RBLI still dedicated to improving lives


Established at Aylesford nearly a century ago to help servicemen returning from the Great War, RBLI has expanded and developed into a national charity at the forefront of care and commerce.


Royal British Legion Industries was created in 1919 to provide training and support for service personnel coming home after fighting for their country in World War I.


Known first as Industrial


Settlements Inc., it began by taking ownership of Preston Hall at Aylesford, where it specialised in providing superlative care to ex-servicemen suffering from tuberculosis.


In 1925, Industrial


Settlements was taken over by the Royal British Legion, and for this reason, still shares the name. Now familiarly known by its initials, RBLI is still based in the Royal British Legion Village. But it is now a separate charity which has grown into a large forward- thinking organisation with offices and factories around the UK.


However, the charity


prides itself on having remained true to its original purpose and is still providing training, support, care and employment to the armed forces community.


RBLI owns a number of purpose-built homes at Aylesford, including some reserved especially for veterans and their families and for service people repatriating from abroad.


The charity also now provides support, care


and employment for those disadvantaged by disability, a health condition or social welfare needs. This includes providing work in its factories, helping the unemployed back to work through government schemes and supporting the elderly through its award winning 50-bed nursing home, Gavin Astor House. The range of accommodation also includes Queen Elizabeth Court, a 40-flat home and assisted living scheme, providing care for veterans and their dependants.


Signs of the times


Whether you go by road or rail, you are unlikely to travel very far without passing a sign made at RBLI’s factory at Aylesford.


The charity’s long


history in the industry has helped to make it a leading manufacturer of a wide range of signs suitable for outdoor and indoor use, including road


Can you help If you would like more information about the RBLI, call 01622 795900 or email enquiries@rbli.co.uk


28 Mid Kent Living


traffic, place names, tourist information, health and safety and railways.


As a UK leading supplier


of railway trackside signs, RBLI worked on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link as well as the rebranding of several stations including Clapham Junction and Wembley Central.


Base Camp


Nine months after the people of Kent voted for the project to win the Big Lottery People’s Millions, Base Camp recently opened its doors.


Veterans, local


residents, students and community groups all came together to support RBLI in winning £50,000 to transform the old Doctor’s House into a community café and hub in the heart of the Royal British Legion Village.


Base Camp is open daily and brings together veterans and people living in the area to socialise and take part in various activities. The aim is to battle loneliness - reducing isolation among veterans and offering better integration with the wider community.


Why I feel very lucky Two years ago, Kate Bosley’s life was turned upside down by a cycling accident, which left her with a serious head injury. The mother-of four was left fighting for her life and unable to continue with the job she loved as chief executive of the Heart of Kent Hospice. Although her memory was badly scarred, Kate began steadily to recover and found that volunteering with RBLI at Aylesford helped her to begin rebuilding her life.


Kate hopes that her story will


help to inspire other people to join the volunteering scheme which RBLI launched this year.


“My biggest problem was social


isolation, said Kate. “I had a busy and fulfilling life. My four children kept me busy. I loved cycling and was passionate about my career.”


After an initial assessment, Kate


was simply asked to travel to RBLI by bus two days a week, say hello to the staff, and travel home again.


Gradually, she was given different


tasks which were achievable. “Because I am progressing, my role is still changing and I have been lucky enough to work in a few areas of the organisation,” she said.


“Wherever I have worked I have been treated with respect. My disabilities were taken into account but did not restrict me unnecessarily.”


Kate said that volunteering had helped her to combat the social isolation she felt, to meet people and be part of a team, and to develop and re-learn skills.


She said: “When I am well enough


to work, volunteering will improve my chance of employment.”


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