL’S STORY

Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company provides meaningful employment to the country’s disadvantaged veterans and people with disabilities.

Neil McPhail left the Scots Guards in 1986. His service in the military led to social drinking on weekends and evenings, and ultimately a heavy alcohol dependence which resulted in the breakup of his marriage. In his 30s, Neil moved out of the family home, away from his two beloved sons and his life began to spiral downwards. Neil explains; “I was very good at getting through the day without a drink, then drinking after work. But when I left home, I just drank more and more until I was a full-blown alcoholic. It got to a point where there wasn’t night and day; there were periods of sobriety, semi-sobriety, and periods of darkness. It became a living hell.”

Neil lost his job and for the next 10 years attempted to quit alcohol by attending AA meetings, a place where he met his wife, Linda. “We had a great life together, but when she hit the bottle again, so did I. We weren’t drunk all the time – it was binge drinking.” One morning, Neil woke up to discover that Linda had died in the night as a direct result of her alcohol abuse. Neil admits “I was in total hell after that, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. I didn’t care whether I lived or died.”

Fortunately, one of Neil’s old friends, Liz, heard about his circumstances, regularly phoning Neil to check on his wellbeing. “She kept phoning me and kept an eye on me”, says Neil. One day, Liz realised that Neil had taken an overdose, and called the police. Eventually, Liz and Neil’s friendship turned into romance, and he started going to a drug and alcohol unit at Dykebar Hospital, commencing his road to recovery.

As Neil’s recovery progressed, he noticed an advertisement for a General Factory Operator at Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company. Neil, who was supported by his local job centre, said: “I can’t explain how much it’s given me, for somebody to take a chance on me – that’s never happened before. I’m still with Liz, and my sons have stuck with me through thick and thin. We have plans to move to Spain when my contract ends in the summer. I can do things like that now. Working gets your confidence back. I feel like I’m finally able to deal with life.”

Neil McPhail has been provided with direct employment at Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company. This, he says, changed his life.

“I can’t explain how much it’s given me - for someone to take a chance on me. That’s never happened before.

Now, thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund, he is a team leader.

I don’t know where I’d be without the support of SBMC

AFCFT SUPPORTS SPOUSES

THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT FUND TRUST

Thanks to support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust we have been able to provide support to military families through our Scottish social enterprise, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company under the Investing in Our Military Families Project.

Seventeen beneficiaries have been supported by the project to date, including the long-term employment of three military spouses.

The spouses and dependants have told us that SBMC has been a lifeline in providing routine and socialisation, particularly during periods of lockdowns and restrictions which we were still experiencing in Scotland during this reporting period. We have also remained in contact with spouses that have undertaken placements, continuing to support them and their families so that they will always have someone to turn to. For example, a spouse recently confided in us that her husband (a tripleamputee) was struggling with injuries sustained in service and the toll of subsequent operations, we are now in contact with him and have offered him the opportunity to return to SBMC.

The military spouses now working at SBMC full-time include Jasmine.

Fijian-born Jasmine joined Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company as the pandemic took hold. The former maths teacher, who worked in a secondary school on her home island for 18 years, was in the UK in November 2019 on a visiting visa to see her husband - an eight-year veteran of Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 Scots).

Then, as the country was plunged into lockdown, it became impossible for Jasmine to return to her home in the South Pacific.

But Jasmine got in touch with SBMC to apply for a role at the heart of the factory’s supply and dispatch centre. Since March 2021, as one of SBMC’s first military family members to join the team, Jasmine has played a central part in supporting the factory’s operations.

VETERANS’ FOUNDATION

THE VETERANS’ FOUNDATION SUPPORTING WELFARE AT SBMC

We have been incredibly fortunate to receive significant funding from the Veterans’ Foundation.

Veterans’ Foundation funding continues to play a huge part in the valued welfare support we offer our beneficiaries. Thanks to their support, Robert Lappin, Assistant Director - Welfare and Development, at our social enterprise Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, has been able to start active reengagement with many support agencies that have assisted SBMC and its veterans to date. It has also been an opportunity to gain further insight into additional welfare support for our beneficiaries and to work with corporate partners on realistic transition opportunities for these beneficiaries. We have also met with other companies with a similar “people focus” in order to share best practice and innovate.

An additional focus for this Assistant Director role has been in meeting with and recruiting new veterans and connecting with the wider military charity sector to reach the hardest to reach veterans and highlight the employment, volunteer and training opportunities we can provide at Scotland’s Bravest. During the last six months, Robert and his team have

been pivotal in SBMC taking on two new veterans on an employed basis, and four on a voluntary basis. Recruitment of two further employed beneficiaries is ongoing.

The funding has been crucial in creating permanent positions for four veterans and one veteran spouse, all have been made permanent during this reporting period. This has made a huge difference for these team members and transformed their outlook as they were incredibly anxious about finding suitable employment and losing stability and support, particularly given the cost-of-living crisis. They have been hugely valued employees and showed great commitment and resilience throughout the pandemic and we are proud to have them as permanent team members, acting as a support and role models to new beneficiaries. Some team members have even been able to plan international travel for the first time in a long time.

