A major new support network for serving personnel, veterans and military families is set to launch across Cumbria after a consortium led by Westmorland and Furness Council secured almost £500,000 in government funding.
The £497,907 investment from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), part of the Ministry of Defence, will fund the creation of a Cumbria-wide VALOUR-recognised centre designed to provide coordinated support for serving Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, their families and carers.
Based at 5 Corney Square in Penrith, the centre will operate through a county-wide network of outreach services and existing community locations, ensuring support is accessible to residents across both urban and rural areas.
Joined-Up Support Across Cumbria
The initiative aims to tackle long-standing challenges faced by the Armed Forces community, including social isolation, fragmented services, rural accessibility issues and barriers to accessing specialist support.
Operating under a "No Wrong Door" approach, the centre will provide holistic assessments, tailored support plans and coordinated referrals, helping individuals access the right services without having to navigate multiple organisations independently.
Support will focus on key areas such as:
- Physical and mental health
- Employment and training
- Housing advice
- Financial wellbeing
- Community connections and peer support
Outreach provision will be available across Barrow, Carlisle, Grange, Kendal, Whitehaven and Workington, alongside digital appointments, telephone support and home visits where appropriate.
Strong Partnership Approach
The VALOUR programme will bring together a range of specialist organisations providing military-informed support, including:
- Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
- Healthier Heroes CIC
- One Vision Uniformed Services
- The Royal Hospital Chelsea
- Carlisle United Community Sports Trust
The successful bid was led by Linda Jones, Westmorland and Furness Council's Director of Law and Governance and lead officer for the Armed Forces. It received backing from Cumberland Council, Cumbria Combined Authority, the University of Cumbria, the Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria and all five of the county's MPs.
Westmorland and Furness Council was one of only 20 lead organisations nationally to secure funding during the second wave of VALOUR-recognised centre awards, underlining the strength of Cumbria's collaborative approach.
Leaders Welcome Major Investment
Westmorland and Furness Council Leader Cllr Jonathan Brook welcomed the funding announcement as a significant boost for local Armed Forces provision.
Cllr Brook said: "We are delighted that Cumbria has secured significant funding for a VALOUR-recognised centre. This investment will strengthen support for serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families across the county.
“As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to ensuring that those who serve, or have served, and their families are treated fairly and have access to the support they need. Our own Cumbria centre will build on that commitment by bringing partners together to provide more coordinated, military-informed support across our communities."
Cllr Vicky Hughes, Cabinet Member for Planning, Active Wellbeing and the Armed Forces, highlighted the importance of improving access to services.
Cllr Hughes said: “This is welcome recognition of the need to strengthen support for our Armed Forces community. Securing this funding through a highly competitive process is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work of partners across the county.
"We know that while there is excellent support available, there is more we can do to understand and respond to the needs of serving personnel, veterans and their families. The Cumbria VALOUR-recognised centre will help us better identify those needs and ensure people can access the right support at the right time, wherever they live in Cumbria.”
Colonel (Retd) Chris Sanderson OBE JP DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, also praised the initiative.
He said: “Having served for 30 years in the Armed Forces and been closely involved in the welfare of veterans in Cumbria for the last 14 years, I welcome the establishment of the VALOUR centre in Penrith and am delighted at Westmorland and Furness Council’s success in securing funding for this much needed resource.”
Next Steps
Following confirmation of the funding award, consortium partners will begin implementation planning ahead of service rollout. Further details on delivery models, staffing and timelines are expected to be announced as the project progresses.
The new centre is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening support pathways for the Armed Forces community across Cumbria, ensuring individuals and families can access timely, coordinated assistance regardless of where they live.
Image credits: Westmorland and Furness Council
