ARMED Forces veterans will soon have a drop-in centre in Pembrokeshire to help them cope with the return to civvy street.

The Haverfordwest-based facility – which will be located at 19A Bridge Street - is being launched and funded by Change Step, a peer mentoring service set up to help veterans struggling with life outside the military, and will be delivered by Cyswllt Contact, which tackles substance misuse.

Veterans with drug and alcohol problems and mental health issues will be referred to the centre for help. They will also find support if they are suffering from loneliness, anger, anxiety or low self-esteem.

Dave Knight of Change Step said: “We are there for all veterans of any age. As a peer mentoring service we understand the issues they face, can support them and signpost them to the right help. When people come out of the military it is difficult for them to re-adjust, and they can find it difficult to manage their emotions.”

Dave and two colleagues - all veterans themselves - currently mentor across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. It is hoped new volunteers will be recruited to the Haverfordwest centre.

Through the Wales Community Rehabilitation Company (WCRC), the Probation Service is supporting the facility. The WCRC will help provide volunteers and source work experience opportunities for veterans.

Marc Woolcock, WCRC Community Payback Officer and a former Welsh Guardsman of 26 years, said: “Many veterans won’t ask for help. The drop-in centre will provide them with aftercare for the long term. I would like to see links with local regiments so that people coming out of the military and into the area would be given this point of contact and be supported from the beginning.”

The drop-in centre is holding an open evening on Monday, September 22, between 4pm and 7pm. For more information, call 01239 623831 or visit www.changestepwales.co.uk