Branch Community Activities

Branch Community Support Application Form

Raising Awareness of Branch Community Support

As a branch member, you can play an important role in raising awareness of Branch Community Support (BCS) and helping members of the Armed Forces community access companionship and support when they need it.

Supporting BCS Through Your Branch

BCS is most effective when it is closely connected to local branch activity. You can help by talking about the service with fellow members, sharing information at branch meetings and events, and directing individuals to further information where appropriate.

Using Branch Events and Activities

Many people who could benefit from BCS attend branch events, social gatherings, remembrance activities, and other community engagements. These occasions provide valuable opportunities to have conversations, identify individuals who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation, and raise awareness of the support available through BCS.

Encouraging People to Access Support

If you meet someone who may benefit from BCS, encourage them to contact the RBL Contact Centre directly, or support them to do so. Referrals can also be made by family members, friends, carers, or other organisations where appropriate. All referrals and assessments must follow the official RBL referral process.

Promoting BCS Responsibly

When discussing BCS, always signpost individuals to the Contact Centre and avoid making commitments about the support that may be provided. Support can only be arranged following the appropriate assessment and referral process.

Working Together

Raising awareness of BCS is a collective effort involving branch members, volunteers, Membership Teams, and the wider RBL network. By promoting the service and encouraging referrals through the correct channels, we can help reach more people, reduce loneliness, and strengthen support across the Armed Forces community.

Promotional materials

To help recruit Branch Community Supporters, we offer a range of promotional posters and leaflets that can be ordered through your Membership Engagement Officer or the BCS Team. Materials designed to raise awareness of BCS within the wider community are also available on request.'

As part of their role, Branch Community Supporters provide companionship through telephone calls, home visits or meetings within the community. While these interactions are an important part of supporting beneficiaries, the safety and wellbeing of BCS Supporters must always remain a priority. By following lone-working guidance, remaining aware of potential risks and knowing when to seek support, BCS Supporters can help ensure that every interaction is safe, positive and rewarding for everyone involved.

Before a Visit or Call

Before undertaking a call or visit, BCS Supporters should take time to plan ahead. This includes confirming arrangements with the beneficiary, ensuring a mobile phone is charged and accessible, reviewing any known risks, and making sure someone is aware of the planned activity and expected return time. Taking these simple steps can help BCS Supporters feel prepared and contribute to a safe and positive experience. 

During Visits

BCS Supporters should remain aware of their surroundings and trust their instincts at all times. Where possible, they should position themselves near an exit and remain alert to any changes in the environment or the beneficiary's behaviour. If a situation causes concern or feels unsafe, BCS Supporters should leave immediately and inform their Membership Engagement Officer (MEO).

As many Branch Community Support activities are carried out independently, BCS Supporters should follow lone-working guidance at all times. This includes sharing plans and expected timings with a trusted person and checking in once an activity has been completed. To help reduce risk, BCS Supporters should travel safely, keep their phone accessible, avoid displaying valuables, and avoid isolated or potentially unsafe locations wherever possible. 

Difficult Situations and Emergencies

Occasionally, BCS Supporters may encounter challenging situations or behaviour. In these circumstances, they should remain calm, communicate respectfully, avoid confrontation, and create space where necessary. If something does not feel right, BCS Supporters should remove themselves from the situation and report their concerns promptly.

If an emergency arises, BCS Supporters should call 999 immediately and move to a safe location. Once the situation has been resolved and any emergency support provided, the MEO should be informed so that appropriate follow-up support can be put in place.

Support and Wellbeing

The safety and wellbeing of BCS Supporters is a priority. If a BCS Supporter has concerns about their personal safety, professional boundaries, or a difficult interaction with a beneficiary, they should seek advice from their MEO or contact the BCS Team. Support is always available, and BCS Supporters are never expected to manage concerns alone.'

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Branch Community Support (BCS) Supporters may work with individuals who are vulnerable due to age, health, isolation, or personal circumstances. The role of a BCS Supporter is not to investigate concerns, but to recognise potential risks, respond appropriately, and report concerns through the correct channels.

