British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma)

Could British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: Up to £1,500
Applications: Not accepted

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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blesma.org

About British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma)

Blesma, the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association, is a UK-wide membership charity founded in 1932 by limbless veterans. Its mission is to rebuild the lives of serving and former British Armed Forces personnel who have lost limbs, the use of limbs or eyes, or suffered severe speech or hearing loss, along with their widows and dependents. The charity provides comprehensive welfare, rehabilitation, financial aid, advocacy, peer networks, and skills-based activities. Guided by values of dignity, mutual support, empowerment, transparency, and safeguarding, Blesma is governed by trustees including wounded veterans. Its funding character is needs-led individual support for verified members, focusing on independence, wellbeing, and inclusion through direct interventions rather than open grants.

What British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) funds

Blesma supports individuals with a wide range of needs related to limb loss, loss of limb use or eyesight, and severe speech or hearing impairments. This includes home adaptations, prosthetics, hardship relief, mobility aids, urgent payments, entitlements advice, family mental health services, and collaborations with statutory bodies to improve care standards. They also fund adventure days and sports rehabilitation to foster independence and wellbeing. The charity operates across the whole of the UK with no geographic restrictions, and assistance is tailored to each member's circumstances.

Who can apply

Blesma supports individuals only: serving or former UK Armed Forces members who meet the limblessness criteria (whether service-related or not), along with their widows and dependents. Applicants must reside in the UK and become members of the charity. There are no income thresholds or other financial tests. The charity prioritises a personalised approach, and those eligible are encouraged to join then consult a Support Officer for a tailored assessment. Organisations, groups, or third parties cannot apply.

What British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) doesn't fund

Blesma does not fund organisations, general veteran projects, or capacity-building initiatives. They do not accept unsolicited grant proposals from external bodies. Support is exclusively for their own members through an individualised, needs-led model. No grants are made for activities that fall outside the charity's hyper-focused remit of assisting limbless ex-service personnel and their dependents.

How they like to fund

Blesma provides needs-led, personalised support to its members, often lifelong. This includes direct financial aid, hardship relief, and funding for home adaptations, prosthetics, and mobility aids. They work closely with members through Support Officers who assess individual circumstances. The charity does not offer open grants or accept unsolicited applications; all assistance is initiated through the membership process. Their funding style is holistic, covering a spectrum from urgent payments to long-term rehabilitation and wellbeing activities.

How much does British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) give?

Up to £1,500

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Disability

How to apply to British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma)

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma).
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) provide?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) typically provides grants up to £1,500.

Where does British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) fund charities?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) funds charities operating in the UK.

Does British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) accept unsolicited applications?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma)?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.