Help for Heroes South

SAF UPDATE
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In July, we communicated our intention to implement changes within our sports and social activities (SAF) team as part of our ongoing commitment to engage a greater number of veterans and their families nationwide.

Below is an update on our progress thus far:

We are currently in the process of recruiting a new team of 20 place-based community builders within our department to work across the four nations. This is an increase from the previous SAF structure. Due to the number of roles to be filled and the importance of selecting the right candidates, this recruitment process will last until the end of December. We appreciate your patience during this transitional period.

The new roles will focus on community engagement and increasing opportunities for participation in more communities across the UK, aiming to develop fresh community led activities, expanding into new locations, with more evening and weekend community-based opportunities. Additionally, we will continue to work with a wide range of partners to enhance the offerings available to you and your family.

We are, as far as possible, continuing to run activities where we can. These can be accessed in the usual ways. As we finalise our new programme, some existing events may undergo modifications or slight changes.
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We encourage you to visit the JustGo page to explore the free sporting, social, and leisure activities available in your area https://rb.gy/zwtl3x, or you may contact us at 0300 303 9888 or via email at [email protected] if you any questions.

*** Heroes Cafés - Upcoming dates for your diaries! ***

Missing the feeling of community? We get it and so do the rest of our veterans and families who come along. Join us for a brew and a chat.

Sign up on JustGO to be made aware of any changes to events of interest, or just pop over, no fuss. If you know another veteran or family member who could use a bit of the same, bring them along too!

Heroes Cafés are 'open access' events, meaning you can bring a veteran friend that you think will benefit from our support and meet up with like-minded people! Also, please don't forget your partners/carers.

Hampshire: Karuna Coffee House, Aldershot - GU11 1DX
• Friday 2 August 2024 11am-1pm
• Friday 6 September 2024 11am-1pm
• Friday 4 October 2024 11am-1pm

London: Tealby's (Battersea Dogs Home) - SW11 4FA
• Friday 23 August 2024 9.30am-11.30am
• Friday 20 September 2024 9.30am-11.30am
• Friday 18 October 2024 9.30am-11.30am

Kent: Cyclopark, Gravesend - DA11 7NP
• Wednesday 28 August 2024 10.30am-12.30pm
• Wednesday 25 September 2024 10.30am-12.30pm
• Wednesday 23 October 2024 10.30am-12.30pm

Oxfordshire: Millets Farm Centre, Abingdon - OX13 5HB
• Tuesday 20 August 2024 9am-11am
• Tuesday 17 September 2024 9am-11am
• Tuesday 15 October 2024 9am-11am

We will be looking to extend this list into new areas in the next few months as we transition.

If you have suggestions or would like to help create one in your area, please email [email protected]

Well guys its been a pleasure delivering for you, Functional Skills; Maths and English back in the day and then on the SAF South team for nearly 5 years.. YOU have done some amazing things, at times out of your comfort zones but supported by us. To all who attended my sessions: museum visits, mountain biking, swimming, archery and the very special RM rocket man session the list goes on. and even the cups of tea at the end of a session, well done to all of you for giving whatever you chose a go. My best wishes to the families who attended my family sessions as well, I think you all know your partners and kids are amazing (to put up with you!!!) Keep challenging yourselves, remember
Who is The Most Awesome Person Today, YOU ARE
That's me off stag then, Cheers guys x

Good afternoon all,

Today will be my last working day with Help for Heroes after taking voluntary redundancy, which has been an incredibly hard decision.

I started with Help for Heroes over 9 years ago after being inspired by a documentary about a veteran, who mentioned he was a ‘Band of Brother’. This coupled with my brother serving at the time saw H4H catching me by the heart strings!

I joined as the office manager in London, not minding what job I took just so long as I could ‘Do My Bit’, but about a week into the role, it was clear to me that my place was within the Band of Brothers/Sisters Team. (Now SAF).

Over the years, I have made the most incredible memories with you, have been honoured to watch you achieve your goals, make friends and be the champion in your own recovery. It’s been a real privilege.

The kindness you have shown me over the years is something that I hold very close to my heart, and the memories I will carry for the rest of my life.

I won’t go on, but please know how important you have been to me and how many people care about you. I wish you all the health and happiness in the World.

**H4H and the SAF Team will still be here, just with different faces.**

As a wise man once said, “Onwards and Upwards.”

Adrianna x

An invite from our friends at Mission Motorsport! Scan the link to learn more about how to sign up.

FINAL CALL TO SIGN UP – LAST SPACES AVAILABLE!

Our Help for Heroes Wheelchair Basketball Club is here!

