A DROP-IN centre which offers assistance to war veterans of all ages has celebrated its two year anniversary in Govan.

The Coming Home Centre, which is based in the area’s Pearce Institute on Govan Road in Glasgow’s Southside, welcomed guests to the celebration event.

The centre was previously based at Cathcart Old Parish Church when it first opened in 2010 but the charity was later given its own premises in Govan.

Operations Manager Ian Hopkins and his team of volunteers now work to offer veterans support as they adapt to civilian life.

They support hundreds of war veterans offering them an opportunity to speak to people who have been through a similar experience to them.

Among the guests at the celebration was MSP Keith Brown who first opened the service two years ago.

He said: “Just to see the way the centre has grown in two years is phenomenal. It is becoming more of a home from home and I have been delighted to support it from the start.”

He added: “For some people, The Coming Home Centre is very important. Sometimes that feeling you can come along, drop in, you can chat or you can sit by yourself and do nothing at all, it is really important to know that it is here. It hard to quantify the benefits but I think the benefits are huge.”

MSP Brown, who is the cabinet secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, explained that the Coming Home Centre is a much needed service in the city of Glasgow.

He said: “Glasgow has always been a strong recruiting ground for the armed forces. You can see in the centre, the different sections for the marines and RAF.”

He added: “Having something like The Coming Centre is extremely important, it is a great thing for Glasgow.”

Several agencies who The Coming Home centre work with were also present at the event to offer advice to existing veterans.

Those agencies included Armed Services Advice Project, the Armed Forces charity SSADA, Scottish Veteran Residences, veterans mentoring service SACRO, Poppy Scotland, Glasgow’s Helping Heroes and the Shoulder to Shoulder Erskine project.

Ex-marine Adam Edwards, who is Deputy Operations Manager at the charity, said: “This event highlighted what we do at The Coming Home Centre and we opened our doors to show that we are a collaborative organisation who likes to work with other veterans charities.”