Applying for assistance

The WRNS Benevolent Trust is a small Charity. We have no caseworkers of our own and therefore work mainly with the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association – Forces Help (SSAFA Forces Help), and their caseworkers call on any applicant on our behalf. They are discreet and knowledgeable, and can give friendly support and advice on a wide variety of matters. They complete a report, which is then put before our Grants Committee for consideration. All applications are treated with strict confidentiality and there is no need for anyone to know other than SSAFA, ourselves and of course the people directly concerned. Even the Grants Committee who consider each case are not given names or addresses, only a case number and the relevant details required in order to reach a decision.

Members of the Grants Committee (including those now serving in the RN) are all ex-Wrens, and give their time and assistance voluntarily. Although SSAFA Forces Help is our main source for caseworkers we do sometimes use other organisations. Members may apply to us for help direct or a relation or friend does so on their behalf. With the member’s consent we then contact the appropriate organisation in his or her area and arrange for caseworker to visit.

Regular Grants

Weekly Annuities

For those living on a low income who find they are unable to manage, these grants can make a significant difference when they are finding it difficult to make ends meet, or can help to pay for a few little extras that would otherwise be unaffordable.

Care Enhancement Grants

Where an ex-Wren is living in a Care Home, assistance may be considered towards any shortfall in top-up fees, or to a supplement to help eke out the meagre State Personal Expenses Allowance. On occasion, we can also consider assistance with fees incurred where an individual receives care in their own home

Amenity Grants

Regular installments to help towards the payment of bills, clothing or perhaps household goods.

All Regular Grants are reviewed on an annual basis, which means we are kept informed of the individual's welfare and can reassess their needs as required.

Other Grants

As well as the regular grants detailed above we award many 'one-off' grants. These can be to help with arrears or debts, removal or travel costs, convalescence care, education, household goods and repairs, medical aids and in some cases, funerals. There is an upper ceiling on these grants so if the total cost is beyond that, with the assistance of SSAFA Forces Help, we trawl other eligible charities for their help. For example, we may be unable to meet the full cost of a stair-lift or motorised scooter but an amount is pledged and the outstanding balance met by approaching other charities; the money is always raised somehow.

Applications for assistance can be made direct to the Grants Administrator (grantsadmin@wrnsbt.org.uk) at the Trust, or through SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) www.ssafa.org.uk or The Royal British Legion www.britishlegion.org.uk/can-we-help who have an extensive range of services available to help you.

Examples of how we have been able to help ex-Wrens recently:

Contribution to the cost of a riser/recliner chair
Contribution to the cost of a level access shower
Contribution towards a car with a special seat and wheelchair system
Grant for the transportation of a body for medical research
Grant for stair lift rental
Grant for a short respite break
Grant towards roof repairs
Grant for a new cooker

For more detailed information on our Grant making process, please download the file.
The Grant Making Process. (Adobe Acrobat PDF Download)

For more detailed information on how we have been able to assist members in the past please see our Annual Report and Accounts for 2010.
Annual Report and Accounts for 2010. (Adobe Acrobat PDF Download)

Some members are not in financial need but may need guidance on certain matters. If we are unable to answer their questions ourselves we liaise with the appropriate organisations on their behalf.

Thank You Letters

"I would like to thank the WRNS Benevolent Trust for the very generous grant of £1,300.00 towards my replacement boiler - it is very much appreciated and the work has been carried out. With many thanks for all the good work you do." An 86yr-old ex-Wren and (recent) RAF widow. The Trust was able to help with a grant towards the overall cost of £3,300.00, with this lady and her live-in son meeting the balance from their savings.

"I wish to write and thank you for the monetary award given to me to assist in the funeral costs of my late wife... It has been a very sad period in my life and that of our two daughters and four grandchildren. The award has without doubt made things a lot easier for us. Please keep up the incredibly good work you do, and again my sincerest thanks." The 58yr old widower of an ex-Wren who recently died aged 57 yrs.