Help for Heroes has recently partnered with British Wheelchair Basketball to provide an aspirational pathway for those interested in both recreational and competitive sport, to grow sport provision across the country. After the success and demand at our Community Sport Series, we want to take it to the next level!

We will be hosting a full weekend of training from 10:00-16:00 on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May for ALL abilities. Accommodation, breakfast and lunch will be available.

Sign up via JustGo below:
https://helpforheroes.justgo.com/Workbench/i/r/EventsAndBookings/details/132D7280829AE3D84C73FE50281F4EB036A0A977

Charlie Charlie 1 are hosting a games night tonight at the Cafe if you are at a lose end and want to meet other ex service personnel.

Games night tonight at Charlie Charlie 1, 4-6pm!

We have our breakfast club in London this Friday- Don't miss out! Sign up here:

https://helpforheroes.justgo.com/Workbench/i/r/EventsAndBookings/details/B121C9E1CDF95318D6B8D0B0C40AC139CE1A3451

Big Health Day in Gloucester. See image below for full info!– Fri 14th June

The Great British Sewing Bee needs you!

Are you passionate about patterns?
Crowned with creativity?
Fabulous at fitting?

Applications for the next series of THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE are NOW OPEN!

Do you know someone who loves to make their own clothes and has a unique style?
Someone who’s thready to rise to the challenge?

Sew, if you or someone you know is a talented sewer, don’t be spoolish, apply now!

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS
8PM on the 15th MAY 2024!

Apply online:
www.applyforsewingbee.co.uk
Or get in touch for more information
[email protected]

National Walking Month
To celebrate National Walking Month in May we will be giving away 25 annual memberships for the Ramblers association.

Join one of the many walks in May advertised on JustGo to be entered into a prizedraw. We offer a range of walks, including accessible and inclusive walks suitable for all.

Find out more about the Rambler’s Association here: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/

https://helpforheroes.justgo.com/Workbench/Show/5

There's still spaces on our Dover Wellness Break.

https://helpforheroes.justgo.com/Workbench/i/r/EventsAndBookings/booking-details/F08909EA13F4A01947AB8242D3458082EBEC9268

Don't miss out of our H4H Cafe in Aldershot this Friday.
Our cafes are 'open access' meaning you are welcome to bring a friend who you think could benefit from support from H4H.

https://helpforheroes.justgo.com/Workbench/i/r/EventsAndBookings/details/A2F4620B58DCBA0717E6760A2DBD4B6B14CBBF87

We are here to introduce our Help for Heroes Wheelchair Basketball Club!

As part of our Community Clubs Programme, the club will host regular taster and training sessions, take part in friendly fixtures, matches and competitive tournaments. Whether you've tried it at our Community Sport Series, within your Region or you're completely new to the sport; this could be the sport for you!

Help for Heroes has recently partnered with British Wheelchair Basketball to provide an aspirational pathway for those interested in both recreational and competitive sport, to grow sport provision across the country. After the success and demand at our Community Sport Series, we want to take it to the next level!

We will be hosting a full weekend of training from 10:00-16:00 on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May for ALL abilities. Accommodation and some catering will be available.

Sign up via JustGo below:
https://helpforheroes.justgo.com/Workbench/i/r/EventsAndBookings/details/132D7280829AE3D84C73FE50281F4EB036A0A977

So so happy to say that after months of flooding, Crimsham Veterans Hub breakfast club will be back on, Saturday 18th May!!
The farm is now also wheelchair accessible!
Please book to let us know you are coming:
https://helpforheroes.justgo.com/Workbench/i/r/EventsAndBookings/details/01338A03CDE8BBE75A45204EDF77C67128B9AE54

BIG NEWS!!!!!
We are over the moon to announce that on Saturday 18th May, our regular breakfast meet will re open! Plenty of new parking areas will be available, plus all the usual brews, banjos and banter will be flowing, and all for just £2 per person! We have purchased 2 big new grills to help cope with the large numbers we now have. We've made so many new friends at Charlie Charlie 1 , we can't wait to see you all back at Crimsham Farm CIC . We can provide transport on the morning from CC1 if needed. See shop staff for details.
More details to follow!

https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/recoverycollege

Click the link to read more about the NHS Recovery College course

Our Services Page Spring-Summer courses now open for enrolment. View the Course Guide [pdf] and calendar [pdf] for information. We run co-produced recovery-focused courses for everyone 18+ in Camden and Islington that promote hope that recovery is possible. Our courses are lively, aspirational and interactive. We aim...

Accessible Tennis in Whitstable is LIVE on JustGo. Sports wheelchairs available to borrow on the day!

