South West Water Supporting Veterans at Cornwall Armed Forces Hubs This Winter

South West Water will be attending Armed Forces support hubs across Cornwall this winter as part of its ongoing work to support veterans, serving personnel and their families.

The water company will be present at multi agency Armed Forces Hubs run by The Veterans Regroup, which operate throughout the year and offer free, confidential and impartial advice.

Support hubs running across Cornwall

The hubs take place monthly at locations around Cornwall and are open to veterans, serving armed forces employees and their families. They bring together a wide range of organisations to offer practical help in one place.

Veterans Regroup provides access to financial and debt advice, health and wellbeing services, and employment support. Advice given at the hubs is described as confidential, non judgemental and impartial.

South West Water has partnered with Veterans Regroup since 2023 and provides year round support at the hubs, including help with billing, affordability options and water meter applications.

What help South West Water can offer

South West Water’s community engagement team can offer several types of financial support, including:

• Flexible payment plans for customers who are struggling

• Support tariffs to help reduce bills, including caps for large families or customers who need extra water for medical treatments such as dialysis

• Financial help for unexpected hardship or life changing events, including bereavement or job loss

• Tailored assistance for customers dealing with debt

The company has a dedicated team of seven Community Engagement Officers who meet customers at community hubs, food banks, job centres, work clubs, NHS groups and wards, community cafes, and through home visits where needed.

Quotes from Veterans Regroup and South West Water

Jane, Projects Director at Veterans Regroup, said:
“Our Veterans Regroup Armed Forces hubs have supported 580 members of the Armed Forces community in the last six months and we’re proud to work with organisations like South West Water, who greatly enhance the support we can offer at the hubs. With Darren from their community engagement team present, individuals can access clear, compassionate advice on water and affordability issues exactly when they need it, reducing pressure and helping people move forward with greater stability.

“This collaborative, multi agency approach supports early intervention, eases financial stress and contributes to improved confidence and wellbeing. Our aim is to create welcoming spaces where people can access practical support, guidance and a sense of community.”

Darren, Community and Customer Liaison Officer at South West Water, said:
“We’re very pleased to work alongside The Veterans Regroup project at their community Armed Forces hubs, especially at this time of year. December and the months after it can bring huge emotional and financial pressures, but the work of this amazing charity helps to ease the burden for armed forces employees, their families, and veterans.

“At South West Water we strive to make a positive difference to our local community and to support customers when they need it most whether that’s through billing support, information on support tariffs, or with advice on how to apply for a water meter, we’re here to help.”

Wide range of organisations involved

Alongside South West Water, more than 30 other organisations support the hubs, including DWP, Smile Together Dental CIC, Cornwall Council Housing, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Walking Wounded, Help for Heroes and Veterans UK.

In addition to the Armed Forces hubs, Veterans Regroup also delivers cooking classes, Armed Forces coffee mornings, social events and outdoor activities for members.

More information about upcoming hubs can be found on the Veterans Regroup website here.

Details about the financial support available from South West Water are available here.