A homeless veterans support hub has spoke in London about their work which in a hope the scheme could be rolled out across the country.

The leaders of Healthier Heroes CIC project, Bancroft House in Burnley, visited the capital last weekend (September 25 and 26) to discuss how they help homeless veterans off the street and get their lives back on track.

The project, which has been created by ex-veteran Andrew Powell, was nominated by one of his trustees, Amy Varale, to the Churchill Foundation where she has worked for 20 years battling homelessness.

Amy recognised Bancroft house as being one of the best practices for helping homeless veterans get their life back on track.

The foundation is conducting a new research project and in London, Andrew was in the company of a number of other charities across the country who help to tackle homelessness.

Andrew said: "We handed in the petition which outlined our model and what needed to be done.

"I presented to a group of investors and a group of homeless charities and people who want to resolve homelessness.

"I had a very good response there from people who wanted to work with us and other investors who wanted to support us too.

"If it takes off, we want to be a massive part of that and consult with other associations to show them how to do what we are doing to not disadvantage anybody so they can go out into the community again."

The live-in facility, which opened on December 7, 2020, has already seen 31 veterans get themselves a house while 27 veterans are currently being supported by the programme.

The programme sees homeless veterans come through the door, be assisted by staff in dealing with drug addictions or alcohol addictions if necessary, help them with mental health, while they are able to take college courses before finding a job and a house of their own.

Andrew added: "We don't want to keep people here because the push is to get them out at a time that is safe.

"We also help with the mental health, the drug and alcohol addiction - we provide all the support.

"A lot of people think that providing a roof over somebodies head is the stepping stone to get them back on track but it's not.

"It's all the help and support to give them a life that is most important."

The community interest company is now waiting to see what response they get about their work and whether their rehabilitation model will be used across the country to assist veterans who are on the streets.