Wiltshire Council secures major funding to strengthen support for Wiltshire’s Armed Forces Community

Veterans, Service Personnel and their families will have easier access to advice and support thanks to almost £450,000 of new funding awarded to Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council successfully bid for £449,242 through the VALOUR Recognised Centres Development Fund to expand its work with the Armed Forces community and establish a new coordinating hub at Tidworth Library and Leisure Centre.

The grant funding will be used to:

• Create a new coordinating hub at Tidworth Library and Leisure Centre, providing a clear place for veterans, serving personnel and their families to access advice and support.
• Recruit staff to work directly with veterans and families, helping them identify their needs and connect with the right local and national support.
• Take support out into communities across Wiltshire so people can access help in person and online.
• Strengthen partnerships with veteran-led and community organisations, including developing peer support through groups such as breakfast and social clubs.
• Train council staff, including those working in libraries, leisure, customer services and social care, to better understand the needs of the Armed Forces community and help people access appropriate support.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We are proud of our strong and longstanding ties with the Armed Forces in Wiltshire and we recognise the invaluable contribution their presence makes to Wiltshire in general.

“In return, we want veterans, service personnel and their families to know that support is there for them when they need it.

“This significant investment will allow us to build on the good work already happening across the county and make it easier for people to find and access the right advice and support.

“Importantly, this isn’t just about creating a hub in one location. We will work with partners and communities across Wiltshire to bring support closer to people, whether face-to-face or online.

“By working together and providing a clear route to support, we can help ensure that members of our Armed Forces community feel supported and continue to thrive as part of life in Wiltshire.”

Cllr Andrew Matthews, Armed Forces Champion at Wiltshire Council, said: “This is great news for our Armed Forces community in Wiltshire and demonstrates how much we value those who have served our country and are currently serving. Wiltshire has a large population of Service Personnel, veterans and their families living and working in the county, and we want Wiltshire to be a place where they feel welcomed, supported and very much part of their local communities.

“I’m delighted we have been successful in this grant funding, which will build on that commitment and help ensure people can access the right support for now and the future.”

Preparation work will include recruiting new staff and improving Tidworth Library and Leisure Centre so partners and local groups supporting the Armed Forces community can use it more easily, including providing space for confidential one-to-one conversations. The new service is expected to be operational during 2027.

The VALOUR programme aims to make it easier for veterans and the wider Armed Forces community to access essential face-to-face guidance and support. It also aims to improve coordination between statutory and voluntary organisations and help address differences in access to services across the country.

The new investment builds on the council’s existing work to support the Armed Forces community, including its Belong in Wiltshire online hub, which provides information to help military families settle into life in the county. The council is also a Gold Award holder under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.