WORKING TOGETHER

Our social enterprises are commercially successful, socially thriving industryleaders. Thanks to significant investments in machinery - and in people - we have been able to expand our product offering and explore new markets to generate vital funds for RBLI’s wide range of welfare, accommodation and employment services.

Industry leaders from the highways sector have joined forces, pledging a commitment to provide more employment opportunities to disadvantaged military veterans by doing additional business with RBLI.

Our Kent-based social enterprise Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, employs more than 100 people – 70% of whom are veterans or have a disability – and produces more than 100,000 road signs every year for the country’s highways.

In January 2021, the social enterprise was host to giants of the highways infrastructure sector Amey, Chevron Traffic Management Ltd, Colas Ltd, Eurovia (UK) Ltd, and Highways Traffic Management. Together they discussed what more can be done by industry to provide a greater volume of work for the factory and other not-forprofit enterprises. All attending companies agreed to increase their spend with BBMC to enable us to continue to grow over the next three years.

RBLI is not just delivering social value to those we support, we’re leading the way in influencing business.

The discussion, chaired by Executive Director Commercial & Procurement of National Highways, Malcolm Dare, set out to develop an active working group with a view to drawing up plans for a procurement framework which allows social enterprises like BBMC easier routes to market.

Malcolm Dare, National Highways Executive Director of Commercial & Procurement, said: “Providing social value through up-skilling and job creation is a central tenet of National Highways’ procurement activities.

“As a government organisation, we are entrusted with public money to build and maintain the country’s strategic road network. In doing so, we look wherever we can to embed social value.

“But we know that delivering meaningful social value simply cannot be done alone. So we very much welcome the positive steps undertaken by the new working group and we look forward to working closely with them to better the lives of military veterans and people with disabilities who rightly deserve every opportunity life can afford them.”

JEFF’S STORY

Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company provides an opportunity for veterans to work alongside likeminded individuals, who together can become true industry leaders

Jeff has lived on RBLI’s Aylesford village for veterans for the last 20 twenty years. Over the past year, the former Queen’s Infantryman has become increasingly involved in producing a wide range of road and rail signage at Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company.

The former private who completed a four-year tour of Northern Ireland previously suffered with his mental health. Jeff said: “I knew that the way forward was helping myself, and part of that helping myself was meaningful employment. To get a ‘why’ - as in why get up?”

In the last year, Jeff began working in the vinyl area on parttime hours to ease him back into employment and help him develop the skills . After hearing of an available position in metal work, he then took the step to go through the application process and was successful.

As a result, Jeff now has a consistent income, is applying his newly-found skills in an industry-leading manufacturing centre, and working alongside his fellow veterans – many of whom share similar experiences from his time in the Armed Forces. Jeff said: “There’s days when it’s really challenging, but without a doubt it’s definitely been good. It’s really about helping yourself.”

“What’s good here is there’s plenty of support. If I go through down days, there is support here where maybe an everyday employer wouldn’t be able to give me that.”

“Prior to working here I spent a lot of time at home and I wasn’t really communicating”, but now working in the factory, the day-to-day communicating with people and the little bit of pressure as well definitely helps”.

“Working here helps my home life, and if I can get those communications skills here, I can use them at other places. My goals are centred around confidence, self-worth and well-being.”

Former infantryman in the Queen’s Regiment Jeff has lived on RBLI’s village for 20 years.

Having faced his challenges with mental health, we have now supported him back into employment. Jeff is now a vital part in RBLI’s signs team, working on projects for major infrastructure projects including for the National Highways supply chain.

If I can get those skills here, I can use them at other places

ONLINE SHOP

How RBLI’s online shop supported the late Queen for her 2022 Jubilee year.

RBLI has a deep association with Her Late Majesty the Queen and our charity’s entire community was deeply impacted by her passing.

We have had the pleasure of welcoming Her Majesty to our headquarters twice - the first in 1975 and the second in 2019, our charity’s centenary year.

Her Majesty was a great supporter of our work and a tremendous supporter of veteran causes. That is why we were so pleased to be so involved with her Jubilee celebrations earlier in the year.

Veterans in our social enterprise factories worked to create a Jubilee product range, consisting of bunting, lamppost signs, window stickers and place mats. These products sold in their thousands, raising more than £265,000 for RBLI while providing vital employment for military veterans.

We were then even more proud to be chosen to be one of just a few suppliers to produce the official plaques for the Queen’s Green Canopy - a tree planting initiative set up for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

With more than 2,000 plaques sold all over the UK, this raised more than £275,000 for our wide range of lifechanging veteran services.

After two years of operation, RBLI’s online shop has become a consistent revenue generator for the charity.

