A Veterans Lunch is giving those who served an opportunity to socialise with those who understand them and talk about their war stories over a warm lunch.
The Hive, in Victoria Park, hosts several community groups, including the Veterans Lunch every Tuesday. There is no pre-booking required and any veterans can attend and get drinks, a hot lunch and a pudding for £5.
The regulars have created friendships from their shared experiences and continue to attend each week to socialise and check in with each other.
Dave, a Royal Air Force veteran, said they enjoy meeting up with other veterans because “we understand each other.
“Our banter is a bit darker than civvie banter because a lot of us have seen some horrible things.”
Trevor, a Royal Navy veteran, said he comes “for good food and to talk” to the other veterans.
Whilst he has been attending for a while, today he brought along his former colleague and friend, Chris, who he served with 60 years ago, so that he could also enjoy the afternoon and speak to people who can relate to his experiences.
The group includes men and women who served in the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force with a wide range of ages.
Vanessa Amos, Kitchen Assistant at the Hive, said it’s very important to have a community hub because “for a lot of people it’s a place to come to get out the house when they’re stuck in. There’s people here that they can come and talk to.”
She also described the veteran group as “a good laugh” and that the staff enjoy having them come in each week.
Vanessa has worked at the hub for a year now and has got to know the group well. Throughout this time, she has learnt which meals are the regulars’ favourites so that her and the rest of the kitchen staff can make the lunch as enjoyable as possible.
As well as the lunch, The Hive put on additional services for the veterans on events such as Armistice Day and Christmas.
Vanessa said: “they have the standard and we try and do a bit more because they’ve obviously done a lot for us and for the country. We can just do our little bit, can’t we?”