News release


Minister’s visit marks First Birthday of unique scheme for Ex-servicemen

The new Veterans Minister, Kevan Jones MP, will help celebrate the First Birthday of a unique housing project for single Ex-Servicemen and women in Aldershot when he visits Mike Jackson House, on Wednesday 1 April.

Run by English Churches Housing Group* (ECHG) Mike Jackson House was opened in Spring 2008 by the former head of the British Army, General Sir Mike Jackson.  The project helps single Ex-servicemen and women make the successful leap into employment and civilian life after they leave the Armed Services.

Mike Jackson House accommodates twenty-five Service Leavers for up to 18 months, providing them with access to top of the range computer facilities and trained careers advisors to guide them into successful employment and permanent housing.   

“It’s a year since our official opening and we’ve been overwhelmed,” said Derek Heath, ECHG’s Manager at Mike Jackson House.  “We’ve had over seventy Service Leavers wanting to come here – more than three times our capacity,”

“We have taken in almost 40 Service Leavers and have managed to help 50 percent of our guys who have left to make the positive move back into civilian life and into their own homes.

“Importantly, this has also helped some of those who have suffered family tensions get back together with their partners and children.”

Since 2000, ECHG (part of the Riverside Group), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Communities and Local Government have been working in partnership to provide housing for those who are most at risk of becoming homeless after leaving the Armed Forces.  Mike Jackson House is an example of a wider partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council and Hampshire County Council who contributed to the build and running of the project.  Additionally, Church Housing Trust provided funding for the project’s furnishings.

Mark Smith** entered the Armed Forces at 18 and served five years in the Parashoot Regiment.  For him Mike Jackson House was a welcome reprieve: “I was living on the streets homeless and was thinking of committing crime just to get into prison.  I was offered a place at Mike Jackson and it was a godsend.”

Another Mike Jackson House resident, Dave Johns**, added: “It’s great.  I’ve got my own flat and access to an IT room and gym.  They put you on courses and I’m planning to try to become a personal trainer because I’m always down the gym anyway!”

The Minister will be given a special tour of Mike Jackson House by some of the Ex servicemen who were the first residents at the project.