Recently, I attended the Association of Drop-In Centres' (ASDIC) convention in Leeds, partly as the Veterans’ Foundation had co-sponsored the event, but also to listen to presentations and to talk to participants.
It was good to be able to discuss the challenges of hubs and drop-in centres, as well as other organisations working with the armed forces' family.
Clearly, it is difficult to raise funds in the current economic climate and so it was encouraging to be able to tell people how to acquire a grant from the Veterans’ Foundation.
ASDIC is giving a voice, and the stage in some respects, to small organisations that are helping veterans and that has to be good.
I also visited Hull 4 Heroes, another charity the Veterans’ Foundation has supported with funds.
They provide a panoply of support through their bright, modern premises in the middle of the busy shopping centre in Hull.
I met staff, veterans and members of the Reserve, to hear of Hull 4 Heroes’ work, helping veterans and their families with transition.
Later, I was taken to the site of their proposed Veterans Village; this is an ambitious and exciting prospect that will provide first class accommodation and support to veterans in transition.
This month, the Veterans’ Foundation awarded 69 grants amounting to nearly £1.5 million - the highest monthly total given away in one quarter and bringing the total this year to £5 million.
These grants will make a huge difference to the recipients, so thank you for you participation in the Veterans’ Lottery and in making donations to the Veterans’ Foundation.
The Veterans’ Foundation has provided, or is providing, large and small grants, from hundreds of thousands of pounds to mental health charities through the Contact Group, and similar amounts to Walking with the Wounded and the Defence Medical Welfare Service, to small grants to the likes of Give Us Time and Valley Veterans.
This quarter, the whole range of the needs of the armed forces community were covered: mental health, wellbeing, homelessness, poverty, addiction and more.
Thank you for your continuing support.
If YOU know of a charity or organisation doing charitable work for our community, please get them to get in touch with us to see if they can acquire one of the Veterans’ Foundation's grants.
We expect to provide about £20 million to these worthwhile causes in the next three years.
David Shaw
CEO & Founder, Veterans' Foundation
