New veteran’s hub opens in Gloucester

Hot on the heels of a successful launch of a Veterans’ Hub in Bristol, at the end of July, the same military charities have joined together again to introduce a hub in Gloucester.

The initiative, driven by the local teams from Help for Heroes, Op Courage, the veterans’ mental health service from the NHS, and Veterans UK, the Ministry of Defence’s dedicated support organisation for service personnel, veterans, and their families, saw the new hub open for the first time in September at Gloucester RFC’s Kingsholm Stadium.

Other organisations in attendance included the Department of Work and Pensions, the Royal British Legion, SSAFA (the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) Walking Wounded, Gloucestershire Forces Network Hub, RFEA (The Forces Employment Charity) and Veterans UK.

But, while the rugby club is, initially, happy to host the hub on a monthly basis, organisers are looking to obtain funding to open permanent premises in the city where veterans could find out about support – or simply have a brew and a chat – from Monday to Thursday.

Help for Heroes’ Case Manager for the region, Mark Lucas, explained: “All the organisations have come together to drive a better veterans’ community connection in the Gloucester area.

“The plan is to have a one-stop shop with all the charities in one place, so veterans can come for a chat and for them to enquire about the available support in welfare, clinical, mental health, and activities.

“We’re hugely grateful to Gloucester RFC for accommodating us while we seek to establish a permanent home in the city and combat isolation among our military veterans.”

The plan includes the employment of a hub manager to oversee the daily activity of the centre and organisers would be keen to hear from organisations or landlords who would be interested in supporting the project.

The next ‘hub day’ at Kingsholm (GL1 3AX) is on Wednesday, 12 October, from 10am until midday.

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service. The charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 27,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk