Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 3:05 pm on 16 December 2020.
Thank you, Minister. Newport Veterans Hub is a social support group that aims to bring veterans out of isolation and give them a place to socialise and make new friends. As well as offering support and activities for veterans and their families, including a free meal delivery service for those suffering with ill health, they link up with other local and national organisations to ensure their members can access the services that they need. They're really keen that the hub supports veterans and their families as well. They have recently linked up with Dragons Rugby and their mission is to make Newport one of the best places for supporting veterans in the UK.
Speaking with some of the veterans when I visited the Thursday drop-in, the work that they're doing is phenomenal, and sadly very necessary. We're all aware of the difficulties faced by servicemen and women when they return from active service, and while warm words are welcome, veterans and their families want and need to see support in practical ways. The support offered by the hub is tailored to the needs of the users, and is greatly appreciated. The hub is a charitable organisation that relies on donations, so would the Minister look closely at the excellent work of Newport Veterans Hub and ensure that the Welsh Government is doing all that it can to support our veterans and their families in our communities?