In its first-ever announcement, the government has awarded nearly £1million in funding through its newly launched Op VALOUR programme to help SSAFA’s Glasgow’s Helping Heroes (GHH) continue to develop its raft of critical services to veterans.
VALOUR is a £50-million government-backed programme designed to improve coordination between charities, councils, and service providers to connect veterans with specialist services in the community.
GHH is a long-standing and highly successful partnership between SSAFA and Glasgow City Council that operates as a single point of contact for serving personnel and veterans, and their families across the city and surrounding areas.
As one of 14 centres across the UK to be awarded up to £1 million each to act as a single point of contact for veterans, this is a significant step forward in strengthening support for the Armed Forces community. A second round of funding will open later this spring, enabling more organisations to join the VALOUR network.
Air Chief Marshal (Ret’d) Steve Shell, CEO at SSAFA, said:
“The transformative nature of this award can’t be overstated, nor can the meaningful benefits it will bring to more people in the veteran community in Scotland and beyond. It will be felt for years to come.
“As SSAFA is experiencing an increasing demand for GHH services, we are also meeting a rise in complex cases – which we want to be able to support – VALOUR funding lands at a perfect time.
“The extra investment will strengthen our ability to restore stability, hope and crucially, dignity, through our specialised services in housing, health, employment opportunities, financial and wellbeing to those veterans who come to GHH for support.”
Louise Sandher-Jones MP, the Minister for Veterans and People, said:
“Our message to veterans is simple: this Government is on your side” adding that the government is “… stepping up the nation’s commitment to its veterans.” She stated, too, that Op VALOUR will “… build the most detailed picture yet of what’s working and what’s needed at a local and national level.”
To access support or learn more, search for “SSAFA GHH” or visit ssafa.org.uk/get-help/glasgow-helping-heroes.
