Newcastle will always stand by its military heroes, the city council has promised following an announcement of Government support.
Amidst the weekend’s VE Day celebrations, the Government unveiled new measures to help veterans access essential care and support under a new system backed by £50m in funding.
The new VALOUR network will see the Government deploy new teams to make it easier for councils to engage with veterans groups to ensure those who have served their country can get the help they need later on in life.
The Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Karen Kilgour, has welcomed the additional funding and assured veterans that Newcastle will always ensure they – and all residents – have somewhere to go.
“The men and women who serve in our armed forces do so knowing they are putting their lives at risk,” she said.
“It is only right that in return they are given the care and support they need when their duties come to an end, whether that be accessing housing, social care services, mental health support or anything else.
“While VALOUR is in its early stages, I’m delighted the Government recognises more needs to be done for our military heroes and here in Newcastle we will do all we can to make the most of this additional support and ensure veterans can live the lives they deserve after all they’ve given to us.
“Sadly, many veterans have found themselves with seemingly nowhere to go. In our city, anybody who presents as homeless will be provided an offer of accommodation and nobody who puts their life on the line will be left to fend for themselves on the streets.”
Cllr Linda Wright, the council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “As a nation we’re coming together to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe and there’s hardly a more fitting time to remind ourselves of the sacrifices our armed forces make to protect us and our way of life.
“I’m really pleased the Government has recognised that and provided this extra support to ensure nobody who risks it all for the freedoms we often take for granted is forgotten about when their military service comes to an end.”
Newcastle City Council is a proud holder of the Gold Award of the Government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which recognises its support for the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant – the national promise to treat all active and former military personnel fairly.
The council also provides housing allocations to veterans, with certain veterans and members of the armed forces exempt from local connection requirements and receiving a higher banding which gives increased priority for council housing, as well as employing a dedicated officer to support their applications.
The additional measures were announced by Defence Secretary John Healey MP. He said: “The nation owes a duty to those who’ve served to defend our country, and it is only right that the Government steps up our support to them. The Armed Forces set most people up for success in life but when veterans need help then support is too often a postcode patchwork.
“Our plan to develop a UK-wide veterans support service will work with enterprising health, employment and housing charities and it is backed by the one of the largest ever Government funding commitments to veterans.”
In its announcement, the Government said VALOUR will harness the power of data to shape better service provision and ensure the right type of support is available for veterans at a local level. As the delivery arm, field officers will work with local services including local government bodies, to share best practice and guidance.
Find out how to support anyone in Newcastle needing housing advice or homelessness prevention support on our website.