A community hub for veterans will now offer full-time support for the first time.

The Veterans Hub, Weymouth and Portland was established last year by ex-Rifles soldier Andy Price, from Portland, who was concerned about the accessibility of mental health care to former troops in Dorset.

Until now the group has run a drop-in session every Thursday and had an outreach service to support veterans in difficult times.

The hub will host a grand-opening on Sunday, July 8, of the new permanent hub and cafe in Wyke Regis.

Andy said he believed the hub would be a ‘welcome community asset’.

“It’s really hard for me to run it by myself and maintain the service so there was a need for it to go full time. It was always going to be the goal but we are massively ahead of schedule - I think because there’s a massive need for it,” he said.

The first phase of this project will see a community cafe open that will be run by veterans, for veterans and their families as well as the local community.

“Our aim is to give people a sense of purpose and rebuild their confidence,” Andy said. “Built by veterans for veterans’ is our motto and that’s what we are doing here.”

He added the hub would be a place that local community support groups could link up so people in need of help could find everyone and everything they need in one place.

Andy said there will be a private event between 10am and 12pm to for all those who made the hub possible and at 12pm an official opening will be held and all are welcome to attend.

Join in the celebrations and enjoy music from the Voice finalist, Lauren Bannon-Hayes plus Danny Adams and The Leggomen. Local authors Ash Gordon, an army veteran and security expert Gavin Stone also be on hand to talk to you about their books.

To keep everyone going through the festivities, a BBQ will be provided by veteran Dion Tantrum of Dorset’s Kiwi Butcher plus there will be a raffle with prizes provided by local and national companies.

Rob Dennison of the 50cal coffee company and Gav Corlos will be arriving in style after cycling all the way from Scotland to raise awareness and funds for the hub and other veteran support organisations.

Andy said: “This is a family event, dogs are welcome and everyone is invited to come along on the day to show your support, meet local veterans and see what it is that we have built for the local community.”

The event will be held at the new hub at 114a Portland Road between 12pm and 4pm. Guests are advised this is a dry event.