Armed Forces Community Support Hub - Devon/Exeter

📣 PAIGNTON DROP-IN – NEW LOCATION!

The HUB’s Paignton Drop-In is moving from Paignton Library to The Esplanade Hotel.

📍 The Esplanade Hotel, Esplanade Rd, Paignton, TQ4 6EG
📅 Tuesday 20 October and every 3rd Tuesday of the month
⏰ 10am–12pm

The new venue is fully accessible, has a fully stocked snack bar with teas & coffees, welcomes well-behaved dogs, and has parking on site. It’s also close to train and bus routes – plus a phenomenal sea view! 🌊

Same HUB faces, same friendly drop-in – just a better view from HQ! 😉

Come along for a brew, a chat and a bit of company. Stand easy – we’ll see you there!

HUB Weekly Activities: Week Commencing 5 October 2026

Tuesday 6 October | 10:00
☕ CWTCH/HUB Coffee & Catch Up
17 Union Street, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2JX
Stand easy with a brew, friendly faces and good conversation. Come for a chat, a laugh or simply some company — no boot polishing or standing to attention required!

Wednesday 7 October | 19:00
🌱 Little Shop of Horrors – Exeter Northcott Theatre
Meet in the Theatre Bar at 19:00 | Pre-booked members only
Stand easy, troops — it’s theatre operation time! Expect outrageous characters, brilliant music and one very hungry green recruit whose only order seems to be “Feed me!”
Enjoy the show, have a laugh and, whatever you do… don’t feed the plant! 🌱

Thursday 8 October | 10:00
🥓 Bacon ’n’ Banter – GMC Lympstone
Bacon butties, brews, banter and another battle for the Norman Cup! Friendly rivalry over the dominoes table guaranteed. The only inspection required is the quality of the bacon bap.
Suggested donation: £5

Friday 9 October | 10:30
HUB Support Drop In – RMB Chivenor
Chivenor Chapel, just outside the camp gates, Barnstaple EX31 4AZ
Round off the week with welfare support, advice, a friendly face and a cuppa strong enough to fix most things.

All HUB activities are open to veterans, serving personnel and their families — because no one should have to tackle life’s missions alone.
More information: [email protected]

HUB Weekly Activities | Week Commencing 28 September 2026

A quieter week for the HUB this week, with the team taking some time for a catch-up and keeping the engines ticking over behind the scenes.

Thursday 1 October | 10:00am
🥓 Bacon ’n’ Banter – GMC, Lympstone
Bacon butties, brews and another battle for the Norman Cup! Expect friendly rivalry around the dominoes table, plenty of banter and tea strong enough to restore operational readiness. Bring a mate and join the squad — the only inspection is the quality of the bacon bap!
Suggested donation: £5

Friday 2 October | 10:00am
☕ Crediton Breakfast Club – The Ship Hotel
Ease into the weekend with a hearty breakfast, relaxed conversation and good company. Full English, light bite or simply a brew and a catch-up — everyone’s welcome.

All HUB activities are open to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Because no one should have to tackle life’s missions alone.

📧 [email protected]

Mission: Art & Adventure — accomplished!

The HUB headed to The Box in Plymouth for a brilliant day of art, colour and connection. Gillian Ayres’ fabulous work certainly made an impression — the scale, colour and sheer energy were something else! Then it was over to Sudanese artist Azza for a fantastic abstract art workshop. Plenty of creativity, a few new skills and some very impressive results!

A great chance to connect with fellow HUB members, new faces and potential new members from across the Armed Forces community in Devon. Stand easy — we’re already planning the next adventure! Interested in joining us? Get in touch with the HUB
[email protected]

Last week, the HUB was all about connection, camaraderie and shared moments. From our Newton Abbot Breakfast Club to a Wellbeing walks around Bovey Tracey and catching up with veteran bikers at Jollys, it was wonderful to see our community coming together.

Want to get involved? HUB membership is free, giving you access to our activities and support services. Reach out and join the family!

[email protected]

TOMORROW FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 10am.
The Armed Forces Community Support Hub's Monthly breakfast club at Toby Carvery, Newton Abbot. We hope to see you there!

HUB WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Week Commencing 21 September 2026
Another week, another mission! From golf and bacon to vibrant art and good company, there’s plenty happening across the HUB. Stand easy, pick your activity and join us. No formal parade required!

