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The Royal British Legion has unveiled plans for growth to its suite of health and welfare assistance as it prepares to meet the expanding needs of the UK Armed Forces community in the coming decade.

The new plans for growing advice and assistance follow an evidence-led health and welfare strategy across the organisation as the nation's leading Armed Forces charity prepares for its second century of standing "Shoulder to shoulder with all who Serve".

"These reforms will bring the Legion closer to the Armed Forces, closer to the communities we help, and enable us to help more people in times of need," Director General Chris Simpkins told a national conference of Defence and charitable organisations gathered in London.

The reforms will increase the number and accessibility of help points nationwide where members of the Service community can turn for assistance, while reducing the number of fixed offices in inconvenient locations.

"We are a national organisation with local delivery and a community footprint. These reforms are aimed at bringing our assistance as close as we can to the point of need," said Dr Simpkins. "We will also undertake more work in collaboration with other organisations of like mind, giving more responsibility and decision-making to those directly involved with client care and representation."

The Royal British Legion spends £89 million - or £1.7 million every week - in direct welfare support to those who are serving in the Armed Forces, those who have served, and their dependants.

This represents a nearly 24 per cent increase on the previous year, and this growth in demand for its services show no signs of abating.

The proceeds of its annual Poppy Appeal help the Legion respond to calls for assistance, although its fundraising and charity work continue year-round.

The reforms will ensure delivery of a new health and welfare strategy approved by the Legion's Board of Trustees, which places greater importance on reaching vulnerable and isolated members of the Armed Forces community with a complete package of support at critical times in their lives.

Delegates to the conference were also told of the Legion's plans to work more closely with the Armed Forces charitable sector, sharing office space, resources and shared delivery of welfare services where suitable.

Growth measures announced at the conference on Services welfare include two new nursing homes and increased dementia care for elderly veterans, while a home handy-van service to assist independent living will be rolled out nationwide.

The Legion is meanwhile assisting wounded, injured and sick Service personnel through a £50 million grant to personnel recovery centres and a Battle Back centre for sports and adventure training.

Younger Forces families will benefit from two new adventure and family break centres, a new online financial advice and support package, and a single help point for Service leavers seeking civilian employment.

The £8 million Royal British Legion Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London was recently created to gain a better understanding of the injuries caused by roadside bombs and improve both treatment and the means of protection.

These services, and more, will be delivered through a network of help points supported by regional offices, while a digital delivery and contact centre is also being developed to access Legion support online.

"We have a wide and impressive support package offering through-life care for our brave Armed Forces and their patriotic families," said Dr Simpkins. "The challenge will be in raising awareness of what we offer and of connecting our support with those who need it."

The conference was told that reductions in Forces strength had combined with public service austerity measures and a sluggish economy to create a 'perfect storm' of need for the Forces family.

"The Legion needs to respond to this new reality based on the facts and best practice," said Dr Simpkins. "With these changes, we believe we've got it right."

While the Legion is also known for its Poppy Appeal, Remembrance and comradeship activities, he added that its campaigning and welfare would remain its top priorities for the coming decade.

"Last year, we achieved the historic step of writing the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant into law," Dr Simpkins said. "Our strategy is clear - we persuade Government to live up to its obligations to its Armed Forces, and we fill in any gaps that remain."

For more information on how the Legion helps, can be found here www.britishlegion.org.uk/can-we-help

For further information
Please contact Robert Lee, Head of Media and Campaigns
M: 07798 654 071 E: rlee@britishlegion.org.uk

Armed Forces families must be better supported to deal with the emotional and psychological impact of deployment, according to a report released today by Centre for Mental Health.

The report, Unsung Heroes, also calls for urgent research into alcohol misuse, domestic violence and the impact of mental health problems on the partners and children of Service personnel and veterans.

The report, which is supported by The Royal British Legion and the veteran's mental health charity Combat Stress, argues that while progress is being made to address the psychological needs of Service personnel and veterans themselves, the practical and emotional impact on their partners and children must also be taken into consideration.

Unsung Heroes examines the services already in place for families and identifies areas where more evidence, about both the need for services to support families and the effectiveness of these services, is needed.

Sean Duggan, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health said today: "Our most pressing concern is the paucity of UK research into the emotional needs of Armed Forces families on the 'home front'; which may mean that the needs of many families are going unmet.

"There is a very substantial body of research that highlights concern about the levels of alcohol use within the UK Armed Forces, yet little evidence about the impact of alcohol misuse on their families. It's vital that this kind of research is undertaken as soon as possible and that we evaluate the existing support to ensure that Service families get the help they need."

