The achievements of Valley Veterans, a group of volunteers based in the Rhondda Valley, was celebrated at a prestigious ceremony when they were presented with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. The presentation was made by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan Professor Peter Vaughan CBE QPM CStJ at their weekly breakfast club held in Ton Pentre, on Thursday, 13th August. The Lord-Lieutenant presented the group with the award crystal and official certificate, saying,“The King’s award is quite exceptional and this year only 231 were given out. It recognises the millions of people around our country volunteering every day to make a difference in our community. “For Valley Veterans to receive this award is testament to the difference that it is making - the way that it’s developed over the years and the way that it looks after its veterans and the community. “I couldn’t have been more honoured to have been asked to present this award to Paul and the team. On behalf of his Majesty the King congratulates to you all on achieving this wonderful honour.” Valley Veterans is a veteran-led organisation founded more than 20 years ago by Falklands War veteran Paul Bromwell MBE as an informal support group for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has grown into a vibrant veteran-led community hub with more than 140 active participants supporting the local Armed Force’s community, to aid physical and mental health and wellbeing. It holds a breakfast club every Thursday, a Wednesday morning paperwork session and daily equine and horticultural activities on nearby land. Founder and CEO Paul Bromwell MBE said: “We are delighted to have been presented with this award and are very grateful to all our supporters and partner organisations that work closely with us. What an achievement this is for everyone involved – thank you very much.” Valley Veterans was one of 231 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award in 2025. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King.

Do listen to ‘Veterans’ Lament’ composed by Nigel Locke, secretary of the award-winning veterans charity Valley Veterans, and produced and recorded by Hot Jam. “Nigel wrote a brilliantly emotional song about the struggles and difficulties faced by former armed forces personnel, from personal experience of supporting veterans and their families,” said Andy Mulligan of Hot Jam. Click below to listen: Nigel said, “I would be sincerely grateful if this song cold be shared to as wide an audience as possible, as it is intended to highlight the plight of veterans, not for personal gain. This is the first song I have ever written so I am very nervous about the reaction, as songwriting is as personal as individual taste.” Hot Jam Music CIC are based in the South Wales Valleys and run creative music projects. Credits: Song written by Nigel Locke with Hot Jam Audio and video edited and produced by Andy Mulligan Vocals: Will Casson-Smith Keyboards and Drum: Nigel Locke Bass: Steve Jones Guitar: Andy Mulligan Thank you to our two tutors: Andy Mulligan Guitar Sylvia Strand ( Jonathan Gregory ) This project was funded by a Shared Prosperity Fund Grant from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Via UK Government.

Valley Veterans is one of eight organisations in Wales, among 162 nationally, who have been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award 2026 in recognition of their outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community. Representing the highest badge of honour, the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is awarded to those that employ and support those who serve in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey MBE MP said: "For a veteran starting a new chapter, or a Reservist balancing two demanding roles, having an employer in your corner makes an enormous difference. “These 162 organisations have gone out of their way to make veterans, Reservists and military families feel genuinely welcome and supported. I'm incredibly proud to recognise them today, and I hope their example inspires many more." Gold Award holders play an important role in encouraging other organisations to strengthen their support for the Armed Forces community, helping to build a more inclusive workforce while supporting Defence's people agenda and strengthening the nation's resilience. Now in its twelfth year, the ERS Gold Award continues to celebrate employers that go beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments by embedding forces-friendly policies, advocating for defence and creating inclusive workplaces where veterans, Reservists, military families and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers can thrive.

Valley Veterans welcomed First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth to its award-winning Rhondda Valley hub, showcasing the life-changing support it provides to veterans in the area. During the visit, the First Minister met with both volunteers and veterans, to learn about the wide range of vital services provided by the veteran-led charity. Founded more than 20 years ago as an informal support group for PTSD suffers by Falklands War veteran Paul Bromwell, it has grown into a vibrant hub with more than 140 active participants. Its Equi-Grow project includes the development of a purpose-built equine and horticultural space for activities supporting the mental and physical health and wellbeing of veterans. It holds a breakfast club every Thursday, a paperwork session every Wednesday morning along with daily equine and horticultural activities on nearby land. The visit follows Valley Veterans receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the UK’s highest honour for voluntary groups in the UK, equivalent to an MBE. During the visit on Thursday 4 June, the First Minister spoke directly with both volunteers and veterans about their experiences and the positive difference the organisation has made in their lives. Speaking during the visit, the First Minister said: “As a new government, we’re committed to supporting Welsh veterans and their families. Valley Veterans is a powerful example of the impact that dedicated, community-led support can have. The work being done here is truly inspiring and makes a meaningful difference to the lives of veterans and their families across the region.” Founder and Chief Executive Paul Bromwell MBE said: “We were honoured to welcome the First Minister and share the work we are so passionate about. This visit highlights the importance of continued support for veterans and the role organisations like ours play in helping people rebuild their lives.” The First Minister joined veterans following their Falklands War Remembrance Service that was held at the community centre on Thursday morning. Dignitaries that attended included the Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Professor Peter Vaughan CBE CStJ QPM, the Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Councillor Ann Crimmings and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Maureen Webber. The visit marks an important moment of recognition for Valley Veterans as it continues to expand its services and support for veterans across the region.

