Skip to main content

Armed Forces Community Team

Valour Recognised Centre Supporting people since 1907

Who are we?

We are a Valour-Recognised Centre working with Veterans Regroup and Veterans Outdoors to provide support across Devon and Cornwall.

Our team is run by veterans and their families. We work with a range of organisations in the city to shape better pathways and provide social activity and peer support for our armed forces community.

Who do we support?

Though we predominately support veterans and their families, we can also support those still serving and reservists.

A veteran is anyone who has completed one or more days’ service in the Armed Forces. This includes those in the reserve forces, national service, and those who have served in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) or Merchant Navy.

What can we support with?

We are a one stop shop which includes advice on:

  • General wellbeing
  • Mental and physical wellbeing
  • Employment
  • Statutory payments ie UC, War pension, AA
  • Support for someone caring for someone
  • Information, advice, and guidance
  • Housing support
  • Unpaid carers support
  • Welfare benefits

How to access support?

Drop-in


The entrance to Ernest English House in Plymouth, a brick building with a curved white canopy over automatic doors. Signs beside the entrance show the Improving Lives Plymouth logo, Citizens Advice, the City Centre Wellbeing Hub and Shelter Devon.

Plymouth Drop-in

Plymouth Hub · Monday to Thursday · 10:00–13:00
Drop-in support at the Plymouth Hub is available Monday to Thursday, 10:00 to 13:00. There is no need to book, just come in. Appointments outside these hours are available on request.

Coming soon

Devon Drop-in

Details to follow
A new drop-in for the Armed Forces community in Devon is on its way. Details will appear here as soon as they are confirmed.


Around twenty people chat in small groups at tables arranged in a large rectangle in a bright meeting room at Redruth Library. Veterans Regroup mugs and leaflets sit on the tables, alongside an Army mug and a pop-up banner for The Filo Project.

Cornwall Drop-in

Run by Veterans Regroup
Drop-in support in Cornwall is provided by our partners at Veterans Regroup. Dates, times and venues are listed on their events page.

Veterans Regroup

By phone

01752 201766

Online

Register with us, or get in touch with your request.

Register for SupportContact Us

Directly to Valour

You can also request support online, directly from the national Valour service.

Valour Services

Events and Activities

A busy Brew and Banter social session at the Union Rooms in Plymouth, with around thirty people chatting over tea and coffee at wooden tables.

Brew and Banter

Union Rooms Plymouth · Fridays 10:30–12:00
Weekly social gathering. Join for a cuppa, conversation and peer support. No booking required.
Colourful bingo cards in yellow, blue and green overlapping each other, with red counters marking called numbers.

Bingo

Ernest English House · First Wednesday of each month · 18:00
Monthly bingo session for over-18s. Suggested donation £2.
A fish and chip meal served on newspaper-print paper: battered fish, thick-cut chips and a small bowl of mushy peas.

Fish and Chips

Ernest English House · Third Wednesday of each month · 17:00
Pre-booking essential. Suggested donation £7 includes meal, tea, coffee and dessert. Booking: 01752 241057.
A group of around fourteen people smile in a small cafe, holding handmade poppies crafted from red and grey pipe cleaners. Two women at the back hold up signs for the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and Improving Lives Plymouth, and teapots and cups fill the tables.

Veteran Carers Support Group

Ernest English House · First Thursday of each month · 13:30–15:30
Provides a welcoming environment where carers can meet others, gain support, receive advice and take time away from caring responsibilities. Tea, coffee, biscuits and practical support are available at every session.
Eight people smiling outside a wooden shed, six of them in blue Improving Lives Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub aprons, one leaning on crutches, with two others alongside them.

Veterans Men’s Shed

Ernest English House · Second and fourth Wednesday of each month · 15:00–18:30
Delivered in partnership with the Royal British Legion. Veterans can take part in project builds, painting and community activities. All abilities are welcome.

Volunteer with us

Improving Lives Plymouth welcomes serving personnel, veterans and family members who would like to volunteer in support of veterans and their families.

Members of

Supported by

In partnership with