A RECOVERY centre for war veterans in Colchester has been closed “for the foreseeable future” due to the financial strain caused by coronavirus.

Help for Heroes has announced a major restructuring of its services with it predicting the pandemic will lead to a 30 per cent drop in income for the charity over the coming years.

The charity said the financial hit, coupled with a surge in demand for its services, means it has been forced to review its services and it has put 142 staff roles at risk of redundancy.

As part of a move to ensure it continues to provide face-to-face community and digital services the charity has decided not to reopen Chavasse VC House Recovery Centre, in Berechurch Road.

Melania Waters, chief executive officer of Help for Heroes, said the decision was “extremely tough” but the organisation had a responsibility to ensure it could continue providing frontline services.

She said: “In 2007, we made a promise on behalf of the nation to provide lifetime support to wounded veterans and their families and we are striving to keep that promise.

“The crisis has had a devastating impact on the whole UK charity sector with lasting consequences and it has hit us hard.

“We expect these changes to have a positive impact on our ability to protect our services and support for the long term, which is incredibly important.

“We are not stopping any recovery services but will be providing the same first-class recovery services in a more cost-effective way.

“The continued Covid restrictions mean wounded veterans have a greater need for support to be available closer to home, in their communities and online.

“We remain absolutely committed to our wounded and their families and will continue fighting for, and changing the lives of, those we support for as long as they need it.”

Chavasse VC House is where Help for Heroes operates the majority of its recovery services for the east of England.

As part of the restructuring the charity is also closing its centres in Catterick, North Yorkshire; and Plymouth in Devon.

The charity said the move has been driven by a need to protect services, with the number of new people coming forward for mental health support growing by 33 per cent between May and June, compared with last year.

There were also 30 per cent more referrals to its physical health services over this time.

The charity says no recovery services are being cut in the restructure, just adapted in a bid to save funds.

It said it is working closely with the MoD to ensure all centres continue to provide core recovery activities for wounded, injured or sick service personnel during lockdown and beyond. 

Veteran and Help for Heroes Ambassador Rob Shenton said: “These changes will mean the charity can have a deeper reach to where veterans need the most help.

“Help for Heroes are my fourth emergency service in some respects.

“They started providing support when most thought it was not needed and the systems couldn’t cope. The truth was it was so desperately needed and still is to this day and beyond.”

Donate at helpforheroes.org.uk/donate-online.