Wiltshire Council Secures Almost £450,000 to Improve Support for Armed Forces Community

Wiltshire Council has secured almost £450,000 in funding to improve support for veterans, serving military personnel and their families, with a new coordinating hub set to be established in Tidworth.

The council has successfully secured a grant of £449,242 through the VALOUR Recognised Centres Development Fund. The investment will help expand existing support services and make it easier for members of the Armed Forces community to access advice, guidance and assistance across Wiltshire.

A new coordinating hub will be established at Tidworth Library and Leisure Centre, providing a central point where veterans, serving personnel and their families can find information and connect with the support they need.

The funding will also allow the council to recruit new staff who will work directly with veterans and families, helping them identify their individual needs and access appropriate local and national services.

Rather than limiting support to Tidworth, the project will also take services out into communities across Wiltshire, giving people more opportunities to access help face-to-face and online.

Another key part of the project will involve strengthening partnerships with veteran-led organisations and community groups. This will include developing peer support opportunities through activities such as breakfast clubs and social groups, helping people build connections and access support from others with shared experiences.

Council staff working across libraries, leisure facilities, customer services and social care will also receive additional training to improve their understanding of the needs of the Armed Forces community.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said the authority was proud of its longstanding relationship with the Armed Forces and recognised the important contribution military personnel make to the county.

He said the investment would build on existing work and make it easier for veterans, serving personnel and their families to find the right support when they need it.

Cllr Thorn added that the project would not simply focus on creating a hub in one location, but would involve working with partners and communities across Wiltshire to bring support closer to people, both in person and online.

Cllr Andrew Matthews, Wiltshire Council's Armed Forces Champion, welcomed the successful funding bid, highlighting the county's large population of serving personnel, veterans and military families.

He said the investment demonstrated the council's commitment to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community feel welcomed, supported and included in their local communities.

Preparation work will now include recruiting staff and making improvements to Tidworth Library and Leisure Centre. The changes will make it easier for partner organisations and local groups to use the facilities, including providing dedicated space for confidential one-to-one conversations.

The new service is expected to become operational during 2027.

The funding comes through the VALOUR programme, which aims to improve access to essential face-to-face advice and support for veterans and the wider Armed Forces community. It also aims to strengthen coordination between public services and voluntary organisations, helping to reduce differences in access to support across the country.

The investment builds on Wiltshire Council's existing work, including its Belong in Wiltshire online hub, which provides information and guidance to help military families settle into life in the county.

Wiltshire Council is also a Gold Award holder under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, recognising its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community

https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/belong-in-wiltshire