The Sandbag Times Issue No: 49

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Bristol Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club provides a hearty meal and a haven for veterans Once a month, a group of friends get together for a hearty breakfast and to chat about everything from the football to what their family have been up to. But it is more than just a chance for old mates to catch up. The Sunday morning meeting at the Kingswood Colliers pub in Bristol is actually a lifeline for former soldiers, without which many would be left struggling with isolation. The Bristol Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club provides a place where ex-servicemen can meet others, share experiences and find the comradeship so many miss after leaving the military. The group of around 15 meets once a month at the pub in Kingswood, which provides free tea and coffee and a room decorated with regimental flags for the morning. Jane Ager, who organises the meetings, said that many of the men arrive struggling to cope with civilian life. She said: “We have people of all different ages, men who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and old boys from World War II, but they all have one thing in common. “They find a place where there are like-minded people who understand and support them, and that can make a huge difference. “A man came in who suffers from serious post-traumatic stress disorder. He was visibly anxious and worried about fitting it, but soon relaxed when the squaddie banter began and he realised he wasn’t on his own any more.” The Bristol breakfast club is one of several in the southwest, and one of over 270 around the UK, which bring together ex-servicemen, from World War II veterans to young men who have recently left the Army after tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. The clubs aim to tackle the isolation many former soldiers feel once they leave service, giving them back a sense of belonging which many feel they lost once they returned to civvy street. Jane said: “Most soldiers go in to the armed forces when they are teenagers, and when they come to the end of their service have never been a civilian. “They’ve never made the transition from child to civilian adult, or learned how to live independently. They end up feeling isolated, struggling with depression and unable to cope with normal life. “Breakfast clubs help just by putting them together with people who know how they feel, and who support each other. “It’s such a simple thing but for many of those who attend it has made the vital difference to their lives.” 38 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk | 36 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
Veterans Breakfast Clubs ‘Mesothelioma UK – Supporting Our Armed Forces’ at Leicester AFVBC Liz Darlison, Head of Services for Mesothelioma UK, a charity and national resource centre, was recently invited to the Leicester Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club (AFVBC) to share information on a new service for veterans and armed forces personnel. This service is called ‘Mesothelioma UK - Supporting our Armed Forces’ and the AFVBC provided the perfect setting to speak with members. In 2016, Mesothelioma UK applied for funding through a grant to support a specialist service for armed forces personnel and veterans who have been affected by mesothelioma, the asbestos related cancer. The funding is supporting a three-year project, aimed at raising awareness of the disease and establishing a shared approach to providing information and support for Armed Forces personnel and veterans. Key facts and figures: • The UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world with around 2,700 cases per year • 84% of those diagnosed are male • The average age for someone diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is 75 years • Currently eight veterans per month are claiming war pension due to a diagnosis of mesothelioma* *Statistics from They WorkFor You open data from UK Parliament The Mesothelioma UK - Supporting Our Armed Forces service: • provides a specialist mesothelioma nurse, based in Southampton • provides a finance and benefits advisor who can deal specifically with Armed Forces personnel and veterans • works with multiple organisations and healthcare professionals, responsible for meeting the healthcare needs of Armed Forces personnel and veterans • has developed a range of information resources to raise awareness of the disease within the Armed Forces and military personnel community • includes the launch of a Facebook group specifically for the Armed Forces patients and their family and friends - www.facebook.com/groups/mesoukarmedforces • is undertaking a comprehensive research programme If you’re a serving member of the Armed Forces, a veteran, mesothelioma patient, family member or carer or from an Armed Forces partner organisation and want to find out more, please contact our helpline or visit the website: Tel: 0800 169 2409 Email: info@mesothelioma.uk.com Web: www.mesothelioma.uk.com Photo: Liz Darlison, Head of Services for Mesothelioma UK with ex Coldstream Guards, Stephen Corrall and Royal Engineers, Russ Hillier. www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 37 |
Page 1 and 2: The Veterans’ Magazine Issue 49 |
Page 3 and 4: Off The Grid A look back at the MSA
Page 5 and 6: NEWS THE VETERANS’ MAGAZINE SBT N
Page 7 and 8: NEWS Lincoln veteran wins double go
Page 9 and 10: ASK KERRY Ask Kerry... Let her help
Page 11 and 12: OFF THE GRID Anyway, enough about u
Page 13 and 14: BRAND NEW Patron to The Tommy Atkin
Page 15 and 16: TOMMY ATKINS CENTRE Tommy Atkins Ce
Page 17 and 18: BRITISH TECH STARTUP SET TO REVOLUT
Page 19 and 20: I felt like a glass bottle of fizzy
Page 21 and 22: THE D-DAY DARLINGS www.sandbagtimes
Page 23 and 24: THE D-DAY DARLINGS You, Land of Hop
Page 26 and 27: KEVIN LLOYD-THOMAS Kevin Lloyd-Thom
Page 28 and 29: Pegasus Overland Expedition Celebra
Page 32 and 33: WWTW the walk of their choice, wear
Page 34 and 35: Veterans Raffle Help us support our
Page 38 and 39: Information A word from the Ed Ways
Page 40 and 41: MRS FOX GOES TO WAR Mrs Fox Goes To
Page 42 and 43: TO ORDER PLEASE CALL: 01226 734222

The Sandbag Times Issue No: 49

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