'Fantastic' Portsmouth veterans outreach centre supporting 'remarkable men and women' enhanced with £1m grant
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‘Remarkable’ men and women who served in the armed forces will be better supported after crucial funding was secure for an outreach centre in Portsmouth.
Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) in Queen Street, Portsea, has been awarded £1m by the government alongside its partners. This is part of the Solent VALOUR Recognised Centre (VRC) programme, which aims to open new government-funded centres and enhance existing organisations.
CEO Ian Millen said: “Being selected to lead this programme is both an honour and a tremendous opportunity for our veterans and wider armed forces family. We are proud of our partnerships with Portsmouth City Council, as well as other local authorities, specialist partner charities and the Solent Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board, which reflect a strength of collaboration that has been central to this success.”
What support is being offered?
The Solent region support three times the national average of Armed Forces personnel and families. More than 59,000 veterans live in the area. The programme’s aim is to provide faster access to mental and physical health support, reduce homelessness and improve housing stability through a dedicated housing officer who will take on individual cases.
Further support will be given to offer advice on benefits, pensions and compensation, as well as clinical therapy assessments online or in-person. An embedded Forces Employment Charity (FEC) advisor will offer tailored career guidance, CV and interview support, and employer engagement events to help veterans transition into civilian life.
The Solent VRC will be one of 14 across the UK, backed by £50m in funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. It will be managed by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Mr Millen added: “The programme’s holistic approach mirrors our existing commitment to supporting the whole person. Veterans deserve seamless access to the health and wellbeing support they need, free from barriers or challenges, and working even more closely with our consortium partners will ensure that they get this. This funding celebrates and supports the remarkable men and women who have served in our Armed Forces and their families, while recognising and harnessing their invaluable talents across society.”
The VRC programme consists of a consortium of charities and local authorities including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth City Council (PCC), Havant Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, Southampton City Council, and Fareham Borough Council.
PCC leader, Councillor Steve Pitt, said: “This fantastic news recognises the importance of our veterans and our entire Solent armed forces community and the additional support they need and deserve. VOS has achieved so much already, and this is a new opportunity to further grow the outstanding Partnership we've built to help even more veterans, service personnel and their families to live their best lives. As a Partnership we are ready to step up and help VOS establish one of the country's first VALOUR support centres, improving access to health, housing and employment services and honouring the great service they've given to this country."
Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin, Labour, said: “This is fantastic news for Portsmouth and the more than 5,000 veterans in our city, as well as those in surrounding areas. I’ve been proud to support this bid and the wider measures that Op VALOUR brings to our city’s veterans from the start. It’s great to see that commitment now delivering a dedicated Op VALOUR hub in Portsmouth. This will make a real difference by bringing support closer to home and making it easier for veterans to access the services they need. It’s an important step in ensuring that those who have served our country are properly supported in our community.”
Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said: “Standing up for our armed forces families, veterans and their families is a priority of mine and I’m proud to be part of government which is committed to protecting those who have served. That’s why I backed and gave my full support to the city’s bid for a Valour Recognised Centre. I’m delighted our bid has been a success. The investment from Government will ensure crucial and effective community support in our city and will mean that Portsmouth’s veterans will know where to turn for help and guaranteed the best support available.”