A new club that provides veterans readjusting to life on civvy street with a sense of “family” was opened by Fife Provost Jim Leishman in Dunfermline on Saturday.
The town’s first Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club (AFVBC), at the Taste Café on Pitreavie business park, joins a growing network across the kingdom.
It’s been set up by Jayne Johnson, ex Women’s Royal Army Corps, and former able seaman Kat Ney.
The two women knew there was a need locally for forces personnel, and veterans of all ages, to be able to come together and share that same sense of “family” they had while serving.
It’s now recognised that many ex-servicemen and women suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and isolation.
Sometimes rejoining civvy street is too overwhelming a change in their lives and the camaraderie of forces’ days has gone.
The breakfast club network can provide “the missing link” for many – while it’s not a charity it is a place for banter, chat and a sense of belonging once again.
For Jayne, who is now a celebrant, it was the loss of a friend which brought the issues faced by many into sharp focus.
“I know a lot of people suffer from loneliness and feel a little bit lost, and maybe do not know who to ask for help,” said Jayne.
While the AFVBC does not offer support “we can perhaps point them in the right direction”.
Kat, who served for more than six years, knows all about life outside the services.
Her role in the navy involved in detecting submarines.
“And there’s not a lot of call for that in civilian life,” she said.
She’s tried her hand at a whole range of careers, before co-running Taste.
“When you are on a ship, or on a base, it’s like an island.
“It’s really nice to be able to create another island here, surrounded by like minded people,” she said.
Both were surprised and delighted at the large turnout on the first event.
They included former WREN Susan Martin, who was the first female aircraft controller at sea at the age of 22, and volunteered for sea service.
Susan, who was a serving police officer in Fife until earlier this year, has been struggling with flashbacks to tragic memories while serving on HMS Broadsword while patrolling Bosnian waters in 1993.
“The breakfast clubs are very important as there’s always someone available to talk.
“And talking is very important.”
Fife’s armed forces and veterans community champion, SNP councillor Rod Cavanagh, was delighted to see another club in a growing network open.
“They are the ideal way for bringing people that have served together.”
The Dunfermline club will run from 9am to noon on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
More information can be found at www.afvbc.net.
