A new initiative to support veterans, serving military personnel and their families has launched at Eastgate Shopping Centre.

The Gloucestershire Forces Hub Pop-Up will be open until April 25, offering vital resources and community engagement for the region's Armed Forces population.

Located at Bell Walk, opposite Specsavers, the hub is a collaboration between The Forces Hub (FHUB), Gloucester Community Networking (GCN) and GL Communities, with support from Eastgate Shopping Centre.

The two-week event will provide free drop-in services, one-to-one support and themed sessions, covering housing, employment, health and more.

Chris Auker-Howlett, a disabled British Army veteran and the project lead, said: "This pop-up is the start of something much bigger. It's about listening to what our Armed Forces community needs and creating a permanent, lasting support network across Gloucestershire. We're bringing people together, connecting services and starting conversations that really matter."

The pop-up will feature dedicated drop-in days on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with free refreshments and an on-site information library. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, structured sessions will focus on key themes, including homelessness support, volunteering, education, employment and mental health. Private spaces will also be available for welfare and wellbeing appointments.

Special Saturday family events will celebrate the Month of the Military Child, the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and the Anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River, with children's activities, art competitions, military modelling and international food offerings from allied nations.

William James, marketing and commercialisation manager at Eastgate Shopping Centre, said: "We're proud to host the Forces Hub Pop-Up at Eastgate and be a part of this important initiative. Supporting our local community means creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where people can access meaningful support, and that's exactly what this project delivers."

The Gloucestershire Forces Hub Pop-Up is part of a long-term vision to launch permanent Armed Forces Hubs across the county. Findings from the event will contribute to the Gloucestershire Integrated Forces Strategy, set to be published on June 28 (Armed Forces Day). Permanent locations are expected to open by Remembrance Day on November 11.

Image credit: Forces Hub Pop-Up