On the last Saturday of each month local veterans and serving members of our armed forces meet up for a social gathering under the banner of the Cranbrook Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club. It is part of a growing network in the UK and in Europe and local MP Helen Grant was invited to their most recent gathering at The Knoxbridge Inn, Cranbrook.
Helen said “I was enormously impressed with the importance of Cranbrook’s breakfast club for all those who attend, and for a range of reasons; it offers an informal opportunity to share experiences, to talk with friends and to offer each other support. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other armed forces related mental health issues are often very tough to talk about ‘outside the circle’. And it is equally helpful to be able to share memories of service life, good and bad, with others who understand from personal experience. I will certainly be coming again and look forward to continuing some fascinating conversations”.
Organiser Steven Davies said “It was great to meet Helen. As a group we found her warm, engaging and genuinely interested in what we do here”.
Mrs Grant also met with representatives from two important veteran’s charities at the event, Lorne Mitchell of PTSD Resolution and Jim Wilde of Veterans United Against Suicide. Helen will be supporting them in their vital work, going forward.