Sue Freeth, Director of Health and Welfare at the Royal British Legion said: "The Royal British Legion welcomes this latest research which is vital in being able to meet the needs of in-Service and ex-serving personnel, but also their families. These findings are supported by our own case work experience. Ensuring families receive joined up information, advice care, and support so they do not experience any disadvantage is vital."

Peter Poole, Director of Strategy, Policy & Performance at Combat Stress said: "Combat Stress specialises in working with veterans with mental health problems - providing crucial treatment, supporting the veteran in his or her recovery and helping them return to normal life. The report recognises the vital role that families can play in aiding their loved one's treatment and recovery from mental ill-health and in providing a stable home environment for serving personnel between deployments."

The Unsung Heroes report is available online here.

Following the launch last month of 8 payment by results pilot sites for drugs and alcohol recovery treatment services, the Payment by Results for Recovery Pilot Programme has now launched its online bulletin.

Supporting the implementation and development of the new payment by results approach, the bulletin will provide information about the pilots and give support to:

• current pilot sites
• their provider organisations
• non-pilot Drug and Alcohol Action Teams
• providers that are not currently involved in payment by results contracts but might be interested in developing local models

The bulletin also aims to engage with health professionals who are delivering drug treatment services within the NHS, police and crime commissioners who will hold the Drug Intervention Programme budget, specialist organisations and other interested stakeholders as the sector moves towards the introduction of Public Health England.

About the payment by results model

The payment by results model is a flagship government policy, highlighted in the 2010 Drug Strategy 'Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: Supporting people to live a drug free life'.

The aim of the Payment by Results for Recovery Pilot Programme is to redevelop drug and alcohol treatment services by putting recovery at the centre of drug and alcohol treatment.

Read the Delivering drugs and alcohol recovery bulletin

The Olympic Torch Relay, which will take place over a period of 70 days and visit more than 1000 local communities across the British Isles, is scheduled to reach the National Memorial Arboretum on Armed Forces Day - Saturday 30 June 2012.

Armed Forces Day was introduced in 2009 as a day for the nation to show its support and appreciation for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. Since then it has been commemorated annually at the Arboretum, which is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities.

The arrival of the Olympic Torch at 8.30am will start the Armed Forces Day commemorations at the Arboretum, for which a full programme of events and activities is planned. These include a moving Service of Tribute, musical entertainment, a variety of interesting exhibitions and special displays. 

After departing the Arboretum, the Olympic Torch Relay will continue to 16 other locations, including Streethay, Lichfield, Tamworth and Walsall, en route to Birmingham.

The Arboretum's chief executive, Charles Bagot Jewitt, said "The arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay at the National Memorial Arboretum will be a very special moment for our staff, volunteers, visitors and the local community. It seems fitting that it falls on Armed Forces Day, which is a key date in the Arboretum's calendar of commemorative events, and we hope that many people will join us to celebrate."

The Arboretum will open early to the public on 30 June to admit visitors for what is expected to be a very memorable event for the Arboretum and the community.

Media contact:
Kate Habberley, The Royal British Legion
T: 07943 333362 E: kate.habberley@talapr.co.uk

For more information on the National Memorial Arboretum, visit http://www.thenma.org.uk/

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has set out the Government's strategic objectives for the NHS Commissioning Board Authority and the basis against which the Authority will be held to account.

The Department of Health will hold the Authority to account for its performance against four strategic objectives, relating to:

• transferring power to local organisations
• establishing the commissioning landscape
• developing specific commissioning and financial management capabilities
• developing excellent relationships.

These objectives flow from the Authority's role to prepare for the establishment and operation of the NHS Commissioning Board.

The objectives will need to be delivered in the context of the Board's responsibility to contribute to the achievement of:

• improvements in health for the whole population
• better quality of care and outcomes for all patients
• increased value for the taxpayer through robust financial management and improved efficiency and productivity.

The objectives are relevant to the period when the Authority is operating (until October 2012), and also to the full NHS Commissioning Board when it is established, in its preparatory phase from October 2012 until March 2013.

From April 2013, when the Board takes on its full statutory powers, Ministers will set their objectives, on behalf of the Government as a whole, through the mandate.

Proposals for the mandate are currently being developed with the aim of consulting on them this summer.

See letter from Andrew Lansley to Professor Malcolm Grant, Chairman, NHS Commissioning Board Authority.