Following its 2020/21 success, which saw it control overwhelming market

share for VE Day products during the pandemic raising more than £1m for the charity, the online shop has diversified its product offering.

Through dedicated campaigns for the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, 2021’s Remembrance period and Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, the shop has been a driving force in RBLI’s general B2C product offering. This has generated more than £700,000 in revenue.

This has not only provided vital income for the charity, adding broader stability through increased unrestricted funds, but it also allows for more dedicated support of the factory’s beneficiaries through direct employment, and a wider range of job opportunities.

90%

More than 90% of people employed in RBLI’s Leatherhead social enterprise have some form of physical or mental disability

65km

Those working in our Leatherhead social enterprise produced and sold more than 65km of bunting for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company’s Leatherhead site was instrumental in producing the Jubilee products which sold in their thousands leading up to the Jubilee. The Leatherhead site employs civilians with physical and mental disabilities.

RBLI’s involvement in the Queen’s Green Canopy is providing vital upskilling and employment opportunities for disadvantaged veterans in our social enterprise factories in Kent and Scotland.

QUEEN’S GREEN CANOPY

Over recent years, our social enterprises, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company and Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, have continued to establish themselves as true industry leaders across numerous sectors.

And they received no greater vote of confidence in their capability than when they were formally commissioned to produce official plaques for the Queen’s Green Canopy project - a tree planting initiative set up for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The project encourages individuals and groups to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’ and will also see a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands created across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.

As part of the project, which will continue until March 2023, The Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain, graciously attended RBLI’s village to kickstart the charity’s involvement in the Queen’s Green Canopy.

The Queen’s representative for the county planted a bay leaf tree, alongside military veterans at the charity’s Aylesford village. The Lord-Lieutenant Lady Colgrain said “It was an honour to celebrate the tree planting ceremony alongside RBLI military veterans at the charity’s village.”

Lady Colgrain said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy project will have an unprecedented positive environmental impact, creating new areas of greenery across the UK which will last for generations to come.

“But it is not only future generations who will benefit from this tremendous campaign. The project will see vital employment opportunities provided to disadvantaged veterans through RBLI’s wonderful work.”

Our Scottish social enterprise also welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant of Renfrewshire to plant a veteran-made Queen’s Green Canopy plaque outside the Glasgow-based factory.

Colonel Peter McCarthy DL said: “It was a pleasure to be invited to plant the tree at Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company for the Queen’s Green Canopy.

“I am also immensely proud that the thousands of plaques produced for the Queen’s Green Canopy have been made here in the heart of Renfrewshire.

“Scotland’s Bravest provide an outstanding service to our nation’s veterans, helping them overcome the daily challenges they may face and move towards greater independence through rewarding work.

“For all those taking part in the Queen’s Green Canopy, I would encourage you to also mark this with a plaque made by Scotland’s Bravest.”

CENTENARY VILLAGE

Whilst the pandemic created challenges for the Centenary Village campaign, thanks to committed new funders, the nationally significant project has moved forward at pace.

RBLI’s Centenary Village, based on Hermitage Lane, Aylesford, is a £22m development which when complete will see the charity provide a home and welfare support to hundreds of disadvantaged ex-servicemen and women every year for the next 100 years.

The site, due to formally open later this year, will comprise adapted apartments for veterans in urgent need, new family homes, and a further 24 assisted living apartments for older veterans. Future construction will also see a state-of-the-art community centre with accessible gym.

BAE Systems has pledged its support of the project – as well as the charity’s ‘move on’ care pathway model which helps progress homeless veterans from the charity’s emergency accommodation into its more independent housing.

“It is no secret that military veterans can face immense challenges upon leaving the Armed Forces, or perhaps even many decades later. It is vital that people are there for them to provide the support they deserve – and that’s what RBLI do.”

This project has received incredible support including a £100,000 donation from BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector based in Rochester, U.K.

Last year, construction of the Centenary Village continued at pace to ensure that we will be there for military veterans for generations to come. The late Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, launched the project. Thanks to the spotlight she shone on the campaign, we have just over £3m left to raise.

The Centenary Village is a nationally significant project

PROVIDING A COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

Construction has continued at pace, with a new assisted living accommodation home called Greenwich House and a new block of adapted apartments called Sapper House. Without the support of our committed donors, we simply wouldn’t be at this stage today...

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity have proudly supported the Centenary Village by funding a lounge in the development’s new assisted living accommodation.

That accommodation, called Greenwich House, is so called for Greenwich Hospital who donated £2m to support the project.

The project has also been supported by the Oak Foundation - a global funding body which addresses issues of social and environmental concern.

The Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust, which supports projects helping the most disadvantaged communities in Kent, has also provided significant funding to continue the development.

Thanks to the ongoing support of these donors, and many more, RBLI’s Centenary Village will provide a home for hundreds of veterans every year for the next 100 years.

Over the past year we have invested more than £7.8m on the Centenary Village development which when complete will include £8m of investment in older care. This progress has only been possible thanks to the unwavering support of our partners and donors.

