VETERANS were full of praise (and cake) while in attendance at the official opening of a new drop-in centre which will act as a lifeline for members of the armed forces.
The drop-in facility at St Mary’s Church Centre in Longfleet opened with a cake cutting ceremony and will offer veterans of all badges a place to meet while enjoying a hot drink and bacon butties.
Volunteers will also be on hand to offer support on an emotional and religious level.
Members of different branches of the armed forces were all unanimous in their praise for the initiative.
Ex-serviceman Neil Murdoch, who suffered from PTSD at one stage, said: “You’re taught to be independent, you serve and you survive. When you come into civilian life it’s a very strange adaption, you’re on your own. Organisations like this keep people together, people who have been through battles who need support and meet others who have been through the same.
“There are people out there that don’t know about places like this, and they need to.”
Also in attendance was Reg Fox, a spirited 95-year-old who served in the Second World War and the Korean War as a member of the Royal Tank Regiment.
He said: “This is very important because you can’t break comradeship. When my wife passed away eight years ago, I used to sit at home and not do much, but now I get out and do a lot.
“I think it’s disgusting that ex-servicemen are having to live on the streets. When a man serves this country, puts his life on the line, they should not be let down like that.”
One of the church volunteers behind the centre, Homfray Vines, said the idea was to help local churches step up in providing support.
He said: “Eight years ago I had the idea for this as a response from the church to see how we could help those with PTSD and moral injury. It’s about being able to help people who suffer from these things.
“We want to engage with people which is why we’ve started the drop-in to get them interacting with fellow veterans because often they’re the only ones who understand each other.”
Mayor of Poole Cllr Julie Bagwell cut the cake marking the opening of the service to a round of applause. She was joined by Bournemouth mayor Cllr David Kelsey – an ex-serviceman of the British Army.
The drop-in centre will be open on the first Saturday of every month.
Veterans can also visit North Road Social Club on the first Tuesday of each month, except in January and August, at 8pm for Royal Tank Regiment Association gatherings.
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