Connecting at the Café

Emma Weir, Health for Heroes

Monthly Socials for Veterans:  The Help for Heroes team in Scotland now  has five, monthly drop-in sessions for  veterans living in and around Dunfermline,  Edinburgh, Galashiels and Glasgow. 

The Help for Heroes Cafes provide an easy way  to connect with other veterans in the local area.  People can just drop in, have a chat and a brew with  others who share their life experiences living locally  to them. They can also find out about the different  services the Charity offers. 

The Help for Heroes Cafes provide an easy  way to connect with other veterans in the  local area. People can just drop in, have a  chat and a brew with others who share their  life experiences living locally to them. They  can also find out about the different services  the Charity offers. 

Emma Weir is the Community Builder  for Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and  Scottish Borders. She said: “The cafes are  part of a programme to reach out to even more  veterans. If you’re a veteran or family member  they are a gentle way to dip your toe into the  water and to feel part of a community. It’s also  a great opportunity to bring any ideas you  might have to use your own skills, interests and  experiences to start up in the local community.” 

Chloe McKenrick was in the army for  22 years and has been supported by the  Charity’s Hidden Wounds service, which  helps veterans deal with mental health  challenges. She said: “I’ve attended a number  of Help for Heroes Cafes and have always  found them to be a great way to catch up  with fellow veterans. It enables you to socialise  in a civilian setting, which can be hard for  some of us for a variety of reasons – and being  with people who genuinely understand and  support you, it makes you feel more relaxed  and safer.” 

Dates and times for cafes in October:

Dunfermline: 14 October, 11:00-12:30  at the Costa Coffee within the Odeon at  Fife Leisure Park, Dumfermline (and then  the second Tuesday of every month) 

Barrhead: 27 October, 13:00-15:00  at Social Blend, Cowan Park, Barrhead 

Edinburgh: 28 October, 14:00-15:30  at the Food Court at Gyle Shopping  Centre, Edinburgh (and then the  fourth Tuesday of every month) 

Galashiels: 30 October, 11:00-13:00,  Bulldog Bakes, Channel Street,    Galashiels (and then the last Thursday  of every month) 

Govan: 30 October, 11:00-13:00,  Pearce Institute, Govan 

For more information or if you have  any questions, contact Emma Weir –  emma.weir@helpforheroes.org.uk