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  • Minister Lyons hosts visit of UK Veterans Minister

    Topics:
    • Make the Call (MtC)

    Date published: 5 June 2026

    Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed UK Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones as she visited the team staffing the new Veterans Support Line NI in Belfast.

    Woman and man hold a rectangular sign reading 'Veterans Support Line NI' with the telephone number 0800 158 5556 below. They are standing in front of a large desk with a number of people operating telephones
    Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP met staff working on the Veterans Support Line NI

    The Department for Communities’ Veterans Support Line NI service provides information on benefits eligibility and other support services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. A dedicated freephone number and accompanying text service have been established. 

    Minister Lyons said: “I am pleased to welcome Minister Sandher-Jones and highlight the important work being done by the Veterans Support Line NI.

    “This service offers a clear, trauma-informed pathway for veterans to engage with the Department’s services, supported by staff who understand the unique challenges associated with military service.

    Minister Sandher-Jones said: “The Veterans Support Line NI is a significant step forward in making sure those who have served, and their families, can access the support they need quickly and with confidence.

    “No veteran should face barriers when it comes to housing, welfare or wider support, and this service will play an important role in helping people navigate that system.

    “I’m grateful to Minister Lyons and his team for the strong partnership behind this work, which will make a real difference for the veterans community here in Northern Ireland.”

    The Veterans Support Line NI can be contacted on 0800 158 5556 or by texting ADVICE to 07860 042576.

    For more information visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/veterans-support-line-ni.

    Notes to editors:

    1. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP met staff working on the Veterans Support Line NI.
    2. For media enquiries please contact the Press Office via press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk.
    3. Follow the Department on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
    4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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