Area 4 – Welfare & Wellbeing Full Report
Reporting Period: May 2026 – August 2026
Data Source: Branch Welfare & Wellbeing Monthly Delivery Report 2026
Overview – Area 4 continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to welfare and wellbeing support throughout the period May to August 2026. Reporting was received from a range of branches including Chard, Frome, Plymouth, Portland, Brixham, Liskeard and Bodmin, providing evidence of both routine welfare engagement and more complex casework. The reporting shows volunteers delivering practical assistance, transport support, bereavement care, befriending activities and financial signposting. Several branches reported sustained involvement over extended periods, reflecting the ongoing commitment of Welfare and Wellbeing volunteers across the Area.
Beneficiary Profile – Supported Groups Reported Within Area 4 Included:
• RN Veterans aged 67+ remained the predominant beneficiary group.
• Working-age veterans were regularly supported, particularly within Liskeard, Plymouth and Brixham.
• Family / Dependants (Adults) featured across several branch reports.
• Family / Dependants (Children) received little or no reported support during this reporting period.
• Still Serving personnel were not significantly represented within Area 4 returns.
Key Observation – The overwhelming majority of welfare activity remained focused on older Royal Navy veterans. The data also demonstrates support extending to family members and younger veterans, particularly where bereavement, isolation, welfare concerns or financial difficulties were identified.3. Nature of Support Provided Area 4 branches reported delivering a broad range of welfare interventions. Core Support Types Included:
• Befriending and family support
• Transport assistance
• Bereavement support
• Financial signposting and advocacy
• General welfare guidance and problem-solving
• Early intervention to prevent escalation of welfare concerns
A significant feature of the reporting period was the frequency with which multiple support types were provided to the same beneficiaries, demonstrating a flexible and person-centered approach.
Contact & Engagement Activity – The reporting indicates active and ongoing engagement between volunteers and beneficiaries. Reported Contact Methods Included:
• Telephone calls
• Email and text communication
• Home visits
• Social visits
• Transport to appointments and community activities
• Ongoing welfare monitoring and follow-up contact Particularly notable was the level of engagement recorded by Liskeard, where substantial volumes of contact were reported alongside intensive welfare casework.
Time Commitment Welfare Support Hours – Most branches reported activity within the 1-5 hour range each month. However, several branches recorded considerably higher levels of commitment:
• Liskeard recorded multiple returns involving 16-25 hours and more than 25 hours of welfare support.
• Chard recorded several months of sustained welfare activity.
• Plymouth maintained regular welfare engagement throughout the period.
• Frome continued to report ongoing support, particularly linked to bereavement cases.
Key Point – Volunteer commitment within Area 4 remains significant, with evidence of both routine support and complex, ongoing cases requiring sustained intervention and follow-up.
Charity & Agency Signposting – Area 4 branches demonstrated strong awareness of external support networks and referral pathways. Frequently Reported Organisations Included:
• SSAFA
• Royal British Legion (RBL)
• Royal Naval Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC)
• PTSD Resolution
• Samaritans
• Salvation Army
• RNA Central Office
• Royal Marines Association (RMA)
Please do signpost to the RNBT as they do have Caseworkers which are there to help. Signposting continued to complement direct welfare provision, ensuring beneficiaries could access specialist services where required.
Branch-Level Highlights
Liskeard Recorded the most intensive welfare activity within the Area. Reports included substantial telephone engagement, financial signposting, bereavement support and some of the highest volunteer time commitments recorded during the reporting period. SSAFA, Salvation Army, PTSD Resolution and Samaritans were among organisations used to support beneficiaries.
Chard Reported consistent welfare activity spanning transport assistance, bereavement support and befriending support. Continued engagement across several months demonstrates a proactive and sustained welfare presence.
Plymouth Demonstrated steady and consistent welfare delivery throughout the reporting period, combining transport support, befriending activity and welfare interventions for older veterans and dependents.
Portland Reported a mixture of transport support, befriending activity and bereavement support. Whilst some months recorded limited activity, the branch continued to provide support where required.
Frome Maintained ongoing support, particularly relating to bereavement cases and welfare monitoring. Reports indicate continued engagement with vulnerable beneficiaries.
Brixham Provided regular befriending support and welfare contact throughout the period, with a focus on older veterans and family members.
Bodmin Reported transport and bereavement support during the latter part of the reporting period, reflecting ongoing welfare support within the branch community.
Overall Assessment Strengths
• Consistent welfare reporting from key branches.
• Strong focus on older RN veterans.
• Effective bereavement support provision.
• Good use of charity and agency signposting.
• Significant volunteer commitment in complex cases.
• Strong evidence of ongoing beneficiary engagement rather than one-off interventions.
Supportive Opportunities
• Encourage additional Area 4 branches to submit regular returns.
• Continue sharing best practice from high-engagement branches such as Liskeard, Plymouth and Chard.
• Maintain support for volunteers managing long-term and complex welfare cases.
• Increase awareness of reporting to improve Area-wide visibility of volunteer effort.
Final Summary
Area 4 continues to provide high-quality, person-centered welfare and wellbeing support across a wide geographical area. The reporting period demonstrates dedicated volunteer engagement, effective use of support networks and a willingness to provide sustained assistance where beneficiaries face ongoing challenges. The data highlights a mature welfare structure capable of responding to both routine welfare needs and complex cases involving bereavement, financial hardship and social isolation. Continued reporting will ensure that the significant contribution of Welfare and Wellbeing volunteers remains visible and appropriately recognised at Area and National level. Thank you to all Welfare and Wellbeing volunteers across Area 4 for your professionalism, dedication and commitment in supporting shipmates and their families.
