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The Hub, which is a partnership between Telford & Wrekin Council, Great Dawley Town Council and Telford Mind, has been selected as part of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs’ VALOUR initiative, which is designed to make it easier for veterans and their families to access the care, advice and support they deserve.

Supported by £670,709 of funding awarded in March through the Government’s £50 million VALOUR programme, the Christopher Turley Armed Forces Hub is now officially the first and only VALOUR-recognised centre for veterans in the West Midlands.

The funding means the Hub can expand and enhance its services, increasing access to support across housing, health and wellbeing, welfare, employment and skills, while strengthening partnerships with organisations working across the Armed Forces community.

Since opening in 2025, the Hub has provided a welcoming and dedicated space for veterans, serving personnel and their families, bringing together practical support, advice and community connections under one roof. Earlier this year, the Hub was also honoured to host a visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, who met veterans, volunteers and partner organisations and learned more about the support being delivered to the Armed Forces community across Telford and Wrekin. The Duke’s visit, alongside its new VALOUR status, reflects the growing recognition of the Hub’s role as a key centre of support for veterans and their families both locally and across the wider region.

Councillor Paul Davis, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Strong Communities, Local Pride and Veterans, said:

“This is a hugely significant milestone, not only for the Christopher Turley Armed Forces Hub, but for the Armed Forces community across the region.

“To become the first VALOUR-recognised centre in the West Midlands is a fantastic achievement and recognition of the hard work, passion and commitment shown by everyone involved in the Hub since it opened.

“We are proud of our strong military connections and remain committed to ensuring that veterans, serving personnel and their families can access the right support, in the right place, at the right time. This recognition, backed by more than £670,000 of Government funding, will allow us and our partners to build on the excellent work already taking place and reach even more people who may need support.

“I would like to thank Great Dawley Town Council, Telford Mind and all of the organisations and volunteers who continue to make the Hub such a valued resource for our Armed Forces community.”

Clive Elliot, Chair of Trustees at Telford Mind, said:

"We are extremely honoured to be a part of the first Valour-recognised centre in the West Midlands, alongside our partners at Telford & Wrekin Council and Great Dawley Town Council. The Centre will ensure that our Armed Forces Community can access a wide range of support and services that they need. We are proud to work alongside our partner organisations who share the same values and are committed to making a difference to our Armed Forces Community."

Councillor Ian Preece, Chair of Great Dawley Town Council, added:

“Great Dawley Town Council are honoured to have the first local Valour centre based in Dawley and are thankful to Telford & Wrekin Council, Telford Mind and all those other agencies that have supported the hub and made it possible. We are proud that the hub will continue the work that Councillor Chris Turley was such a huge part of."

The VALOUR programme aims to create a stronger, more connected network of support for veterans across the country, ensuring services are easier to access and better coordinated. The Christopher Turley Armed Forces Hub will play a leading role in delivering that vision for veterans in Telford and Wrekin and across the wider region.