This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance.(January 2017) ( Learn how and when to remove this message )
It operates from two locations: a Drop-in Centre/Head Office in central London (Victoria) and a residential home (New Belvedere House) in east London (Stepney).
The charity's primary activities involve the resolution of veteran crises, particularly where they threaten to lead to homelessness.
History
Veterans Aid was established in 1932 (designated originally as EFC – The Embankment Fellowship Centre) in response to homelessness caused by poverty and unemployment in the ex-service community in London.
It was founded by Mrs. Gwendoline Huggins, whose husband was Adjutant of The Royal Hospital Chelsea from 1932–35.[2] Having seen ex-servicemen sleeping on London’s streets and along the Thames Embankment, she opened H10 in January 1932, a canteen and recreation room for destitute ex-service personnel in Lambeth, South London.[3]
In 2007, the charity was renamed Veterans Aid, and its remit was extended from homelessness to all issues affecting veterans in crisis.[4]
The charity’s activities revolve around helping former service members in crisis, dealing particularly with factors that contribute to the crisis, especially those leading to homelessness. Though as homelessness is considered both a cause and an effect of dysfunction, charitable activities may be diverse. The charity aims to restore veterans in crisis to a point where they can sustain productive, independent living.
The charity has a 'No First Night Out' policy, where the charity will immediately provide food, clothing and accommodation to those seeking and qualifying for its help.
Subsequent interventions can include counseling, addiction treatment and rehabilitation, debt management and, where appropriate, access to education, retraining or the acquisition of a new skill. Assistance is given to identify employment opportunities, and, when veterans are considered ready, to source homes.[6]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
