TWO information booklets have been published to help soldiers and their families adapt to life on Carver Barracks.

The Operational Deployment and Overseas Exercise Welfare Guide and the Information Handbook are packed full of useful information for soliders of 33 and 101 engineer regiments.

They were produced by Newport Business Association (NBA) and paid for by local businesses in a gesture to honour the bravery and professionalism of the soldiers currently serving at the Wimbish base.

NBA founder Jeremy Rose said: “Our thoughts go to the families, friends and loved ones left behind when troops are deployed abroad on active duty.

“Bills still need to be paid, children need to be looked after and social activities organised.

“By creating and publishing the information and deployment guides for Capt Gau Gurung, regimental welfare officer at Carver Barracks, we could save them over �4500 that they would spend on producing this information.”

The money saved has meant the Welfare Office has been able to create projects like the Contact House for divorced/separated soldiers, who can then spend quality time with family members on return from deployment abroad.

This three-bedroom house offers outstanding facilities at minimal cost to the troops, with spacious, fully furnished rooms.

“As the founder of Newport Business Association, I am very proud that the majority of organisations who supported and donated money to produce the booklets came from business contacts at NBA,” said Mr Rose.

“The message is load and clear: we support the troops at Carver Barracks, and fully endorse the work the Regimental Welfare Office does to promote the welfare of families, friends and loved ones who face genuine difficulties back at home.”

Commanding officer David Southall, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), said: “Thanks must go to those who have offered their generous support in producing our Regimental Welfare Guide at no cost to us.

“The regiment is heavily, and permanently, committed to operations in Afghanistan.

“Our role is a testing one; my soldiers are required to find, and then destroy the Improvised Explosive Device (IOD) threat, that kills and maims so many of our troops.

“When deployed, I’m extremely reliant on the support of our families to keep the ‘home base’ on a sure and steady footing.

“The Information and Welfare Guides are a key conduit to help to facilitate the support network at home.”

He added: “This help is truly appreciated by all my service families.”