Move on Homes Apartments

Family Homes

Assisted Living

KENT CAMPAIGN BOARD DRIVES CAPITAL FUNDING

Over the last year, we have seen tremendous support from a newly-established campaign board headed by the Lord Colgrain.

Last year, the Lord Colgrain hosted a House of Lords dinner, welcoming philanthropic individuals, including Defence Minister Baroness Goldie DL. At the dinner, former head of the British Army and President of RBLI’s Tommy Club General the Lord Dannatt spoke inspirationally about the importance of suicide prevention.

The Kent Campaign Board have been incredibly successful in furthering the aims of the capital campaign, working to help raise more than £1.4m to bring the project so close to completion.

JAY’S STORY

After joining the RBLI village, veteran Jay has had the opportunity to refocus his attention, learning horticultural skills under a programme which has improved his mental health.

After an 11-year service career, which included two tours of Afghanistan, Jay turned to alcohol on in his return to civilian life and sadly found himself homeless. Today, thanks to support from RBLI, Jay is on a route back towards independence, living in his own apartment the Centenary Village and gain new skills and work experience.

CENTENARY VILLAGE RESIDENT JAY LEARNS VITAL NEW SKILLS

After serving 11 years in the Army, which included two tours of Afghanistan, Jay found it difficult returning to civilian life. He faced challenges with severe mental health issues which saw him selfmedicate with alcohol and sadly left him homeless.

Jay moved to RBLI’s village, joining the charity’s unique holistic welfare support programme STEPIN, which provides tailored support to village residents, giving them the tools they need to move back towards greater independence.

“When I left the Army, I found it a totally different lifestyle.” said Jay. “To cut a long story short, I just started picking up the drink and it just massively escalated.

“I became an alcoholic - but with the help of RBLI, I got through a detox. It’s been a massive help.”

All RBLI veteran residents are provided with meaningful activities to help promote mental wellbeing, and improve their direction in life, ranging from therapy to gardening. Crucially the activities available not only improve mental well being, but are geared towards upskilling our veterans so they can develop team working and practical skills.

For example, Jay took advantage of the opportunity to travel to near-by Great Comp Garden (pictured left) to practice in horticulture as part of a programme supported by ABF The Soldier’s Charity. Here, Jay worked alongside a team of veterans and horticulturalists to create a whole new bamboo garden.

“For me, I find it very therapeutic. All people are different, but for me, it worked wonders.”

I became an alcoholic but with the help of RBLI I got through it.

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

More than one century ago in 1919, RBLI’s founders came together to create a unique village to provide life-changing support to country’s most vulnerable military veterans – no matter their age and condition.

103 years later, the charity remains true to this original vision. Today, RBLI’s 75-acre Kent site provides an intergenerational community to more than 300 disadvantaged veterans and their families from all over the UK.

Crucially, the village operates an effective model which sees residents able to move through a care pathway comprising emergency accommodation, family homes, assisted living homes and two luxury care homes, as their care needs increase.

This process is supported by RBLI’s unique, holistic welfare support model, STEP-IN which sees the charity’s on-site dedicated welfare team produce a bespoke plan, tailored to support the individual

As RBLI continues to expand its care and housing offering, our model remains the same. We always aim to move our residents towards greater independence.

We have invested £8m in older care for our residents

in overcoming any challenges, such as drug and alcohol misuse, financial difficulty, family breakdown, life-changing physical injury and mental health challenges including PTSD. Over the past 12 months, 98% of working age veterans participating in our village welfare model, STEP-IN have been supported to tackle social isolation.

However, despite the leading care and housing provisions already in place at RBLI, the founders’ vision was to establish truly care provisions where no matter the challenges faced by residents they are supported in a single place, by a single team. And over the past year, RBLI has worked to make that vision become a reality.

In early June, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain, formally opened Bradbury House –RBLI’s new £3.5m dementia facility which will now see the charity able to provide expert leading care to those facing challenges with dementia symptoms for the first time.

This latest development completes what we call “the full care pathway” which ensures that veterans and civilians in urgent need can now move seamlessly through a single care system, irrespective of their age and the challenges they face in later life.

Whereas once older residents requiring specialist dementia care would have had to move away from the village and people they love – a heartbreaking event for both resident and family –now residents, even with the most challenging and complex needs, can remain under a single care system.

This development is the culmination of a committed four-year strategy of work which includes resident needs analysis conducted with the University of York and providing expert dementia training for all care staff as well as the charity’s Senior Management Team.

The completion of Bradbury House is RBLI’s first step in putting its more than 100 years of social care experience towards battling this evergrowing issue.

THE STEP-IN MODEL

However, it’s not only older care in which RBLI specialises.

RBLI provides immediate support to homeless veterans - particularly those who face additional challenges such as drug and alcohol dependency, financial difficulty, family and relationship breakdown and mental health conditions.

