Burgess Hill Welcomes the Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club

Burgess Hill Town Council are working in partnership to set up a Breakfast Club for Armed Forces and Veterans in Burgess Hill.  The group is new to the town and we are working with Crawley and Horsham Armed Forces and Veteran Breakfast Club; Trevor (a former reservist of the Queen’s Regiment), and the Top House pub.

The purpose of the breakfast club is to facilitate veterans and serving Armed Forces personnel to meet face to face in a relaxed, safe, social environment to enjoy breakfast and banter, combat loneliness and allow veterans to ‘return to the tribe’.

They are free to attend and free to join. There are no fees, subs or commitments: they don’t exist to support any national charity, organisation or business: just turn up, pay for your breakfast and enjoy the company of other Armed Forces Veterans.

Paul, lead Veteran for the Crawley and Horsham Club said: “The Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club (AFVBC.net) is recognised by the MoD as a peer-to-peer support organisation. There are over 350 AFVBCs’ in the country, they are a community within any town, as an example the Crawley AFVBC started in late 2019 and now has over 350 members, they meet frequently and over 100 attend on a regular basis spread over several opportunities each month. In addition to breakfast, they provide signposting support to partner organisations who help veterans in need.”

Will from the Top House said: “The Top House is delighted to be hosting the first veterans’ breakfast in Burgess Hill. We highly respect this incredible organisation who gives a much-needed platform to veterans who have served our country.”

Trevor, former Queen’s Regiment reservist said: “According to the 2021 Census there are almost 4,700 armed forces veterans living in Mid Sussex. Veterans can be those who have seen lengthy regular service in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or RAF; some may have served briefly, others may be former reservists – but all have one thing in common, the desire to connect with those who have shared experiences. It is felt that having such a facility in Burgess Hill will enable veterans living in the south of Mid Sussex to take advantage of not having to travel too far; this compliments a similar facility recently opened in East Grinstead.”

The first meeting will be held on Sunday 21st April at 9.30am at the Top House. We are looking for a co-ordinator to lead the group that is experienced with social media and able to promote the group.  If you are interested in this role please contact Trevor on 07825 506649.