A £132,000 Veterans' Foundation grant pays for two new Navigator posts at the Richmond charity. The service supported 167 veterans in 2025-26, up from 100.

The Poppy Factory, the veterans’ employment charity based on Petersham Road in Richmond, has been given £132,000 by the Veterans’ Foundation to pay for two new full-time Navigator posts over two years. Navigator is the charity’s pre-employment service for veterans facing several complex problems at once, and in 2025-26 it supported 167 veterans, up from 100 the year before.

Of those 167, the charity says 73 reached their personal goals, 39 went on to its Employment Service and 13 moved into work.

What Navigator does

Silhouette of a climber in a helmet reaching down to pull another climber up a rock ledge at the mouth of a cave, with more people in helmets waiting below
One climber helps another up a rock ledge. Photo: supplied by the Veterans' Foundation

Navigator gives a veteran up to six months of one-to-one support, tailored to them. The aim is to rebuild confidence, improve wellbeing and reconnect people with their communities through what the charity calls meaningful activities. Once a veteran is ready, they can move on to The Poppy Factory’s Employment Service.

The charity’s Navigator page describes it as free, open to veterans who refer themselves or are referred by regional partners, and built around hobbies, volunteering and training “rather than pushing people directly into job applications before they are ready”.

Amanda Shepard, Chief Executive of The Poppy Factory, said: “Our founder, Major George Howson, created The Poppy Factory to give injured veterans the opportunity to work, rebuild their independence and find a sense of purpose. His mission remains at the heart of everything we do.

“We simply couldn’t have trialled, consolidated and launched Navigator without the significant support of the Veterans’ Foundation. Some veterans need help to rebuild their confidence, wellbeing and support networks before they can take steps towards employment. Navigator gives us the time to help lay those foundations.”

Bar chart of The Poppy Factory's Navigator service in 2025-26: 167 veterans used it, 73 achieved their personal goals, 39 moved on to the Employment Service and 13 moved into employment. The year before, 100 veterans used the service.
What happened to the 167 veterans who used Navigator in 2025-26. Chart by Richmond Online
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From Army engineer to an Armed Forces drop-in

One of the veterans Navigator has worked with is Ian Stowe. He served for more than 20 years in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and left the Army in 2023, after which he was homeless and out of work.

With Navigator’s help he rebuilt his confidence and set up an Armed Forces drop-in at Tranmere Rovers. More than 50 people came to its first meeting, the charity says.

“I’ll always encourage other veterans to contact The Poppy Factory,” he said. “Having someone alongside you who understands can make a huge difference.”

Close-up of hands in camouflage uniform holding a map in a clear waterproof bag, with a compass and a pen, over a forest floor of dry leaves
A map and compass in a waterproof case, held by people in camouflage uniform. Photo: supplied by the Veterans' Foundation

Four grants since 2018

The Veterans’ Foundation has backed The Poppy Factory several times. In 2018 it gave two grants of £5,000 towards the employment service. In 2024 it paid a year’s salary with a £25,000 grant. The 2025 award of £132,000 is paid over two years and covers the two new Navigator posts.

The two charities put the total at £162,000. The four grants they list add up to £167,000.

Jane Gurney, chief executive of the Veterans’ Foundation, said: “We’re so proud to support The Poppy Factory and its vital work helping veterans get back on their feet through tailored, one-to-one support. Navigator gives those facing the greatest challenges the support they need to at that time to rebuild their confidence, reconnect with their communities and take steps towards employment.”

The Poppy Factory visitor centre, a white brick building with large windows and red POPPY FACTORY lettering above the entrance
The Poppy Factory visitor centre in Richmond. Photo: AndyScott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Richmond charity since 1922

The Poppy Factory headquarters on Petersham Road, Richmond, with the charity's flag flying
The Poppy Factory's headquarters on Petersham Road, Richmond. Photo: Nickeaglesfield, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Poppy Factory was founded in 1922 by Major George Howson MC to give work to disabled veterans coming home from the First World War. Veterans there still make the wreaths and poppies laid at Remembrance services across the country.

What it means for you

  • Navigator is not yet offered in London. When we checked the charity’s Navigator page on 10 November 2026, it listed the service as available in parts of the Midlands, the North West, North and South Wales and the South West. Veterans in Richmond upon Thames can still contact the charity about its other services from the same site.
  • Veterans can refer themselves. The page says the service is free and takes self-referrals as well as referrals from partner organisations.
  • The charity is on your doorstep. The Poppy Factory’s address is Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 6UR, and it runs visits to the factory, which can be booked on its website.