Supporting Military Veterans

Supporting Military Veterans

Veterans’ Hub

Why do we have a Vets Hub?

The Hub is a key place for veterans and their families to come to in times of crisis and tough times. In addition to this, we hope the Hub will become a staging post to other services, as well as offering drop in clinics and advice services from the mainstream charities and local government services. The Veterans Hub, above all things, will bring together veterans within the local community in order that none of them ever feel left behind or forgotten about.

When is the Vets Hub?

On the last Wednesday of the month, we host our Vets Hub in the EBB Lounge at the EBB Stadium. The hub starts at 10:30 and finishes around 12:30.

What do we do at the Vets Hub?

At our Vets Hub, we always have a guest speaker to entertain our vets. In the past we have had local Aldershot historian Keith Bean, SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity, our club chairman Shahid Azeem, and many more speakers with fascinating stories. Before and after our guest speaker takes the stage, we serve complimentary food and drinks to our attendees, and have a friendly chat. 

Foundation Trustee Kay says “Our Veterans’ Hub at Aldershot Town FC is a wonderful event and something I always really look forward to. I know that each month I will get to see a lot of dear friendly faces who mean the world to me. Over time, I think we have built up a fantastic rapport, which extends far and beyond our monthly meetings as we often meet at other events in the wider community of Aldershot.”

Upcoming Hubs

• Wed 30th July – Hampshire Police Scam Advice
• Wed 27th August – Kerry Gospel and Mike Stone from Frimley Park Hospital, Veteran Health Care
• Wed 24th September – Lee Dawson from Samuel Bros, Bespoke Military Tailors
• Wed 29th October – Mick Mills from the RNA and Aldershot RBL
• Wed 26th November – Colin Tebbutt and NHS Winter Awareness and Health Checks

If you would be interested in attending, or perhaps would like to give a talk at our Vets Hub in the future, please contact kay.khan@shotsfoundation.org 

Veterans’ Lifestyle and Wellbeing Mornings

The Shots Foundation are excited to launch a new project; Veterans’ Lifestyle and Wellbeing Mornings!

Funded by the Veterans’ Foundation, the first event will be on Wednesday 19th November, hosted in the EBB and ELM Lounge from 10:00 to 13:00. We’re pleased to confirm that we have confirmed stalls from various charities, support services, and local organisations—ranging from military support to health, sports, gardening, and cleaning services. Attendees can also enjoy refreshments and socialising opportunities.

Attending organisations:

• SSAFA 
• Justice4Heroes
• Right at Home
• Help for Heroes
• Hampshire County Council
• Citizens Advice
• Health and Independent Living Support
• Reading Force
• Rushmoor Neighbourhood Policing Team
• Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Shots in the Community Foundation
• Winchester University
• TalkPlus
• Royal British Legion
• HIVE
• Rushmoor Voluntary Services

We are taking steps towards improving the mental and physical health of our local veteran community. We know how veterans often feel isolated after their service, attending this is a chance to meet other veterans as well as seek wider advice. Many veterans are unaware of the help available to them, bringing them to one place where they can access an array of information would be so beneficial.

If you’re interested in this, contact jamie.macallister@shotsfoundation.org.