Thirty four brand new purpose-built homes have been opened in Aldershot to address the lack of housing for former members of the Armed Forces…
Centenary Lodge on Evelyn Avenue will be home to a mixed community of Veterans of different ages, their partners and families. The new homes will be run by Stoll, the leading provider of housing and support for Veterans.
Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, who is Stoll’s Patron, met some of the residents and formally opened the new building.
Ed Tytherleigh, CEO of Stoll, said: “We are working to ensure that anyone who serves their country has an appropriate place to live – a place to call home where they can rebuild their lives. We are very grateful to all our funders for making this special place possible.”
Sarah Green, an environmental health technician in HQ Regional Command, is leaving the Army this September following a successful 18-year career. Her decision to leave was largely influenced by her need to care for her severely asthmatic four-year old son, who is regularly in and out of hospital.
She said: “Getting out of the Armed Forces and looking for a home and a job at the same time, everything changing at once, was quite an overwhelming prospect. Discovering this Stoll property has provided me with a real lifeline. It means that I can stay in Aldershot and my son can stay at his school and has continuity of care at the same hospitals.
“The affordable accommodation means that my family life can start to take shape. It will also be great to be living around people from the Armed Forces community, who can understand me in a time of transition.”
Councillor Jacqui Vosper, Rushmoor Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “There is a real shortage of this kind of social housing for veterans, who have given so much to their country, so we are delighted to welcome them and their families to Aldershot.”
Head of Grants and Social Policy at The Royal British Legion, Steve Baynes said: “Access to suitable housing is a key need for many people eligible for the Legion’s help. Stoll’s Centenary Lodge Housing development will help the residents achieve the confidence they need to live independently and get back on their feet.
“Our contribution of £675,000 to this project is one of a number of grants to other organisations that highlights the Legion’s commitment to providing lifelong support for the Armed Forces Community.”
