By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight’s Armed Forces Champion has made further progress in efforts to improve support for local veterans following talks in Westminster.
Cllr Ian Dore met Veterans’ Minister, Al Carns’ team, alongside IW West MP, Richard Quigley, to discuss proposals linked to the Government’s VALOUR programme. The scheme aims to improve access to support for veterans by linking councils, charities, and local services, through a co-ordinated national network. Central to the talks was the possible creation of a dedicated veterans’ support centre on the Island, connected to the wider Solent veterans’ network.
The meeting highlighted the difficulties faced by Island veterans in accessing mainland services. While a VALOUR centre is being developed in Portsmouth, ferry travel, cost, and isolation were raised as barriers for Island residents.
The Island is estimated to have around 7,200 veterans, but currently has no permanent, professionally governed multi-agency support centre backed by the local authority.
Cllr Dore said: “This has been in development since October last year, and shows how important persistence is with processes like this.
“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.
“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 proposal would bring together local authority oversight, partner organisations, and clearer referral pathways.
