First government-funded veteran centres launched

A new national programme means that Tameside ex-forces personnel will soon be offered support designed to transform how they, their families and the wider Armed Forces community access support across health, housing and employment within the city region.

VALOUR is a groundbreaking approach that makes it easier for current and former armed forces personnel to get all the support and care they require in one place.

Greater Manchester has been successful in a joint bid deliver a VALOUR Recognised network. Across the city region, current and former armed forces personnel will be able to access support through the enhanced Live Well offer for the Armed Forced Community. As part of this, Tameside will receive a share of £1 million in funding to deliver targeted and dedicated support locally in partnership with armed forces organisations, charities and networks.

The wider £50 million VALOUR programme will include a headquarters in the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the Ministry of Defence, field officers and an online support platform. The system will work together to share data and form better connections between local charities, councils and service providers.

Executive Member for Finance and Resources and Armed Forces, Cllr Hugh Roderick said: “It’s great news that Greater Manchester has been successful in its VALOUR bid. Often, there is a disconnect between veterans and the services there to support them. This investment is designed to close that gap and ensure that, wherever in GM a veteran is, they will receive the help they need.

But most importantly, this gives us a clear, funded pathway to help our armed forces community in Tameside, in recognition of the service that our veterans have given our country, both past and present.”

More details will follow.

To find out more about VALOUR and sign up to updates, visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps