United For The Community are proud to spotlight our ongoing mission to transform the lives of local ex-servicemen, women, and their families. Backed by vital funding streams from the Veterans Foundation supporting Pools Armed Force Veterans Hub, we continue to bridge the gap between military service and civilian life.
The Veterans’ Foundation operates as a crucial funding engine across the UK, by routing proceeds from the Veterans Lottery into frontline community projects like our Armed Force Veterans Hub, it ensures local heroes receive targeted care right where they live.
The two-year grant funding injection directly underpins the charity’s localised delivery of core veteran benefits, transforming national funding into actionable community initiatives:
- Combating Social Isolation & Improving Mental Health: Operating out of the heart of 0ur Club 1908 bar at Victoria Park, Monday drop-in sessions are a safe environment that offers free refreshments and a vital network of peers to combat loneliness and depression. (1:30pm – 3:00pm).
- Physical Therapy & Wellbeing: Through structured multi-sport sessions, including indoor bowls, badminton and games, the project delivers physical rehabilitation that heavily boosts veterans’ mental resilience. We also organise trips and excursions to military heritage sites and museums, which act as a positive cognitive spark, prompting positive memory recall that allows veterans to recount stories from their military career and preserve their own personal history.
- Safeguarding: Lowers the barriers for individuals to report concerns. Maintaining strict safeguarding policies and procedures, we can direct and signpost those at risk to regulated support networks.
- Welfare & Family Inclusion: Recognising that military service affects the entire household, our Charity extends its activities to veterans’ families and widows. The hub regularly plays host to specialised guest speakers who offer expert guidance on housing, benefits, and dependency support.
Keith Nobbs, Manager of United For The Community, said, “The Veterans Hub provides a crucial connection and resources for veterans and their families.
“Peer-to-peer support provides a safe environment where veterans and their families can mix and socialise, which is particularly important to those experiencing isolation or loneliness.”
Local ex-forces personnel and their families are invited to join the hub entirely free of charge. For more details, veterans can visit our weekly Monday session 1.30pm -3.00pm at Victoria Park or contact Keith via email at keith.Nobbs@hartlepoolunited.co.uk