Our STEP-IN programme is an holistic welfare support programme which helps individuals overcome significant barriers to employment and housing - as well as helping them take steps to improve their well-being and physical well-being.

In the last year alone, we saw an increase of 45% in our demand for our emergency services for homeless veterans. This is a national crisis and requires immediate attention which is being directly tackled by our building the Centenary Village project.

However, it has been vital that we have been able to support those who need it now, until this project is complete.

Through the STEP-IN programme, we work with a wide range of mental health practitioners including PTSD Resolution who provide one-toone and group support. This year, they have played an extremely important role in supporting with family repair for those on our Aylesford village.

OF DEMENTIA SUPPORT

The World Health Organisation warns the number of people suffering dementia is expected to double by 2030. Current estimates are that there are more than 20,000 people living with dementia in Kent - RBLI’s home country - alone.

Bradbury House, so named for the £350,000 provided to the project by the Bradbury Foundation, was previously a 50-bed care home called Gavin Astor House.

As part of the ongoing works undertaken by RBLI over the past year, it has been entirely reconstructed so that residents can move in safety throughout the entire ground floor, and now features a new central courtyard garden, larger lounge and dining areas to support vital social interaction and family visits, and themes areas which promote mental stimulation and conversation.

Thanks to support from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, the new home also features a dining area where residents can enjoy their meals in a peaceful environment where people can socialise.

This development, and RBLI’s ongoing investment in older care, completes our Kent village’s full care pathway which ensures that veterans and civilians in urgent need can move seamlessly through the our care system, no matter their needs.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Kent Lady Colgrain said: “Dementia is such a disorientating and distressing condition. It’s important we do everything we can to improve the quality of life for people with this incurable disease.

“More and more people are living with dementia symptoms. It can have a severe impact not just on individuals, but on entire families. I am so delighted that dementia care is now available on the RBLI village. This facility will change many lives.”

FUNDRAISING

Our communities are at the very heart of what we work to achieve at RBLI. Only by connecting with our supporters and further growing our base can we achieve our goals of supporting more of the country’s disadvantaged military veterans and people with disabilities.

During the pandemic, we had to significantly change our community fundraising programme, shifting to a digital activity model, where we put to use the online space. We’re proud to say that our supporters mobilised online in their droves and generated much-needed funds for our services.

And over the past 12 months, we have continued in this same vein. We relaunched our successful Great Tommy Sleep Out campaign, which worked to raise vital funds for homeless veterans. During the pandemic we saw a 45% increase in the demand for our homeless services and so we had to act fast to tackle this ever-increasing issue.

We were incredibly encouraged to see campaigns such as this either retain or even surpass the participation levels seen during the lockdown, highlighting how invested our supporters are to raise vital funds for our charity.

Community fundraising activity has also utilised third party events, such as the London Landmarks Half Marathon which in the last year saw 64 RBLI participants – double the year prior.

However, as the pandemic came to a close and the country opened up, RBLI did reengage with physical events. In the run up to November 2021, Lambeth Palace hosted a special Remembrance service in aid of RBLI’s Tommy Club – our national supporters club which raises vital funds for military veterans.

Meanwhile, the charity also capitalised on a flourishing partnership with football club Leyton Orient, who identified a professional fixture and dedicated it as a Remembrance fixture. There, veterans and volunteers from across RBLI were mobilised outside the ground with collection buckets to take donations from attending fans.

Our communities have been key to helping RBLI continue to grow our supporter base and raise more through our fundraising.

SPEARHEADED BY TOMMY

Without doubt, our fundraising ventures simply would not be as successful were it not for the strength of our Tommy figure. As the home of the Tommy, we recognise the immense responsibility we have in our custody of this now nationally significant icon. And this has been put to use in no better place than the Tommy Club, which now has an almost 80% re-subscription rate after accruing thousands of supporters all over the UK.

More than 13,000 people took part on the Great Tommy Sleep Out last year, sleeping out for more than 15,000 nights collectively. The campaign raised more than £350,000 for RBLI’s services for homeless veterans.

Founding Patron: TV presenter Raj Bisram speaks in front of Tommy Club Champions at an event recognising their ongoing support for military veterans through the national supporter’s club.

UNITING SUPPORTERS THROUGH TOMMY CLUB

its 2020 launch,

Launched during the national lockdown, Tommy Club is a great way to support our Armed Forces veterans.

Our Tommy Club Champions, who currently number 1,500, are spread across the length and breadth of the UK and the numbers continue to grow. This year has seen hundreds take part in fundraising events including the Great Tommy Sleepout where 11-year-old Joshua, our youngest Champion, raised an incredible £10k+ over two years by sleeping out for 100 nights. Another Champion has taken on a 15-month challenge of undertaking one event every month for 15 months ending in December 2023.

