A Sussex man who founded a social enterprise dedicated to supporting homeless veterans and blue light personnel has been awarded the prestigious Entrepreneur Award at The English Veterans Awards.
Dean Wormleighton was presented with the award for founding Squaddie Box CIC, the UK-based community interest company dedicated to supporting homeless armed forces veterans and former blue light personnel. It helps by providing veterans with a mailbox, which gives them the fixed address they need to get ID, apply for jobs, access benefits and find housing and rebuild their lives.
Dean, a veteran himself, who lives in Littlehampton, West Sussex, explains: “Without access to a fixed address, where they can access their post on a regular basis it is impossible for homeless veterans to secure ID, apply for jobs benefits and housing or other vital support so they are caught in a vicious cycle – they need an address to get help but they can’t get help without an address that is where Squaddie Box steps in.”
Squaddie Box CIC provides secure physical mailboxes placed at trusted community locations like GP surgeries, service clubs, and shelters. Each box uses the host organisation’s address to receive mail via the normal postal service. For example: Squaddie Box 1 C/O Village GP Surgery address.
Talking after the awards, which took place on 2 October 2025 at De Vere Cotswold water park, Cirencester, Dean said:” To even be considered alongside so many incredible finalists — people doing life-changing work for the veteran community — was an honour on its own. To win was a privilege beyond words.
“Massive thanks to the sponsors who make these awards possible and to the Squaddie Box team. None of this happens without you. We’ve proven what a small veteran-led idea can become. And this is just the start. We will grow.”
The Veterans’ Survey 2022 found that roughly 1 in 400 veterans self-reported being homeless, rough sleeping, or living in a refuge at the time of the survey, although this is thought to just be the tip of the iceberg as a lot of homelessness is hidden.
Dean said: “We already have a pod containing six Squaddie Boxes in place and making a real difference to veterans but with more fundraising and support from corporate partners we can expand all over the UK.
“Our mission it to ensure no veteran is left behind by providing essential resources, community and support to those who have served.”
A veteran Royal Engineer, using the service said: “For me, Squaddie Box represents what real support should look like — effective communication, genuine compassion, and continued welfare contact. It gives veterans not just an address, but a connection and a path back to stability”
For more information about Squaddie Box CIC visit https://squaddiebox.org.uk.
