Who we are
The Royal British Legion is the UK’s leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependents. Nearly 15 million people are eligible for support from the Legion, and we receive around 300,000 calls for help every year. The call on our welfare work is increasing.
The Legion is one of the country’s largest membership organisations, with over 570,000 members, and over 3,000 branches nationwide. We also have 13,000 members overseas. Members get together through our network of clubs and branches all over the country, and can become involved in the welfare and fundraising work of the Legion. We welcome men and women of all ages, whether they have served in the armed forces or not.
The Legion was founded in 1921, as a voice to support the ex-service community. Although the needs of ex-Service people have changed over the years, the Legion is still here to safeguard their welfare, interests and memory. British service people are in action around the world every day of the year … if they need support in the future, the Legion is there for them.
What we do
The Legion is the major voice for ex-Service people throughout the year, campaigning on issues including Gulf War Related illnesses, War Pensions and Noise Induced Hearing Loss. We will continue to press for change as long as the needs of veterans and their dependents remain unrecognised.
We are custodians of Remembrance, ensuring people remember those who have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy. We are responsible for the Two Minute Silence on Remembrance Sunday and 11th November. We also organise the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, and assist with the march past at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
How we help
The Legion spends over £50 million every year providing a wide range of welfare assistance to the ex-Service community. From grant making to pensions to benefits advice; from counselling and job retraining to pilgrimages; and from home and hospital visits to the provision of full nursing care, the Legion is there to help.
In a typical year the Legion provides:
- Accommodation for over 400 people in one of our seven care homes around the country
- Welfare breaks for over 4,200 people in one of our three welfare break centres
- Home and hospital visits for the sick or housebound
- Information, advice and support for claiming war pensions
- Individual grants for those in need
- Practical assistance for widows and families to visit a relative’s war grave
- Employment for ex-Service people, many disabled, within the Legion and its related companies
- Advice and financial support to ex-Service people wanting to start a business
- Support for ex-Service people in finding jobs and courses to equip them for civilian life