"Without the Veterans' Foundation, we wouldn't be where we are today."
These are the words of Steve Bentham-Bates, founder of Help 4 Homeless Veterans, after his charity achieved something it has been working towards for more than a decade – purchasing its very first home for homeless veterans.
The house, affectionately named Woodhouse, is now open and provides safe, temporary accommodation for veterans experiencing homelessness while they rebuild their lives.
It marks a major milestone for the South Yorkshire charity, which has supported former servicemen and women since 2010.
Although Veterans' Foundation grants did not directly fund the purchase of the property, Steve is unequivocal about the role the charity's long-term support has played as H4HV has been awarded multiple grants from the Veterans’ Foundation.
"Without the Veterans' Foundation, the charity would not be where it is today and that includes the house” said Steve.
"Their funding has enabled us to do all the other things we've done over the years, from supporting homeless veterans to developing projects like our therapy farm.
"Although their money didn't directly buy the house, without their help we simply wouldn't have been in a position to make it happen."
For Veterans' Foundation supporters, it is a powerful example of how sustained funding helps charities grow, develop and ultimately achieve ambitions that once seemed out of reach.
Steve has spent 11 years leading Help 4 Homeless Veterans, helping former members of the Armed Forces who have fallen into crisis.
For years the charity provided emergency support, temporary hotel accommodation, advice and practical assistance.
But Steve always believed they could do more.
"I kept saying to the trustees that a homeless charity without a home is useless. So we launched our Buy a Brick campaign because we wanted to buy our own house and we've done it,” he continued.
"We have been able to purchase the property outright, with no mortgage, thanks to years of fundraising, community donations and campaigns including Buy a Brick. "Local businesses also rallied behind the project, donating around £30,000 worth of refurbishment work, which has transformed the 130-year-old property into a welcoming home for veterans."
"The house is far more than somewhere to sleep.
"It offers veterans stability, dignity and breathing space while they secure permanent housing and rebuild their independence.
"The house is another project on top of all the work we already do. We're still helping veterans every day, but now we can avoid putting people into hotels and give them somewhere that really feels like home."
The Veterans’ Foundation has awarded the charity multiple grants over the years, helping fund frontline services and even supporting Steve’s role so he can continue leading the organisation.
That consistent backing has allowed the charity to keep helping veterans while simultaneously raising hundreds of thousands of pounds towards purchasing its first home.
"Without the Veterans' Foundation, we wouldn't have been able to engage with everybody else and grow into the charity we are today.”
