The Southport Armed Forces Community Hub is celebrating its first birthday this weekend! 

And you’re invited to head down to the venue to enjoy a cuppa, some cake and some great company.

The superb local facility is operated by the Southport branch of the Royal British Legion and aims to support serving Armed Forces personnel, Armed Forces veterans, and family members. 

The charity chose a base on Wesley Street in Southport town centre so it would be easily accessible to anyone who needed it. 

It is there for friendship; a place where people can call in for a coffee and comradeship; to seek support; and to discover more about the growing list of local RBL events taking place such as the Poppy Ball, Armed Forces Day, Remembrance Sunday and others. 

New volunteers are always welcome, and much-needed, and they don’t need to have any connection with the military to help. 

The Southport Armed Forces Community Hub was officially opened in January 2021 by Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher, who has since been delighted to become the President of Southport Royal British Legion, and by Southport MP Damien Moore. 

Southport Royal British Legion Chairman Major Nick McEntee has spent over 40 years in the British Army, serving all over the world in places including: Northern Ireland, the US, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Germany, Canada and the Baltic states.

He said: “This Saturday, 21st January 2023, is the one year anniversary of the opening of our Armed Forces Community Hub on Wesley Street! And what a year it has been.

“We would love you to come and join us for a cuppa and some cake anytime from 10am until 2pm on Saturday.

“We’d also love to invite anyone who would like to be part of our volunteer team to swing by too.

“The hub and the branch are run entirely by volunteers and we can only continue to offer the services and support we do by increasing our pool of amazing volunteers. 

“You don’t have to have served or have a connection to the military to volunteer. So, if 2023 is the year you’d like to do something great for Southport and you’ve a bit of time to spare, please come and chat to us.

“Send us a message or pop along on Saturday.…. Or indeed any day we are open, Tuesday to Saturday 10am-2pm.” 

The Southport Armed Forces Community Hub has been officially opened by Southport MP Damien Moore and Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher. They were welcomed by Southport Royal British Legion Chairman Major Nick McEntee, serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans from a number of local Forces charities and organisations. Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher (left), Southport Royal British Legion Chair Major Nick McEntee (centre) and Southport MP Damien Moore (right). Photo by Andrew Brown Media

The Southport Armed Forces Community Hub has been officially opened by Southport MP Damien Moore and Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher. They were welcomed by Southport Royal British Legion Chairman Major Nick McEntee, serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans from a number of local Forces charities and organisations. Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher (left), Southport Royal British Legion Chair Major Nick McEntee (centre) and Southport MP Damien Moore (right). Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Southport Royal British Legion Secretary Sarah McEntee said: “When we opened the Hub we wanted to be able to better support the veterans and the Armed Forces community in this area. 

“We wanted it to become a really thriving community.

“We support a really broad range of people, current serving personnel, veterans and their families, of all ages. We want the whole Armed Forces community to know that support is there for them. 

“It has been a really positive first year for the Hub. There has been lots happening, with more planned. 

“It has been a huge move, from Shakespeare Street to Wesley Street. It has put us in a lovely part of Southport town centre, and is really easy and accessible for people to get to. People can call in whenever they’re in town. It is really easy for parking, just two minutes’ away from all the car parks on Tulketh Street, and very close to Southport Train Station and local bus stops. 

“More and more people are calling into the Southport Armed Forces Community Hub from other parts of the country which has been really great to see.” 

The Southport Armed Forces Community Hub on Wesley Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

The Southport Armed Forces Community Hub on Wesley Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

The Hub helps veterans to adjust when they leave the services. 

Sarah said: “The biggest challenge for people leaving the Armed Forces is coming to terms with a sudden lack of status. When they are serving, they have a role, they have a rank, they have a structure, they have a camaraderie, and then one day they walk out of the gates and it is all over. In civilian life there is often a lack of understanding of what they have done or the lives they have led. 

“The Hub provides a welcoming space for people to come and be a part of the local Armed Forces community.

“We want to ensure that they always have somewhere friendly and welcoming that they can come. 

“If they need to, people can also come and access a wide range of services and advice on things like welfare, mental health, or many other support services. We can help to signpost them to the right places.”

The RBL previously had an office on Shakespeare Street in Southport but organisers felt that a more central location would make the facilities much more accessible for veterans to be able to use. 

It is a positive step for an organisation which has seen the closures of the Byng House respite home for veterans on the Promenade and the Royal British Legion Club on West Street in recent years. 

For more details please contact Southport Royal British Legion on: 01704 651947.  

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com

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