Armed Forces charities in Plymouth have launched the first of a series of new outreach hubs at Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre following Census data revealed that veterans made up over eight per cent of the Plymouth population.
For the first time last year the Census asked people to declare if they had previously served in the UK Armed Forces. Local authority figures released today show that 18,279 veterans live in Plymouth.
Help for Heroes data from the same period as the Census in 2021 shows that at that time the charity was supporting almost 1,500 affected by their service across Devon.
With 12 times that number of veterans living in Plymouth alone, the charity and other organisations recognised there are many more who could need support.
The move to open outreach hubs for the Armed Forces community, which includes veterans and those currently serving, and their families, has been driven by the local community team from Help for Heroes, in tandem with the Armed Forces Community Social Prescriber for Plymouth Becky Ormrod, Improving Lives Plymouth, Op Courage (the veterans’ mental health service from the NHS), Veterans UK, Royal British Legion, Team Endeavour Wheelchair Rugby Club, and Armed Forces champions from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Veteran Roch Rochester, who has been supported by Help for Heroes and other organisations, and attended the outreach hub representing Team Endeavour Wheelchair Rugby Club which he now runs to support others, said:
“All the charities coming together give that option of wraparound support for veterans and others in the Armed Forces community in need, or even if they’re not in need just for a social connection.
“Some of our rugby players have gone on to do cycling or canoeing or sailing; it’s all those connections that help to build our community.
“Help for Heroes and others really helped me when I was in a dark place. All these organisations I didn’t know were there for me. I always thought it was for other guys and their injuries. Now, I have a voice in that community. I can knock on a door and ask for help for myself or others, but many years ago I couldn’t. For me it’s great to see this happening.”
The hub will be at Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre in Glen Road (PL7 2XS) on the second Thursday of each month (3pm-7pm), at Ernest English House in Buckwell Street (PL1 2DA) on the third Wednesday of each month (9am-7pm) and at Four Greens Community Trust, Whitleigh Green (PL5 4DD) on the last Wednesday of each month, starting on November 30 (4-8pm).
Help for Heroes’ case manager, Paul Mouncher, said: “Often, those who are in or have been in the Forces aren’t sure where they can go to speak to someone who will understand, or who knows what’s available for them and where. And, crucially, where they can find help and support.
“The outreach hub is there to bridge that gap for them: a one-stop shop with all the charities and organisations together in one place, so the Armed Forces community can come for a chat and a cuppa and enquire about the available support in welfare, clinical, mental health, and sporting activities.”
Help for Heroes has already supported more than 27,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve. Members of the Armed Forces community can ask for help at www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/ask-for-help/
For further details on attending or supporting a Plymouth Armed Forces community outreach hub, contact Paul Mouncher, Help for Heroes’ case manager on 07807 298684 or paul.mouncher@helpforheroes.org.uk.
