Veterans from across Richmondshire met for the first time at the new veteran’s Café in Richmond on Tuesday morning.
Opened in the presence of the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Jonathan Preece and Catterick Garrison Sergeant Major, WO Leon Reeve, the café provides a space for veterans to meet and share life experiences and receive specialist support from Age UK North Yorkshire & Darlington’s ex-forces support team.
Taking place in Richmondshire Cricket Club’s club house the café will initially be open one Tuesday a month.
The use of the club house has kindly been donated by Richmondshire Cricket Club to help support older veterans in the town.
Veterans can also get additional support through the ex-forces support telephone befriending service and receive free accredited advice on a wide range of issues through the information and advice service available at the charity’s office in Richmond’s Dundas Street.
Cllr Preece said: “We’re pleased to have Age UK North Yorkshire & Darlington providing support for our veterans in such a warm and friendly environment.
“We hope that the group goes from strength to strength and they have the full support of Richmond Town Council.
“Anything that provides a supportive environment to veterans in Richmond is welcomed and we appreciate the wealth of experience that Age UK NYD provide in providing specialist ex-forces support.”
The Veteran’s Café is open to all older veterans and the next event will take place on Tuesday, August 27 at 10am.
Veterans across Richmondshire can also access the telephone befriending service, where they can receive regular calls from a befriender who can make sure that they are OK and provide support, guidance and signposting, by calling Sharon Vasey on 01325 362832.
More information about Ex-Forces Support and other Age UK North Yorkshire & Darlington services can be found at their website at www.ageuknyd.org.uk.
