This is a community voice published in the Hereford Times on November 28.

Annie Fisher, director @ The Hub CIC

SOME businesses make things or beautify people or perform a service. We are in the business of making people’s lives better.

Herefordshire has been recognised nationally for its forward thinking achievements in ending homelessness and we are proud to say that we work in partnership with statutory agencies that provide care and support to those who most need it.

Housing has always been a political hot potato, and one that we @ The Hub don’t want to juggle with.

However, with Ross-on-Wye having a larger than average proportion of veterans and the recent Armistice Day commemorations, one group should get our specific thanks.

That is HVSC, Herefordshire Veterans Support Centre, with Sean at the helm. This vital link has ensured that we have collaborated to house two veterans within the last four months, a proud achievement for us.

@ The Hub decided not to run a veteran-specific support group as we support everybody in all walks of life. Do veterans want to be treated differently? Or do they want to receive the same level of care and dignity that everyone deserves? Our care and support is available to all humans unilaterally from all walks of life.

People often ask why we do what we do and the answer is simple. Because we care, and we can.

We provide breakfast, showering facilities, laundry facilities, a hot lunch once a week and a placefor people to just come and chat, with peers, with friends, and for support.

Why are we filling this gap? Should services be handed back to local and central governments? We think not.

This does not detract from the fact that central government have an absolute duty of care, but we firmly believe that our outreach service goes above and beyond anything that the Government could offer.

We work with our community for our community and know it well, and one of the reasons our system works is that our support workers have lived experience.

The support of the high sheriff makes such a difference to community groups such as ours.

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What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

We will be forever grateful to Pat Churchward for the encouragement and publicity she brings.

If you would like to find out more, please head to our website, Facebook page, or make a donation here: www.paypal. com/donate?hosted_button_ id=7GDQDZ49QA3K2

Visit us at https://at-the-hub. co.uk or on Facebook:www. facebook.com/atthehubross