Major Win for Veteran Support Services: Woody’s Lodge Helps Secure £1 Million Through VALOUR, the UK’s First Government-Backed Network
We’ve recently secured £1 million in funding through the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund (AFCTF), as part of the new government-backed, nation-wide £50m VALOUR programme. This is a huge step forward, allowing us to reach more Veterans and connect them with life-changing Veteran support services, from healthcare to safe housing.
Launch of Connected Forces Cymru for Integrated Veteran Support Services in South Wales
The funding will support the launch of Connected Forces Cymru, which is a new network of Veteran support hubs across South Wales, bringing together Bulldogs BCA, Swansea Veterans Hub, VC Gallery and Woody’s Lodge, and the goal is to build a more integrated network of care and support for Veterans across the region.
Connected Forces Cymru will act as a single point of contact for Veterans, making it easier than ever for them to access vital services.
From Our CEO: “We’re Proud To Be Part of a Partnership that Puts Veterans First”
Graham Jones, CEO of Woody’s Lodge, highlighted how this funding will strengthen support for Veterans and their families:
“Woody’s Lodge is both pleased and excited to be awarded this funding alongside our partners as part of Connected Forces Cymru.
“For years, we’ve witnessed how the right support at the right moment can transform the lives of Veterans and their families. This investment allows us to expand that impact, creating a consistent, joined‑up network that ensures no one is disadvantaged because of where they live.
“By coming together, we are building a more responsive, accessible and compassionate system of support, one that truly reflects the dignity, service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community.
We’re proud to be part of a partnership that puts Veterans first and strengthens what already works across Wales.”
Long-Term Veteran Help Expected to Reach 13,500 People
For the next three years, the initiative is expected to support more than 4,000 Veterans, while also positively impacting a further 9,500 people connected to them. It will strengthen links to essential Veteran support services, like healthcare, housing, employment, and wellbeing, creating a co-ordinated network of support across South Wales for Veterans and the wider Armed Forces community.
Veterans First: VALOUR Recognises Veterans As a National Asset
Woody’s Lodge and our support networks in South Wales are proud to be part of the VALOUR programme. It drives the Government’s Veterans Strategy, which recognises veterans as a national asset.
Across the UK, Woody’s Lodge is one of 14 veteran support centres, which together will receive £13 million in funding.
VALOUR: A First In The UK
VALOUR is the UK’s first ever network of government-backed veteran support centres. It’s described as “a groundbreaking programme that tackles the current fragmented nature of accessing support.”
With its headquarters in the Office for Veterans’ Affairs at the Ministry of Defence, VALOUR brings together field officers and an online support platform, creating a system that shares information and builds stronger connections between local charities, councils, and service providers.
Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:
“This government is stepping up the nation’s commitment to its veterans. We are building the first ever system that brings together a headquarters in the heart of government, coheres charities and support services, and connects a network of veteran support centres.
“With new connections across the system and field officers on the ground, VALOUR will build the most detailed picture yet of what’s working and what’s needed at a local and national level. Our message to veterans is simple: this Government is on your side.”
VALOUR Recognised Centres are spread across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England. And later this spring, a second round of funding will open, giving more organisations the chance to join the network.
Veteran Support Services in South Wales: Accessible, Coordinated Care
Connected Forces Cymru will provide trusted and welcoming spaces across South Wales, offering coordinated, wrap-around Veteran support services.
The network will feature physical hubs open up to six days a week, ensuring Veterans can access help when they need it. With a “no wrong door” approach, every Veteran will be guided to the right support the first time, whether that’s direct access to services or warm referrals into healthcare, housing, employment, or welfare support. For those unable to visit in person, the programme will also provide outreach support, ensuring no one is left without assistance.
Building a Network That Works for Every Veteran
At Woody’s Lodge, we know how challenging it can be for Veterans to access the support they need, where services have often been scattered. Connected Forces Cymru changes that by bringing together four trusted local organisations into a single, coordinated network.
It strengthens the support that already exists, transforming it into a seamless network where every Veteran can rely on consistent support no matter where they live, helping to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. It ensures help is easier to find, quicker to access, and steady across South Wales, turning individual successes into a system that works for everyone.
For Woody’s Lodge, this milestone is more than funding; it’s a commitment to every Veteran and family we support. Connected Forces Cymru under the VALOUR programme will ensure that fragmented services are replaced with a co-ordinated regional system of support.
Veteran Support Services Where No One is Left Behind
By bringing trusted organisations together and uniting our strengths, we can build a network that’s accessible where no one is left behind. Over the coming years, we will continue to strengthen these connections, expand access to vital services, and make sure every Veteran in South Wales knows there is a place to turn, a team ready to help, and a community that cares.
