New forum to give veterans a voice

PROPOSALS for a new forum to help support military veterans, serving members of HM forces and their families is being backed by Warrington Borough Council.
Plans are now taking shape to create a veterans’ centre in central Warrington to help veterans to access council and other services.
Any veterans living in Warrington are being invited to a meeting at the Town Hall to be held on Monday December 16. The meeting will be held in the council chamber, starting at 1900. Tea and coffee will be provided from 1845.
Lance Reah, a former sergeant in the Coldstream Guards, who has been working with the council for more than three years towards the setting up of the proposed veterans’ centre, explained: “We want as many veterans as possible to come to the meeting. It will then be up to the veterans themselves, with some help from the council, to shape the forum to serve their needs.
“Warrington’s veterans and service families will then have an independent collective voice, and they’ll be able to tell us from direct experience what works for them and what doesn’t.
“Many ex-service personnel have no problems making the transition to civilian life. Some experience horrendous problems, and it’s crucial that we have input from veterans and their families.”
The venture is being taken forward in partnership with St Loye’s Foundation, which delivers care and support services around the country and has a North West office in Warrington.
Cllr David Keane, a member of the council’s executive board, added: “The idea of the veterans’ centre is to provide a one-stop shop where veterans and their families can get in touch over housing, healthcare, employment, benefits and other issues.”
The proposed veterans’ centre in Warrington would be expected to run as a pilot project for 18 months in the first instance.