Veterans Hub Londonderry

• To provide a welcoming safe facility for the thousands of Veterans in the County Londonderry area.

• We aim to provide services that will enable our members to talk and seek advice from professional bodies without fear.

• Provide a safe place whereby you can meet up to chat with your peers.

• Attend regular events and pastimes.

• Our membership is open to all services and their dependents.

• We will engage with the services of Solicitors, Counsellors and other professions to give the best information that is available to our Veterans.

Top Floor

(Above the Waterside Library)

23 Glendermott Road

Waterside

Londonderry

BT47 6BG

Monday: 09.30-12.30

Tuesday: 19.00-20.30 (Evening Opening)

Wednesday: 09.30-12.30

Friday: 09.30-12.30

We are also available for other veterans’ organisations to come and meet clients by appointment

If you feel that there is a service that you may need,

please come into the Hub or contact us by

email londonderry.veteranshub@gmail.com

or call us on 028 7220 2344

Veterans’ or ex-service hub exists to provide safe, accessible, low-level welfare support to former members of the Military Services, Police Service, Ambulance Service, Fire Service and Prison Service

It is not a clinical service, a political body, or a campaigning organisation. Its core function is to offer practical help, social connection, and signposting in a trusted, peer-led environment.

Maintain predictable opening hours and a calm, respectful environment.

Ensure confidentiality and emotional safety.

Offer a space run by people who understand service culture and trauma.

Why this matters: For many retired veterans, a hub is the only place they feel comfortable seeking help or specking about their service.

Assist with forms, benefits, pensions, housing, and day to day problems.

Provide immediate practical help (appointments, transport, crisis reassurance).

Keep up to date knowledge of statutory and charitable services.

Why this matters: Early, low-level intervention prevents escalation and protects wellbeing.

Operate a structured befriending scheme with trained volunteers.

Offer home visits where appropriate.

Provide companionship for hospital appointments, difficult anniversaries, or bereavement.

Why this matters: Loneliness is one of the strongest predictors of mental health decline among retired members

Provide safe, low-intensity wellbeing activities (relaxation, gardening, skills based sessions).

Ensure any therapies are ethical, appropriate, and within volunteer competence.

Encourage peer to peer support.

Why this matters: These activities rebuild routine, confidence, and social connection.

A functioning hub should confidently state:

1. We provide a safe, welcoming space.

2. We offer practical, low-level welfare support.

3. We reduce isolation through befriending and social connection.

4. We support wellbeing through accessible activities.

5. We signpost and advocate when specialist help is needed

6. We are peer-led and empathetic.

7. We operate with strong governance and safeguarding.

8. We remain neutral, respectful, and inclusive.

Coffee Mornings

2nd Wednesday of the month

Veterans Breakfast (with RBL)

Last Saturday of each month (Except for the month of July and August)

Listening Ear: for all aspects of veteran’s needs.

Drop-in Centre at the Hub: For our members and their families

Advice Centre (All in the strictness confidence)

We will steer our veterans in the right direction as needed

Military Pensions

Many don’t know that after 2 years’ service you can apply for a Preserved Pension when you reach your 65th Birthday

Health/Counselling

Put them in contact with Brooke House

Housing

Help and advice with housing matters

Regular contact with:

Defence Medical Welfare Service

Royal British Legion

Veterans Service (NI)

UDR Benevolent Fund

Prison Service

Blind Veterans UK

Brooke House (Health and Wellbeing Centre)

SSAFA

MAPS Omagh

NW Cultural Partnership & Ashes to Gold

Help for Heroe’s

We are in regular contact with all the Regimental Associations