New peer support programme for Royal Navy and Royal Marine veterans in north Wales

If you're a working-age Royal Navy or Royal Marines veteran living in North Wales and finding civilian life challenging, support is available.

With funding from Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), Woody's Lodge has launched Anchored for Life, a dedicated programme designed specifically for working-age Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans.

Leaving military service can bring opportunities, but it can also come with challenges. Some veterans find it difficult to adjust to civilian life, navigate employment and housing, access the right support services, or maintain the sense of identity and camaraderie that came with service. For those living in rural areas of North Wales, these challenges can be made even harder by isolation and limited access to local support.

Anchored for Life has been created to help address these challenges through practical, peer-led support delivered by people who understand military life first-hand.

What Support Is Available?

Veterans accessing the programme can receive:

• One-to-one support from dedicated Peer Mentors with Royal Navy or Royal Marines experience
• Guidance around employment, training and education opportunities
• Support navigating housing, benefits and other civilian services
• Help accessing health and wellbeing support
• Practical advice and signposting to specialist organisations where needed
• Opportunities to connect with other veterans through peer-led activities and groups
• Outreach support for veterans who may be feeling isolated or disconnected

The programme is designed to provide early support before challenges reach crisis point, helping veterans build confidence, resilience and stronger connections within their local communities.

Graham Jones, CEO of Woody's Lodge, said:

"Anchored for Life is a one-year project supporting working-age Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans as they transition into civilian life. Many veterans in Wales, especially across rural North Wales, face isolation, loss of identity, and challenges navigating employment, housing, and wellbeing services.

This project creates a clear, peer-led support pathway delivered by mentors with lived experience. Through one-to-one guidance, proactive outreach, and informal group activities in community and green spaces, veterans gain confidence, connection, and practical support. Anchored for Life strengthens long-term wellbeing, promotes resilience, and establishes a sustainable transition service within Woody's Lodge."

Graham Jones, CEO of Woody's Lodge

Why Woody's Lodge?

Woody's Lodge has a long history of supporting veterans and their families across Wales. Through its network of hubs, drop-ins and welfare services, the charity helps veterans access practical support, reduce social isolation and reconnect with their communities. Thousands of visits are made to Woody's Lodge services every year by veterans and their families seeking advice, companionship and support.

How to Access Support

If you're a working-age Royal Navy or Royal Marines veteran and would like to find out more about Anchored for Life, contact Woody's Lodge directly:

Email: support@woodyslodge.org

Telephone: 01446 781792

Online: Contact Woody's Lodge through their website at https://www.woodyslodge.org/contact/

Support is also available face-to-face through Woody's Lodge centres across North Wales.

You don't need to struggle alone. Whether you're looking for practical advice, someone to talk to, or opportunities to reconnect with other veterans, Woody's Lodge is here to help.