Representatives from Valley Veterans recently attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Each year guests are invited to attend Royal Garden parties in recognition of their public service. The invite came after Valley Veterans were awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

PRESS RELEASE 17/11/2025 Valley Veterans receives The King’s Award for Voluntary Service Valley Veterans, a group of volunteers based in the Rhondda Valley, have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. Valley Veterans is a veteran-led organisation founded more than 20 years ago by Falklands War veteran Paul Bromwell MBE as an informal support group for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has grown into a vibrant veteran-led community hub with more than 140 active participants supporting the local Armed Force’s community, to aid physical and mental health and wellbeing. It holds a breakfast club every Thursday, a Wednesday morning paperwork session and daily equine and horticultural activities on nearby land. It is one of 231 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2025 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Representatives of Valley Veterans will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Professor Peter Vaughan in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from Valley Veterans will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2026, along with other recipients of this year’s award. Founder and CEO Paul Bromwell MBE said: “We are delighted to have won this award as it shows what we are doing is right. Our sincere thanks to all our incredible volunteers, members, supporters, funders and all the fantastic organisations that we work so closely wit

Valley Veterans is one of two winners of Finning UK & Ireland’s national ‘Win Big’ competition, receiving a brand-new Cat® excavator to power its project work forward. Finning launched the free-to-enter competition, organised to mark Caterpillar’s 100th anniversary, with one winner in mind, however the high calibre of entries led to them naming two winners: Valley Veterans and the Colin Burt Reserve for Wildlife Conservation in Scotland. Both winners were invited to Finning UK & Ireland headquarters in Cannock, Staffordshire to celebrate their win with the Finning team. During the day Finning provided training on mini excavators, as well as tutorial on how the new machine owners can get the very best from their new excavators with telematics.  Valley Veterans, a charity based in the Rhondda Valley, was founded more than 20 years ago as an informal support group for PTSD sufferers and is now a vibrant hub with more than 140 active participants. Its Equi-Grow project includes the development of a purpose-built equine and horticultural space for activities supporting the mental and physical health and wellbeing of veterans. It has won a Cat 301.5 excavator to help get groundwork underway.   To mark Caterpillar’s centenary year in 2025, Finning hosted the giveaway on its website, asking participants: ‘How would winning a Cat machine or generator help you build something that lasts?’    Gary Megarrell, Managing Director at Finning UK and Ireland, said the high quality of the entries meant it was impossible to select just one winner. He said: “The 100th anniversary of Caterpillar provided the perfect opportunity to gift our winners with the equipment they need to take their projects forward. The answers from the Colin Burt Reserve and Valley Veterans truly embodied the values we share at Finning around safety and inclusivity.   Caterpillar’s centenary and Finning’s desire to have a positive impact within the community “We are delighted both organisations are now the owners of mini excavators, and that this will make a real, tangible difference to their projects and to their visitors. This prize-giving has been a fantastic way to mark what has been a very memorable year celebrating the Finning partnerships.”   The winners were given the choice between a Cat 301.6 excavator or a Cat DE110E2 genset as their prize. They were also automatically enrolled in a set of monthly prize draws – with rewards up for grabs including a trip to Malaga.   Valley Veterans was last year honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. It has been presented with the centenary celebration Cat machine that was on display at Finning’s headquarters in Cannock during the anniversary year. Nigel Locke, Secretary of Valley Veterans, said, “This recognition from Finning comes on the back of a remarkable year for us and inspires us to keep working to make a difference to veterans and their families. “The Equi-Grow project will allow us to significantly increase our capacity to train and mentor members, while also extending support to a wider veteran and community audience across the South Wales Valleys. “Having this excavator means we can accelerate the development of the site and support even more veterans in overcoming the challenges of isolation and loneliness.”   Photo caption: Representatives from Valley Veterans  were invited to Finning UK & Ireland headquarters to celebrate their win with the Finning team.

The achievement of Valley Veterans' founder and chief executive Paul Bromwell was celebrated at a prestigious ceremony at Windsor Castle when he was presented with his MBE by HRH The Princess Royal. Paul was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to veterans and vulnerable people in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Honours are a way of celebrating extraordinary people who go above and beyond to change the world around them for the better. Paul, accompanied by his wife Sian Bromwell and their daughters Rhian and Lowri, travelled to Windsor for the ceremony where he was presented with his medal by Princess Anne in January.

Valley Veterans is delighted to announce that it has received £20,000 funding from the Army Benevolent Fund to help deliver a wide-ranging programme of physical and mental health support for veterans, reservists, serving personnel and their families.   Recognised as a model for holistic Armed Forces support in Wales, Valley Veterans offers a dedicated mental health service for veterans, as well as equine therapy, horticultural activities and meaningful outdoor work, all designed to support emotional wellbeing and reduce loneliness.   "We are sincerely grateful to the Army Benevolent Fund for funding the essential support we provide to veterans in the community and we very much look forward to our new partnership,” said Chief Executive Paul Bromwell. The charity’s partnerships with NHS Veterans Wales, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg MIND and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board ensures that people can access specialist help quickly and without repeatedly retelling their story. The Army Benevolent Fund award will help strengthen this vital, person-centred model. The twice-weekly support hubs provide warm, welcoming spaces with hot meals and opportunities to socialise. The hubs also host clinics and advice sessions delivered with partners including SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, NHS Veterans Wales, MIND, Diabetes UK, RCT Citizens Advice Bureau, RNID Cymru and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council ensuring easy access to mental health support, physical health checks, benefits support and practical guidance   The support hubs run every Wednesday from 9am to midday and Thursday from 9am to 3pm.

Valley Veterans was delighted to be presented with the SSAFA Shield for its collaborative work with the Armed Forces charity. The Shield was presented at SSAFA's AGM in March at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff.