Visitors were treated to an exclusive preview of the innovative OurEnterprise Veterans’ Campus at Wilton Hill, near Salisbury, ahead of the first veterans moving in later on this summer…
The event, sponsored by OurEnterprise and Redrow Homes, marks the forthcoming Armed Forces Day celebrations in Salisbury and starts to promote the scheme to the military community.
A number of local political and military dignitaries were among those who attended, including Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, leader of Wiltshire Council, Councillor Pauline Church and the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, David Scott.
The pioneering development for Armed Forces veterans is being built on the former Land Command HQ in Wilton by social developer OurEnterprise, house builder Redrow Homes, and the Wilton Community Land Trust, with Alabaré appointed as housing manager operator. The scheme is part-funded by cash allocated from the Chancellor from the Armed Forces LIBOR Fund.
The 44-unit Veterans’ Campus will be the UK’s first purpose-built community for veterans conceived to enable them to access high-quality training, work-based opportunities, and support to facilitate their successful transition to civilian life, all under one roof. It will also open up the veterans’ skill base to regional employers and help match talent to opportunity.
Wider facilities on offer will also include a café and Enterprise Hub, with Phase 2 seeing the opening of a new business centre (due for completion in 2020), which will support both local businesses and veterans-led enterprise.
Also attending the event were representatives from OurEnterprise, which founded the scheme, partners Redrow Homes and the Wilton Community Land Trust, and Alabaré, the Armed Forces charity managing the veterans’ housing.
The latest steps in the development were welcomed by Baroness Scott who commented: “I am delighted to be here today to see the progress of this exciting and innovative project. This campus for veterans will be a superb facility and will enable them to access services and facilities as they make the transition from military to civilian life.
“It is particularly fitting to be here today as tomorrow is the start of three days of the Armed Forces Day National Event celebrations in Salisbury. We’ll be joined by thousands showing their support for our Armed Forces, veterans and cadets and saying thank you for all they do to protect us and keep our country safe.”
Matthew Bell, Chairman of OurEnterprise said: “This is a unique scheme to provide training, employment and housing on a site with a military history. We will see over the next few months its twin aims achieved – services for veterans and facilties for the wider community. I want to thank all our partners in working together to achieve this remarkable development.”
Andrew Lord, Alabaré Chief Executive said: “We are extremely excited as this pioneering project draws ever closer to completion. The facilities on offer will help to transform the lives of those who have so dutifully served our country and cannot wait to welcome them.”