Royal Air Force Valley has for many years sought to support the military veterans’ community on Anglesey and further afield in North Wales. This has been achieved through the work of local military charities and agencies, most notably SSAFA, RAF Benevolent Fund, Royal Air Forces Association, Royal British Legion, Royal Naval Association, the Army Benevolent Fund and many other smaller local and regional charities and charitable associations. Support has been offered on a one-to-one basis, as well as part of collective groups. Much of the work by these charitable organisations has been delivered in accordance with their specific charitable objectives however, more recently, more informal partnerships have been established which have provided significant synergy in reaching and assisting veterans in the local community.

At the instigation of SSAFA Anglesey Branch, since 2015, there have been a regular social gatherings of Anglesey veterans at RAF Valley. This has taken the form of a tea and coffee and cake afternoons, held in the Community Hub on the Domestic Site. Attendance varies, but it is a growing group with new members joining on every occasion that the group meets.

In December 2022 and December 2023, a veterans Christmas lunch was held at RAF Valley’s Warrant Officers’ Mess and Sergeants’ Mess for 30 and 50 military veterans and their carers respectively. Anecdotal feedback from these events was that there is an appetite and need for the establishment of a permanent Veterans’ Hub at RAF Valley, with meeting space for local veterans and veterans’ groups to gather, socialise, and promote their work in the community.

The recently vacated former Station Heritage Centre at RAF Valley on the Domestic Site has provided an opportunity to create a dedicated facility for the use of military veterans, their carers, and their supporting organisations. Opened in March 2024, the Veterans’ Hub and its facilities is open to all veterans of all military services, including Cadet Force, spouses, and carers (where needed). The term ‘membership’ is used loosely to identify those using the Hub, however, no membership scheme operates, and no fees are paid for being part of the project. For more information about our range of activities and services, or to speak with us about how you can get involved, please use the buttons below. We look forward to welcoming you!