Help for ex-service people

Serving and former armed forces personnel across the borough will now be able to access a new help service.

The Ministry of Defence has contributed £20,000 to the Cheshire Armed Forces Hub, which will helps past and present soldiers, sailors and airmen who need help to access essential services, as well as emotional and family support, where required.

Run from Warrington, the hub will work in partnership with a newly-formed charity Shoulder to Soldier and will help serving and ex-servicemen with a range of problems, such as accessing welfare and benefits, tackling debt, housing difficulties and finding work.

All Cheshire local authorities backed the bid initiated by the Warrington Armed Forces Hub, which last year helped 81 new clients to access support.

Cheshire East has around 1,500 former servicemen and women claiming war pensions, but many more serving or ex-military personnel would qualify to access the service.

Steve Patterson, a trustee of the support network, said: “We are delighted that the Ministry of Defence had the confidence in our proposal. As an ex-forces person myself, I know how important it is to receive the correct advice and support.

“This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference across the whole of Cheshire.”

To find out more about the hub, email: admin@armedforcessupporthub.org or telephone 01925 246955