New veterans' hubs are coming to Whitehaven, Workington and five other Cumbrian towns New VALOUR veterans' hubs planned for Whitehaven, Workington and five other Cumbrian towns

New VALOUR veterans' hubs are due in early 2027, with a big one in Penrith and more in Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Barrow, Kendal and Grange — help with health, housing, work, benefits and wellbeing.

If you've served, or your family has, and you live round Whitehaven or Workington, this one's worth clocking.

The government's £50 million VALOUR scheme is growing the national veterans' network from 14 places to 34. Cumbria gets a flagship in Penrith plus hubs in Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Barrow, Kendal and Grange, due early 2027. They'll cover health, housing, jobs, benefits and wellbeing.

Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland councils put the bid together with the Cumbria Armed Forces Families Alliance and the county's MPs.

Markus Campbell-Savours said: "I'm delighted we've secured this investment, with Penrith at the heart of the new Cumbrian network. Our veterans have served their country, and they deserve to know that support will be there when they need it."

Josh MacAlister's line for the west: "We've fought to secure this investment because veterans in West Cumbria deserve proper support close to home. New centres in Whitehaven and Workington mean people won't have to travel miles to get help with housing, health, work or benefits."

Julie Minns said veterans "will get the direct support, help and connection they rightfully deserve."

What can you do? If you need help now, use the council's Armed Forces Covenant pages and your local Legion. Keep an ear out for when the hubs actually open in early 2027.

A government-funded VALOUR network will open a flagship veterans' centre in Penrith and further hubs in Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Barrow, Kendal and Grange in early 2027, offering help with health, housing, work, benefits and wellbeing.

This is for Armed Forces veterans and their families in West Cumbria, and for anyone who supports them through local services or the Royal British Legion.

The Labour Government's £50 million VALOUR programme will expand the national network of veterans' organisations from 14 to 34. In Cumbria a flagship centre is planned for Penrith, with additional hubs in Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Barrow, Kendal and Grange. The centres are expected to open in early 2027 and to offer support on healthcare, housing, employment, benefits and wellbeing.

The funding bid was developed by Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council, backed by the Cumbria Armed Forces Families Alliance and MPs across the county.

Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway, said: "I'm delighted we've secured this investment, with Penrith at the heart of the new Cumbrian network. Our veterans have served their country, and they deserve to know that support will be there when they need it."

Josh MacAlister MP said: "We've fought to secure this investment because veterans in West Cumbria deserve proper support close to home. New centres in Whitehaven and Workington mean people won't have to travel miles to get help with housing, health, work or benefits."

Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle, said securing VALOUR for the county means veterans "will get the direct support, help and connection they rightfully deserve."

What you can do: if you are a veteran or family member needing help now, use existing Armed Forces Covenant support via Cumberland Council's armed-forces pages and local Legion branches, and watch for hub opening details nearer early 2027.