Gloucestershire veterans network bids for £1m to expand support
The Hive in Cinderford is applying for up to £1m from the VALOR programme to expand veterans support across Gloucestershire.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A veterans support network in Gloucestershire is hoping to secure up to a million pounds from the government's VALOR programme to extend its services across the county. The Hive, based in Cinderford, currently runs monthly drop-in sessions for veterans and their families, funded by the District Council, offering free help with employment, CV writing and access to specialist charities.
At a special open day at the Wilderness Centre, the team announced they were applying for the funding to fill gaps in veteran support throughout Gloucestershire. If successful, the money would help reach more than 27,000 veterans over three years, pushing support into areas that currently have little provision.
Terry Hughes, a British nuclear test veteran, has been using the Hive since it started. He said the sessions were excellent and had led him to two support groups that have helped him. "We did know about the support groups at the time but having seen these support groups, I've actually called on two of them and have helped. They're very, very good."
Catherine, whose late husband served in the Polish Army, said the Hive gave her a chance to learn from others. "It's hearing that other people have stories and how they deal with them because my husband never talked about it and some of these people are able to talk."
The network also wants to work more closely with local employers, so younger veterans looking for work can find opportunities. One organiser said: "There are support services out there and we want people to know that they exist because they're there to support that community and that's the importance of it. It's sharing the information and also hearing people's story to understand we can meet their needs."
The funding decision has not yet been announced, but the team behind the Hive is confident that the model developed in the Forest of Dean can be replicated elsewhere in Gloucestershire.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| The Hive is funded by the District Council. | |
| The proposed funding would support more than 27,000 veterans in Gloucestershire over three years. | |
| The team is applying for up to £1 million from the government's VALOR programme. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC ONE West report focuses on the human stories behind the Hive project, using interviews with veterans and a widow to illustrate the impact of the network. It then moves to the funding bid and the potential scale of expansion, giving a clear local angle with practical details about the VALOR programme.
- “We've had individuals come in who have been coached through some different services like Help for Heroes on creating CVs and having some work coaching and getting back into employment.”
- “If successful, this will push much needed support to over 27,000 veterans in Gloucestershire over three years.”
- “It's sharing the information and also hearing people's story to understand we can meet their needs.”
Broadcast Timeline
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