WIREDGOV

The national freephone helpline, operated by Connect Assist, is enabling the RBL to provide tailored support to veterans and their families in Wales and across the UK. Trained advisors are available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week on 0808 802 8080.

The helpline is one of a number of initiatives the charity has recently launched in order to deliver services more effectively and holistically and reach more members of the Armed Forces community than ever before. This includes a new online information service and ‘Pop in’ Advice and Information Centres, which allows people to receive face to face advice.

One of the area ‘Pop In’ centres will be based in Cardiff where people will be able to visit the centre to receive practical help and advice and learn more about the wide range of services they provide. The office is due to open later this year.

Secondary offices are already established in Wrexham, Caernarfon and Swansea from where the Legion is delivering community outreach via trained staff and volunteers.

The Minister said:

"Wales has a proud tradition of military service and we owe our veterans an immense debt of gratitude.

"I’m delighted to have been able to visit the contact centre today to see how the new helpline, which is operated from here in Nantgarw, is providing valuable support and advice to veterans and their families in Wales and across the rest of the UK.

"The forthcoming opening of the ‘Pop in’ centre in Cardiff will be another huge milestone and I congratulate the Royal British Legion on their great work reaching out to more members of the Armed Forces community than ever before."

Phil Jones, Wales Area Manager at the Royal British Legion said:

"The Royal British Legion was delighted to welcome the Minister to our contact centre, in Nantgarw this morning to highlight our new way of working and to see for herself how it is helping us reach more members of the Armed Forces community than ever before. The Legion recognises that the profile of our beneficiaries is constantly changing and that we must continue to improve our services to reflect that need. That is why we have opened this facility with Connect Assist, to meet the needs of veterans and their families in Wales and across the UK by providing tailored support and advice when people need it. Having trained advisers available, from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, ensures that Service personnel, veterans and their families can access the advice and support they need at any stage of their lives.

"In addition, we are opening a new high street ‘Pop in’ advice and information hub in Cardiff, supported by secondary locations in Swansea, Caernarfon and Wrexham from where we are delivering our community outreach via trained staff and volunteers. This is an exciting time for the Legion in Wales and we are hoping people will want to join us, either by becoming members or volunteers, to support the Armed Forces community in Wales which has such a long and proud tradition."