Tommy Club Silver Champions, those who raise over £100 in a year, as well as corporate supporters and Founding Patrons came together at a wonderful event on RBLI’s village in September 2022, to see the impact of their support and to take the opportunity to remember the lifelong service and sacrifice of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Also this year, Tommy Club is very excited to have been chosen as a front of shirt charity partner for table topping League Two club Leyton Orient. Tommy Club was chosen for a second consecutive year by ambassador, Harry Kane, further supporting our mission to provide

ongoing support to vulnerable veterans across the UK. The Tommy Club logo will feature on the O’s away kit for the 22/23 season and the club have worked closely with RBLI in their involvement with VE Day celebrations, a special Remembrance fixture and a Partners vs Partners match. They also joined RBLI fundraising campaigns for Falklands 40, The Great Tommy Sleep Out and the London Landmarks Half Marathon.

Tommy Club has brought together

the UK who

vital funds for military veterans.

club inspires the craziest challenges including a marathon

and a

skydive.

Above: England captain Harry Kane proudly displays the new Tommy Club Leyton Orient 22/23 away kit. This is the second season running that the London club has featured the Tommy Club on their matchday kits as part of our ongoing partnership.

RBLI INSPIRES

HARRY KANE

HARRY JOINS FORCES WITH LEYTON ORIENT ONCE MORE TO SUPPORT TOMMY CLUB FOR ANOTHER SEASON

Tommy Club Founding Patron Harry Kane has renewed his partnership with Leyton Orient Football Club, seeing RBLI’s famous Tommy return to the League Two side’s match-day shirts for the upcoming season. The flourishing partnership has already seen representatives from the O’s support RBLI through the Great Tommy Sleep Out, the London Landmarks Half Marathon and a Falklands 40 fundraising campaign.

Harry Kane said: “I am thrilled to continue the support for military veterans by having the Tommy Club in this special partnership.

“I am a proud ambassador of this charity which provides much needed welfare support to help veterans overcome challenges both physically and mentally and know this spotlight can make a real difference. Together we can improve the lives of our nation’s heroes.”

Josh Stephens, Head of Partnerships at The Harry Kane Company, said: “Tommy Club is an amazing charity doing amazing things for their beneficiaries, some of whom have become household names here at the club. RBLI veterans Steve and Alan, alongside so many of the Tommy Club team, have made such a big impact on so many here at the club. The challenges they have faced are truly harrowing, yet through the support of the incredible Tommy Club team they have not only come through them but they are making such positive impacts on our communities.

“Thank you and a massive thank you to Harry, who continues to be a great leader and role model to many.” Ten percent of proceeds from the shirt sales will go directly to supporting RBLI’s services.

Emma Nugent, Assistant Director of Strategy, said: “The partnership between Leyton Orient and Harry Kane is unique, and we’re immensely proud to be featuring on the Club’s match day shirts once again for the 22/23 season. Both Harry and Leyton Orient showed us truly outstanding support last season, working with us to raise life-changing funds for the country’s most disadvantaged veterans and to raise awareness of the Tommy Club. Every penny raised through this wonderful partnership goes directly to support those who are most in need, so there’s even more reason to wear this great club’s shirt with pride next season.”

I am thrilled to continue the support for the Tommy Club.

A PARTNERSHIP WITH SERIOUS IMPACT

Barratt Developments

As RBLI delivers such a wide range of products and services, supporting a variety of different disadvantaged beneficiary groups, we very much work to develop multi-level partnerships.

There is no better an example than Barratt Developments who over the past year have given significant further support to RBLI’s Kent village.

Their support has enabled us to expand a lounge at our existing assisted living accommodation Queen Elizabeth Court, allowing residents to enjoy a greater dining space, for communal eating, meeting with friends and family and important activities which retain their independence.

In addition, we are proud to have opened a new dementia garden thanks to the house builder’s coveted graduates programme, who first developed the concept for the garden back in 2020 before fundraising for the project and carrying it out until completion.

The partnership mobilises shared values, and complementary skills and expertise, to confront the challenges of veteran homelessness. Put simply, the partnership delivers new homes, mental health support, entry level jobs, and personalised employability services for ex armed forces personnel.

The partnership also evidences Barratt Developments’ commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and enabled RBLI to kick start a truly transformational project. As a result 1.2 hectares of land is now being transformed into purpose built and adapted homes as a supportive community for homeless Armed Forces veterans, bringing to life RBLI’s Centenary Village plans.

The partnership has also developed far beyond a major gift; Barratt’s social investment into the charity includes advice, skills and expertise to build upon RBLI’s strengths. This high level strategic support has enabled the charity to bring out new products, and deliver financial savings which RBLI simply could not have achieved by itself.

As a result RBLI and Barratt are able to support many more veterans who are facing complex challenges including long-term unemployment, homelessness and mental health needs. By delivering the Centenary Village, veterans are able to completely transform their lives with access to safe accommodation, employment support and sustainable work for the long term.

£100k

raised for RBLI’s new dementia garden in the newly-refurbished Bradbury House.

