Patron: Ambassadors: Mr Tim Marriott & Leonard Scudder. LLB
Please support your local Veterans.
All veterans, partners, carers and supporting agencies welcome
Your support is vital in helping us to ensure local veterans and families get the local support they deserve.
At the point of need, AND in a timely manner. Thank You. Email Today: bluevandropin@yahoo.com
To find out our next drop in please contact us at;
bluevandropin@yahoo.com or Call 07570 193 811———————————————————————————
Are you an Armed Forces Veteran?
Miss the Banter and Camaraderie?
Want to link up with likeminded people?
We offer… A brew and a chat, a chance to swing the lamp and talk to someone who’s been there and got the same T-Shirt.
If it is help or advice you need, Physical or Mental Health, legal or financial matters, social services issues we CAN help.
We are also available to chat 8am - 7pm
M: 07570 193 811 / E: bluevandropin@yahoo.com / FB / LinkedIn
Upcoming
Find us raising awareness and supporting veterans at
Tesco Extra - Lottbridge Drove - 12th December - 10am - 4pm
Next Scuba Pool Session: January date TBA
New Years Drop In - 14th January - 10am - 2pm - York House Hotel,
14-22 Royal Parade, Eastbourne, BN22 7AP
Breakfast Eastbourne - 5th January - 0900 - 1100
Breakfast Seaford - 12th January - 0900 - 1100
Breakfast Eastbourne - 19th January - 0900 - 1100
Breakfast Lewes - 26th January - 0900 - 1100
There is some work in progress on this site. Hopefully you will not be inconvenienced.
Veterans Scuba Group and Scuba Therapy
In partnership with local Scuba clubs BSAC 0513 at the Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club and Bubblemaster Divers in early 2023 we started a veterans scuba group. A local veteran PADI scuba instructor has been holding regular session giving veterans and their families the opportunity to experience what it is like to breath underwater. With a steady flow of Try Divers and we have already qualified several as open water divers with some progressing to their Advanced diver qualification. We also arrange day trips and trips abroad to enable diving in clearer waters.
We run monthly session to enable them to keep and hone their scuba skill at local pools across the area
If you are interested to find out more, Contact
bubblemaster-divers@hotmail.com
Where To Go For Help and Advice
SSAFA - https://www.ssafa.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4fLm-IqC7AIVSM3tCh3RxAexEAAYASAAEgL4vPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Combat Stress - https://www.combatstress.org.uk/
Combat Stress Housing Info - https://www.combatstress.org.uk/veterans-ptsd-could-receive-housing-priority
RBL Industries Life Works - https://rbli.co.uk/
Sussex Armed Forces Network - https://sussexarmedforcesnetwork.nhs.uk/
Family Support - https://theripplepond.org/
Gambling Addiction - http://www.breakeven.org.uk/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Health In Mind - https://www.healthinmind.org.uk/
Veterans Aid - https://veterans-aid.net/
TogetherAll - https://togetherall.com/en-gb/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3I7-r5GC7AIVTubtCh1f4QThEAAYASAAEgKCffD_BwE
TILs NHS Mental Health Self-Referrals - https://www.veteransservicelse.nhs.uk/
Service Dogs - https://www.servicedogsuk.org/
Veterans Support UK - https://Veterans-Support.co.uk
Op Nova - https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/programmes/op-nova/
Op Courage - https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/Home/About/328?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8YG3x4KL_wIVaAgGAB3JVQtXEAAYASAAEgKpDPD_BwE
Where To Go For Help and Advice
Sussex NHS Community Trust - https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/contact-us/comments.htm
East Sussex Recovery Alliance - https://www.esrauk.org/
Job Centre Plus Armed Forces - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobcentre-plus-services-for-the-armed-forces-and-their-families/armed-forces-enhanced-access-to-jobcentre-plus-services-and-armed-forces-champions
Work Opportunities High Ground - http://www.highground-uk.org/
Work Training Opportunities - https://www.buildingheroes.org.uk/
Home heating & Energy - https://www.nea.org.uk/
Veterans Gateway - https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImvWc85GC7AIVRM3tCh1f4wWLEAAYASAAEgIbMvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Blind Veterans - https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/
Feeling Suicidal - https://www.samaritans.org/
Veterans Growth Project - https://veteransgrowth.org/
PTSD Resolution - https://ptsdresolution.org/
People Matter - https://people-matter.org.uk/
Change Grow Live - https://www.changegrowlive.org/local-support/find-a-service?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIovTzpoWL_wIVS8nVCh3VTQZtEAAYASAAEgIZAfD_BwE
Nominated by Sussex Armed Forces Network for the 2020-21 & 2022-23 “English Veterans' Award”.
Thanks to all who voted for us and to our volunteers for all their hard work in support of the Veteran community.
We currently meet
2nd Tuesday of month.
Best Western, York House Hotel
14-22 Royal Parade, Eastbourne, BN22 7AP.
10am - 2pm
About The Blue Van
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO No 1193342)
Our name comes from the tea van that frequented the Soltau military training area in Germany. The owner, Wolfgang Maier was renowned for turning up in the wettest miserable places with hot food and drinks, and of course the yellow handbags (If you know…). He was seen as the life saver to many a wet cold and hungry soldier.
Different localities do different things, or sadly nothing. However, Sussex NHS CCGs under the leadership of Kate Parkin pulled together different strands of society and community to develop the Sussex Armed Forces Network.
Bringing together NHS physical & mental health services, Social services, Police, Probation, and military charities to ensure wherever a veteran presented in need then support would be there, signposting & guiding them to the right help.
www.sussexarmedforcesnetwork.nhs.uk
Through our engagement with the Sussex AFN we realised that veterans could contribute with peer to peer help and support.
Veterans Aid to Civil Community (VACC) Tasks
We have also put together a VACC team. This is where veteran volunteers using their skills and expertise undertake works for communities, charities and organisations. You supply materials, we supply the grunts (and groans of old bones). Our largest task to date was the refurbished of the assault course at Parkwood Scout camp as it had fallen into dis-repair. Some of our group were on the original build 24 years ago. We are supported by local businesses in Eastbourne, and surrounding areas.
If you have a community project you think we can help with, then please get in touch.
A big thanks to all who help with supplying materials and discounts. Your support is FANTASTIC.
Bringing the Veteran Family together and supporting the community.
We are still working to identify a new home. Where we will be able to have the drop-in, a Cafe, space for therapy sessions, creative and clinical as well as incorporating an internet Cafe and as a new base for the Breakfast Club. This will not just support veterans’ but a place we hope will support anyone in need bringing together and helping improve understanding of the veteran community and what each can offer to support those in need of it., A one stop shop, Improving cooperative working within the town.
Please help Blue Van, help our Veterans.
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO No 1193342)
Your support is important to ensure local veterans and families get local help
at the point of need in a timely manner. Thank You.
For further information or a chat contact us at:
M: 07570 193 811 or E: bluevandropin@yahoo.com
or FB Messenger: Blue Van Veterans Drop-In
We are supported by local Veterans through the Blue Van breakfast clubs in EASTBOURNE, SEAFORD and LEWES
Joining a Breakfast Clubs is completely FREE…
There are no fees or subs. Just pay for breakfast and join in. However, we do have the occasional raffles in support of the Blue Van and other worthwhile military charities.
Those who saw service in WW2 and Korea do not pay for breakfast. Their service is payment enough.
If you would like to join us for breakfast and are finding funds a bit tight, please call in confidence - 07570 193 811
No one should miss spending time with family due to financial difficulty.