Providing support to limbless and injured veterans for life
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight in the honourable service of our country.
Our Mission
To assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is an Armed Forces charity dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limbloss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK.
Other ways to help
Celebrate your life with a gift to Blesma by remembering us in your will
Find out howFundraise for Blesma and your efforts will help the lives of our limbless veterans
See our fundraisersOur News
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How Assistive Technology is Transforming Limbless Veterans’ Lives
A major report, funded by the Office of Veterans' Affairs and delivered by Blesma in association with Anglia Ruskin University, has identified a range of measures to improve the accessibility, affordability, and usability of Assistive Technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and mobility scooters. The study, which was powered by the lived experience testimony of Members, highlighted how AT can empower veterans and their families to live independently but also exposed systemic barriers that limit access. Its recommendations, covering issues from veterans’ acceptance of the need to use ATs to the sales approaches of private companies, will influence future policies from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, which funded the research. The report – titled Assistive Technology – Powered Mobility Devices: An Exploration of the Lived Experience of Powered Mobility Devices in Armed Forces Veterans with Limb Loss and Loss of Use of Limb – also establishes a decision-making guide to help veterans select and fund the right equipment for their needs. The initial and associated maintenance costs of ATs was a common theme among the 26 veterans who provided first-hand evidence of their quests for greater independence and well-being. Many reported that suppliers focused on sales over truly understanding their specific needs. “There was a strong feeling that the suppliers tend to be sales people first and do not really take into account a veteran’s needs so we have developed a matrix within the report so a veteran can use it to work out what sort of AT would work using an informative tool to help guide their purchase rather than being at the mercy of a sales approach,” says Dr Thomas Kersey, Research Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University’s Veterans & Families Institute for Military Social Research, who led the project. One of the goals of the research is to help people get the equipment and technology that works for them empowering individuals to make informed decisions. Dr Thomas Kersey The report is illuminated with insights from Blesma Members whose open and honest testimony of their experiences helped shine a light on fault lines in AT provision and underscore the physical and psychological benefit from accessing the right equipment. “Their input was vital. You need the human elements of their stories to understand how fundamental this sort of equipment is to their everyday lives,” adds Dr Kersey. “One of the Members said she was getting a gyroscopic wheelchair that could be used hands-free, which meant she could walk down the street holding her son’s hand. It is such a powerful image and statement. "A disability really changes the dynamics of family life but the right AT can re-address that balance by allowing people to do things on their own and move from being someone who is being cared for back to family life." The report states: “ATs, and the independence they provide, also had a direct impact on family life. because they brought a re-balance to the roles within the family, contributing to the daily running of the home and reducing the care demands, allowing family members to step out of the care role. “However, uptake of ATs was nuanced and several barriers to accepting ATs into everyday life were identified. Initial reluctance to take up ATs were sometimes viewed as an admission of giving up. Pride and stubbornness factored into participants accepting help, alongside their own pre-conceived notions of what it means to be disabled. Participants reflected that in hindsight they would accept the help if offered again as it would preserve and maintain their health for longer had they accepted ATs into their lives earlier.” Its recommendations include tailoring AT provision on an individual level considering the long-term impact on wellbeing and independence, establishing an ethical code of conduct for the AT industry, expanding funding and financial support for ATs, improving transportation and storage solutions and recycling and reuse opportunities. This report is going to be useful to so many people, not just those that need ATs, but those that provide them Brian Chenier, Blesma Support Officer Prosthetics “Funding for statutory provision is limited and getting the best outcomes with such limited funding just makes sense. We hope that NHS providers will embrace the opportunity to look beyond the basic provision and consider the benefits ATs can have.” He adds: “By shining a light on the benefits of ATs covered in this report, we would expect users to be more confident in the decisions they make, and that they are able to make those decisions much earlier. It will also be useful to charities like Blesma that are often asked to fund ATs that are not available through statutory funding/services. Helping us to understand the wider, more holistic positive impact our support can have is very important. "We are grateful to the OVA for funding this research and to our members that took part. This will make a positive impact, and we aim to share this report across statutory services and the charity sector." The OVA adds “Our veterans have shown extraordinary courage and made immense sacrifices in service to our country. We owe them our ongoing support long after they have hung up their uniform. “The 22 projects funded through the £5 million Veterans' Health Innovation Fund are helping to transform healthcare for those who have served the UK. Blesma's research into assistive technologies is an excellent example of why this work matters so much. Its research will help veterans and their carers to understand the most effective mobility aids for their specific needs, helping them regain independence. This is why we're investing in these projects - because our commitment to veterans doesn't end when they leave the Armed Forces. Office for Veterans' Affairs Read the full report
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Caring and Coping: New Research into Life with Loss Of Limb Use
Injured military veterans and their families are living under the shadows of daily uncertainty as they wrestle with the impact of their disability, a major report reveals. It highlights the corrosive pressures on family and work life experienced by hundreds of ex -service personnel who have lost the of use of a limb and face challenges across everyday activities. The study, funded by Forces in Mind Trust, discovered that a range of issues - from transport logistics to bowel and bladder concerns – created stress and trigger points that had a negative impact on entire family networks. Researchers, who interviewed 81 members of Blesma, the Limbless Veterans charity, heard that veterans living with loss of use of a limb faced massive knock-on effects if their daily plans were disrupted
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Congratulations to Fiona Morrison and Colin Thackery on their MBEs
Blesma is proud to celebrate two inspiring members of our community who have been awarded the MBE in recognition of their exceptional service to veterans. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Fiona Morrison, our Northern Ireland Outreach Officer, and Colin Thackery, Chelsea Pensioner, Blesma Supporter and Britain’s Got Talent winner, on this outstanding achievement. Fiona Morrison MBE Colin Thackery MBE Fiona Morrison MBE Fiona Morrison, Outreach Officer Northern Ireland, has been a powerhouse raising awareness and funds for Blesma, and supporting its Members and the wider veteran community. She has been instrumental in projects that champion the efforts of injured veterans and help them live independent and fulfilling lives. She received the award for Services to Veterans and their Families in Northern Ireland. “I couldn’t believe it when I received the notification. It’s not often I’m lost for words but that moment was one of them,” said Fiona, who joined Blesma in 2018 and is the catalyst for a varied and innovative programme of events and activities for Members and their families and works closely with Steve Burton, Blesma Support Officer Northern Ireland and Scotland. It took a long while to sink in and it means a huge amount because it is a testimony to the work that Blesma does for its Members and its lifetime support for them. I feel hugely privileged to work for Blesma because it is an amazing charity and it feels like we are part of family “I still can’t quite get my head around it — there have been a few tears shed when I think about it — but I’m deeply honoured by the award.” The accolade was warmly welcomed by Veterans Awards Ireland, which recognises the achievements of former military personnel, which stated: “This honour is so well deserved. Congratulations Fiona. Your dedication to the veteran community continues to inspire.” Colin Thackery MBE Blesma is also celebrating another award with supporter Colin Thackery, a Chelsea Pensioner, also awarded an MBE. Colin, a Korean War veteran who became an icon by winning Britian’s Got Talent in 2019 with his amazing singing , received the award for Services to Charitable Fundraising and to the Armed Services. The 93-year-old is a keen supporter of Blesma and regular performer at its events and for other military and veteran causes. Congratulations once again to Fiona Morrison MBE and Colin Thackery MBE!
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Get Involved
Across the UK, thousands of people are doing their bit to help
Whether you want to organise a big fundraiser in a group, take part in a Charity Event, complete a Charity Challenge on your own, or get your company involved in raising money for our limbless veterans, then go to our fundraising pages where you will find all the information you need, as well as events you can be part of.