£750k

was also provided to RBLI’s Centenary Village development which was under construction last year.

SIGNS

RBLI’s social enterprise factories also work with Barratt Developments to produce commercial signage for their sites.

25

University leavers join Barratt Developments’ Graduates Programme every year.

Senior representatives from Barratt Developments joined RBLI residents to open a new dementia garden created and funded by budding young stars on their Graduates Programme.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

THE GREAT TOMMY SLEEP OUT

RBLI’s Great Tommy Sleep Out returned this past March to raise vital funds for homeless veterans - and with more than 13,000 people from all over the UK taking part, this proved to be the charity’s most successful online fundraising campaign to date.

More than £350k has been raised by an amazing army of hardy individuals who gave up their comfort to sleep outdoors for a night in March. Some braved a whole month under the stars, including two schoolboys and a Royal Logistics Corps veteran.

One participant, Andrew Banks, took to the streets of Brigg in Lincolnshire with nothing but a cardboard box, a pillow and a sleeping bag. Despite being a martial arts instructor, Andrew felt very vulnerable – particularly when a fight broke out outside a bar nearby.

It is hard to imagine that so many of our nation’s heroes are forced into rough sleeping and face cold, danger and deprivation every day.

The Great Tommy Sleep Out is designed to raise funds and awareness for over 6,000 veterans that are experiencing homelessness in the UK right now.

We are so grateful to everyone who gave up their comfort for this event. The money raised by the efforts of so many fantastic participants will help

us to give more homeless veterans a roof over their heads.

Thanks to funds raised from The Great Tommy Sleep Out last year, more than 60% of the homeless veterans who needed our emergency support were able to move into more independent housing on our Aylesford village, or now live totally independently.

Funds raised have also been used to improve the courtyard area in our emergency accommodation, as well as purchase vital fitness equipment for the 33 previously homeless veterans we are supporting.

RBLI’s inaugural 2021 Great Tommy Sleep Out saw more than £250,000 raised with more than 4,000 participants from all over the UK.

Joshua Partridge, 11, pictured left, has slept out for more than 100 nights to support the cause.

Last year, Joshua ended last year’s campaign as the highest single fundraiser - losing out overall only to a group of Army cadets. In total he has raised more than £9,000.

Joshua said: “No one that has fought for our country deserves to be on the streets. If I can do something I really enjoy and raise money at the same time that will make a difference, then that’s a no brainer for me.”

If I can do something to make a difference - that’s a no brainer to me.

SPOTLIGHT ON

THE FRIENDS OF RBLI - RIDE WITH A VETERAN

This summer saw RBLI’s local MP Tracey Crouch sound the klaxon to kickstart a 240km charity cycle ride which saw a group of 40 travel through the battlefields of the First World War to raise vital funds for disadvantaged military veterans.

Organised by RBLI’s Friends group, Ride with a Veteran takes place every summer and this year saw participants cycle more than 240km through mainland Europe before arriving at Belgium’s iconic Menin Gate war memorial in time for a ceremonial playing of the last post.

The ride saw the group cross the channel by ferry before continuing through mainland Europe to reach the renowned monument.

Tracey Crouch MP said: “I am a close supporter of RBLI. They provide genuinely lifechanging support to those who need it most.

“They have created a community which has touched us all in some way. But most importantly this community touches the lives of those who need their support.

“That’s why events like Ride with a Veteran are so important - they raise vital funds for the great work that goes on here.”

JOIN THE TOMMY CLUB

A COMMUNITY SUPPORTING THE

For a yearly subscription of just £15 a year, you can join the Tommy Club and provide much needed support for veterans. Anyone is welcome to join and become part of our incredible community. You will be helping to change the lives of vulnerable veterans in return, you will receive exclusive Tommy Club benefits.

The funds raised through Tommy Club have been providing welfare support to help veterans regain their independence and overcome challenges caused by physical or mental disability, drug or alcohol dependency, and unemployment.

RBLI runs a diverse village providing adapted apartments, nursing care and emergency accommodation for homeless veterans, as well as employment opportunities in our unique social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC). Every Tommy Club welcome pack is made and sent to you by veterans in our on-site factory. Simply by joining, you are helping create meaningful employment for those that truly deserve it.

RBLI’s transformational Lifeworks programme has proudly supported more than 1,000 veterans and military family members over the past year.

The nationally-delivered course postponed its face-to-face delivery during the pandemic, moving instead to a online, remote support model.

Since then, the course has returned to its physical delivery whilst keeping elements of the remote service to support those who need it most.

Royal Navy veteran Nick now suffers from severe arthritis, and issues with his spine, hips and joints. He said this left him severely lacking in confidence. However, after undertaking a face-to-face Lifeworks course in March, his job-searching efforts have been reinvigorated.

Nick said: “I walked out of the Lifeworks course smiling. It was a massive confidence boost and I should have done it ages ago.”

Lifeworks successful programme for the families of serving personnel is set to return to its four-

day programme next month, offering prolonged remote courses to those in need of support.