Responsibilities of BCS Supporters

BCS Supporters should:

• Be alert to signs of abuse, harm, or neglect.
• Listen carefully and take concerns seriously.
• Report concerns promptly.
• Respect the individual's views and wishes wherever possible.

BCS Supporters are not expected to:

• Investigate concerns.
• Prove that abuse has occurred.
• Resolve safeguarding situations themselves. 

Recognise – Respond – Report

Recognise

BCS Supporters should remain alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect, including unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, financial concerns, poor living conditions, fear, anxiety, or increasing isolation. 

Respond

If a beneficiary shares a concern, BCS Supporters should:

• Remain calm and listen carefully.
• Reassure the individual that they have done the right thing by speaking up.
• Avoid promising confidentiality.
• Avoid asking leading questions. 

Report

Any safeguarding concerns should be reported as soon as possible. BCS Supporters should:

• Inform their Membership Engagement Officer (MEO) within 24 hours.
• Follow any advice provided by the MEO or Safeguarding Team.
• Report concerns to the care team immediately if a beneficiary lives in a care home and then inform their MEO.

Immediate Risk

If a beneficiary or another individual is in immediate danger or at serious risk of harm, BCS Supporters should:

• Call 999 immediately.
• Inform their MEO or the BCS Team as soon as it is safe to do so. 

Types of Abuse

Abuse can take many forms, including:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Financial abuse
• Neglect or self-neglect
• Domestic abuse
• Discriminatory abuse 

During Calls and Visits

BCS Supporters should remain observant for changes in a beneficiary's mood, behaviour, circumstances, or living conditions. If something causes concern, observations should be recorded and reported without delay.
While confidentiality is important, safeguarding concerns take precedence where there is a risk of harm. BCS Supporters should:

• Share only relevant information.
• Share information with the appropriate RBL contact.
• Avoid discussing concerns with anyone outside the organisation. 

If there are concerns that confidentiality has been inappropriately breached, BCS Supporters should contact the BCS Team for advice and support.

Driving

If you drive a car in connection with your BCS activities (commuting to and from), it is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid driver’s licence, MOT and that you have appropriate insurance as you will not be covered by the RBL’s vehicle insurance. You do not need business vehicle insurance, and most insurance companies will extend their policy to cover volunteering activities at no additional charge. Unfortunately, RBL cannot reimburse costs incurred. You must not take the person you are supporting/visiting out in your vehicle; should you do so you will become personally liable in the event of an accident.

Expenses

As a BCS volunteer, you are eligible to claim certain expenses and access resources to support you in your role. All claims are processed through your local branch, so please check with them before making any purchases.

Travel expenses – You can claim reasonable travel costs incurred while carrying out your volunteer role, whether travelling by public transport or using your own vehicle. Mileage rates are available here:

Public Transport

The relevant second-class rail, tube, bus.

Driving

Cars - 55p per mile for the first 10,000 miles in each tax year 25p per mile thereafter.

Motorcycle - 24p per mile.

Bicycle - 20p per mile.

The advisory rates for fully electric cars are 7p per mile for home charging and 15p per mile for public charging. Hybrid cars are treated as petrol or diesel for the purpose of advisory fuel rates.

Refreshments During Visits

If you are meeting a beneficiary in a café or community venue as part of your Branch Community Support role, you may claim the reasonable cost of a tea, coffee or other non-alcoholic drink for both yourself and the beneficiary. Shared refreshments can help create a relaxed environment and support meaningful conversation and companionship.

Please note: Alcoholic beverages cannot be claimed as part of Branch Community Support expenses.

