VINT - Veterans In Need Together

Tonight’s beautiful sky feels like a reminder to slow down and notice the simple things. 🌅

Look up. Breathe. Take it in.
Sometimes, the simplest things are the ones we need most. 🖤❤️

❤️🖤 It’s Wednesday… and you know what that means — it’s VINT Night! 🇬🇧☕🎉

Looking for a relaxed evening, a good laugh, a brew, and some great company? Then come along and join us at VINT – Veterans In Need Together!

We’re a Leeds-based veteran support group where you can meet other veterans, have a chat, share a few laughs, and enjoy some proper camaraderie with people who understand the ups and downs of military life.

Whether you’re a regular or thinking about coming along for the very first time, you’ll be made to feel welcome from the moment you walk through the door.

There’s no pressure, no judgement, and no expectations — just friendly faces, good conversation, plenty of brews, and a relaxed place to spend your Wednesday evening. ☕❤️🖤

So, if you fancy getting out of the house, meeting some brilliant people, having a laugh, or simply enjoying a bit of company, come and see what VINT is all about!

Sometimes the hardest part is taking that first step through the door… but after that, you’re among friends. 💪

Come along, grab a brew, pull up a chair, and join us tonight! We can’t wait to see you there! ❤️🖤🇬🇧

Whilst myself and Mark were at the memorial unveiling on Sunday, we also took some time to visit the Shot at Dawn Memorial to reflect and remember.

The memorial commemorates 309 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were executed during the First World War, many following convictions for offences such as desertion, cowardice or disobeying orders. Their names are remembered today as a reminder of the human cost of war and of how differently those experiencing trauma were understood and treated.

Standing there, it was impossible not to reflect on how little was understood about mental health at the time. Many soldiers experienced what was known as shell shock, and although we now have a far greater understanding of trauma and conditions such as PTSD, PTSD itself wasn’t formally recognised as a medical condition until 1980.

Today, we understand that psychological wounds can be every bit as real as physical ones. We have treatments, support services and, importantly, a growing understanding that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

It was a sobering reminder of how far mental health care has come and how important it is that we continue moving forward.

We remember. We reflect. We keep moving forward. ❤️

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, why not make September the month you put yourself first? ❤️

Come along, have a brew, grab a biscuit, have a chat and spend a bit of time around people who understand.

You might leave a little heavier from all the tea and biscuits we get through 😂☕🍪, but there’s a good chance you’ll leave feeling a whole lot lighter in your mind.

You don’t have to know anyone, and you don’t have to know what to say. Just come along — we’ll take it from there.

September is your month. Put yourself first. ❤️

Today, Mark and I had the honour of attending the opening of the Elysium Memorial.

The Elysium Memorial is the first memorial dedicated solely to veterans and serving personnel who have sadly lost their lives to su***de. To stand there today and witness this incredible achievement was an incredibly moving and emotional experience.

We cannot put into words how grateful we are to the Elysium Memorial Foundation and everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this memorial a reality. It is a place to remember, to honour, and most importantly, to never forget.

Today, we stood alongside our brothers and sisters who sadly lost the battle within their own minds.

We know all too well that, for many veterans, the battle doesn’t always end when their service does. The memories, experiences and wounds of service can follow people long after they have hung up their uniform.

That is why this memorial means so much to us.

Every name represents a life. A person. A family. A brother or sister who was loved and who should never be forgotten.

We are incredibly proud to have been there today to pay our respects and honour their lives. We will continue to do our part to remember them, and, hopefully, to help ensure that those still fighting their own battles know that they are not alone.

We remember them. We honour them. We will never forget them. ❤️

WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY

Today should be two things.

A reminder of how far we’ve come in recognising mental health, improving support and, without doubt, saving lives.

But it should also be a wake-up call.

Because people are still dying. People are still falling through the cracks. Families are still being left asking, “How did we not know?”

We cannot accept that as good enough.

Mental health services matter. Knowing where to get help matters. But su***de prevention cannot sit solely with doctors, therapists or mental health services.

It belongs to all of us.

We need to get better at talking. Better at listening. Better at asking the difficult question: “Are you thinking about su***de?”

We need to stop accepting “I’m fine” when everything about someone is telling us they’re not.

Look out for your mates. Check in on the person who has gone quiet. Pick up the phone. Sit with someone. Put the kettle on. Listen without judgement. And if they need more help, help them find it and stay with them while they get it.

For veterans in particular, we know how easy it can be to hide behind “I’m alright, mate.” We know how hard it can be to admit that the battle has followed you home.

You don’t have to fight that battle alone.

Today, we stand incredibly proud of every person who has had suicidal thoughts and made it through another day. Every battle won matters.

But our goal cannot simply be to save more lives.

Our goal must be to reach a point where nobody feels that su***de is their only option.

So today, switch on the kettle. Make a brew. Check in.

Don’t wait for someone to ask for help.

Be the reason they know they’re not alone.

Su***de prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
Every conversation could matter. Every person could matter. Every life matters. ❤️🖤