This Armed Forces Week (22-28 June) Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is joining in the national celebration and recognising the contribution some of its own colleagues have made as either veterans or reservists.
It’s an opportunity for colleagues, patients and members of the public to get together and share stories and hear how the Trust is supporting veterans when they come to hospital for treatment.
And veterans and reservists from the local community are welcome to come along to the celebration on the main concourse at Bradford Royal Infirmary on Friday, 26 June, from 11am to 1pm.
The Trust has recently been reaccredited as Veteran Aware, formally recognising our continued commitment to the Armed Forces community. It first achieved accreditation in 2023 from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), which is a group of NHS healthcare providers in England.
As part of that commitment the Trust is launching a new veterans’ breakfast club to help the Armed Forces community in coming together, connecting and feeling supported.
The first breakfast club will take place on Friday, 31 July, from 10am to noon, and then on the last Friday of each month at the Adult Outpatients Friends and Family Tea Bar, Horton Wing, St Luke’s Hospital.
The initiative is open to all veterans, reservists and members of the Armed Forces community, whether currently receiving care at the Trust, working within the organisation or living locally.
Veterans breakfast clubs are informal, friendly gatherings designed to bring people together over a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of toast. While simple in format, they play a vital role in reducing isolation, improving wellbeing, and strengthening a sense of belonging among those who have served.
A key part of the Trust’s Veteran Aware plan going forward is to recruit veterans as volunteers within the Trust, to meet and greet patients from the armed forces community and provide advice and support if required. It is estimated that more than 9,000 people are from the Armed Forces community in the Bradford area.
Many veterans experience unique challenges after leaving the Armed Forces, including loneliness, difficulties accessing services, or adjusting to civilian life. Breakfast clubs provide a relaxed and supportive environment where individuals can share experiences, access peer support, and, where needed, be signposted to further help.
Armed Forces Veterans Lead at the Trust, Fiona Mattison said: “This initiative is about creating a safe and welcoming space where veterans and members of the Armed Forces community can come together, feel understood and build connections. Something as simple as sharing breakfast can have a powerful impact on wellbeing and help people feel part of a community again.”
The Trust is committed to being a Veteran Aware organisation, recognising the contribution and sacrifices made by the Armed Forces community and ensuring they receive the best possible care and support.
The breakfast club is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening that commitment and making services more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to veterans’ needs. No booking is required – people can simply drop in and get a warm welcome.