Gloucestershire Forces Hub-Pop Up Comes to Eastgate Shopping Centre
Eastgate Shopping Centre in Gloucester is proud to welcome the Gloucestershire Forces Hub-Pop Up, running from 12th to 25th April 2025. Organised by The Forces Hub (FHUB) in partnership with GL Communities, the pop-up will offer vital support, resources, and connection to members of the Armed Forces community.
Located opposite Specsavers at 22 Eastgate Street, this two-week initiative is led by Chris Auker-Howlett, a disabled British Army veteran and founder of The Forces Hub. The aim is to test a temporary pop-up model to lay the groundwork for a permanent network of support hubs for Gloucestershire’s Armed Forces community.
The pop-up is open to serving personnel, veterans of all generations, partners and families, cadet instructors, businesses, charities, and statutory services such as the NHS, DWP, and local councils. It also extends a warm welcome to Allied Nationals and international military families living in Gloucestershire.
Throughout the event, visitors can access:
- A drop-in area with drinks and an information library (open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)
- Networking sessions and themed military support workshops (Tuesdays and Thursdays) covering:
- Home Life: Housing, homelessness, debt support
- VETE: Volunteering, education, training, and employment
- Health: Physical, mental, and veterans-aware healthcare
- Armed Forces Covenant advice
- Support for female veterans and the LGBTQ+ military community
There will also be private 1:1 interview rooms available for welfare and mental health consultations.
Families are encouraged to attend two special Saturday events. On Saturday 12th April, children can take part in art and craft competitions to celebrate the Month of the Military Child and the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, including military modelling activities. On Saturday 19th April, the hub will mark International Military Families Day and the Anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River with cultural food and celebrations honouring our Allied Forces.
This initiative will help shape the Gloucestershire Integrated Forces Strategy (GIFS), due for release on Armed Forces Day, 28th June 2025. It’s part of a wider mission to launch permanent Forces Hubs across Gloucestershire by Remembrance Day, 11th November 2025.
Join us at Eastgate Shopping Centre from 12th to 25th April to connect, learn, support, and celebrate with our Armed Forces community.
