COUNCILLORS have awarded a £500 grant to support NHS Somerset’s work with the Armed Forces – after hearing that around 4,000 people in the Wellington area are linked to the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s policy and finance committee agreed on October 13 to give their backing to the project which is reaching out to existing servicemen and women, veterans, family relatives, dependents or reservists.

They are invited to go along to the church hall at St John’s Church in High Street, Wellington, where they can enjoy refreshments, conversation and meet Somerset NHS Armed Forces link members as well as representatives from other agencies.

Cllr Justin Cole said: “I think we should support this.”

Terri Underwood, who leads the Armed Forces team at NHS Somerset, said: “We started this project about six months ago and we’ve got ten different groups across the county.

“There are around 4,000 people in the Wellington area who have links with the Armed Forces.”

Cllr Andrew Govier said: “This is a worthwhile project and I was surprised when I heard the figure of 4,000 people mentioned.”

The mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, said: “As a veteran I was rather upset we weren’t told about this.”

Forthcoming dates for the Wellington sessions are Wednesday, November 19, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm; Wednesday, December 17, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm; Monday, January 5, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm; Thursday, February 12, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm; and Tuesday, March 10, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Armed Forces link workers Jon Richards, who served with the Royal Navy for 24 years, Samantha Jones, who served in the Royal Air Force Police for 12 years, and Sam Sheppard, who served in the Royal Navy for nine years, will be on hand to welcome people for a “brew and banter” at St John’s Church on those dates.