The Forces Employment Charity received the money as part of Cheshire Police’s ‘in the community’ initiative, which recognises the work of organisations that help former service personnel adjust to civilian life.
It was awarded the money to support its work in the region.
The £8,300 is part of a £50,000 pot of funds recovered under the Police Property Act, which has been distributed among six community-supporting charities.
The Forces Employment Charity provides lifelong support, jobs, and training to service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their families.
Its experienced advisors, many of whom have also served in the forces, help veterans use their military skills in new jobs, boosting their confidence and career progression.
They also work closely with veterans who have come into contact with the justice system, providing specialised support tailored to their experiences and identity as veterans.
Chief constable Mark Roberts said: “We highly value the skills, attributes, and experience of those with an armed forces background – including our many officers and staff members who have been involved with the military in some capacity – and the fantastic work they have done, and continue to do, to keep our country safe.
“The shift into non-military life can bring a number of challenges that can lead to veterans feeling detached, but the work the Forces’ Employment Charity does is vital to those who have fought for their country, by getting them onto the road of success in all elements of civilian life once their service ends – whether that’s looking for a job or housing, physical or mental health or providing support for addiction recovery.
“The charity’s proprietary and commissioned justice programme has consistently proved that identifying, engaging and supporting veterans can have life-changing – and in many cases life-saving – outcomes, so I am more than pleased to present them with this cheque for £8.3k to help them in continuing to look out for our former servicemen and women.”
Steve Lowe (Image: Supplied) Steve Lowe, regional manager for Forces Employment, said: “We have worked closely with Cheshire police for over nine years, supporting both police staff and the wider community to be able to support local veterans and their families as they transition to civilian life.
“Our justice programmes deliver fantastic outcomes for the entire community.
“The level of support and understanding of veteran issues in Cheshire Police has been phenomenal and we look forward to investing this money back into the community through our work with local veterans.”
To find out more about the work The Forces Employment Charity does, you can visit their website.