Services

Counselling

Member has counselled Member since the Association was formed. The process lies at the heart of Members’ shared experience, from traumatic injury, through recuperation and eventual stability. Such counselling, traditionally intuitive and effective that it may be, may not be adequate in all circumstances. The Welfare Team will arrange for that special extra and professional support if and when needed.

Advice

Advice covers many aspects of the disabled life and at many levels. We particularly pride ourselves on our knowledge of the War pension and the modern compensation scheme, and on all manner of social service allowances. The Association’s Welfare Department is well capable of representing Members and Widows at War Pension Tribunals.

Grants

Grants are made to help overcome disability or to make the disabled life that bit easier. The Welfare department assess need and grants are made in accordance with policy laid down by Trustees. Grants can cover, for example, help with provision of wheelchairs and Electric Propelled Vehicle, stair lifts, car adaptations and even help with the garden. We aim to ‘meet need with speed’.

Employment

Historically BLEMSA put much effort into persuading employers across the Country that disabled ex servicemen were an asset to be valued in the workplace. It promulgated training schemes and, with other like-minded groups, it persuaded Parliament and the Government of the day that legislation needed to be developed to assist this process. Today, the Association still strives to help younger Members to find employment.

Prosthetic Research

BLESMA does not fund prosthetic provision, believing as it does, that those who lose limbs for our Country must be provided for by the Country! In the past it lent weight and moved authority to research and to improve what the Country provided – against a backdrop of better provision elsewhere. Research, ever more expensive, goes on. BLESMA presently concentrates on helping young prosthetists develop intellectual skills at Undergraduate and PhD level.

Consumer Watchdog

BLESMA believes that prosthetics and disabled provision should be at a high standard and specification. It works closely with the industry and along with other disabled groups campaigns to ensure that the prosthetic consumer has choice and variety. Healthy competition and proper funding provision, on the part of the Department.