Published on
Shining a Spotlight on Arun Veterans LiVeS Project
In our last “Shining a Spotlight” feature, we met Crawley & Horsham Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club and explored their ambitions for the future. Their story demonstrated the power of bringing veterans together through friendship, camaraderie and peer support.
This month, we’re looking at another organisation that shares those same values—but one that has already travelled much of the journey that many grassroots veteran groups aspire to make.
Arun Veterans LiVeS Project is a powerful example of what can happen when a veterans’ organisation evolves beyond its original roots, responds to local need and builds a wider support network around the military community.
While breakfast clubs remain at the heart of their activities, Arun Veterans LiVeS Project has developed into something much bigger: a community-led support organisation helping veterans and their families across the Arun district.
Building on Strong Foundations
Like many successful veterans’ organisations, Arun’s story began with a simple idea: creating a welcoming environment where veterans could reconnect with the camaraderie they often miss after leaving service.
What started as a local breakfast club has grown steadily into a recognised support network serving communities across Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Arundel, Eastergate and beyond.
Their commitment has not gone unnoticed. The project’s founder, Ian Neville, received regional recognition from Arun District Council for his outstanding support and outreach work with veterans, highlighting the impact the organisation continues to make throughout the Southeast.
Over time, the organisation recognised that many veterans needed more than a weekly opportunity to socialise. Some required guidance, advocacy, welfare support or simply someone to help them navigate the challenges of civilian life.
Rather than standing still, Arun Veterans LiVeS Project expanded its services to meet those needs.
Today, trained Armed Forces Champions, volunteers and partner organisations work together to provide practical support, signposting and assistance to veterans and military families throughout the region.
Their motto says it all:
“Firmis Firmamentum” – Support Without Prejudice.
Turning Ambition into Achievement
One of the things that stands out about Arun Veterans LiVeS Project is how much they have achieved through determination, community support and a clear understanding of what local veterans need.
Their growth hasn’t happened through grand plans or complicated structures. It has come from listening to veterans, responding to challenges and continually finding ways to provide meaningful support.
The result is an organisation that now offers far more than social connection alone.
Whether it’s helping veterans access services, providing welfare support, tackling isolation, organising community activities or ensuring transport is available for those who need it, Arun Veterans has built a support network that reaches well beyond the breakfast table.
A significant milestone came with the acquisition of their veterans’ minibus, helping ensure that mobility issues or transport difficulties don’t prevent veterans from accessing support, friendship and activities.
These are tangible achievements that have made a real difference to the lives of veterans across the area.
A Model of Sustainable Growth
For Veterans Raffle, Arun Veterans LiVeS Project represents exactly the kind of grassroots organisation we are passionate about supporting.
Their story demonstrates how local veteran groups can grow organically when they have committed volunteers, community backing and sustainable funding opportunities.
As more veteran organisations explore new ways to fund their activities and expand the support they provide, Arun offers an encouraging example of what is possible.
Their continued success has inspired other veteran groups across Sussex and beyond, proving that grassroots organisations can evolve, innovate and broaden their impact while remaining firmly focused on the people they serve.
Why Veterans Raffle Supports Arun Veterans LiVeS Project
Veterans Raffle exists to help charities and community organisations generate sustainable income so they can focus on supporting veterans rather than constantly fundraising.
That’s why we’re proud to support Arun Veterans LiVeS Project.
From helping fund their online presence to raising awareness of their work through our platform, we’re committed to supporting organisations that deliver meaningful, measurable impact in their communities.
Every Veterans Raffle membership helps create opportunities for charities like Arun to continue expanding their services, reaching more veterans and strengthening the support available to the Armed Forces community.