Always on
This project successfully funded on 12th March 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
OpCwtch - Armed Forces Hub
Newton Abbot, England, United Kingdom
£315
raised so far
Crowdfunder is secure
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Aim
We're a community hub providing signposting, mentoring, social connection and opportunities for veterans, serving personnel & their families
OpCwtch is a new Armed Forces community hub based out of 17 Union Street in Newton Abbot serving Teignbridge, Torbay and beyond. We're here for veterans, serving personnel and their families.
In practical terms, we exist to be a walk-in, sit-down place that helps people actually move forward and find the support they need.
What we do:
A safe, welcoming drop-in hub where members of the Armed Forces community can come in with or without an appointment.
1:1 support and practical problem-solving, including help navigating:
- Housing and homelessness risk
- Benefits and finances
- Employment, training and CV support
- Mental health and wellbeing support routes
- Family support and local services
- Social sessions and peer to peer support
If this matters to you, please follow, share, or support our Crowdfunder.
Every bit helps.
Having seen first-hand how many people fall through the gaps, especially veterans, the idea of OpCwtch was born.
Over the past few months, we’ve been pulling together a detailed picture of what support is and isn’t available locally for veterans, serving personnel and their families. While there are some excellent charities and regional services, there is no single, accessible, local point where they can come in, be listened to and get practical help and signposting to navigate housing, benefits, mental health, socialising, employment and everyday support.
We want to change that!
Our team is small but deeply committed. We’re community members, volunteers, veterans, supporters and local people who believe that nobody should feel alone, especially those who have already given so much.
Warm referrals and advocacy
We don’t just hand someone a number, we help them connect with the right service and follow it through.
Community and connection
We offer regular sessions that reduce isolation and rebuild routine, belonging and peer support.
Opportunities and purpose
We offer volunteering, skills development and ways to get involved that rebuild confidence ad momentum.
Who it’s for:
- Veterans (any service, any age)
- Serving personnel
- Reservists
- Partners, spouses and families who are often carrying the load too
Why it exists:
OpCwtch exists because the hardest part isn't always asking for help, it’s not knowing where to start. No more having to repeat your story again and again.
We’re building a safe, familiar place where you’re met with respect, you’re not rushed, and you leave with support that actually moves things forward.
Our Future
- We are fundraising to acquire a building that will be a dedicated long term space for the armed forces community
- A minibus to help people get to workshops and sessions
- We want to secure a HMO or flats to provide short term accommodation
Can you help us?
The money we raise will be used to run the OpCwtch Armed Forces Hub for Teignbridge, Torbay and beyond and develop our future plans. Covering the building, utilities, staffing and support, developing dedicated drop-in sessions, running peer support groups, providing crisis essentials and equipping the space with what people need to thrive. It will allow us to intervene early, prevent homelessness, improve wellbeing, and give veterans the confidence and tools to rebuild their lives. We're going to be putting in a full digital suite, a podcasting studio and will get a minibus or similar to allow us to get people to external workshops and courses.
With your support, we can turn this into a long-term, life-changing resource for the people who once stood up to serve us all.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made