12 September 2025
Across Northern Ireland, veteran hubs are creating welcoming spaces where veterans and their families can connect, find support, and enjoy a real sense of community. These hubs are part of the Thrive Together programme, a UK-wide initiative funded by the Armed Forces Covenant.
Born out of the former Veterans’ People, Pathways and Places Programme, Thrive Together is all about building sustainable and resilient networks of support. It aims to make sure veterans and their families can easily access tailored assistance, from physical and mental health support, to strengthening peer connections, to becoming more rooted in their local communities.Listening to Veterans, Building Together
Back in late 2020, the Brooke House Health and Wellbeing team (who lead the programme in Northern Ireland) carried out in-depth consultations with veterans across the region. What they heard was clear: veterans wanted local hubs, safe spaces where they could meet others with shared experiences, enjoy meaningful activities, and feel part of something bigger.
Thanks to that feedback, six hubs were initially funded:
• Londonderry Veterans Hub
• Military and Police Support of West Tyrone
• Regenerate Veterans Group in Portadown
• Beyond the Battlefield in Portavogie
• Brooke House in Fermanagh
• The Schomberg Society in Kilkeel (Mourne’s Veterans Hub)
And the story doesn’t stop there, more hubs have continued to spring up in areas where local veterans saw a need.
New Hubs, Fresh Energy
Most recently, the East Antrim Veterans Network launched a new hub at Jubilee Farm, bringing another warm and welcoming space for veterans in the area.
Meanwhile, the Serving and Ex-Serving Women’s Network (SESWN) has started a fantastic monthly hub in Belfast. With activities ranging from book clubs and yoga to crafts and conversation (plus plenty of tea, cake, and craic!), it’s already proving to be a brilliant way for women past and present to connect.
And it’s not just hubs! Veterans’ Breakfast clubs continue to grow in popularity across Northern Ireland, offering a simple but powerful way to bring people together over good food and good company.
There’s a Hub for You
Whether you’re looking for friendship, peer support, or just a chance to meet others who “get it,” there’s a hub out there for you. Each one is built by and for the veteran community, and every background and story is welcomed.
If you’d like to find out more about your nearest hub, or how to get involved, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office. We’d be delighted to signpost you to the right place and help you connect.
Because no matter where you are in Northern Ireland, you’re never far from a veteran hub that’s ready to welcome you.
Email: commissioner@nivco.co.uk
Tel: 028 2548 3196