Honouring Service. Supporting Lives.
It all began in 1915. The First World War was in its second year and many of our men were away in France, fighting for their country, and suffering almost unendurable hardship in the trenches. They needed help.
A plan was hatched, the League of Remembrance established and, using volunteers in a central hospital location, we set to work to make frostbite socks, mosquito nets, gas masks, and other necessities, to make life in the trenches just that little more bearable.
After the war we changed tack a touch. We now sought to honour the memory of all those brave men who gave their lives for their country by looking after some of their widows and families. These widows took over the work of making medical supplies for our hospitals, and in return we provided moral support, and assisted them financially by making ‘small grants-in-aid’. To reflect this work we called them ‘Remembrance Workers’, a name still in use today.
WW2 then came along and we again changed tack to meet evolving needs. This time our Remembrance Workers set up mobile units in our London hospitals, making surgical dressings and other items, and this work continued into the late 20th century, until due to technological advances it was no longer required.
Again, we changed with the times. We now formed partnerships with some of our great London hospitals where our Remembrance Workers (by now including all Armed Forces veterans and retired nurses) started to work as volunteers within these important institutions. Since then, we have expanded our range of volunteering opportunities to include all community-serving roles and have started to support those recovering from serious illness or living with disability.
We are constantly looking ahead and will change again as necessary. Here’s to the future and making a difference to lives and communities.
Our Mission Today
The League of Remembrance exists to honour the sacrifices of the past while creating dignity, companionship, and belonging in the present.
Our work focuses on three groups who represent courage, care, and resilience:
- Veterans – those who served our Armed Forces, and their wider families, who may now need support, recognition, or new ways to connect.
- Retired Nurses – people who dedicated their working lives to caring for others, now offered support, companionship and community.
- Disabled Individuals – those living with illness or disability who gain strength, confidence, and opportunities through our support.
The League is not only about remembrance, but about ensuring that every individual continues to feel valued, empowered and included.
Our Remembrance Workers
At the heart of the League are our volunteers, known as Remembrance Workers.
Each year, they dedicate many thousands of volunteer hours across hospitals, hospices, and community organisations. They run gift shops, guide patients through hospital corridors, bring companionship to hospices, and nurture community spaces. Their presence eases loneliness, lifts spirits, and creates stronger, kinder communities.
Volunteering alongside the League is a two-way journey: Remembrance Workers give their time and compassion, and in return find renewed purpose, resilience, and friendships that enrich their own lives. You can read more about their experiences here.
Partnerships That Make a Difference
We know that lasting change happens when communities work together. That’s why the League of Remembrance builds partnerships with hospitals, hospices, and charities across the country.
Through these collaborations, people of all ages and backgrounds find opportunities to connect, recover, and grow. Veterans rediscover purpose in supportive environments, children and young people with disabilities gain confidence through life-changing activities, and retired nurses remain valued members of caring communities.
Every partnership extends the reach of remembrance and wellbeing, helping us turn respect for service into renewed opportunities for today.
Welfare and Companionship
Our duty extends to those Remembrance Workers who can no longer volunteer due to age or ill health. We provide welfare support ranging from home visits and birthday recognition, to help with attending social events such as annual lunches, museum visits, and shared celebrations, bringing companionship and joy to our community.
Even when volunteering is no longer possible, no one is left behind. Every person remains part of the League’s family.
Looking Ahead
As we enter our second century of service, our mission is clear: to remain rooted in remembrance while expanding our reach to those who need us most. With the loyalty of our volunteers, the vision of our Trustees, and the generosity of our donors, the League is building a future where service is always recognised, and every individual is supported with dignity and respect.
Join Us
Together, we honour the past and strengthen the present. Whether you give of your time, share your experiences, or make a donation, you become part of a community that ensures no one who served their country or community is ever forgotten.
At the heart of the League are our volunteers, known as Remembrance Workers.
Each year, they dedicate thousands of hours of their time in hospitals, hospices, and community organisations. They run gift shops, guide patients through hospital corridors, bring companionship to hospices, and nurture community spaces. Their presence eases loneliness, lifts spirits, and creates stronger, kinder communities.
Volunteering alongside the League is a two-way journey: Remembrance Workers give their time and compassion, and in return find renewed purpose, resilience, and friendships that enrich their own lives. You can read more about their experiences here.