What an amazing sport to get involved in! Follow the page to learn more about adaptive WBC Adaptive Boxing

Great work from our wheelchair community class last night 👏🏻

Do you want to get involved and give wheelchair boxing a go?

Email 📧 [email protected] to find out how

Adrianna will be at Charlie Charlie 1 today from 10:30-12:30. Would be lovely to meet you for a coffee!

56 High St, Bognor Regis PO21 1SP

*Loud socks optional...

Karting opportunity with Mission Motorsport. Please be aware, there are no adaptive karts available for this event.

Free football at Millwall this Saturday!

Don't miss out on the Sports Series! Read all about it here!

Kings College are looking for female veterans to take part in their alcohol study. Please see below if you are interested in taking part.

We are amazingly honoured to have been asked by King's College London to support them with their latest research into female Veterans and alcohol use. There are 1.85 million veterans in the UK, and around 13% of those are female, equating to around 250,000. Only 2% of research globally focuses on female Veterans. Here is your chance to have your input into this ground breaking research, and get paid for it!
Here is a link that gives a detailed overview of the study:
https://kcmhr.org/study-exploring-digital-platforms-to-support-women-veterans-with-alcohol-use-recruiting-now/
If you would like to know more details, send an email to the address on the poster below

Mission Motorsport would like to invite you to their Easter event! Please see the details below.

Veterans : Easter Egg Hunt
Monday 8th April
10:00 – 1430hrs

Looking for something to do with the family over the Easter Holidays? Catering for all ages, Mission Motorsport is heading back to Bicester Heritage for a day of eggciting fun for military families as we host our annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Thanks to The Little Car Company, we'll be holding a coffee morning, giving you the chance to have a natter and catch up with like-minded people, whilst children (and adults) get the chance to explore the site, usually not accessible to the general public, and hunt around for Easter eggs. We also thrilled to be joined by Havenwood Raceway who will be providing Scalextric activities. With free tea, coffees and squash and an Easter egg for each of the little ones, we hope you can join us!

The Armed Forces Community carer cafe is taking place Thursday April 18th from 10am at The Tedworth Welfare Hub & Community Cafe
The cafe is run by Carer Support Wiltshire in partnership with Help For Heroes and is open to anyone from the Armed Forces Community who is looking after a family member, a relative or a friend, who could not manage without them.
Feel free do drop in and meet us for a coffee and a chat.

We have rowing coming up in Gloucester!

https://helpforheroes.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=1C3642932BEFFD3BF346E958FE3CA143D70D1A28

The course is suitable for all abilities and with no commitment to continue at the end of the course. Accessibility & facilities - the club is open to all disability needs with adaptive boats. The site has a huge carpark and has disabled toilets, changing rooms and a lift to access the gym and facilities.

Free table top gaming at The Army Flying Museum. Book your tickets here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tabletop-gaming-at-the-army-flying-museum-tickets-862990556987?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_campaign=Gamers&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rpKwXrkXWHCpOFoB2r63HjCa9fOT_nmf8gsifnO2Upxr95f5j9jWW5tQzf33zkIzBddWTXaMzoqWvl6blsVblbaMyXf1x28eGPE7xkuTmOY53CyA&utm_content=299048146&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=299048146

Free table top gaming at The Army Flying Museum. Book your tickets here:

Tabletop Gaming at the Army Flying Museum Served or Serving in the Armed Forces? Interested tabletop gaming? Then read on...

OP COURAGE ART EXHIBITION NEEDS YOU

We are developing a major exhibition event this summer in the gallery at St Pancras Hospital in collaboration with The Arts Project https://www.theartsprojectlondon.com/about-us and both welcome your support and invite you to consider sharing and displaying your creative artwork.
The exhibition will be launched on THURSDAY 27/6/24 and run for 3 months until THURS 26/9/24. We plan to hold related events including talks, spoken musical evenings, film events and panel discussions during these 3 months.
The exhibition will be curated by Art Project who have presented exhibitions in the gallery over 20 years including THE WAY AHEAD which was a tribute to veteran’s recovery journey in 2014.

We are looking for a mix of media including painting, drawing, poetry, origami, sculpture, needlework, sound, music, installation and film. The exhibition may include work from other veteran organisations and selected supporters. Filming during the exhibition will request your consent and permission.

If we are not awarded funding to cover full costs there may be a small admin charge of £10 with entry.

Contact PETER HERBERT
[email protected]
0207 9168416

ABOUT US | theartsproject The Arts Project was born in 2003 through a prism of light and reflection. An unloved and down at heels space separated two buildings linked to The Conference Centre at St Pancras Hospital where I worked as Medical Records Manager. This neglected space became alive with glimmers of possibility.