Kevan has received an update from The Royal British Legion regarding the Coronavirus and the support that they are providing to the Armed Forces Community:
Dear The Rt Hon Kevan Jones MP
At this difficult time, the Royal British Legion is working hard to ensure our vital services and support remain available to the Armed Forces community.
The health of our beneficiaries, members, volunteers and Legion employees is our priority. Following Government advice, we have made some changes to ensure we continue to both support and protect our community.
Support
The Legion continues to provide much needed support to the Armed Forces community, especially those who may be feeling more isolated than ever at this time, in a number of ways:
- The Legion’s contact centre remains fully operational to support the Armed Forces community and can be reached on 0808 802 8080 (8am-8pm, seven days a week) or at [email protected].
- The Legion continues to operate the Veterans’ Gateway along with a network of Armed Forces organisations. The Gateway supports veterans and their families across a range of issue including housing, employment and finances. Advisers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 0808 802 1212.
- Legion Branches are undertaking a range of activities to help the vulnerable in their communities, including operating a telephone buddy service to support vulnerable individuals and our wider community. The Membership team can be contacted at [email protected].
- Our Branch Community Support volunteers are exploring ways to provide remote support to beneficiaries.
- The Legion continues to operate its 6 care homes providing residential, nursing and specialist dementia care to approximately 450 veterans and their dependents.
In line with Government advice, the Legion’s 15 Pop-In Centres on high streets around the UK have now closed until it is safe to reopen them. All home visits have been suspended to protect beneficiaries, staff and volunteers, and we are finding new ways of connecting, with casework and support continuing. Following the announcement of stronger restrictions on everyday life, we have closed our Aylesford poppy factory and the National Memorial Arboretum. Additionally, we have strongly recommended that all Legion branch meetings and Member events are cancelled or postponed.
Remembrance events
With regards to the VE Day commemorations, the Legion has taken the difficult decision not to continue with plans to facilitate attendance for members of the Second World War generation at events in London for VE75. The Legion is working with the Government to develop alternative commemorations for VE Day.
The Legion has also taken the difficult decision not to continue with planned events in Bayeux to commemorate the 76th anniversary of D-Day. We are continuing to identify ways that we can still commemorate the anniversary of D-Day on Saturday 6th June.
Campaigning
Coronavirus is having an unprecedented impact across all statutory services, and those of charities. At this time our primary focus is therefore on supporting Service Personnel, veterans and their families, however they need us.
If there are any ways in which we can also support your work as elected representatives, such as with further information or constituency case work responses, please do let us know. If you wish to get in touch or have any further questions please contact us.
With best wishes,
Campaigns, Policy and Research Team
The Royal British Legion
199 Borough High Street
London SE1 1AA
Twitter: @PoppyLegion