£60k boost to help vets’ mental health with hub

A CENTRE has successfully bid for £60,000 to support veterans’ mental wellbeing across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Loughborough Wellbeing Centre will receive funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to set up a Veterans Wellbeing Hub at the centre at Asha House, Woodgate, in Loughborough, with satellite hubs in Oakham and Lutterworth.

The project is for two years and will provide a safe space for veterans to receive advice and information, as well as a range of structured activities.

The Wellbeing Centre recently demonstrated its commitment to the armed forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and committing to supporting military personnel past and present.

Helen Carter, chief executive of the centre, and a veteran, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding, which means we can now have a dedicated hub once a week in Loughborough and monthly in Oakham and Lutterworth supporting our veterans.

“The money will be used to provide a specialist hub leader and sessional workers, who will deliver activities, support and signposting to veterans.”

The Veterans Wellbeing Hub has been developed after a recent survey across the region identified a need for a dedicated hub.

Nicky Morgan, chairman of the trustees for Loughborough Wellbeing Centre, said: “This is fantastic news for veterans.

“We know many veterans experience poor mental health after leaving the service and miss having the opportunity to meet and talk with other veterans. We feel the hub will complement the local breakfast clubs as it is aimed at veterans who need more support, advice, and signposting.

“We also plan to have partners from the military charity sector and other local agencies attend the hubs to provide veterans with specialist advice and information”.

The Loughborough Veterans Hub is due to open on March 25, 2022 with a launch event.

The centre is keen to hear from any veterans who would like to join its working group and help it set up the hub or anyone who has an interest and understanding of veterans’ needs and would like to volunteer at the hub for a few hours a week.

You can contact Helen Carter at helencarter@loughboroughwellbeing.