In the week of Armistice Day, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) hosted the latest Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub Event, which took place on 9 November 2023 at Newbury Fire Station, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
The Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub events are open to all veterans. At this event, attendees were able to speak to a range of organisations and charities that support the armed forces community, including Operation Courage – the NHS service that provides specialist care for those Armed forces veterans suffering from a mental health crisis – Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity), Royal Navy Association and Blind Veterans UK.
Paul Bremble, Armed Forces Lead, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It was an honour to host the event at Newbury Fire Station for our Armed Forces Veterans community in the week where we mark Armistice Day. We were delighted with the attendance on the day, which was the highest of our Veteran Hub events to date.
“We were also pleased that so many organisations offering support to the Armed Forces were able to attend, and to have the Mayor of Newbury, Cllr Nigel Foot, join us too.”
“RBFRS is committed to supporting our Armed Forces community and also placing fire stations at the heart of our communities.”
“Our Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub events help us to meet both of these commitments, and I hope they add value to the lives of Veterans through the network of people and sources of support.”
The Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub was launched in the Royal County of Berkshire on 7 November 2020 following receipt of the Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme. This affirms the Fire Authority and Service’s ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community.