As one of only two Tri-service charities working with commissioned officers, we aim to support former officers and reservists, their families and dependants when needed. Rose has worked for the OABF as a Grants and Welfare Manager for over six years and shares an insight into her varied and rewarding role.

My role as a Grants and Welfare Manager is varied and rewarding, and no two days are the same. We need to be flexible and think on our feet as no two people and no two situations are alike. One day we may be helping somebody served with an eviction notice. Then, the next day, advising an officer’s family on residential care funding and liaising with their local authority to progress a care funding application.

Since August 2020, we no longer provide financial assistance to new applicants due to changes in the OABF’s funding. Despite this policy change, our work continues as we advise and support people with their enquiries and requests for help. We help facilitate applications to other military charities and provide signposting information and guidance where needed.

Who seeks help?

There is a common misconception that given the status of their former role, officers do not need advice or financial guidance. It is easy to overlook the needs of retired officers, yet they are as vulnerable to changes in physical and mental health and personal circumstances as the rest of us. Nor are officers and their families immune to life’s setbacks. Last year we supported 645 people through life-changing situations: redundancy, chronic illness, financial hardship and relationship breakdown.

We aim to provide a personalised approach when people approach us. Every case will have a dedicated Grants and Welfare Manager as a single and continuous point of contact. People do not need to tell ‘their story’ to different people, even within the same organisation, to get help. I find this is such an important part of our work and something that sets us apart from other organisations.

Our feedback from those we support tells us that people are reluctant to seek help and often do not know where to access support. We understand that people approach us at a difficult time in their lives and appreciate that upholding a professional and confidential service is crucial to helping them move forward.

Our Honorary Representatives

We are fortunate to have a strong network of volunteers working around the country and overseas to support our work. Honorary Representatives (Hon Reps) are the OABF’s trained volunteers who meet people when they wish to make a funding application.

Ordinarily, they work face to face, undertaking home visits but this is temporarily on hold because of Covid-19, and visits have been replaced with informal interviews over the telephone. They are often the friendly voice able to offer reassurance in a person’s time of need.

We find that widows/widowers frequently approach us for guidance to access support services. They may be struggling to come to terms with the death of a partner and experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation. We have learnt that contact with the Hon Reps and their Grants and Welfare Manager can provide welcome reassurance and a source of comfort and advice.