HMP Stocken: supporting the Armed Forces
Veterans Breakfast Clubs
HMP Stocken has become the first prison
to hold an official Armed
Forces Veterans Breakfast Club (AFVBC), an international movement
supporting veterans and their families.
With over 320 clubs being held in
14 countries around the world, it was a first for Dereck Hardman, a former
soldier, and Founder of the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club network,
who was overwhelmed at the idea of a prison hosting one of his breakfast
clubs.
A place to belong
Military personnel can often find
adjusting to civilian life difficult and end up in the criminal justice system.
This is why the equalities team at HMP
Stocken felt so strongly about supporting the veterans in their care.
Lindsay Beadnall, the Equalities Lead,
set up the initiative at Stocken.
She explains: “Involvement ends
isolation, giving veterans in particular, a sense of belonging, which many of
them have lost after leaving their respective services.”
The breakfast morning proved to be a
huge success with a combination of both staff and prisoner veterans taking part
alongside many guests and supporters, including Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord Lieutenant
of Rutland, partners from the Royal British Legion, Oakham AFVBC, and local
welfare officers.
Dr Sarah Furness, Lord Lieutenant of
Rutland, said: “What a success. Thank you for all you have done. I feel so
proud that HMP Stocken and Rutland are leading the way.”
Tracey Taylor, who runs Oakham’s AFVBC
with her husband Mark, added: “Fantastic morning and so privileged that you
allowed us to be part of it. It was even noted that the staff were
wearing civilian tops, which was a really nice touch.
“Really looking forward to the next one.
From everyone at OAFVBC, we welcome HMP Stocken to the AFVBC family.”
Spread the word
Neil Thomas, Governor of HMP Stocken,
has fully supported the event and its future monthly sessions, and would like
to encourage as many prisons as possible to introduce a breakfast club for the
veterans they care for.
For more information about starting your
own prison breakfast club you can email: lindsay.beadnall@justice.gov.uk
or equalities.Stocken@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
Lindsay Beadnall
Equality Advisor
HMP Stocken