The Royal British Legion Industries welcomed Secretary of State for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, for a tour of their factory.

The Aylesford centre helps war veterans with mental and physical disabilities back into work. Their skills include manufacturing signs for companies including Network Rail and their wood pallets are used by Kent farmers.

Mr Wilson arrived to discuss rolling out the RBLI’s scheme, which is called LifeWorks, to the wider community.

It requires £750,000 of investment from Department of Work and Pensions to fund a pilot for those who are unemployed, particularly those with disabilities and health conditions.

The MP for Reading East was impressed with the work. He said: “I was delighted to visit RBLI which is doing so much to help ex-service personnel struggling with civilian life. It is great to see a social enterprise flourishing, winning contracts and delivering them to a high standard.”

Figures provided from LifeWorks say 83% of users find employment, education or training, despite 79% having a health condition or disability.

Additionally 77% of those who found work were in full-time employment.
Steve Sherry CMG OBE, chief executive, RBLI said: “We are delighted to welcome Rob Wilson to the RBLI Village to see our work first-hand.

“Since 1919 our mission has been to support Britain’s bravest, empowering them to return to society and find fulfilling work. There are still many veterans out there who need our support and who we are passionate about supporting, however, I see no reason why our work should be limited to those who have served in the military.

“It is unacceptable in today’s society, disabled people who want to work struggle to find the right opportunities. Today RBLI is asking for £750,000 from DWP to launch a wider pilot of LifeWorks, with the aim of rolling it out to support disabled people across the UK.

“To date the Government’s investment in work programmes has not matched the ambitious targets it has set itself. We want to help change that.”