ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

https://counties.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/gloucestershire Both Charfield and Wotton have small RBL branches which are still welcoming new members, both are currently County Support Branches of Gloucestershire County RBL. With the interest in ‘Veterans on the Edge’ growing we hope to be able to grow the ranks of this charity and help use its funding to support the local area. Veteran on the Edge members are the RBL Standard Bearers and the show of support in both village and town is outstanding every year, so we know it is important to keep this link alive in our communities.

When the Royal British Legion was founded the branches in this area were some of the largest in the country. With the changing needs of the veteran community the RBL can sometimes be seen to not be as in touch with the community it serves however these local branches are still an important part of the community and funding for local veteran support needed more than ever. Membership of the RBL is £22 a year and local branches benefit when you join them. You can choose up to three branches to join when you pay your membership so we ask you to join both Charfield and Wotton as well as any others you chose.

Other active branches in the area are Thornbury and District, Badminton and Hawksbury and Dursley and Cam, all of whom actively welcome local veterans to their events whether or not you are an RBL member.

LINKS TO LOCAL VETERAN GROUPS

https://www.stroud.gov.uk/community-and-living/support-for-veterans-and-members-of-the-armed-forces/ Stroud Council is an Armed Forces Covenant signatory and is working hard to support our community. It holds quarterly meetings with local veterans’ groups and has several Forces Champions in the area. There focus is on housing for homeless veterans, access to work and leisure facilities.

CAM AND DURSLEY ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY –  https://canduafc.co.uk Large veteran Community which holds bi monthly breakfasts and other events including support sessions where national veteran support groups come to share insights on how they can help the community.

GCC ARMED FORCES SUPPORT – https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/your-community/the-armed-forces-covenant/  Gloucestershire County Council also has many routes for support and a large range of funding opportunities for registered charities and local authorities who support the military community.

FORCES CONNECT SOUTH WEST   – https://www.forcesconnectsouthwest.org.uk/2021/08/13/veterans-support-services-launched-in-south-gloucestershire Forces Connect South West is a developing partnership that provide services and support to the military community.  It is comprised of seven partner Local Authorities and is developing a regional forum, which will involve organisations from the NHS, Police, Ambulance and Fire, the Ministry of Defence – regular and reserve units of the RN, RM, Army and RAF.  Military Charities and support organisations and business, commerce and industry.

Veterans on the Edge, The Swan Wotton under Edge, 1st Saturday of the Month, 0930hrs

LOCAL VETERANS BREAKFASTS

Thornbury RBL, The Swan Thornbury, 2nd  Saturday of the month, 0900hrs

Cam and Dursley Vale Armed Forces Community, Dursley Tab, Upper Hall. 3rd Saturday of the month, 0930hrs, call 07749977191 or check on https://canduafc.co.uk

Blackshed Cafe, Slimbridge, 4th Saturday of the Month, starting at 0900hrs 

NATIONAL CHARITES WHICH HAVE LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES IN OUR AREA

SSAFA – SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMAN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION https://www.ssafa.org.uk/bristol-south-gloucestershire Our support covers both regulars and reserves in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force and their families, including anyone who has completed National Service. We know and understand the unique demands of service life, whether in the UK or overseas, and in times of need, we help to enable the Forces family to thrive.

WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/get-support/ Veteran employment and mental health support.

HELP FOR HEROES https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk Wide ranging support for veterans.

COMBAT STRESS https://combatstress.org.uk Mental health support for veterans and their families.