Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) is delighted to share the news of a generous £15,000 grant awarded by the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Thanks to this vital funding, VOS can sustain and build upon its life-changing support for those who have served, their families and carers across Portsmouth, Gosport, the Isle of Wight, and the wider Solent region.
With a team of over 40 dedicated volunteers alongside its core staff, VOS provides essential welfare, wellbeing, and mental health support to ex-Armed Forces personnel, their partners, and carers.
In 2024, we hosted 31 drop-in sessions reaching more than 1100 veterans, provided 168 veterans with welfare support including helping 30 with queries around their Armed Forces Pension. During this period, 186 individuals benefitted from over 600 hours of clinical support, provided by our specialist mental health team.
VOS also ran a wide variety of social groups and wellbeing activities promoting camaraderie, community, and overall well-being including painting workshops, reading and singing groups, cake decorating, social groups, bookbinding, mobility exercises classes plus excursions and more. Over 870 veterans took part in these activities, aimed at reducing isolation and loneliness and improved wellbeing.
Andrew Dutton, VOS Head of Operations said:
“This funding enables us to continue supporting our veteran community at a time when many are struggling. It helps us reach those most at risk, whether facing homelessness, poor mental health, or those experiencing loneliness or simply seeking connection with fellow veterans in our local communities. Thanks to this grant, we can continue to deliver our welfare, wellbeing and mental health services, ensuring they receive the care and connection they deserve.”
VOS offers a wide range of services including psychological therapies, wellbeing workshops and activities, regular social hubs, volunteer opportunities, and effective signposting to specialist support. In a challenging economic climate, funding like this is essential to maintaining these services and responding to growing demand.
We also work in close partnership with statutory, third sector and other support organisations to ensure no-one slips through the net, striving to deliver seamless, joined-up support to those who need it most.
If you’re a veteran from the UK Armed Forces or a qualifying former member of the *Merchant Navy (from any time of service) or a partner /carer to one, we are here to offer our support: call us on 02392 731 767, visit a drop-in, or email wellbeing@vosuk.org
*More info about Merchant Navy eligibility criterion here
