Basingstoke Veterans Hub

03/10/2026

We are pleased to be welcoming Holt's Military banking to our Armed Forces Family Careers and Support Fair on 10th November.

Holt's Military Banking is a specialist division of the Royal Bank of Scotland (part of the NatWest Group) dedicated to serving the British Armed Forces, service leavers, veterans, and their families. They have been officially appointed military agents since 1809.

They provide bank accounts, savings accounts, investments, credit cards, mortgages, loans and overdrafts.

If you already bank with them, a free Financial Health Check with one of their Relationship Managers is a great way to regularly review your finances and help maintain your financial health too.

To explore their range of services please see: https://www.holtsmilitarybanking.co.uk/home.html.

And/or join us on Tuesday 10th November 2026 from 10:00 until 14:00 at Brookvale Village Hall, Lower Brook Street, Basingstoke. RG21 7RP.

Email: [email protected] for more information.

NatWest The Royal Bank of Scotland

01/10/2026

Veterans heading to the Remembrance Sunday Service and March Past the Cenotaph on 8 November 2026 in style 🚖

The incredible Cabs-for-Veterans service, formerly known as Poppy Cabs, will once again provide free taxi journeys for veterans attending this year’s commemorations in London.

From 8am to 10am, hundreds of volunteer London taxi drivers will give their time and vehicles free of charge, helping veterans travel to and from the event. With all London taxis wheelchair accessible, the service is especially valuable for those with mobility needs.

📍 Convenient ‘turn up and go’ hubs will be available across London, including major railway stations, Victoria Coach Station, the Victory Services Club and Union Jack Club.

♿ Veterans requiring a pre-booked journey due to mobility issues or special requirements should register by Wednesday 5 November by emailing: 📧 [email protected]

Funded entirely by the drivers themselves, Cabs-for-Veterans is a wonderful example of the taxi trade giving back to those who have served, ensuring more veterans can take part in this important national act of remembrance.

Find out more and register at: https://rafauk.org/4rzd7ti

01/10/2026

10th November 2026.
10:00-14:00.
Free to attend.

Hampshire Branch of SSAFA the Armed Forces charity, PTSD Resolution, Department for Work and Pensions - DWP, Veterans Outreach Support and Forces Employment Charity are some of the confirmed support services attending.

We will also be joined by local and national employers too.

30/09/2026

We are pleased to be welcoming Inspire Futures as one of the participants of our Armed Forces Family Careers and Support Fair on 10th November, from 10:00 until 14:00 at Brookvale Village Hall. We have many other national and local support organisations and employers confirmed which will be announced in due course.

We’re pleased to announce that Inspire Futures Ltd will be attending the Armed Forces Family Career and Support Fair hosted by Basingstoke Veterans Hub. Tuesday 10th November 2026 10:00am – 2:00pm Brookvale Village Hall, Basingstoke We’ll have our own stand at the event and are looking forward...

28/09/2026

We are thankful to have been invited by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane to celebrate the welcoming of the new Mayor at the annual Civic Sunday service, last night with other community groups and members of the community.

The service was touching, especially to hear how the focus of her tenure is on wellbeing, health and community and those groups who make up our community and serve the borough. The aim is to create a borough where everyone can be part of something positive. She spoke of volunteering and that Basingstoke Voluntary Action will be her chosen Charity to facilitate the Mayors community chest. Funds raised will be awarded as grants to organisations running projects that bring people together and improve wellbeing.

There was superb and enthusiastic singing from some children from St John's school Basingstoke and speeches that resonated with many from local Samaritans, Reverend John Hudson and the Bishop of Basingstoke.

The overall upbeat service delivered a message of community, hope and looking out for one another.

Well done all involved and thank you.

25/09/2026

Yesterday afternoon we had the pleasure of attending the Access 4 All Group Basingstoke And Deane meeting at the Tennis club site / Café in the John Arlott Pavilion in the War Memorial Park.

We all had the opportunity to share our experiences and knowledge in how access friendly the Tennis site, the War Memorial Park car park and the Café in the John Arlott Pavilion in the War Memorial Park.

The Tennis club kindly provided refreshments for attendees too.

It is great to be able to support eachother where we can in the community. Many veterans locally could benefit from the Access 4 All Groups services and welcoming friendly personalities.

It was lovely to see Gerald, the driving force of the Over 55's Club and also a volunteer for Basingstoke NeighbourCare. It was also great to see the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane and other Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Basingstoke Voluntary Action members, community groups and other members of the public having an input in provision and accessibility of the venue and area.

21/09/2026

In Basingstoke, it is tradition to hold an annual Sunday Civic Service for the new incoming Mayor.

This year, the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have given us the honour of being invited with representatives amongst the Basingstoke community to attend. At the service, past Mayors, Mayoresses, residents, councillors, and other dignitaries join the service to welcome the new Mayor to the town and borough.

Last year was such a lovely service and had a real feeling of unity and community and we expect this year to be no different.

The Mayors Civic service will be held this year on Sunday 27th September at St Michael's Church in Basingstoke. The service will start at 1800 and finish at 1900.

The Worshipful Mayoress Jacky Tustain has released tickets to the community on a first come, first served basis as space in the church is limited.

You have until 24th September to apply. The link is: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mayors-civic-sunday-service-tickets-2000984252765?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse

The address for the church is:

St Michael's Church
Church Square
Basingstoke
RG21 7QW

You must have a ticket to enter. Upon arrival, you will give your name to one of the stewards on duty, who will show you to your reserved seating block.

There is no parking at the church, please use the town centre car parks. Find a car park here: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/carparks

20/09/2026

The Ministry of Defence , Department for Transport and Rail Delivery Group are offering free rail travel to eligible bereaved family members of Service Personnel who died while serving. The scheme is intended to help bereaved families attend Remembrance Weekend events in November 2026 and honour the memory of their loved one.

***Applications must be submitted to DMWS no later than 12:00 noon on Friday 16 October 2026.***

This offer builds on the existing free rail travel scheme already available to serving military personnel and veterans.

Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey MBE MP for Leyton and Wanstead said:
"Remembrance is an opportunity for the nation to come together in recognition of the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. For bereaved families, this is a deeply personal time.

We must never forget that behind every name we remember is a family whose lives have been changed forever. Providing free rail travel will help bereaved relatives come together and honour their loved one without financial barriers".

To confirm eligibility, applicants must provide evidence that they have been formally recognised by Defence following the death of a Service Person. This will be cross referenced against the Roll of Honour that lists the names of a Service Person who died while in Service after 1947 (includes Palestine 1945 – 1947).

You will need to provide one of the following documents:

A Valedictory Letter
A Condolence Letter
A Military Pension Statement
The document must clearly show the name of the person applying for the travel pass.

Apply online at: https://dmws.org.uk/supporting-military-bereaved-family-members/remembrance-travel-bereaved-families/. If you experience any issues accessing or completing the on-line form, please email [email protected] or call DMWS Telephone Line 0800 999 3697

19/09/2026

This weekend members of the Bnc Basingstoke Nepalese community will be collecting for victims of the devastating flash flooding that occured in Nepal on 26th August.

Please donate anything you can to help those displaced, bereaved, those that have suffered such unimaginable loss to help rebuild their lives and their country.

If you are in town on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, any donation, big or small would be appreciated.

Many thanks.