Latest news

The Royal Yorkshire Regiment winter newsletter 2023 brings you the very latest updates from the battalions and a message from The Colonel of the Regiment.

A new £2.52 million Veterans' Mobility Fund (VMF) is set to provide veterans across the UK with mobility equipment to improve their quality of life. The fund will deliver grants and equipment to veterans with mobility needs linked to their service.

This includes mobility aids that are not usually available through the NHS, such as specialist wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and different orthotics such as splints and braces.

Find out more about the Veterans' Mobility Fund.

A HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a quick and easy way to prove your status as a veteran.

It's a recognition of your service and can be one of the ways that helps you maintain a link with your service identity.

Getting a Veteran Card

If you have left service since 2019, you should have received an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card when leaving.

If you left service before 2019, you will be able to apply for an HM Armed Forces Veteran card soon.

The Middlesbrough veterans brunch club takes place every Wednesday, from 10:30am to 12pm in the Residents Lounge at Beechfield Court (Thorntree, Middlesbrough, TS3 9GY). They ask for a small donation to cover drinks and brunch. They provide tea and coffee, sausage buns, and nibbles. They are an informal group of veterans who meet to chat about their life experiences and time in service, tell jokes and have a laugh, and catch up with current affairs. The group is facilitated by veterans and volunteers. All veterans are welcome to join them, as well as friends accompanying veterans. The group also arranges activities for veterans. They recently had a boat trip on the River with Tees Wheelyboats, and are planning day trips to Eden Camp and Beamish Museum. For more information contact Nick Winn by emailing nsp.winn@gmail.com or calling 07910 632119.

Military parents will be granted free wraparound childcare from September to help them enjoy a 'thriving family life' alongside their careers. The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme will be rolled out across the UK in the autumn term following two years of trials. Open to eligible service families with children aged four to 11, it will provide up to 20 hours per week of free childcare before and after school during term time. Find out more about the £3,000 of childcare support on the Forces.net website.

Are you looking for a local gym to get fit and keep in shape?

Everyone Active runs local leisure services on behalf of Middlesbrough Council, and they've made it their mission to encourage everyone to take part in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, either in one of their centres or via online training, five times per week.

Whether it's state-of-the art gym equipment, excellent sports facilities, or Swim England-accredited swimming programmes, Everyone Active aims to offer something for the entire community to enjoy. Veterans are eligible for concession membership which is £24.99 per month.

More information can be found on the Everyone Active website.

A new armed forces breakfast club is held on the first Saturday of every month from 10am at Connections Community Cafe (131-133 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 5DE). Any veterans are welcome to attend.

The breakfast club helps veterans and serving armed forces personnel to meet face-to-face in a relaxed, safe, social environment to enjoy breakfast and banter. More information and details of how to sign up can be found on the armed forces and veterans breakfast club website.

The new Veterans Railcard will save veterans 1/3 off most rail fares to help you reconnect with loved ones, and connect you to new training and work opportunities.

It's for anyone who has served at least one day in the UK Armed Forces or Merchant Marines who have seen duty on legally-defined military operations. It will offer the Railcard holder and their companion 1/3 off most rail fares, and 60% off for up to four children aged 5 to 15 years.

• Find out more and apply for a Veterans Railcard

A new project to provide telephone befriending, shopping and medication deliveries to veterans aged 65+ across the four boroughs of Teesside. They provide signposting and referrals to benefit advice and veteran support groups, ensuring individual health and wellbeing.

For more information, please contact Paula Taylor on 01642 805500 or email Paula.Taylor@Ageukteesside.org.uk.

• Veterans not forgotten referral form