A ORGANISATION that supports military veterans has gained charity status.
Ringwood Veterans Hub has also moved to a new venue, the Greyfriars Community Centre in Ringwood.
First launched in October 2021 with a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, Ringwood Veterans Hub is open to anyone within the Wiltshire, Hampshire, or Dorset postcode areas, who served in the Armed Forces, Merchant Navy and Emergency Services.
Welfare trustee, Ruth Sparkes, said: "Gaining Charitable Status for Ringwood Veterans Hub is an important step for us. We are hopeful this will give us the chance to access funding from a wider range of sources which will help us as Trustees to provide further support to our Veterans and to be able to provide them with access to trips, speakers and activities which will benefit their general wellbeing.
"As a Registered Charity it gives the hub a recognisable structure and status which is valuable when sign posting to and from the hub by partner organisations such as NHS, SSAFA".
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The group has now grown steadily, and it is hoped with further funding can welcome more members.
Ringwood Town Mayor, Gareth DeBoos, was tasked with the “ceremonial” cutting of the Veterans Hub Celebration cake, and was assisted by RVH Chair of Trustees, Rosemary White.
Numerous guests joined in the celebrations including those from Ringwood Town Council, New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council, Ringwood Royal British Legion, Ringwood & Fordingbridge Lions, Bickerley Common Care Home, The Memory Box Foundation, Forest Arts, SSAFA and Portsmouth Parachute Regimental Association.
Following the cake cutting, a special medal ceremony took place where the oldest member of Ringwood Veterans Hub, former Paratrooper, John Bright age 94, was presented with a ceremonial medal by Major Ken Newton, the Chairman of the Portsmouth branch of the Parachute Regiment Association.
The medal ceremony was witnessed by John’s son and daughter who had joined him for the special occasion and was celebrated by all present.
After the official celebrations the veterans provided the guests with photos of themselves from their younger days when they were undertaking military service and regaled them with stories about their experiences.
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Within the group of Veterans present were members who had seen service in such places as Germany, Iraq, the Falkland Islands, Holland, Cyprus, Africa and the Far East.
The hub's purpose is to combat social isolation and loneliness in veterans.
While all ages are served, there are strong provisions for the wellbeing of older veterans as well as being an aide to like minded companionship. The hub works closely with established professional partners (statutory and charitable) to signpost veterans towards support with mental and physical health, financial and any other areas of need.
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The Hub meets on Fridays at Greyfriars between 10am and noon, with various activities, talks and events being provided. The group also meets for a breakfast meeting at The Furlong Inn, Ringwood on the last Friday of each month.
The Hub is currently looking to obtain funding towards transportation costs to allow members who are currently unable to attend to do so. Any Veteran who would like to attend is free to join the Hub on any Friday.
For more information, go to ringwoodveteranshub.co.uk
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