A charity that cares for ex-servicemen has received a large donation to support its services.

Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) in Aylesford has been given a £254,000 grant by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust to support its mental health “STEP-IN programme” that supports veterans who were street homeless, or at risk of homelessness, to cope with independent living.

The grant will be used at RBLI’s village, where the charity provides housing and care to more than 340 ex-servicemen, sometimes with their families.

Lisa Farmer, the charity’s CEO, said: “We are grateful for this substantial grant. It will be used directly to offer emergency accommodation and welfare support at our Mountbatten Pavilion to veterans who are either currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.”

The pavilion has 28 emergency beds available. Residents are also offered STEP-IN, a structured programme of coaching designed to help them back to independent living within 18 months.

Each veteran is supported by a member of staff to identify life goals and is given a programme of support that fits with their personal goals to enable them to overcome any challenges.

John Cowman, director of living and welfare at RBLI, said: “Our sector-leading service helps homeless veterans from across the UK to access the accommodation and the support they require to achieve stability, good physical and mental health, employment and, ultimately, independent living in the wider community.”

“Specifically, the fund will be used to enhance the mental health interventions required to kick start this journey to independence.”

The KM Media Group is running a campaign to help RBLI extend its Centenary Village at Aylesford with more accommodation and a new community centre.

If you would like to contribute to our Homes For Heroes Campaign, you can do so by clicking here.

Alternatively, donate by text message – text 5RBLI to 70085 to donate £5; text 10RBLI to 70085 to donate £10, or or text 20RBLI to 70085 to donate £20.

Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from the RBLI.

If you would like to donate but not be contacted further, please add NOINFO to your text message.