The charity for serving and retired Royal Signals soldiers and their dependant family. Adding value to Corps life, providing Swift and Sure support for those in need.
Royal Signals Charity
Royal Signals Charity, beyond benevolence. Adding real value to Corps life
Many Royal Signals’ soldiers support the Royal Signals Charity through the Day’s Pay Giving Scheme. Some of this money goes to helping Signallers in hardship, need or distress but money from the Day’s Pay Giving Scheme is also used to add value to life in the Corps – through sports, adventurous training, events, heritage, awards and so much more – officially termed ‘Corps morale and efficiency’. Soldiers of higher rank, namely Sergeant and above, and all Officers, pay an additional extra percentage on top of the one-day’s pay to support mess life. You can find out more about the Service Day’s Pay Giving scheme here.
Monies raised through fundraising activities is used purely to support the benevolence aspect of our work. Legacy Gifts may be used to fund any aspect of the work of the RSBF, though specific bequests can be made.
The Royal Signals Charity Supports approximately two new benevolence cases every working day
Grant Giving
£1 million of benevolence in the past 3 years
It is impossible to predict who may suffer hardship or distress, or when or why. So it is crucial the Royal Signals Charity is there to help when needed. In the past three years we have granted approximately £1 million to serving or retired Signallers / dependents in situations of hardship, need or distress. This is possible thanks to the generosity of Day’s Pay giving, fundraisers, sponsors and Legacy donors. Together with the stirling case work done on our behalf, we have brought comfort to hundreds of Signallers / their dependendants.
With fewer serving soldiers – which impacts on days pay – now more than ever your support of the Royal Signals Charity is invaluable.
Benevolence
Helping close to 600 soldiers every year
More than a third of benevolence recipients are aged 65 or older. One case in ten is for a serving soldier.
As a grant making charity the Royal Signals Charity does not do casework but does work closely with charities who do. Once a need has been established the caseworker will approach the Royal Signals Charity (and potentially other charities too) for a grant to provide funds for those Royal Signals Soldiers / dependants who are in situations of hardship, distress or need.
The Royal Signals Charity deals with approximately two new cases every working day. One benevolence request does not preclude others.
Rapid Response
Releasing funds in 24 hours
When a Signaller in need contacts us for help, we will signpost them either to their unit or to one of our partner charities – The RBL, ABF, SSAFA or Officers’ Association. These are the charities who look after our casework. Where funds are required the caseworker will approach the Royal Signals Charity on behalf of the signaller/ their dependant with whom they are working.
The Royal Signals Charity is able to respond rapidly to requests (via caseworkers) to relief hardship or distress.
If there is a death in service, or an urgent request, we aim to make a payment to units or to caseworkers within 24-48 hours.
How to apply for assistance or support
All applications for assistance must be supported by an independent report from a welfare organisation such as SSAFA, The Royal British Legion or Officers Association. Organisations such as SSAFA and the RBL have caseworkers who will complete the necessary application form then forward it directly to HQ. Unfortunately HQ Royal Signals is unable to act without the relevant forms.
Step 1 – Contact the Branch Welfare Officer if there is one.
Step 2 – Contact one of the following organisations:
- SSAFA.
- The Royal British Legion.
- The Officers Association.
- British Commonwealth Ex-Services League.
- War Pensions Agency.
Processing of applications
All applications for support are examined by HQ Royal Signals. The way applications are dealt with varies according to the amount of assistance requested but we always try to respond speedily to requests, especially where the need is urgent and time is of the essence. Please note that when The Royal Signals Charity makes awards the money is not given to individuals directly but through the sponsoring welfare organisation such as SSAFA. In the past this has sometimes led to confusion about where the funding has come from. As a result of this confusion we now write to those who receive a grant from The Royal Signals Charity so they are aware of our support. Receiving a grant from us on one occasion does not preclude further help from The Royal Signals Charity but each request must be dealt with by a caseworker.
Step 3 – If you are in difficulty, or are unsure about steps 1 or 2, please contact:
HQ RSIGNALS Grant Co-ordinator is: Mrs Linda Sizeland HQ Royal Signals Blandford Camp Dorset DT11 8RH Telephone: 01258 48 2089 Fax: 01258 48 2084 E-mail: rsbfgrantscoord@royalsignals.org
Useful Contacts
Help and advice can be obtained from the following: Your local SSAFA Office – See your local telephone directory or google.
Royal British Legion Office – Or see your local telephone directory.
Local Citizens’ Advice Bureau – Or see your local telephone directory.
SSAFA Central Office 4 St Dunstan’s Hill LONDON EC3R 8AD Tel: 0207 403 8783 Fax: 0207 403 8815 Web: www.ssafa.org.uk
The Royal British Legion Royal British Legion 199 Borough High Street London SE1 1AA Tel: 0203 207 2100 Web: www.britishlegion.org.uk & www.rblscotland.org.uk
Officers’ Association Mountbarrow House 12 Elizabeth Street LONDON SW1W 9RB Tel: 0207 808 4160 Web www.officersassociation.org.uk
Veterans UK – Veterans Agency Tel: 0808 1914218 Web: www.veterans-uk@.mod.uk
Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League Haig House 199 Brough High Street LONDON SE1 1AA Tel: 020 3207 2413 Web:www.commonwealthveterans.org.uk