Homeless veterans' centre scheme

The unit includes accommodation for up to five people

A new centre to help homeless veterans rebuild their lives is to be opened on Tyneside next year.

The £700,000 unit has been created by housing charity Norcare from a derelict property in Newcastle.

It offers accommodation for five people, as well as a day centre where up to 35 visitors can get employment and financial help.

The centre will serve as a trial for a number of similar projects planned by Norcare across the UK.

Veterans minister Kevan Jones attended an event promoting the unit on Friday, which is supported of the Royal British Legion.

The project focuses on ex-services personnel who have fallen on hard times after returning to civilian life following active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Norcare chief executive Susan Bickerton said: "Hundreds if not thousands of war veterans have slipped through the support net and are extremely vulnerable.

"Working with The Royal British Legion, Norcare is piloting a centre that will re-create home life for ex-servicemen and women that have fallen on hard times while they are helped to find homes and employment.

"We need to rebuild their lives and help re-integrate them back into civilian life."