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It operates from two locations: a Drop-in Centre/Head Office in central London (Victoria) and a residential home called 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 veteran community in London.
It was founded by Mrs. Gwendoline Huggins, whose husband was Adjutant of The Royal Hospital Chelsea from 1932 to 1935.[2] Having seen veterans sleeping on London’s streets and along the Thames Embankment, she opened H10, a canteen and recreation room for destitute veterans in Lambeth, South London, in January 1932.[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 provides crisis intervention for veterans, with a focus on preventing or alleviating homelessness. Its services include emergency accommodation, food and clothing provision, and referrals to specialist support agencies. Veterans Aid operates programs intended to stabilize an individual’s immediate circumstances and connect them with longer-term support, including housing services, addiction recovery programs, and employment resources.
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, rehabilitation, debt management and, where appropriate, access to education, retraining or the acquisition of a new skill. Veterans are given assistance to identify employment opportunities, and, when considered ready, to source homes.[6]
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