Charity to receive £1m to support more veterans

2 hours ago

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — Hull4Heroes' Paul Matson says the funding will mean the charity can help more people

Jo Makel/BBC Head and shoulders shot of Paul Matson. He is standing on a field and is wearing a black jacket with the Hull4Heroes emblem on it. — Hull4Heroes' Paul Matson says the funding will mean the charity can help more people

A charity will receive up to £1m from the government to help more veterans who need support in East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire.

Hull4Heroes in Princes Quay is one of 14 centres across the UK to be given a share of £13m, as part of a wider programme by the Minstry of Defence (MoD) which will connect veterans with specialist services in the community.

Paul Matson, the chief executive of Hull4Heroes, said: "It is absolutely essential that these funds come towards an agency like us and we can go out there and push it out even more."

The MoD said it would help ex-forces personnel to gain easier access to local services in "health, housing, employment and more".

Matson said the centre in Hull's Princes Quay, which has been running for three years, offered a space for veterans to come in for support including having a hot drink and a chat.

He said the funding would help the charity reach out further across Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.

"The armed forces community are very proud people and don't like to ask for help and generally come to us at the last moment in desperate need," he said.

A close up of the back window of a car. On the rear window is a graphic reading: 'Hull4Heroes, supporting those who have served'. The car is parked in front of two terraced houses with bay windows. — Hull4Heroes is one of 14 centres in the UK to benefit from government funding to help veterans

The MoD's £50m VALOUR programme will include a headquarters in its Office for Veterans' Affairs department, field officers and an online support platform.

According to the government, the system has been designed to share data and form better connections between local charities, councils and service providers.

The MoD said it was investing in these measures because it recognised veterans as "a national asset".

Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones said: "This government is stepping up the nation's commitment to its veterans.

"With new connections across the system and field officers on the ground, VALOUR will build the most detailed picture yet of what's working and what's needed at a local and national level."

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