Jenner returns to service for RBLI!
Date: July 2023
The development is an expansion of a much wider veterans’ village that has created a unique community supporting 340 disadvantaged veteran households, and with the first phase having been delivered by Jenner back in 2017. The tri-service community supports Army, Royal Navy and Royal Marine, and RAF veterans of all ages, most of whom have some form of disability or health condition. All of the residents have come to the village whilst facing some form of crisis such as eviction, diagnosis, or mental health breakdown, and now with the support of RBLI are re-building their lives. There is further social housing, emergency accommodation, and an award-winning social enterprise factory with employability support across the 75 acres as well as 4 different cares homes including specialist dementia care. RBLI’s village is known nationally as a community that is a stepping-stone for a new life after injury and service, and their model of integrated care and employment support is considered a national exemplar.
The two new buildings will provide essential accommodation and communal facilities, both over two storeys. The first building will deliver 8 new homes in total, all as self-contained units with ancillary office facilities on the ground floor and amenity spaces on the first floor. The second building will provide a gymnasium, IT suite and a community café to further support their veteran community, to be known as The ABF Community Centre. Developing a former greenfield site positioned close to a main link road and existing RBLI residences the project further extends the extensive estate that provides essential shelter and exceptional care to those who have served their country.
Barry Haugh, Director of Grants and Welfare at ABF The Soldier’s Charity had the honour of officially breaking ground at the intimate ceremony held on 6th June where construction was due to commence the following day, joined by colleagues from the RBLI and members of the project consultancy and delivery team to celebrate the forthcoming build.
