Recent News
Veterans urged: ‘be the boss’
More Service Leavers Urged to “Be the Boss” as Eligibility Restrictions are Lifted
The Be the Boss Programme has removed its eligibility restriction. The scheme is now open to all Service Leavers, regardless of their discharge date. Previously, only those who had been discharged from the UK Armed Forces since October 2001 were eligible.
Be the Boss (BtB) is a service offered through the Royal British Legion aimed at supporting Service Leavers to plan, fund and grow their own small businesses. Funded by the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Legion and its partner organisations will offer training in small business set-up, assistance in writing a business plan and financial forecast, funding to assist in the launch or growth of a business, periodic health checks and business mentoring to applicants from across the United Kingdom.
The programme consists of the following two types of funding:
- Business Grant – a grant of up to £7,500 can be provided for eligible applicants to assist with the costs of starting up in business.
- Business Loan – a loan of up to £30,000 can be provided to support businesses.
The Royal British Legion will also increase the support available to those choosing to participate in the scheme by including services providing business information, advice and guidance and mentoring support.
Anyone who has been discharged from the UK Armed Forces, looking to start-up or expand their own business in the UK may apply.
Interested parties are required to register on the Legion sponsored www.civvystreet.org website and submit a business plan, before completing the online application form.
Applications can be made at any time.
Wirral Veterans’ Contact Centre opens for business to coincide with Armed Forces Day
A detailed piece of the opening of Wirral Veterans’ Contact Centre from the Wirral local government website.
Wirral Veterans’ Contact Centre to be launched this week
WIRRAL will this week officially open a new unit to support past and present members of the Armed Forces and their families.
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The Wirral Veterans Contact Centre offers service personel and ex-service personel, as well as their families and relatives, advice and assistance on issues and problems relating to their transition in to the civilian world.
Who is a Wirral Veteran?
A Wirral veteran is someone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces or TA, we include all service personel, ex-service personel sailors, ex-sailors from the Merchant Navy and their families and relatives.
About us
Who we are?
The Wirral Veterans Contact Centre was launched in May 2011 with the support of Wirral Council.
The Contact Centre is for all service personel, ex-service personel, sailors, ex-sailors, including those from the Merchant Navy and their families and relatives.
The volunteers staffing the centre have first-hand experience of the unique issues and problems facing veterans and service personnel and their families. They have experienced the transition from a military or merchant navy life into the civilian world, making them best placed to offer appropriate advice and assistance.
“From personal experience, I know the kind of problems that people face and I wish a unit like this had existed when I retired from the Army.”
Simon, Ex Infantry, age 35.
We can help you
Our role includes providing practical advice and guidance for veterans and their dependants of all ages, backgrounds, and military services; importantly there is no minimum or maximum length of time since leaving the service to be eligible.
We are all veterans and it is very likely we will have experienced the same challenges and circumstances; get in touch for an informal chat to find out more about the services we offer.
We can provide you with one point of contact and signpost you to the services that will support you when you need them most.
“Don’t be afraid to get in touch, we are here for everyone. We all need a bit of advice and guidance at times, and we know more than most the difficulties you may face.”
Neil, Ex Royal Navy, Age 62.
It is hoped that the new service will provide a real lifeline to veterans and their families who have in the past faced problems getting support.
