Veterans Outreach Support (VOS), together with its consortium partners is delighted to announce the award of £1 million to lead the Solent VALOUR Recognised Centre (VRC) programme. This is part of the UK’s first ever network of government-funded veteran support centres, reinforcing success by building upon VOS’s existing centre in Portsmouth, and supporting the wider Solent region.
VALOUR is a national government initiative made possible through £50 million in funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA). and managed by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
The Solent VRC is one of 14 veteran support centres across the UK, which will form the foundations of a network – connecting veterans and their families to holistic support services and providing safe, inclusive spaces where they can access specialist support services in the community, delivering on the government’s Veterans Strategy, which recognises veterans as a national asset.
The Solent VALOUR Recognised Centre (VRC) consortium unites specialist charities, NHS partner (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust) and seven local authorities (Portsmouth City Council, Havant Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Fareham Borough Council), building upon the success of VOS and the Solent Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board, alongside other specialist partners to deliver a coordinated, multi-agency ‘No Wrong Door’ approach.
Through this collaboration, the Solent VRC will focus on providing joined-up support in welfare, wellbeing, housing, employment, and health (physical and mental health), enabling a smooth transition from military to civilian life and meeting the wider needs of the armed forces community.
Ian Millen, CEO of VOS, 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.
Our programme, ‘Reinforcing Success’ sees us become part of a wider network of support centres across the UK, and builds upon our 18 years of dedicated support to veterans across Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and the wider Solent area.
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.”
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and Chairman of the Solent Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board 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.”
The Solent region support three times the national average of Armed Forces personnel and families with over 59K veterans living in this region. As part of this programme the following strands of support will be delivered over the next three years:
- Faster access to mental and physical health support :
- Defence Medical Welfare Service will deliver welfare and crisis support
- Combat Stress will offer expert mental health treatment
- VOS’s QNVMHS-accredited team, working with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, will ensure seamless physical and psychological care.
- Reduced homelessness and improved housing stability – a dedicated VALOUR Housing Officer will work within local authority systems to coordinate and – ensuring a joined-up approach tackle veteran homelessness.
- Better employment outcomes – an embedded Forces Employment Charity (FEC) advisor will support service leavers with tailored career guidance, CV and interview support and employer engagement – helping veterans transition smoothly into civilian life with confidence and stability.
- Reduced isolation and improved wellbeing – welfare and wellbeing support will be provided, including advice on benefits, pensions and compensation, plus social groups, activities and creative programmes. Clinical therapy, assessments and online or outreach services will ensure all veterans can access the support they need.
- Stronger regional coordination will ensure the ‘No Wrong Door’ approach is adopted across the Solent region.
Abby Dryden CEO Defence Medical Welfare Services, noted:
“DMWS are very proud and excited to be a key partner for the Solent VALOUR VRC programme. We will provide vital assistance during stressful times, delivering critical support to members of the Armed Forces Community and the Merchant Navy and enabling them to navigate complex physical health, mental health and wellbeing challenges.
“Working together increases our reach and impact for those who have served or are serving in their time of need.”
Funding for the VALOUR-Recognised centres is administered by the Armed
Forces Covenant Fund Trust, on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA).
The Veterans Strategy can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-strategy/veterans-strategy