🏌️ TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER | 10:00AM
EXMINSTER GOLF CENTRE VETERANS DROP-IN
📍 Exminster Golf Centre, Exminster Hill, Exeter EX6 8GA
Fancy a swing? Give it a go! Thanks to our friends at Exminster Golf Centre, HUB members can enjoy:
• £6: Cuppa & bacon bap
• £10: Cuppa, bacon bap & bucket of balls on the driving range
Free parking, equipment provided and no experience needed. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or haven't held a club since leaving the forces, come along for a relaxed morning of friendly banter.

🎨 WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER
THE BOX, PLYMOUTH | GILLIAN AYRES EXHIBITION
🍽️ Lunch: 12:30PM | 🎨 Tour: 2:00PM
📍 The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth PL4 8AX
Pre-booked veterans only
We're heading to Plymouth's fantastic The Box for a special veterans-only visit to Gillian Ayres: A Life in Colour. Ayres was a pioneering British artist whose bold, expressive paintings celebrate colour, movement and the sheer joy of creativity. Spanning seven decades, the exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into an artist who never stopped exploring. The Box itself is a remarkable cultural space, bringing art, history and community together. We're fortunate to have this opportunity to experience such an inspiring exhibition as a group.
Please note: This visit is exclusively for members who have pre-booked.

🥓 THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER | 10:00AM
BACON ’N’ BANTER – GMC LYMPSTONE
📍 Gordon Messenger Centre, Lympstone
Bacon, brews, dominoes and a healthy dose of military banter! Join us for a relaxed morning of good food, good company and HUB support if needed.
Suggested donation: £5

🍳 FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER | 9:00AM
TOPSHAM BREAKFAST CLUB
📍 Estuary League of Friends, Nancy Potter House, Topsham
Round off the week with a hearty breakfast, a decent brew and some proper catch-up time. Whether you're after a full English or simply a cuppa and conversation, you'll find a warm HUB welcome and good company. Because sometimes the most important mission is simply showing up.

OPEN TO VETERANS, SERVING PERSONNEL & FAMILIES

Whatever your week has in store, you don't have to tackle life's missions alone.

📧 [email protected]

Some useful stuff here……

HUB WEEKLY ACTIVITIES: Week commencing 14 September 2026

TUESDAY 15 SEP | 10:00
HUB Coffee & Catch Up – Paignton
📍 Paignton Library, Great Western Way
Brew, banter and good company. A relaxed chance to catch up, meet familiar faces and welcome new ones. No drill, no ranks and definitely no parade ground nonsense — just friendly conversation, support and a cuppa.

WEDNESDAY 16 SEP | 10:30
Wellbeing Walk – Bovey Tracey
📍 Meet: Co-op Car Park, Riverside Mill, Fore St, Bovey Tracey
Enjoy the old railway line, beautiful countryside and Dartmoor views. Mostly flat and accessible; scooters and wheelchairs welcome, though some areas may challenge walker users. Bring water and lunch, or enjoy a café in Bovey. Need a lift? Get in touch and we’ll work some transport magic.

THURSDAY 17 SEP | 10:00
Bacon ’n’ Banter – GMC Lympstone
📍 Gordon Messenger Centre, Lympstone
Bacon, brews, dominoes and plenty of banter. Enjoy a relaxed morning with good company and HUB support if needed. Suggested donation: £5. Come for breakfast, stay for the banter — no operational briefing required!

FRIDAY 18 SEP | 10:00
Newton Abbot HUB Breakfast Club
📍 Toby Carvery, Penn Inn Roundabout, Torquay Rd, Newton Abbot TQ12 4AQ
Finish the week properly with a hearty breakfast, good conversation and plenty of laughs. A relaxed opportunity to catch up, connect and enjoy some good company — no orders, no drill, just breakfast!

ALL HUB ACTIVITIES are open to veterans, serving personnel and their families. New faces are always welcome. Come as you are — no forms, no fuss and no need to salute on arrival!
More information: [email protected]

It’s been a busy summer at the HUB! Here are just a few highlights from the many activities, outings, conversations and connections we’ve shared over the past few months. As we move into autumn, we’re looking forward to plenty more opportunities to get together, with theatre trips, art and museum visits, creative activities and more. Plenty to look forward to — stand easy, autumn… we’re ready for you!