Dr Gareth Thomas MS

Today, Dr Gareth Thomas MS had the pleasure of meeting with Gemma Stevenson from Help for Heroes (H4H) a military veteran and the World’s Strongest Disabled Woman.
A very positive and productive discussion took place surrounding the challenges faced by disabled veterans, the importance of continued support networks, and the need to ensure veterans with disabilities have access to opportunities, rehabilitation, and community engagement.
The meeting also focused on the forthcoming Help for Heroes sports event taking place in Bangor, which will showcase determination, resilience, and the incredible achievements of veterans and disabled athletes.
It was inspiring to hear Gemma’s story, dedication, and passion for supporting the veteran community. Events such as these highlight the strength of our veterans and the importance of continuing to raise awareness and support across Wales.

Today, Gareth visited Woody’s Lodge where he had the pleasure of meeting the co-founder and learning more about the outstanding work being carried out in support of veterans, both locally and across the UK.
It was a valuable and insightful visit, with the opportunity to speak to a number of incredible veterans from all three Armed Forces services, as well as former members of the police service. The conversations highlighted not only the strength of the veteran community, but also the importance of organisations like Woody’s Lodge in providing support, camaraderie, and a safe place for those who have served.
Like many veterans charities, Woody’s Lodge continues to face significant funding pressures despite the vital role it plays in supporting veterans and their families. These organisations deserve greater recognition and support for the work they do every single day.
Thank you to everyone at Woody’s Lodge for the warm welcome today. We look forward to visiting again soon.

A fantastic recent visit to St Afan’s Veterans Hub with local veterans and members of the community.
It was great to sit down, listen to people’s stories, hear their concerns, and learn more about the experiences and challenges many veterans face. The hub provides such an important place for support, friendship and community, and it was inspiring to see the incredible work being done there.
A huge thank you to everyone for the warm welcome and honest conversations .This was a truly enjoyable and worthwhile day. 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Dr Gareth Thomas MS
Reform UK Senedd Member for Pen-y-bont & Bro Morgannwg

We hope that today’s speech by First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, in which there was no mention of veterans or disabled people, is not a reflection of what lies ahead.
While mental health was recognised, it was disappointing not to hear any acknowledgement of the many veterans and disabled people across Wales who face unique challenges every day, including access to support services, healthcare and employment.
We hope that disability and veterans’ issues will become an important topic of discussion within the Welsh Parliament going forward, helping to bring better recognition, understanding and outcomes for those affected across Wales
We look forward to seeing greater inclusion, recognition and support for all communities across Wales in the months ahead.

Gaz Thomas is Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Mental Health and Veterans.