Armed Forces Community HQ CIC

29/09/2026

📣 Troops, just a reminder, were open as usual this Friday 2nd October for NAAFI Breakfast at Molyneux House.

Our long awaited kitchen refurbishment will commence on Monday 5th October for about 4 weeks 🙌. We've made arrangements for members to meet at Spring View Cricket and Bowling Club on Mondays and Fridays while we upgrade our facilities for you.

We can't wait to open our doors for a soft launch on Saturday 31st October with a family friendly Halloween themed event 🎃 watch this space for details 👀

Let's make it one to remember.

Partners, members and stakeholders, give us a share on this one please, let's get the word out. 👆

29/09/2026

📣 Cadet opportunity: have your voice heard!

We are looking for six Wigan Borough cadets to attend the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Young People’s Collaboration Lab, an informal consultation with senior Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust leaders.

This is a chance for cadets to share their experiences, ideas and ambitions, helping to inform AFCFT’s future funding strategy. The opportunity may be particularly interesting to cadets who are considering a career in the Armed Forces or who have a family connection to military service.

📅 Tuesday 27 October
⏰ 2:00pm–4:00pm
📍 Salford

Cadets are invited to attend with Adult Cadet Volunteers. Travel and related expenses will be covered by us.

Interested? Please contact your cadet leader by Friday 9th October and ask them to get in touch with Wendy.

Please do not post cadets’ names or personal details in the comments. You can reach us by email at [email protected]

29/09/2026

Need to see a GP? You can book an appointment at AFCHQ. 🩺

Every other Friday, GP Alliance Wigan provides GP appointments for veterans from 10am–1pm at Molyneux House.

There are 6 appointments available each session – and you don't need to attend our Friday breakfast to book one.

Just contact AFCHQ reception and arrange a time that works for you.

📅 Upcoming Fridays: 09/10 • 23/10 • 06/11 • 20/11 • 04/12 • 18/12
📍 AFCHQ, Molyneux House, Wigan
⏰ 10am–1pm
☎️ Book via AFCHQ reception: 0800 422 0110

Know another veteran who might benefit? Send this post to them.

28/09/2026

What does £9.3 million in social value actually mean?

It's a big number. But on its own, it doesn't tell you much about the people behind it.

During 2025–26, AFCHQ generated £9.3 million in social value through our work supporting the Armed Forces community.

Behind that figure were:

🏠 58 veterans housed
🤝 326 people supported
📋 365 interventions delivered
🧠 112 psychotherapy beneficiaries
🙌 842 volunteer hours delivered
💷 £35,000 in emergency welfare support

Across that work, £7.55 of social value was generated for every £1 invested.

But even those figures only tell part of the story.

An intervention might mean helping someone secure somewhere safe to live. It might mean accessing mental health support, receiving practical help during a crisis or beginning to reconnect with their community.

If you need support or know someone who does, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.

25/09/2026

‼️Fewer than 100 days remain to apply to the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme. The scheme will close at 11:59pm on 12 December 2026.

If you served in HM Armed Forces and were affected by the ban on LGBT personnel between 1967 and 2000, financial and non-financial recognition may be available.

To find out what recognition is available, check your eligibility and start an application, visit: www.gov.uk/affected-by-the-ban

You can apply online through Defence Gateway or request a paper application form through Veterans UK. Support is also available if you need help completing your application, you do not have to apply alone.

Please share this message. It could reach someone who does not yet know that their experiences are relevant or that recognition is available.

Find out what recognition is available if you were affected by the Armed Forces LGBT Ban, including financial payments, restorative measures and support.

24/09/2026

23/09/2026

What actually happens when you ask AFCHQ for help?

It's a question you might have wondered about without ever asking.

Perhaps something isn't quite right, but you're unsure whether it's "serious enough" to ask for support.

Maybe several things are happening at once and you don't know where to start.

Or perhaps you've spent so long sorting things out yourself that asking somebody else for help simply feels unfamiliar.

You don't need to work out the answer before you contact us.

Start by telling us what's happening.

Our team will listen, look at your circumstances as a whole and help identify what support could be appropriate – whether that's around mental health and wellbeing, housing, finances, employment, community connection or several things at once.

And where other services need to be involved, our approach is about helping people navigate that support rather than expecting them to figure everything out alone.

We've put together this carousel to explain what you can expect.

You don't have to wait for a crisis. You don't have to know exactly what you need. You can start with a conversation.

22/09/2026

Join us at this Friday's NAAFI Breakfast!

We're delighted to welcome representatives from the DWP Disability Services Advocacy Team, who will be sharing valuable information and guidance on a range of disability-related benefits and support services.

Topics will include:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLA Child)
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)
Access to Work

The team will also provide insight into:

• PIP Change of Circumstances
• How care homes, nursing homes and hospital stays can affect PIP
• Support available for SEND schools, colleges and support organisations
• Appointeeships and other payee arrangements
• Access to Work grants and claiming post-award funding

Whether you're looking for information for yourself, a family member, or someone you support, this is a great opportunity to learn more and ask questions.

☕ We look forward to seeing you at the NAAFI Breakfast!

22/09/2026

Digital support, closer to home. 📱

Sometimes you don't need a course or a complicated programme – you just need someone to sit down with you and help you get something sorted.

That's what our Digital Essentials for Life and for Work drop-in sessions are all about.

Whether you need help accessing an online service, setting up a device, recovering a password, applying for your Veterans ID card, creating an online CV or simply getting more confident with technology, you can come along and tell us what you need help with.

With sessions running at different locations throughout the week, you can find support closer to you:

📍 Stockport – Tuesdays at St Julien Barracks, Greek Street
📍 Bolton – Tuesdays at Bolton Community Advice, 16a Oxford Street
📍 Nantwich – Wednesdays at Motion Focus Media, Princes Court, Beam Heath Way
📍 Wigan – Fridays at AFCHQ, Molyneux House, School Lane

You can come once to sort one thing, drop in whenever you need us, or attend regularly and work through things at your own pace.

📞 Just call us on 0800 422 0110 to book your session.

Not sure where to go? Get in touch with the AFCHQ team and we'll help you find the right session.

21/09/2026

📢 Calling all partners across Wigan Borough

Are you planning a Remembrance event or activity between Monday 2 November and Wednesday 11 November 2026? 🌺

Armed Forces Community HQ is compiling a list of events that members of our Armed Forces Community can attend and contribute to during Remembrance Week. Please contact us with your event details so we can help spread the word.

If you would like to organise an event or activity or would like our help planning one please get in touch. Together, we can reach and involve more members of the Armed Forces Community across Wigan Borough.

Remembrance is a time for reflection and gratitude for the freedoms we have today. It is also a time to honour those who gave their lives to protect us and to recognise the sacrifices made by their families.

Please send us a direct message to share your event or find out how we can support you or email [email protected] or telephone us on 01942 821 293

We will remember them.