"An enormous thank you to you all for helping fund a nursery place for my son during such difficult times." From the SSAFA Caseworker: "Thank you so very much for your generous and speedy help for this family. It is wonderful to be able to be a part of such a team effort." A 38yr-old former Wren, married to a civilian with no service connections. With five children, the latest only 18 months old, this client found herself in a psychiatric hospital for an extended period. While her husband's employer had been quite generous with the allocation of compassionate leave, we were able to meet half the cost of nursery fees for 3 months when he had to return to work, and in joint process with the RN&RM Children's Fund.

"Please thank everyone concerned from the bottom of my heart, in making my recent holiday at a Leonard Cheshire hotel catering for the disabled so absolutely, unbelievably magnificent. My holiday was magical, exciting, and restful beyond my 'lost for words' description! Everyone was so kind, friendly and caring in every possible way - I feel alive again, renewed... I now know that I needed a holiday but this was more than perfect. I have the memories for always - bless you everyone - you are all such wonderful people." An 84yr-old ex-Wren and Army officer's widow, who was in great need for a respite break. This lady suffers from a number of health issues is also wheelchair bound.

"I would like to thank you so much for the huge amount of money you have provided to do my offshore survival courses. The weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I will be eternally grateful to the Trust for enabling me to do these courses, and get my life back on track, and for the support I have received from all. My future is looking all the more bright thanks to the Trust." A 36yr-old single ex-Wren & ex-RN rating. She sought assistance with retraining after redundancy and we were able to meet the full cost of the training course, which will allow this lady to gain employment on offshore oil rigs, following her old service trade in communications.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for all the help you have given me to get new items for my new home. I am absolutely over the moon and can't thank you enough. I have been living here for about 8 weeks since leaving the flat I was living in before, where druggies put a 3-foot paving slab through my front window while I was out, so for 13 weeks I was so scared living there I used to sleep with a knife beside my bed. They stole my DVD player, camera and a trophy I had been awarded in the Royal Navy. Moving to this flat has been the best thing that has happened to me in years. With my new washing machine, fridge freezer and TV it is just the icing on the cake. I can't thank you enough." A 51yr-old ex-Wren and RN rating, single and suffering from bi-polar syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder, in addition to arthritis in her legs and hips.

"I am writing on behalf of my mother as unfortunately she is unable to write herself - she is nearly 90 and has very bad arthritis in her hands and legs. We would like to say how grateful we are to the WRNS BT and the RAFBF for providing her with the money needed to replace 2 of her windows and the front door. She is delighted with them and they will make such a difference - no more leaks or draughts - the old ones were pre-war! My father died over 30 years ago and she has lived on her own on a very small amount of money ever since. Thank you so much to everyone involved in securing the funds." The 62yr-old only daughter of an 89yr-old ex-Wren and RAF Officer's widow, writing on her mother's behalf.

"Just a few lines to thank you most sincerely for the generous amount of money sent to help me with the roof repairs of my flat. My dear husband and I saved for our retirement; it was unforeseen when my husband went down with Parkinson's of the worst kind. I had to spend most of the money that we had saved on him. He died after 12 years of suffering. I want to thank you so much for your help." An 82-year old former Wren and Army widow.

"I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and for your assurance that you do not expect this money to be reimbursed at any time. I had never expected such generosity considering the present economic climate, so this makes me appreciate this even more. Again, your comment regarding being able to contact you further should the need arise was most reassuring, although I sincerely hope this will not prove to be necessary. Finally may I also thank you for your best wishes - that too was very much appreciated." A 67yr-old former Wren recently living in Cyprus but returning to UK as she is suffering from cancer - as is her son, already living in the UK.

"Thanks to your grant, my wife has at last been able to get into the bath with the aid of a Bath Cushion. We thank you for your consideration and appreciate the gift in our hour of need." An 84-yr old ex-RM Bandsman on behalf of his 86-yr old ex-Wren wife - married for 45 years, this couple continue to support each other through much illness.

"I would like to thank the WRNS BT very much the very welcome money I receive via the Legion. It does ease things very considerably for me. Things in our beautiful country are easing up a bit. Shops are full of goods again, though mostly from South Africa, but at least we how have enough food. Thanks again to the Trust." An 89-yr old ex-Wren & widow, living in Zimbabwe where she has been resident for many years.