Bridlington veterans and families reminded of support available
A Military Assistance Social Hub started back in July this year
Veterans and their families in Bridlington are being reminded that there is support and people to talk to in the town.
The Military Assistance Social Hub started back in July this year as place where Armed Forces personnel could meet, both those currently serving and those who are veterans.
It is after the loss of Alderson House in February last year.
Bridlington veteran, Martin Barmby, was involved in the creation of the group.
He said:
"It's a bit of a therapy for veterans and their families because veterans have been there, walked the walk, talked the talk and their families have supported them. It's all about being able to get together and chat with like-minded people because unless you've been actively involved in the Armed Forces, it's completely different to civilian life.
"If you live on the base, on the night you're socialising with the men and women that you serve with, the next morning you go get breakfast and you all go to the same place of work. One minute you've got this social life, all these people around you and then you're a civilian and you're surrounded by people who've never encountered what you have in your service.
"It doesn't matter whether you only did four and a half years or you did the full 22. I know veterans that've done four and half years and have done two tours of Afghanistan. Sometimes if you're in a lot longer people say you become institutionalised. I myself it took me seven or eight years after leaving to realise after a full career just how difficult and different it was to being in the military.
"The fact is it's good to talk to like-minded people. I'm no therapist, don't get me wrong, but I'll sit and listen to any veteran and if it helps them just by being a listening post then that'll do for me. Of course the other thing we can do is point them in the right direction of all the different service charities that are available to help.
Bridlington MASH meets every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at the town's Football Club on Queensgate.
Martin added:
"It's back to where it was before the pandemic and they're raising funds for whatever they see fit. They're back together, they're back in the fold and of course you've got the veterans coffee mornings on Mondays and Thursdays, you've got the veterans breakfast once a week on the first Saturday of the month and various service associations on a night as well throughout the week.
"We did an awful lot of meetings over Zoom and that was a good therapy for a lot of people. I mean everybody was suffering from social isolation but you really did feel as though you're sat back chatting, so that's what it's about. It's about meeting with people who've been there, they won't judge you, they'll listen to you and they'll show you where the help is that's available."