Centenary Village
Welcome to RBLI’s Centenary Village, a place where community, care, and connection bring together veterans, their families, and people of all ages.
For the next hundred years, our charity will proudly support hundreds more military veterans and their loved ones every year, creating a vibrant, welcoming neighbourhood where generations live side by side, learn from each other, and thrive together.
At the heart of this £28 million development are accessible, thoughtfully designed homes, from independent family residences to assisted living options, all centred around a community hub. Here, an intergenerational community live side by side, sharing experiences and looking out for one another.
Our unique STEP-IN health and social care programme means every resident receives personalised support tailored to their needs, helping them face daily challenges with confidence and independence.
Now more than ever, veterans need a place to call home, a community that stands by them for decades to come. That is what Centenary Village is all about.
Further development of welfare support and STEP-IN model.
A two storey community centre with accessible gym, café, education and IT suites.
48 one and two bed adapted apartments for veterans with disabilities.
7 two, three and four bedroom homes for veterans and their families.
A 34-apartment supported living scheme for those who need some care.
12 House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) units for vunerable veterans.
WHY NOW?
Veteran care is changing. Older veterans need more complex support, while many from recent conflicts face long-term physical and mental health challenges.
Research shows the next 50 years will be critical. Young, single male veterans often struggle to find social housing, leading to homelessness and barriers to employment. Without a stable home, breaking the cycle of hardship is tough.
Centenary Village meets these needs with our STEP-IN model, offering tailored support to help residents overcome issues like disabilities, substance misuse, family breakdown, social isolation, and financial problems.
With employability at its heart, every STEP-IN journey empowers residents to gain new skills, find meaningful employment, and work toward full independence — all within walking distance from Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Co.
Our Progress So Far…
Since opening in 2017, Centenary Village has been growing into a vibrant intergenerational community where veterans of all ages can live, connect, and thrive. Thanks to our generous supporters, we’ve developed homes and facilities tailored to the needs of those who have served.
At the heart of the village is the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) Community Centre, a hub bringing neighbours together through shared spaces like the café, gym, and IT suite.
Our housing options range from assisted living for older veterans to apartments for younger ex-service personnel — creating a supportive neighbourhood where generations live side by side.
Army Benevolent Fund Community Centre
The Summit Gym
The Summit Gym is a DDA-compliant space designed to motivate and support your health and wellness journey. Filled with natural light and modern equipment, it offers cardio and weight machines, free weights, air conditioning, spacious changing rooms, and accessible showers – all in a welcoming atmosphere.
The Summit Café
A cozy, inviting space serving expertly brewed coffees and light homemade flavourful food. Whether you want a quiet moment or a catch-up with friends, the café offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options in a warm and relaxed setting. There’s also a meeting room with TV and Wi-Fi available for hire by the community that accommodates up to 10 people.
Vice-Admiral Sir Donald Gosling IT Learning Centre
A bright, flexible space designed to support learning, productivity, and community connection. With modern laptops, high-speed internet, and room for up to 12 people, it’s ideal for personal study, small group sessions, or community workshops.
Centenary Village Veteran Housing
Centenary Village offers thoughtfully designed homes to support veterans and their families at every stage of life, creating a truly intergenerational community.
Victory and Invictus Games House
These 24 specially adapted apartments are designed with accessibility at their core, providing a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for veterans — especially younger ex-service personnel from recent conflicts — and their families.
Sapper House
Opened in 2022, adds more apartments for younger veterans and their families, helping to provide village residents with their first step towards independence.
Greenwich House
A comfortable and welcoming supported living scheme with 24 apartments for veterans and spouses aged 55+, offering on-site domiciliary care and facilities designed to meet the needs of those requiring additional support.
If you or someone you know could benefit from living in a supportive, veteran-focused community, we’d love to hear from you.
“I AM VERY CONSCIOUS THAT OUR VETERANS, PARTICULARLY FROM RECENT OPERATIONS, MANY OF WHOM WERE YOUNG WHEN THEY EXPERIENCED LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES, WILL NEED OUR SUPPORT FOR DECADES TO COME. WE NEED TO BE THERE FOR THEM.”
General Sir Gordon Messenger KCB DSO* OBE, Centenary Village Campaign Patron
“I AM VERY CONSCIOUS THAT OUR VETERANS, PARTICULARLY FROM RECENT OPERATIONS, MANY OF WHOM WERE YOUNG WHEN THEY EXPERIENCED LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES, WILL NEED OUR SUPPORT FOR DECADES TO COME. WE NEED TO BE THERE FOR THEM.”
General Sir Gordon Messenger KCB DSO* OBE, Centenary Village Campaign Patron
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are so thankful to all the generous donors who have made it possible to keep constructions works ongoing at the £28m development. More homes are underway right now at the Centenary Village.
The project will finish in 2027 when all the homes will complete, including more assisted living. This project is a vital investment in the most disadvantaged veterans from anywhere the UK. If you are keen to support the community we are currently fundraising to deliver mobility and fitness, employability coaching and work placements, digital inclusion, mental health, welfare and debt advice sessions, as well as facilitated peer-groups.
Please do get in touch. Anything you can give will help ensure veterans find this safety net at their hour of need and can turn their lives around completely.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS…
ABF, Morrisons Foundation, Chelsea Barracks, Garfield Weston, MOD, Hobson Charity, Annington, Barratt Developments, Greenwich Hospital, Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust, The Wolfson Foundation, The Edward Gostling Foundation and The Michael Uren Foundation.
