It has been the best way to keep in touch with like minded folks. As a Veteran I sometimes feel a world away from Civilians. Once we get together no one struggles to understand me. The usual banter and jokes help me relax and chill.

Ans Duke
Ripon

My partner Christine and I belong to Biggleswade, Bury St Edmunds, Rossington, Royal Hospital Chelsea breakfast clubs, it is so amazing how the banter does not change between the members no matter the location of the club. The comradeship gives a much needed uplift to many of our colleagues suffering from PTSD or just loneliness, here in Biggleswade we meet every Saturday on Zoom drinking tea or coffee and eating bacon sarnies or egg banjo’s.

Peter Hayman
Various Clubs

I joined the Lincoln Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club a week before the first Covid lockdown enforced in March this year. On my first breakfast I was greeted by Jane Pickworth who naturally put me at ease and introduced me to Mark and Lynann Swales who took me straight under their wing and made me feel like I was one of the family. Unfortunately unbeknown to me I had just relocated to Lincoln a few months before the first Covid lockdown came into effect, and to add insult to injury I knew no one, and being disabled had not had time to transfer all my occupational, social, and medical support so Jane Pickworth and the Swales stepped up & made me their project effort. The challenge: Due to being a disabled veteran from Iraq and wheelchair bound I was luckily awarded a council bungalow (unfortunately two weeks before the second lockdown); the bungalow itself was in a dire state and was in need of some serious renovation. I must admit I was seriously worrying about how I was going to do it, being in a wheelchair and with hardly any funds available, but Jane, Lynann, Mark and the remainder of the breakfast club volunteers saw this as a challenge and jumped at the problem, working day and night to ensure it would be fit to occupy within a week or so. Mark Swales fitted temporary ramps, and fixed walls, Lynann, Jane, and others stripped three layers of wallpaper and painted like there was no tomorrow. We even got a Sunday Roast delivered by Jean (food is fuel, yummy). Lynann (Volunteered project manager) even managed to get ‘Buildbase’ to donate a bathroom suite, which I must admit had me feeling very humbled and left me with a lump in my throat. There were lots of others from the breakfast club who helped so I apologise if I have not mentioned their names, but to say the least without the Lincoln Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club, I wouldn’t have a lovely home to start my new life as a independent disabled veteran, who’s starting over again. I will forever owe a debt to this group of veterans that I would now like to call my close friends, brothers and sisters. I used to think the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club to be just a bunch of old grumpy veterans that meet up once a fortnight to chat about old times and enjoy good food, but was I sorely mistaken. It’s evolved into a group of people that do good around the country and help where most charities can’t, or take too long to deliver, so I will forever remain a member until the day I die. Thank you team, words will never express the gratitude I have for you all. Your humble servant Justin Durrant

Justin Durrant
Lincoln

I have seen the difference in our own club Derick Hardman .. ..and what it has achieved. Never did I think that I would come across individuals in our Rural town area, where the club identified an individual homeless Veteran, sleeping in a tent on our shore line ,we tend to think this only occurs in Cities , but we sorted it it as a club ! Having an 82 year old living in a bed sit overpaying for crap accommodation by private owners and not even receiving the benefits he was entitled to ,and social service not knowing he was in the area , but was on a Zimmer frame ! .....but we got him sorted! Wives who have lost their husband, feeling isolated , now engaging with health activity groups ,only because they came along and had a chat ! ........ As is well recorded AF&VBC Clubs have made a huge contribution in support to our Armed forces and Veterans and its families in our communities ......but were not sitting on our laural`s ..the fight continues ! their is so much more to do !

Murdo Macleod
Stranraer

I was originally invited to the Beverley club by a family member and by going it has honestly been one of the best decisions I have made since leaving the forces. I've been struggling with depression for a lot longer than I had thought, and after opening up to these guys the amount of support has been beyond belief. It really has helped with my mental health. These guys and girls are an absolute gem and I'm proud to call them my family. They are an absolute credit to the veteran name and I would recommend the AFVBC to anyone.

Ryan Day
Beverley

If you're coming to Benidorm one thing's for sure, you're never going to be stuck for somewhere to get a good old British breakfast. There is however only one official AFVBC breakfast club bar and that's Baxters. We had a great welcome from bar owner Michelle who has great connections to the 1st Regiment of foot, The Royal Scots. Great food in an easy to find location and if you can't make the designated breakfast Saturdays, call in any day for a superb meal and a great welcome.

Peter Stevenson
Benidorm

I joined the Salisbury & Amesbury 15 months ago (apologies for not finding out about it sooner, my loss!!!) It all started when I was at a meeting of the Marlborough Royal Naval Association, the nearest to Salisbury(20 Miles) as that folded in 2015 due to lack of membership, It so happened that whilst wating for the meeting to start I saw a flyer on the table about the AFVBC the following day. I was speaking to a mate saying its a bit far to come just for a brekkie but I may one day. On hearing this a guy said did you say you come from Salisbury, i replied i did and he said there is one there. I got home checked the website and found Breakfast in Salisbury was the next day. During the first year I met other ex Royal Naval folks and we got talking about maybe reforming the Salisbury RNA, not as a distraction from the AFVBC but as another outlet for Veterans to get together. I set the wheels in motion last November, with help and advice from the Royal Naval Association HQ in Portsmouth. We had our first meeting in January 2020 with 12 ex sailors and marines present. We have just had our 3rd Social meeting and now with a core membership of around 20,we have been informed that our application to Re-Commission the Saliabury RNA was approved at their latest National Council Meeting. I would like to thank the AFVBC not only for getting me back in the Tribe but also getting enough us old Jolly Jacks together to reform a lost club, a refreshing thought due to so many of these clubs De-Commisionng. I would say at least 90% of the RNA have attended AFVBC events and the other 10% intend to soon.

Richie Farman
Salisbury & Amesbury

This is what the AFVBC is all about for me on a personal note! My friend and I work together at Lloyd’s Banking Group and are both Veterans. We both recently lost loved ones and we have supported each other through the tough days. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend during a hard time in my life. Attending the Breakfast Clubs together has helped a lot.

George Ross
Livingston North

I went to Lincoln Breakfast Club today and was absolutely fantastic and so friendly. Although a veteran myself, I took one of my clients. He absolutely loved it. He says that because of going along to Lincoln Breakfast Club and meeting Jane and everyone else, he now doesn't feel alone, can ask for help and is a lot happier about his future and went from wanting to cancel going to being the last to leave. As someone who was working with him, it has made my job so much easier as the guard has been let down and just by spending 2 hours over breakfast has probably saved so much time building up trust. As a veteran, I will now be attending Lincoln Breakfast Club for myself and enjoy the good food and banter at the Toby Carvery. Thankyou and look forward to the next time.

Caronne McBride
Lincoln

I'm tam morrison last year my rafa befriender (ex rockape but wont hold it against him lol) suggested that i take over the glasgow club and get it restarted as it would help my isolation and my mental health was bit unsure at start but im now involved with great bunch in the club still trying to increase numbers and find out rules of what is allowed for fundraising becoming the organiser for glasgow has been great for me due to fellow veterans i share brekkie and banter with each month

Tam Morrison
Glasgow
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