VETERANS, serving personnel, reservists and families in Launceston are set to receive extra support thanks to the launch of a new group.

Veterans Regroup has supported the Armed Forces community since 2020, and now it is hoping to do the same across North Cornwall.

A signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, registered with the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), and a member of ASDIC and Cobseo, Veterans Regroup provides free support services to veterans, reservists, serving personnel, and their immediate families across Cornwall.

This week, the organisation has announced the launch of a new monthly Armed Forces Hub in Launceston, starting on February 11, from 10am to 12pm at Edymead Hall, and continuing every second Wednesday of the month thereafter.

The hub hopes to provide vital support for veterans, serving Armed Forces personnel, reservists, and their families, bringing essential advice and services closer to home.

A Veterans Regroup spokesperson said: “The Armed Forces Hub offers a welcoming, informal space where members of the Armed Forces community can enjoy free refreshments, meet others, and access free support from a wide range of local and national organisations.”

With an estimated 39,000 military veterans living in Cornwall, and the wider Armed Forces community representing around 10 per cent of the county’s population, many individuals and families face challenges including social isolation, mental health issues, housing difficulties, unemployment, debt, and barriers to accessing services.

Jane Jiwa, director of Veterans Regroup, said: "The launch of the Launceston hub marks a significant milestone for Veterans Regroup and the Armed Forces community in North Cornwall. By bringing together local and national support organisations under one roof, we can make it easier for veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families to access the free support they need, without long delays."

Support at the hubs includes guidance on pensions, mental health, housing, benefits, debt, employment, healthcare, and education.