Lifeworks was first established in 2011 to provide support to military veterans in need of employment support. However, RBLI quickly put their expertise to good use, creating Lifeworks Families to provide similar tailored support to the families of serving personnel whom often face unique barriers to employment, such as frequent relocation and longterm unemployment.

During the pandemic, the face-to-face delivery of the two programmes was temporarily suspended. However, recent months have seen it reborn with a course for veterans delivered in Hull.

Meanwhile, the Lifeworks team have been updating the Lifeworks Families programme, focussing on ‘coaching for change’ and CV tailoring.

The new programme went live in its first 4-day remote course in July, while Lifeworks for veterans delivered its second face-to-face course in Manchester during the summer.

Lifeworks has supported more than 1,000 military veterans and military families members over the past year.

79%80%

Lifeworks delivered 80% of its scheduled face-to-face courses last year, with only those cancelled due to covid.

83%

More than 80% of beneficiaries who move through he Lifeworks programme move into employment or workrelated activity in 12 months.

A new online platform which will make it easier for Lifeworks beneficiaries to find exclusive employment opportunities has also gone live.

The new Hub will signpost delegates of the successful employment support programme to new job vacancies as well as provide resources to help veterans unlock their potential and get back into the world of work.

In its first week of launch, it saw more than 60 delegates sign up to see what job opportunities were available to them.

Head of Lifeworks Steve Parrott said: “The new Hub will make employment opportunities for Lifeworks beneficiaries much more accessible, providing a streamlined route to their career.

“As we continue our return to face-to-face delivery of the Lifeworks programme, it’s vital that those we support have every avenue available to them to become successful after undertaking the programme.”

Almost 80% of those who successfully complete the Lifeworks programme have some form of disability.

Lifeworks is a also proud to announce it will undergo a year-long evaluation highlighting key successes and learnings of the award-winning programme. The evaluation, due to be published in 2023, will identify key areas of delivery and work to inform the programme’s future structure to ensure that military veterans and their families are provided with the optimal support as they look to enter the world of civilian employment.

vital that those we support have every avenue available to them

EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS

by the European Social Fund and

National Lottery Community Fund

Whilst a military charity at our core, we have always worked to apply our industry-leading employment expertise for civilians. Whether it is supporting those already in work who face daily challenges to remaining independent, or helping individuals overcome barriers to securing employment, we are always keen to support as many people as we can.

Our Employment Solutions division does exactly this through the delivery of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Access to Work programme and Building Better Opportunities, supported by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. In total our Employment Solutions department has provided support to more than 7,000 people over the past year.

Over the past 12 months, the Employment Solutions division has consistently hit KPIs in the delivery of these contracts – importantly at a time when face-to-face delivery of the programme was restricted or unavailable.

Our delivery of in-work assessments for people with disabilities as part of the Access to Work programme was as successful as ever, turning in a very impressive year of results to March 2022. More than 6,800 people with disabilities, health conditions or other workplace barriers were successfully supported by our professional team in this last year. Our customer support team recorded outstanding performances for efficient contact and appointment booking, hitting 100% on one key indicator for four months out of twelve.

Meanwhile, our holistic needs assessment team consistently exceeded 99% of reports being fit for purpose throughout the year, demonstrating the extraordinary level of quality delivered on scale.

Our Employment Solutions division also saw successful delivery of the Building Better Opportunity Projects, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund/European Social Fund. More than 580 people were provided with direct support last year, while more than 60% of referrals exited the programme into work – the preferred route – or into training upon completion. This is especially impressive when considering that more than 55% faced barriers to employment due to disability.

Our Employment Solutions team has been helping individuals into work for nearly 30 years. Now as the job market faces looming challenges, the team’s industryleading skills are needed more than ever.

people are supported by our Employment Solutions support services team.

of BBO referrals exited the programme and moved into meaningful work.

of BBO referrals face barriers to employment due to some form of disability or health condition.

Employment Solutions has consistently hit KPIs across the DWP and BBO contracts.

A hearing-impaired former carpenter who was unemployed for five years due to his health conditions has set up his own business after receiving help from RBLI’s Employment Solutions team.

Martin Johannesen’s hearing had been so severely affected due to long-term employment as a lathe operator, he was told by his doctor that if he continued to work in loud environments, he would lose the little hearing he had left.

In 2021, Martin met with Keri Brown, an RBLI progression coach based in Dartford. Due to the pandemic, Keri conducted her meetings via the telephone assisted by Martin’s brother John.

During their meetings John spoke of his penchant for making intricate wooden cars. Keri saw the potential for Martin to set up his own business, selling his models at craft fairs, markets and online.

Keri introduced both brothers to the Employment and Enterprise Officer at West Kent Housing -

together they provided support with securing work tools, packaging and a printer financed by the National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund.

Martin successfully established his business in March of 2022.

We have supported more than 7,200 people this year

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