The Isle of Wight’s Armed Forces Champion says progress is being made towards securing better support for local veterans following a series of talks in Westminster.
Councillor Ian Dore recently met with the Veterans Minister’s team alongside Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley to discuss proposals linked to the Government’s VALOUR programme.
The scheme aims to make it easier for veterans to access support by bringing together councils, charities and local services into a coordinated national network.
Central to the discussions was the possibility of creating a dedicated veterans support centre on the Isle of Wight, linked to the wider Solent veterans’ network.
During the meeting, concerns were raised about the difficulties Island veterans face when trying to access mainland services. Although a VALOUR centre is currently being developed in Portsmouth, ferry costs, travel and isolation were highlighted as major barriers for many residents.
Councillor Dore has been campaigning for improved provision since the opportunity first emerged, with discussions continuing later in the evening with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, Al Carns.
Talks continued later in the evening with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, Al Carns
Mr Carns, who holds the Military Cross, DSO and OBE, is said to have responded positively to the proposals during further talks in Westminster. Councillor Dore also met Lord Coaker and Defence Select Committee chair Tan Dhesi MP.
The Isle of Wight is estimated to have around 7,200 veterans but currently has no permanent, professionally governed multi-agency support centre backed by the local authority.
Councillor Dore has said:
“This has been in development since October last year and shows how important persistence is with processes like this.
“There is a huge amount of research and groundwork required too.
“Progress takes time, as relationships are built and nurtured, with this being my second trip ‘up town’, to fly our flag, as we have continued to make the case that the Isle of Wight requires its own dedicated support.
“I’m grateful to Richard and the Minister for jacking up the meeting, and to Al Carns who spearheaded and launched the VALOUR scheme in the first place.
“All who were engaged listened carefully to the concerns, and for Al, as a veteran himself, he understood the challenges we face.
“They were very positive discussions, building on the work Richard and I have been doing for some time now.
“We are now in a position to take this to the next stage, so it’s best boots forward.”
The proposed centre would bring together local authority oversight, partner organisations and clearer referral pathways under a more structured framework.
As part of the Westminster visit, Councillor Dore also attended a Royal garden party hosted by The Not Forgotten charity, where he met Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace.
Our veterans should have everything they need they fought for us, no one actually knows what they have gone through, let’s look after them always! They deserve our utmost respect. This shouldn’t have even had to go to the government it should be allowed whatever they need, for g..s sake they give enough money to other causes not worthy of it?? It’s time the government acknowledges our soldiers more past and present.
To all our veterans thank you for your service.
Sadly they are treated as cannon fodder.
My late father fought in WW2, makes me wonder
what he actually fought for!
Look at the state of the country now and look how
veterans are treated.
Well done to Cllr Dore for taking this forward.
To our veterans – thank you for your service.
I sincerely hope these conversations come to fruition and the island has a fully funded support centre created. Our veterans truly deserve this
Was the Legacy Act raised? Quigley voted to drag our brave veterans through the courts!