As the Army’s national charity, the Army Benevolent Fund is committed to supporting soldiers, veterans, and their families not only across the UK but also around the world. Last year, we reached 80,000 people in 52 countries through our grants to individuals and other organisations.
Many members of the Army family are from Commonwealth nations or have settled overseas, and we are proud to provide assistance both to individuals, and to charities that provide life-changing support to veterans, wherever they live.
Here are just a few of the organisations we have recently supported outside the UK:
Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League
A significant proportion of our overseas work is delivered in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL), which assists former soldiers and their spouses across the Commonwealth, many of whom are elderly and frail. During FY24-25, the ABF made a grant of £177,500 to the RCEL, to provide two meals a day for veterans and widows living in poverty across 23 Commonwealth nations.
The Hong Kong Locally Enlisted Personnel Trust
The Trust provides welfare and benevolence support to former members of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps (HKMSC) and the Royal Navy (Hong Kong Division), the majority of whom are now elderly and living in Hong Kong or Shenzhen. With no entitlement to UK Armed Forces pensions, these veterans and their families rely on the Trust for financial assistance, guidance, and practical welfare support, delivered through a dedicated Veterans Outreach Officer. Our grant of £12,000 will help fund the Trust’s essential work, including home visits, benevolence grants for veterans and widows in need, and the running of two clubhouses which act as community hubs and a lifeline for many.
Age in Spain
Age in Spain provides dedicated welfare support to English-speaking older people and their families across Spain, including many Army veterans. The charity helps families navigate the complex Spanish care system, offering guidance, crisis support, and advocacy to ensure veterans and their loved ones can access the services they need to remain independent and well-supported. Our grant of £12,000 will allow Age in Spain to continue providing this personalised assistance, giving Army veterans and their caregivers peace of mind as they navigate life in a foreign country.
Recruit for Spouses
Recruit for Spouses is a UK not-for-profit organisation helping military spouses and partners overcome barriers to employment. Its innovative Foreign and Commonwealth (F&C) Programme specifically supports military spouses and partners from across the Commonwealth in converting their overseas qualifications into UK-recognised credentials, enabling them to access better job opportunities. With demand for this service increasing, our grant of £20,861 will help cover the costs of these qualification assessments and core programme delivery, allowing more individuals to gain recognition for their skills, build successful careers, and support their families as they settle in the UK.
