An Army Central Fund grant of £24,000 has enabled 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC to convert an unused flat within the Officer’s Mess at McMullen Barracks, Marchwood, into a fully self-contained Welfare Flat. The space will provide a private and secure environment for serving personnel and their families during times of welfare need, including medical appointments, sensitive personal circumstances and family support visits.
Located close to Southampton General Hospital, a nationally recognised centre for specialist treatment, the Regiment has become an important point of support for Service families whose loved ones are undergoing serious or life-changing medical care. The new Welfare Flat will complement an existing facility already in high demand, ensuring more families can stay close to hospital treatment while retaining privacy and dignity. When not required for welfare cases, the flat will also enable personnel based at Marchwood to host their families, helping to maintain connection during periods of duty.
As the only Army unit in the Southampton area, 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC regularly supports families from across the wider Service community. By funding the conversion of this second Welfare Flat, the Army Central Fund has helped strengthen a vital welfare resource, improving access to support at critical moments and delivering lasting benefit for serving personnel and their families.