VC opens new gallery in Pembroke Dock

The VC Gallery helps veterans who need support to readjust back into civilian life, acting as a single point of access to welfare and support.

The gallery has taken over the old post office building on Dimond Street, which has been empty for several years.

Barry John, who runs the VC Gallery said opening the new locations was the result of a lot of hard work.

“It’s been the culmination of a lot of hard work,” he said.

“We are opening our third hub in the space of just a few years, so we can reach out to more veterans and offer them support.

“It’s been a bit of a group effort to find somewhere to bring a bit of colour, art, culture, and support.”

Mr John said that he had received help from several groups, including the Armed Forces Covenant, the town council and the Pembroke Dock regeneration Team.

“Our central focus will be to engage with the community through art,” he said, “but also to be a signpost for veterans with issues from mental health, to housing and job support - especially with universal credit being rolled out in September.”

Cllr Josh Beynon, who helped get funding for the gallery said he wanted to help support the project.

“I’m a big supporter of the VC gallery, they already do a lot of good in Haverfordwest,” He said.

“There’s a bit of a gap at the moment in Pembroke Dock and I think the gallery will fill that void.

“If you go through the doors in Haverfordwest there’s always someone there to say how important it has been to them.”

Cllr Beynon said he took a proposal to the town council for funding in March, who ended up agreeing to fund the project for its first year.

He said: “We originally asked the council for £5000 but they turned around and offered the full costs for getting it off the ground.

“That building has been empty for a long time, it’s great to have it filled, it’s a real win-win for the community. “

Doors will open on the September 3 and an official opening event on Friday, September 7 at noon.