Prepared by: Jon Everett Welfare & Wellbeing Support Coordinator Royal Naval Association
Date: September 2026
Area 4 Welfare & Wellbeing Report – May 2026
1. Overview: Area 4 demonstrates strong and sustained Welfare & Wellbeing activity, with submissions received from multiple branches throughout the reporting period. Area 4 consists of 29 branches in total, of which 11 branches submitted Welfare & Wellbeing returns, representing approximately 38% reporting coverage. This continued improvement in participation strengthens the reliability of the data and provides a broader, more representative view of welfare delivery across the Area. The breadth and consistency of reporting highlight an Area delivering both routine welfare support and complex, ongoing casework, with repeated engagement in befriending, transport assistance, bereavement support and financial or advocacy-based interventions.
2. Beneficiary Profile Supported groups reported within Area 4 included:
• RN Veterans aged 67+ – the primary beneficiary group across all reporting branches;
• Working-age veterans – supported regularly, particularly in cases involving welfare complexity;
• Family / Dependants (Adults) – frequently supported alongside veterans;
• Family / Dependants (Children) – supported on a limited number of occasions;
• Still serving personnel – minimal reporting during this period Key observation.
Support within Area 4 is predominantly focused on older RN veterans, with additional engagement involving working-age veterans and dependants. This reflects both demographic need and the evolving nature of welfare support, particularly where health, bereavement or financial pressures are present.
3. Nature of Support Provided Area 4 branches reported delivering a diverse and responsive
range of Welfare & Wellbeing interventions. Core support types included:
• Befriending and family support – the most consistently reported activity;
• Transport support – including hospital appointments, essential journeys and social contact;
• Bereavement support – recurring across multiple branches, often requiring sustained
involvement;
• Financial and general welfare support – including advocacy, guidance and problem-solving;
• Early-stage intervention – preventing escalation of welfare issues Many branches reported providing multiple support types within the same reporting period, demonstrating flexibility and a person-centered approach tailored to individual circumstances.
4. Contact & Engagement Activity Engagement data from Area 4 indicates a high level of direct, hands-on involvement by volunteers. Reported engagement methods included:
• Telephone contact – used routinely to maintain continuity and reassurance;
• Email and text communication – often reported in the 6–15, 16–25 and 25+ ranges;
• Home visits – regularly undertaken, particularly in welfare and bereavement cases;
• Transport journeys – delivered where health, mobility or isolation were significant factors.
This pattern highlights a relationship-based approach, prioritising ongoing contact rather than one-off interventions.
5. Time Commitment Time spent on support (per response):
Welfare support:
• Frequently recorded at 1–5 hours, with numerous instances of 6–15 hours and 16–25+ hours.
Wellbeing support:
• Regularly aligned with welfare hours, particularly where bereavement or emotional support was required Key point: Area 4 includes some of the highest volunteer time commitments recorded nationally, indicating the presence of complex and ongoing cases requiring sustained attention and follow-up.
6. Charity & Agency Signposting Area 4 branches demonstrated strong awareness of, and
engagement with, external support networks, including:
• SSAFA
• Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT)
• Royal British Legion (RBL)
• Op Courage
• Local authorities and housing departments
• RNA Central Office Signposting activity consistently complemented direct support, ensuring
beneficiaries were connected with appropriate specialist and statutory services.
7. Branch-Level Highlights:
Chard – Reported consistent welfare activity across multiple months, with a focus on transport support and bereavement care for older RN veterans. Engagement levels indicate steady contact, appropriate signposting, and sustained volunteer involvement.
Liskeard – Recorded high volumes of contact, complex welfare engagement and some of the largest time commitments, including financial and advocacy-based support.
Dorchester – Demonstrated regular involvement in transport and bereavement support, often alongside wider welfare engagement.
Frome & Portland – Provided consistent support across multiple months, including transport, bereavement care and ongoing welfare contact.
Brixham, Weymouth, Torpoint & Rame, Bodmin & Plymouth – Delivered reliable welfare activity, particularly focused on older RN veterans, supported by regular contact and appropriate signposting.
8. Overall Assessment Strengths:
• High level of reporting participation across multiple branches;
• Broad range of Welfare & Wellbeing support delivered;
• Strong emphasis on bereavement and complex welfare cases;
• Significant volunteer time commitment;
• Effective use of charity and statutory signposting Supportive Opportunities;
• Continue encouraging consistent monthly reporting across the Area;
• Share good practice from high-engagement branches;
• Support volunteers managing sustained or high-intensity cases.
Final Summary – Area 4 is delivering high-quality, person-centered Welfare & Wellbeing support, underpinned by strong reporting engagement and significant volunteer commitment. The data demonstrates a clear willingness to support shipmates through both practical and emotional challenges, often over extended periods. The range and depth of activity recorded across Area 4 highlights a mature and effective welfare structure, with continued reporting ensuring that volunteer effort is recognised and appropriately supported at Area and National level. Thank you to all Welfare & Wellbeing volunteers across the Area for the time, care and commitment you give in supporting shipmates and their families. Welfare & wellbeing reporting is not mandatory; however, where information is shared, it is genuinely helpful. It allows the collective impact of volunteer support to be better understood and enables meaningful, evidence-based feedback to be provided to the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), supporting wider awareness of welfare needs and outcomes. All welfare activity, whether formally reported or not, is valued and appreciated as part of the crucial volunteer contribution that underpins the Royal Naval Association’s work.