Welcome gift for beneficiaries – To help build rapport, you may provide a one-off welcome gift for your beneficiary of up to £50. We recommend waiting until you have got to know them and their interests before making a purchase. Suitable gifts might include a crossword book, flowers, or a favourite treat, particularly where a small gesture could help reduce feelings of isolation. Please retain receipts for reimbursement through your branch. All expenditure must be recorded as BCS spend and comply with the BCS Guide. This allowance is not intended for initial visits and must not be used as a substitute for welfare support; where a welfare need is identified, a referral into welfare services and consideration of a crisis grant should be made instead.

BCS-branded clothing – To help you represent the service when visiting beneficiaries, you may purchase BCS-branded clothing through the RBL online shop. Please check with your local branch before ordering any items to ensure costs can be reimbursed by the branch.

Home and Hospital Visitor Role Profile

Telephone Buddy Role Profile

An Introduction Presentation

Members interested in becoming a Branch Community Coordinator (BCC) can follow the steps below to get started. The BCC role is designed to support branches in strengthening community engagement, promoting branch activities, and helping to capture and report the positive impact being made locally.

1. Discuss the Role with the Branch Committee
   Before applying, members should discuss the BCC role with their Branch Committee. This is an opportunity to consider the benefits the role could bring to the branch, how it would complement existing committee activities, and how the BCC can work effectively alongside committee members.
2. Complete the Application Form
   Once the Branch Committee is supportive of the role, the member should complete and submit the BCC application form.
3. Application Review
   The BCS Team will receive and review the application.
4. Branch Chair Confirmation
   The BCS Team will contact the Branch Chair to confirm they are happy for the member to be assigned as a Branch Community Coordinator. Once approval has been received, an RBL email address and ID number will be provided.
5. BCC Training
   The new BCC will be invited to complete the Branch Community Coordinator training on Discover, providing the knowledge and resources needed to undertake the role effectively.
6. Begin Supporting the Branch
   Once established in the role, the BCC will work with the Branch Committee to support community engagement and branch activities. The BCC will also be responsible for submitting a monthly return on behalf of the branch, including:
   • The number of events delivered by the branch
   • The number of local touchpoints and community engagements
   • The number of funerals attended by a Branch Standard Bearer
   • Any positive branch news stories or highlights
   

This reporting helps demonstrate the positive work being carried out across branches and supports county-level visibility of local impact.

Important Information

A Supporting Role

The Branch Community Coordinator role is not intended to replace any existing branch committee function or position. Its purpose is to encourage and support branch activities, promote positive engagement within the community, and help capture and report the valuable work being undertaken locally.

Branches with More Than One BCC

Larger branches may benefit from having more than one Branch Community Coordinator. Where multiple BCCs are appointed, it is important that they agree who will take responsibility for submitting the monthly return on behalf of the branch. The intention of having multiple BCCs is to provide additional support for branch activities and community engagement, rather than duplicate reporting responsibilities.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Members who are interested in becoming a Branch Community Coordinator are encouraged to speak with their Branch Committee and explore how the role could help strengthen community engagement and showcase the positive work being delivered within their branch.

Please fill out this form

Appointment and Tenure

Branch Community Coordinators are branch-elected roles. As such, the same branch procedures apply for those used for other Branch Official positions.

Expenses

Any expenses incurred whilst carrying out BCC activities should be agreed in advance with the branch and claimed through the branch's normal expenses process.

Understanding the Difference Between BCC and BCS Roles

Although the acronyms are similar, the Branch Community Coordinator (BCC) and Branch Community Support (BCS) Supporter roles have different purposes.

A Branch Community Coordinator focuses on community engagement, branch activities and capturing the positive impact of local branch work. The role is centred on promoting branch engagement, building community connections and reporting branch activities and achievements.

A BCS Supporter, on the other hand, is part of the RBL's beneficiary-facing volunteering service, aimed at providing companionship and reducing social isolation within the Armed Forces Community. Trained BCS Supporters are matched with beneficiaries who have been referred through the RBL Contact Centre.

Some members may choose to undertake both roles. Where this is the case, each role should be treated separately, recognising that they have different responsibilities, onboarding processes and training requirements.

Members who hold both a BCC and BCS Supporter role will use the same ID number for both positions.