Concerns have been raised in Somerset about potential changes to veteran support services.
The concerns focus on the possible loss of key personnel, which could threaten help for former armed forces personnel in the county.
Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, has voiced his support for the Wellington Veterans group, warning that a change in funding allocation could see the level of support reduced.
During a visit to the group’s outreach café, based in a parish church room in Wellington, he heard concerns that a change in funding allocation could see the level of support reduced.
Steve Summers, speaking on behalf of the Wellington Veterans group, feared that the outreach work could be 'dissolved,' especially if vital staff were reassigned.
He said: "If the restructuring means key people, who made this work so well from the start, are moved into other positions, then the funding which has finally and rightly been put forward will effectively be wasted.
"The support will break down and eventually dissolve to nothing, meaning the funding will not be used to its full potential."
Mr Amos, who said he raised the issue with the NHS two months ago, warned that current reassurances do not go far enough.
He said: "Those who have served in our Armed Forces deserve proper support.
"I’m concerned the co-ordinators of this great work will lose their roles and have contacted other Somerset MPs to ensure we take up the cause for our local veteran community - they deserve nothing less."
Formed in 2017, the Wellington Veterans group supports former service personnel and their families and operates independently of politics and religion.
Mr Summers said: "The numbers have grown as each year has gone by and the group has nothing to do with politics, religion, or racism.
"The connection we have is we respect each other’s way of life, knowing all of us signed on the dotted line to serve our country."
The group benefits from support through Ark@Egwood, which helps veterans access medical, mental health, and financial guidance.
A spokesperson for Somerset NHS said: "We remain firmly committed to supporting Armed Forces veterans across Somerset and are proud of the progress made alongside our partners in recent years.
“While we are responding to nationally mandated management cost reductions and transitioning to a more strategic commissioning role, our focus on improving health, wellbeing and access to support for veterans remains undiminished.
“These changes provide an opportunity to build a more sustainable, collaborative approach, with responsibility for supporting veterans shared across NHS organisations, local partners and the voluntary sector.
“We will continue to work closely with organisations to co-design and develop these new ways of working.”
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