MILITARY veterans are set to receive more help - after a Barnsley charity purchased its first property in order to put a roof over rough sleepers’ heads.
Help 4 Homeless Veterans, which was set up in Royston, revealed its five-bedroom property which will offer a stepping stone for homeless veterans.
Renovations and cosmetic work are due to take a few weeks, with an official opening expected in spring, ready to house the first veterans.
During their stay, veterans will be supported by the Help 4 Homeless Veterans team who will provide proactive advice with onwards housing, accessing financial support and practical items for their next steps.
Steve Bentham-Bates, chief executive, said: “Completing on the sale of this property is a huge milestone for the charity and the scope of support we can offer.
“Since the charity was founded, we have helped more than 1,100 veterans with their housing challenges and having this home as a safe space for veterans will allow us to continue that ongoing support without the need for expensive hotel rooms.
“There is a long history of military connection to the home too, which felt serendipitous and we’re incredibly grateful to the organisations that have engaged with us to make this possible, including the Mayor of Barnsley Dave Leech, local contractors and the generosity of the general public.”
The work undertaken to transform the house into a safe base for individuals is being led by regional procurement specialist EN:Procure.
The firm will co-ordinate the contractors on its frameworks who have volunteered free or reduced rates to undertake minor renovations to the property over the next few weeks.
Simeon Perry, from EN:Procure, added: “We have always been impressed by the incredible work Help 4 Homeless Veterans does to protect veterans since we first supported them in 2015.
“When we were approached again to support this project, we knew we could provide the professional knowledge and services to get the home ready.
“Several contractors across our frameworks are on hand and ready to turn this house into the space the charity needs.”
Barnsley South MP Dan Jarvis, a former Major in the Parachute Regiment, added: “In one of the richest countries in the world, no-one should find themselves without a stable, secure home - especially our servicemen and women who risked their lives to keep our country safe.
“I have been working closely to eradicate homelessness and Help 4 Homeless Veterans do vital work supporting our veterans.
“Most service leavers go on to achieve great things in civilian life, using the invaluable experience and transferable skills gained in the military.
“But as someone who had the honour of serving in the armed forces myself, I understand the challenges some people can face when leaving.
“It’s time that we recognise our servicemen and women in a manner that befits their sacrifice and better support them in the transition from military to civilian life.
“Nobody who served in our armed forces should find themselves without a place to call home and the charity do vitally important work supporting our service community who are homeless and destitute.”
