Veteran support centre network to more than double as East Durham charity gets extra funding

A UK-wide network of support centres for veterans is to more than double in size, with East Durham Veterans Trust among the organisations set to receive additional funding. A further 21 organisations will share more than £13.2m to launch a second wave of VALOUR-recognised centres by the beginning of 2027.

They will join the 14 organisations that were awarded over £13m earlier this year for the first wave. In total, £26,516,357 of development funding has been granted across the two rounds. An estimated one million veterans and their families in the UK are expected to benefit from easier access to local services as the network expands.

VALOUR has been designed to help the UK's estimated two million veterans get the support they need through recognised centres, a helpline service or on GOV.UK. It is overseen by a headquarters in the Office for Veterans' Affairs within the Ministry of Defence, and field officers are working regionally to strengthen collaboration between councils, local public services and charities.

Organisations in the second round include City of York Council, Leeds City Council, Westmorland & Furness Council, The Poppy Factory and Veterans Support Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the Defence Medical Welfare Service in Dumfries and Galloway is receiving £859,281.

Minister for Veterans and People Calvin Bailey said the expansion would give veterans "easier access to the support they need, regardless of where they are in the UK." Further information on VALOUR, and how to access support, is available at www.gov.uk/valour.