Meet The RNBT Caseworking Team: Person centred support across the country

The RNBT’s motto has always been ‘Serve a day, supported for life’, and provides practical, person-centred support to individual circumstances Royal Navy Ratings and Royal Marines Other Ranks, including reservists, both serving and served, and their loved ones.

To meet the evolving needs of its beneficiaries, The RNBT launched a new and innovative regional Help Hub and Caseworking service in May 2025 as part of a five-year strategy to expand support to the Naval community.

Our Regional Caseworkers are based in Help Hubs across the country, offering a personal and human point of contact for those in need of support. Through holistic casework and partnership working, beneficiaries can receive help that enables them to not just survive but thrive.

In just under a year, four regional Help Hubs have been established, which provide outreach support:

• Scotland and the North East
• The South West
• The South East
• Cornwall

In 2026, the team will expand with three more Regional Caseworkers, increasing coverage for South Wales, the South and East of England and Scotland.

Our friendly Casework Team provide face-to-face holistic support in times of need, by walking alongside beneficiaries to help navigate pathways of support.

What can beneficiaries expect?

A Caseworker will arrange a mutually convenient time to meet you, often at your home, to conduct a full financial and social assessment for the household. Our person-centred approach means you only need to share your story once. The Caseworker will work with you to develop an action plan, provide options for support and consider financial assistance to meet both the immediate need, but more importantly generate a longer-term sustainable outcome.

Direct support from The RNBT may include assistance with:

• Family
• Housing
• Crisis support
• Food and clothing
• Health and wellbeing (including addiction)
• Personal debt and financial wellbeing
• Employment and training
• Assistance with independent living
• Digital inclusion
• Care home and domiciliary care top-up fees

Where needed, additional support from third-party organisations will be coordinated by the Caseworking team to round out the holistic support for beneficiaries.

Meet the Team:

Kate Hughes
Kate is the Regional Casework Manager for the South West. She is based in Plymouth and covers the SW region, including South Wales. Following a career in the Royal Navy, she has accrued a further 15 years of experience in the military charity sector as an employment coach, outreach and engagement officer and a grants manager. She achieved her Post Graduate Degree in Coaching & Mentoring during lockdown, whilst juggling work and family life. She has first hand lived experience of serving in the armed forces, understands what it’s like to be a working-age veteran and the challenges faced by many in today’s modern society. Outside of work, Kate is attempting Couch to 5k and enjoys red wine and roast dinners.

“I have real empathy for those who have served and for those who fall on hard times.   Life events happen to us all, and they can very quickly throw us off balance, often having much wider consequences. The RNBT not only provides financial support, which makes a tangible difference, but we can also offer support which addresses the wider holistic needs of our beneficiaries, helping them to get back on their feet, whilst knowing they have someone in their corner.”

Emma Gration
Emma is the Engagement & Casework Deputy Manager and regional lead for Scotland and the North East. Emma served in the Army Intelligence Corps for seven years during the 1990s and has worked in the Third Sector supporting the Armed Forces Community for a number of years, having held roles with Defence Medical Welfare Service, Blesma – The Limbless Veterans and The RAF Benevolent Fund. Outside of work Emma enjoys travelling with her partner, wild swimming and walking her dog.

Kev Bell
Kev is the Regional Caseworker for the South-East of England and is based near Portsmouth. He served in the Royal Navy for 33 years’ and has been an RNBT Ordinary Member Trustee from 2018 to 2024.

During his extensive service career, Kev worked as a Specialist Welfare Caseworker within the Royal Navy. This is where Kev found his true vocation to provide wide-ranging caseworker support to serving personnel, veterans and their families. He has been collaboratively providing holistic support ever since.  Away from work, Kev enjoys quality family time, where he attempts to keep up with his Grandchildren.

“It is a real privilege to provide person-centred support that makes a real difference. This is imperative because our nation asks a great deal from its service personnel, veterans and their dependents. It is therefore vitally important that timely and effective support is available to the RNBT family in times of need.” 

Georgie House
Georgie is the Regional Caseworker for Cornwall. With a calm, empathetic approach, Georgie works closely with beneficiaries to understand their circumstances and empower them to build stability and wellbeing. Georgie strives to ensure every person supported feels heard, respected, and genuinely cared for. Georgie also loves to spend time with her family and friends, baking and can often be at the beach.