Stuart Anderson MP has encouraged local organisations supporting veterans to apply for funding to become recognised support centres.
Veterans Minister Al Carns MP enlisted Stuart's support in September after he tabled a formal written question on support available to veterans in South Shropshire.
A pilot scheme launched in Manchester, Liverpool, and Yorkshire in June. Stuart is glad that rural areas like South Shropshire have now been invited to apply for the support available.
The rollout means that existing organisations in South Shropshire will be able to apply for funding. If successful, they will be recognised as a VALOUR support centre.
The programme is designed to recognise "existing best practice in local communities, while maintaining agility and flexibility across the sector."
It is the latest addition to Stuart's Veteran Support Navigator, which he launched in April 2024 to help veterans better locate government support available to them and their loved ones.
Stuart is promoting the programme as part of his campaign to make South Shropshire, which is already home to thousands of veterans, the best place in which to be a veteran.
As part of his plan to support local communities by addressing the unique challenges of rural areas and campaigning for investment to support community groups.
VALOUR will make it easier for veterans to access support services through recognised suppot centres, a network of field officers, and a headquarters in the Office for Veterans' Affairs.
VALOUR recognised centres will be supported by development funding, which is now open for applications and closes on 14th January 2025.
Local partners can sign up for updates at www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps. The website includes an option for veterans to register for updates and take part in any research.
"Having served in the Armed Forces, I am now on a mission to make South Shropshire the best place in which to be a veteran. Thousands of veterans call Shropshire home. They have given so much in service to our country and should be provided with a gold standard of support. A new scheme, Op VALOUR, aims to make it easier for veterans to access services through recognised support centres, supported by a network of field officers and a headquarters that is based in the Office for Veterans' Affairs. As the scheme was initially launched in more urban areas, I urged Veterans Minister Al Carns to ensure that rural areas like South Shropshire can also benefit. I am delighted that applications are now open until 14th January 2025 for existing organisations who support our veterans to become recognised support centres. I have updated the Veteran Support Navigator on my website with the latest details that are needed to apply."
