by Rebecca Hannant
A new support group hub for the armed forces community is set to open in Hornsea.
From Friday, February 6, the Military Assistance Social Hub will operate a new branch in the town, offering veterans and their families the opportunity to meet and socialise in a welcoming environment.
The hub, run by the charity MASH, will be based at the Hornsea Ex-Servicemen’s Club in Back Southgate and will run from 10am to 11.30am on the first Friday of every month.
Attendance is free and open to all members of the armed forces community, including spouses and carers.
MASH already runs hubs in Beverley and Bridlington, but organiser Craig Leech said a need for a Hornsea hub had been identified after the organisation encountered hidden veteran communities in rural and coastal areas, where people can feel cut off from support.
He said: “We looked at the data for where we were receiving information from. We looked at Hornsea a couple of years ago, but we decided to launch Beverley first because it was accessible. We’ve gone back and looked again, and Hornsea needs its own individual MASH hub.
“We are removing those barriers of access for the demographic of veterans and spouses in that area. We’ve come across hidden veteran communities, especially in rural and coastal areas, where people can feel isolated, especially older veterans, those with mobility issues, or those with mental health issues compounded by isolation.
“Hornsea seemed the next logical step for a new hub. It’s going to offer support and social connection. It’s not purely for support, and it’s not purely for social.
“We have some people that access it for support because they are in crisis or need reassurance, and others who just access it for the social aspect because they are isolated.
“Older veterans, people with mobility issues, or those struggling with their mental health can become very isolated. Hornsea felt like the next logical step. By bringing a hub here, we are removing barriers and making support easier to access.”
All support offered by MASH is specifically for the armed forces community and their families, creating an environment where people are among peers who understand their experiences. Trained volunteers are available to identify when someone may need additional help and can connect them with specialist services, but the hub is also intended to be a social space.
The Hornsea group is designed to be both a place of support and a place to meet others. Some people may attend because they are in crisis or need reassurance, while others may simply be looking for company and activities.
Craig added: “We always say come and have a brew. But we also make sure there are games or activities, because that helps people relax and talk naturally.
“We’re not experts, but what we do is make sure people get the right support at the right time. It’s about what fits the person, not just what’s available first.
“What we offer is purely for the armed forces community. You are with your peers who understand; the conversations flow naturally. Our trained volunteers can then slowly broach support if they see anything is wrong. In some people, it takes a little bit of time; others say yes straight away.
“We are a bit like a sticking plaster, we can put that support in place, but we are not the experts. We have a trusted network of specialist providers. We believe in the right support at the right time. It’s the ‘best fit,’ not the ‘first fit’. It’s about being person-centred.”
Support available at the hub includes help with benefits, housing, food support, utilities and paperwork, as well as crisis support for those who are struggling.
Craig also stressed that it is not just for veterans themselves, but for the wider armed forces community, including family members.
He added: “We were at a Hornsea event last week and within five minutes we were chatting to a female veteran and a female spouse. Spouses often say, ‘Oh, I’m not entitled to anything,’ and we go, ‘But you are.’ You have supported your partner through their service. You fall within the armed forces community and are entitled to all of that support.
“I’m an Army brat myself. My dad did 24 years. I’ve never served, but I’ve seen what is spat out at the end of it, the struggles and the strains of that transition. So, we look after the family unit.”
MASH is entirely volunteer-led, with trustees and 14 trained volunteers qualified in mental health first aid. Two volunteers are already in place for the Hornsea hub, and the charity says it is always keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering.
The first session on Friday, February 6, will act as a taster session, allowing organisers to learn what attendees would like from the hub, from the type of support offered to games and activities.
Craig added: “We are keeping it open until we get to know who’s coming through the door. There will be tea, coffee and refreshments. We’re going to do tabletop board games to start with, but we have activities that run throughout the year – things like scuba diving, falconry and hopefully sea fishing.
“It’s a development process. In our Bridlington hub, we play everything from balloon volleyball to curling, whereas our Beverley hub prefers seated games like bingo.
“Each hub is completely individual to those who attend it, rather than us saying ‘this is what we offer.’”
Membership is not required and attendance is free. Refreshments cost £1 each, but organisers say this will be covered if it is a barrier to attending.
The hub will meet at the Hornsea Ex-Servicemen’s Club in Back Southgate from 10am to 11.30am on the first Friday of every month and is open to all members of the armed forces community, including spouses and carers.