Greenwich Hospital has awarded a grant totalling £194,000 over three years to RMA – The Royal Marines Charity to enable the Gordon Messenger Centre to expand its vital work with serving and former Royal Marines, their families, and the wider Royal Navy community.
The Gordon Messenger Centre (GMC) delivers a broad range of services, activities, and support programmes designed to promote resilience, health, wellbeing, and social connection across the Royal Marines family. These include regular and on-demand activities for all ages, referral pathways to specialist support, and events aimed at improving outcomes for children, young people, and families.
This grant will enable RMA – The Royal Marines Charity to cover the costs for its existing Centre Assistants and to recruit new staff members, ensuring adequate coverage during extended hours for the Centre, including evenings and weekends. By strengthening its staffing, the GMC will be better placed to:
- Enhance its capacity to deliver services and respond to the evolving needs of the Royal Marine and Royal Navy community, ensuring that individuals and families receive timely and effective support.
- Support improved health and wellbeing outcomes by providing easier access to advice, guidance, and resources to help address the challenges that mental health, financial pressure and social isolation can create.
- Serve as a key referral hub for partner organisations supporting Royal Marine and Royal Navy families, fostering collaboration to ensure a seamless pathway to specialist services and assistance.
- Expand its outreach efforts to engage a broader segment of the Royal Marine and Royal Navy community, thereby raising awareness of the support available through the Centre.
- Strengthen its ability to adapt to future demands, ensuring the sustainability and resilience of its services for years to come.
Deidre Mills, Director, Greenwich Hospital, said:
“Greenwich Hospital’s support for the Gordon Messenger Centre recognises the significant contribution the Centre makes in strengthening resilience and fostering community among Royal Marines and Royal Navy families.”
Lisa-Joy Peake, Manager, The Gordon Messenger Centre, said:
This investment, made possible by Greenwich Hospital, strengthens the Centre’s role as a vital lifeline for the Royal Marines and Royal Navy community — expanding accessible support, enhancing operational capacity, and ensuring services remain responsive, targeted, and impactful.
