Minister for Veterans and People visits Armed Forces Outreach Service

Minister for Veterans and People Alastair Cairns DSO OBE MC MP visited Gateshead yesterday to learn more about the Armed Forces Outreach Service.
Led by Gateshead Council in partnership with Newcastle City Council, Durham County Council and Believe Housing, the Armed Forces Outreach Service offers support and guidance to veterans, serving reservists, spouses and their family members across the North East.
During the visit, the minister heard about some of the challenges that veterans are facing today and how the award-winning service is stepping up to support them.
The minister also had the chance to speak to a member of the Armed Forces community who has been supported by the service about the difference it has made to their life. They shared how the team has been vital in easing their transition to civilian life after their career in the military ended.
Councillor Leigh Kirton, Cabinet Member for Economy and Communications, said: "It was fantastic to host the minister yesterday and to show them the impact our Armed Forces Outreach Service makes to veterans and service people across the North East. In Gateshead, we are very proud of our support for our Armed Forces community which is considered amongst the most comprehensive in the country".
Set up in 2012, the Armed Forces Outreach Service supports the Armed Forces community with advice on everything from housing, debt, training, volunteering, employment and mental wellbeing. Over the years, the team have supported over 2,400 people across the region.
Central to the success of the service is that all their staff have served in either the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force. Having transitioned from service person to civilian themselves, the team can better understand the challenges veterans, serving reservists, spouses and their family members face.
Learn more about support for our Armed Forces community locally.

Minister for Veterans and People Alastair Cairns DSO OBE MC MP visited Gateshead yesterday to learn more about the Armed Forces Outreach Service.
Led by Gateshead Council in partnership with Newcastle City Council, Durham County Council and Believe Housing, the Armed Forces Outreach Service offers support and guidance to veterans, serving reservists, spouses and their family members across the North East.
During the visit, the minister heard about some of the challenges that veterans are facing today and how the award-winning service is stepping up to support them.
The minister also had the chance to speak to a member of the Armed Forces community who has been supported by the service about the difference it has made to their life. They shared how the team has been vital in easing their transition to civilian life after their career in the military ended.
Councillor Leigh Kirton, Cabinet Member for Economy and Communications, said: "It was fantastic to host the minister yesterday and to show them the impact our Armed Forces Outreach Service makes to veterans and service people across the North East. In Gateshead, we are very proud of our support for our Armed Forces community which is considered amongst the most comprehensive in the country".
Set up in 2012, the Armed Forces Outreach Service supports the Armed Forces community with advice on everything from housing, debt, training, volunteering, employment and mental wellbeing. Over the years, the team have supported over 2,400 people across the region.
Central to the success of the service is that all their staff have served in either the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force. Having transitioned from service person to civilian themselves, the team can better understand the challenges veterans, serving reservists, spouses and their family members face.
Learn more about support for our Armed Forces community locally.