£1 million veterans support hub set to open in Leeds - helping Armed Forces community across West Yorkshire
The new hub is expected to open in July 2027
Leeds is set to become home to a new £1 million support hub for veterans, reservists and their families, providing a central point of access to vital services across West Yorkshire.
The new centre, which will be based at Armley Community Hub, follows a successful joint funding bid led by Leeds City Council in partnership with Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield councils.
The partnership has secured £999,014 from the Government’s VALOUR-recognised centres development fund, with the new hub expected to open in July 2027.
The centre will take a ‘no wrong door’ approach, bringing together organisations and services to make it easier for members of the Armed Forces community to find the help they need, whether that is related to housing, health, employment, education or financial support.
Leaving the Armed Forces can bring significant challenges, not only for those who have served but also for their families. The VALOUR programme aims to make accessing support simpler by connecting existing services and creating a clearer route to the right help.
As well as providing a physical base in Leeds, the project will see Community Connectors working across all five West Yorkshire council areas, building relationships with local organisations, identifying gaps in provision and delivering outreach activities.
The service will work alongside charities, NHS services, housing providers, employment and skills organisations and community groups. It will coordinate referrals and warm handovers, helping people access the right support without having to repeatedly explain their circumstances.
Over the three-year funding period, the project aims to provide direct support to around 1,500 veterans and reservists, with a further 3,100 people expected to benefit indirectly, including family members.
It will also work with organisations across the wider Yorkshire and Humber region, drawing on the experience of Hull4Heroes, the region's first VALOUR-recognised centre, to help provide more consistent and joined-up support.
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said the funding would help build on the work already taking place across the region.
He said: “Our Armed Forces community has made an enormous contribution to our city and our region, and it is important that those who have served, and their families, can access the right support easily and when they need it.
“This funding gives us an exciting opportunity to build on the excellent work already taking place across West Yorkshire, bringing partners together to create a more joined-up and accessible system of support.”
Councillor Jane Dowson, Leeds Armed Forces Champion, and Councillor Tom Hinchcliffe, Chair of the Leeds Armed Forces Covenant Board, said the centre would provide a central and accessible place for people to find help without cost.
He said: “By bringing together the five West Yorkshire councils and our wider network of partners, the centre will strengthen the connections between the many organisations already supporting our Armed Forces community. The ‘no wrong door’ approach will make it easier for people to navigate that support and get to the right service.
“We are extremely grateful to all our partners across West Yorkshire who have contributed to this work and helped make the bid possible. Their commitment, expertise and willingness to work together have been instrumental in securing this funding.”