New funding unlocks next phase of redevelopment of Gateshead Veterans home
A Gateshead veterans' home is set for a major transformation as new funding and veteran-led design input pave the way for an upgraded and more accessible Bibby House in Leam Lane.
The supported accommodation, run by the charity Changing Lives, secured £346,600 earlier this year from the Veteran's Capital Housing Fund, enabling a large-scale refurbishment that will introduce ensuite rooms, a new multi-functional space, outdoor meeting areas, and an extension providing a fully accessible independent living flat.
Now, Gateshead Council has confirmed further progress on the scheme, including a submitted planning application for the extension and a number of structural changes aimed at improving layout and accessibility throughout the building. An additional £50,000 from the Office for Veterans' Affairs has also been awarded following a further successful funding bid from the council, helping to fund digital equipment, outdoor improvements, and a refurbished kitchen.
Consultation with veterans shaped the design of the improvements, with several requests approved for the final plans. Among these are:
- An all-weather, powered garden pod, fully furnished and suitable for support sessions and social activities
- Updated outdoor seating and a barbecue area
- A refurbished kitchen
- Five iPads and a communal laptop to support rehabilitation, improve digital confidence, and help veterans access employment, training and support services
In partnership with FareShare - the UK's national network of charitable food redistributors - Bibby House also benefits from regular surplus food donations to support residents' wellbeing and reduce living costs.
To allow construction to begin, Bibby House's current tenants will be supported to move into alternative accommodation in the new year. Building and refurbishment work is scheduled to commence in May 2026, with completion expected by September 2026.
Bibby House offers short-term supported accommodation—typically six months to a year—for veterans aged 18 to 65. Referrals must come through a local council, charity or the region's Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS).
The redevelopment forms part of Gateshead Council's broader commitment to veterans and their families, reinforced by its recent formal pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Councillor Stuart Green, Armed Forces Champion at Gateshead Council, praised the project, saying:
"Bibby House already changes lives, but this investment will allow us to support veterans with dignity, comfort and the independence they deserve. These upgrades reflect what veterans themselves told us they need, and it's a privilege to help deliver a home that truly works for them."
Charlotte Powton, Service Manager at Changing Lives, added:
"Securing this funding is a significant step forward for our veterans' accommodation in Gateshead and for the people who rely on it. These improvements will create a safer, more modern and dignified place to call home, where veterans can focus on rebuilding their lives with the right support around them.
We're grateful to Gateshead Council, the Office for Veterans' Affairs and our partners for making this possible. By putting veterans' voices at the centre of the design, we're creating a space that truly meets their needs and supports their future independence."
If you are a veteran in need, please visit the AFOS website.
A Gateshead veterans' home is set for a major transformation as new funding and veteran-led design input pave the way for an upgraded and more accessible Bibby House in Leam Lane.
The supported accommodation, run by the charity Changing Lives, secured £346,600 earlier this year from the Veteran's Capital Housing Fund, enabling a large-scale refurbishment that will introduce ensuite rooms, a new multi-functional space, outdoor meeting areas, and an extension providing a fully accessible independent living flat.
Now, Gateshead Council has confirmed further progress on the scheme, including a submitted planning application for the extension and a number of structural changes aimed at improving layout and accessibility throughout the building. An additional £50,000 from the Office for Veterans' Affairs has also been awarded following a further successful funding bid from the council, helping to fund digital equipment, outdoor improvements, and a refurbished kitchen.
Consultation with veterans shaped the design of the improvements, with several requests approved for the final plans. Among these are:
- An all-weather, powered garden pod, fully furnished and suitable for support sessions and social activities
- Updated outdoor seating and a barbecue area
- A refurbished kitchen
- Five iPads and a communal laptop to support rehabilitation, improve digital confidence, and help veterans access employment, training and support services
In partnership with FareShare - the UK's national network of charitable food redistributors - Bibby House also benefits from regular surplus food donations to support residents' wellbeing and reduce living costs.
To allow construction to begin, Bibby House's current tenants will be supported to move into alternative accommodation in the new year. Building and refurbishment work is scheduled to commence in May 2026, with completion expected by September 2026.
Bibby House offers short-term supported accommodation—typically six months to a year—for veterans aged 18 to 65. Referrals must come through a local council, charity or the region's Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS).
The redevelopment forms part of Gateshead Council's broader commitment to veterans and their families, reinforced by its recent formal pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Councillor Stuart Green, Armed Forces Champion at Gateshead Council, praised the project, saying:
"Bibby House already changes lives, but this investment will allow us to support veterans with dignity, comfort and the independence they deserve. These upgrades reflect what veterans themselves told us they need, and it's a privilege to help deliver a home that truly works for them."
Charlotte Powton, Service Manager at Changing Lives, added:
"Securing this funding is a significant step forward for our veterans' accommodation in Gateshead and for the people who rely on it. These improvements will create a safer, more modern and dignified place to call home, where veterans can focus on rebuilding their lives with the right support around them.
We're grateful to Gateshead Council, the Office for Veterans' Affairs and our partners for making this possible. By putting veterans' voices at the centre of the design, we're creating a space that truly meets their needs and supports their future independence."
If you are a veteran in need, please visit the AFOS website.
