New £670,000 funding set to enhance support for veterans across Telford and Wrekin

Telford & Wrekin Council has been awarded £670,709 from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, within the Ministry of Defence, as part of the Government’s £50 million Valour programme. The investment will significantly strengthen the support available to veterans, serving personnel, and their families across the Borough.

The funding will be used to enhance and expand the services delivered through the Christopher Turley Armed Forces Community Hub in Dawley, establishing it as a fully Valour‑recognised centre of support. The Hub, created in partnership between Telford & Wrekin Council, Great Dawley Town Council and Telford Mind, already provides vital assistance to the local Armed Forces community.

The funding will enable the Hub open more often, for longer and build its existing offer of in‑person advice and guidance while providing much easier access to a wide range of services covering housing, health and wellbeing, welfare, employment, and skills. It will also bring together a broader network of local partners and providers, strengthening collaboration across the Borough and ensuring long‑term, sustainable impact.

Through this enhanced, joined‑up approach, the Hub will deliver benefits that create a lasting legacy of support for everyone with a military connection, ensuring veterans and their families receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of the Council, said: “As a Borough with a strong and proud military connection, it is important that we recognise and respect the service of our veterans, so it is fantastic to hear that our Hub will become one of the first Valour-recognised centre of support, and we are grateful to Shaun Davies MP for his support for our work, and for his support for our local veterans, at a national level.

“This funding will help to build on the wider work already being done to support those in the Borough with an Armed Forces connection, through the Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. This includes the recently launched Homes for Veterans scheme, and support for the Royal British Legion’s ‘Credit Their Service’ campaign, ensuring no veterans are disadvantaged by military compensation when being means‑tested.”

Louise Heap, CEO of Telford Mind, said: “We are delighted that the Christopher Turley Armed Forces Hub will receive this vital funding, enabling it to build on its strong foundations and expand the delivery of much needed services to our armed forces community.”

Councillor Ben Carter, Mayor of Great Dawley Town Council, said: “This is brilliant news and I am very pleased for all involved with the Christopher Turley Armed Forces Hub. This will be brilliant for the area and allow the hub to enhance its support to the armed forces community within Telford.”

Councillor Paul Davis, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Armed Forces, added: “This funding, gratefully received through the Government’s £50 million Valour programme, means Telford & Wrekin Council and our partners can continue to build on the services and support available through the Christopher Turley Armed Forces Community Hub in Dawley , with particular focus on housing, health and wellbeing, employment and skills, and welfare support.

“This announcement further reinforces the Council’s long‑standing commitment to supporting our Armed Forces community and leading by example in championing Armed Forces‑friendly policies. Alongside major events such as our annual Armed Forces Day Celebration in Donnington, being held this year on 28 June, we also provide outreach support through regular Armed Forces Community Cafés, Models for Heroes sessions, and a wide range of community‑based support initiatives. We’ve also recently been revalidated for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, highlighting our leadership and dedication to ensuring those who serve, have served, and their families are recognised, respected and fully supported across our Borough.”

Shaun Davies MP for Telford said: “I’m proud to stand up for Telford and to push for better support for our veterans, so it’s fantastic to see that work help secure this investment for our town. The Christopher Turley Armed Forces Hub is a real lifeline for veterans and their families and in just six months it’s already making a big difference. But we owe our Armed Forces community more than words, we need to back them with action.

“These are men and women who have served our country with courage and sacrifice and it’s only right that we make sure they get the support they need as they transition back to civilian life. This funding is a crucial step, building on the fantastic work already happening at the Hub and helping more people across Telford access the advice, help, and support they deserve. But we won’t stop here; our veterans and their families deserve nothing less than the very best we can provide.”

Telford & Wrekin Council says it will continue working closely with partners, including voluntary sector organisations, local providers, and community groups, to ensure the Hub’s development reflects the needs and experiences of veterans and their families across Telford and Wrekin.