Colleagues at SSAFA’s Glasgow’s Helping Heroes have welcomed Armed Forces Minister Al Carns to visit the service following a successful bid for transformative VALOUR funding.
The award of nearly £1million from Westminster, announced in March, will see Glasgow’s Helping Heroes continue to develop its often life-changing support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
Glasgow’s Helping Heroes is a single point of contact support hub operated by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity in partnership with Glasgow City Council.
Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns DSO OBE MC MP visited the service to meet with staff and beneficiaries, and to recognise SSAFA’s role in the delivery of the VALOUR programme moving forward.
Sy Harty, SSAFA’s Glasgow’s Helping Heroes Service Manager, said:
“Glasgow’s Helping Heroes is a flagship service for SSAFA, supporting 550 people a year and helping to ensure our Armed Forces community in the Glasgow area never have to battle alone.
“The successful award of VALOUR funding is testament to the important work that we do; it will enable us to improve our support and expand our impact – ultimately changing the lives of Forces-experienced people for the better.”
Armed Forces Minister, Al Carns, said:
“As a veteran with more than 20 years’ service I understand the challenges many face after leaving the Armed Forces, as well as the unique contribution they continue to make to communities across the UK.
“This new investment through VALOUR will ensure those who have served their country have access to more joined-up support that meets their needs and delivers real impact in their lives. If you are a veteran who needs support, I encourage you to seek help through VALOUR Recognised Centres, who do vital work for our veteran community.”
VALOUR is a £50-million government-backed programme designed to improve coordination between support providers and connect veterans with local services including housing, health, and employability. Glasgow’s Helping Heroes is one of 14 centres across the UK to be awarded up to £1million each, to act as a single point of contact for veterans.
Further information about Glasgow’s Helping Heroes is available on the SSAFA website.
