Stonham-veteran-image2A CENTRE aimed at stopping Armed Forces veterans from becoming homeless has been officially opened in Wolverhampton.

Home Group has unveiled a £1.26m development of 14 self-contained flats named in honour of Wolverhampton veteran Roland Elcock who served in both World Wars and was honoured with the Victoria Cross.

The service provides accommodation and support for single personnel who are of working age and have served in the Armed Forces.

It also provides a person-centred floating support service based on the needs identified by the veteran. The day-to-day running of the scheme is being funded by a grant from the Forces in Mind Trust.

Residents have access to training and employment opportunities, helping them gain life skills and enable them to live independently.

Other areas of support include health and wellbeing; advice to engage with clinicians and other veteran support services, information about mental health issues, finances and support to access social engagement opportunities.

Ronique Thomas, who has now moved on from the service into his own independent accommodation, said: “I wish there had been a service like this when I left the Army years ago.

“I was discharged and left as street homeless. I had no idea what benefits I should claim, where to go for housing, or what support I was entitled to. Stonham Veteran Service has changed all this.”

If you know a single soldier who has left the Army and might benefit from this service, visit http://www.homegroup.org.uk/careandsupport/stonhamservices/pages/stonhamservices.aspx, or call Client Services Manager Gemma Paul on 07885 806134.

A 24 hour helpline is available through Combat Stress (Rethink) on 0800 138 1619

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