Armed Forces Covenant grant secured for veteran hubs

Ministry of Defence funding will strengthen delivery of the covenant across the West Mercia region.

Herefordshire Council has accepted a £246,820 grant offer from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) following a bid to fund the development of pilot veteran hubs in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Telford & Wrekin.

The cluster bid, led by Herefordshire Council in consultation with Herefordshire’s Civilian Military Task Group and other covenant partnerships, will strengthen local government delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant across the West Mercia region. The funding will also cover the cost of two employees; one to support the covenant partnership in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and the other to support Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

In Herefordshire, the pilot veteran hub will build on the success of the military helpdesk, currently manned by the Royal British Legion and SSAFA at Blueschool House Customer Service Centre. The grant will fund a dedicated Armed Forces veteran hub in Hereford city centre, providing support and guidance on issues such as employment, benefits, housing, health and access to military community networks.

Councillor Paul Rone, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
“The MOD grant award demonstrates Herefordshire Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Community Covenant, which aims to recognise the contribution personnel, veterans and their families have made to Herefordshire and the wider country, not just recently but also historically.

“The military community can sometimes find it difficult to access the advice they need once they leave the Armed Forces. The hub will give veterans and their families’ access to a support network which understands the background and needs of veterans of all ages- all under one roof.  Through this targeted advice and guidance, veterans will be fully supported to lead independent lives within Herefordshire.”