New centre to help rural county's armed forces

A new centre is in the pipeline to better support armed forces across a rural county.

Penrith, in Cumbria, will be the base of the new service for serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families to access help with housing, employment and deal with issues such as rural isolation.

Led by Westmorland and Furness Council, the £500,000 project works with partners including local authorities, charities and the University of Cumbria and is funded over three years by the government's Office for Veterans' Affairs.

Westmorland and Furness Council said the centre will work with outreach services to support people across the county, including with peer-support groups.

The LibDem authority's cabinet member for armed forces, Vicky Hughes, said the service would help better identify people's needs.

"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 council said it would help people connect with mental and physical health services, improve wellbeing and overcome financial difficulties.

A timescale for the centre on Corney Square to open is expected to be announced soon.

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