Armed Forces Community Support Hub - Devon/Exeter

04/09/2026

HUB WEEKLY ACTIVITIES Week commencing 7 September 2026

TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER | 10:00
HUB Coffee & Catch Up – Exeter Cathedral Café
1 The Cloisters, Exeter EX1 1HS
Join us for coffee, conversation and veteran-friendly banter in the beautiful surroundings of Exeter Cathedral. A relaxed opportunity to catch up, meet others and enjoy good company. Everyone welcome.

WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER | 09:15
LARK HILL TRIP – Pre-booked HUB Members Only
Meet: GMC Lympstone | Minibus departs 09:30
Time to get out, explore and enjoy a great day at Lark Hill with fellow HUB members. Bring a packed lunch, plenty of drinks and anything you need for the day. Good company, fresh surroundings and a chance to enjoy something a little different.

WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER | 11:00
Wellbeing & Mindfulness with Jola
HUB HQ, 6 Southernhay, Exeter
Take an hour to pause, breathe and reset with gentle, nature-inspired mindfulness. We’ll explore grounding, renewal and the seasonal shift into autumn, alongside practical relaxation and wellbeing techniques. All abilities welcome. A chance to stand down, recharge the batteries and leave feeling a little lighter.

THURSDAY 10 SEPTEMBER | 10:00
Bacon ’n’ Banter – GMC Lympstone
Join us for bacon, brews, dominoes and plenty of banter. Enjoy a relaxed morning with good company and HUB support available if needed. Suggested donation: £5. Come for the breakfast, stay for the banter — no operational briefing required.

WHO CAN COME ALONG?
Veterans • Serving Personnel • Reservists • Military Partners & Families
No drill required — just bring yourself and we’ll take it from there.
For more information:
[email protected]

03/09/2026

LGBT veterans have 100 days left to apply for financial recognition

The Ministry of Defence has today (3 September) announced that veterans discharged or impacted by the ban on LGBT personnel in the armed forces have 100 days left….

The measures were introduced following an independent review on the impact of the ban on LGBT personnel serving in the UK Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000.
The government is now issuing a final call on GOV.UK to eligible veterans before the application deadline closes on 12 December.

Eligible veterans dismissed or discharged because of the ban can receive a financial recognition payment of £50,000.

Veterans may also be eligible for an Impact Payment of up to £20,000 if they experienced other harms such as investigations, harassment or disciplinary action.

Non-financial restorative measures include the opportunity to receive an official letter of apology, replacement service items and a restoration ceremony.

Councils are encouraged to share this information as appropriate.
Campaign:
https://affectedbytheban.campaign.gov.uk/

Find out what recognition is available if you were affected by the Armed Forces LGBT Ban, including financial payments, restorative measures and support.

03/09/2026

STAGE AFTER SERVICE (SAS) – LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS!

Fancy a night out with the HUB this Halloween season? Then join us for the brilliantly twisted, hilarious and wonderfully weird Little Shop of Horrors at Exeter Northcott Theatre!
📅 Wednesday 7 October 2026
🕢 7.30pm
📍 Exeter Northcott Theatre
🎟️ £20 per person

Get ready for a cult comedy-horror musical packed with outrageous characters, catchy tunes and one very hungry plant! Seymour’s mysterious new discovery, Audrey II, promises fame and fortune… provided Seymour keeps feeding it. And we all know how well that sort of arrangement usually ends! Veterans, serving personnel, partners and family members are all welcome. Come along, enjoy the show and get into the spooky spirit with your fellow HUB members.

TO ATTEND:
Please let Jola know by Friday 18 September if you’d like to come, including:
• Your name
• Number of tickets required / who you’re bringing
• Any mobility or PTSD-related triggers we should be aware of
[email protected] or 07534 590652

PAYMENT:
Once you’ve confirmed, Jola will send you the HUB bank transfer details. If you’re unable to pay by bank transfer, please arrange to see a member of the HUB team to organise cash/card payment.
Payment deadline: Thursday 24 September

So dust off your glad rags, bring your best Halloween spirit and join SAS for a night of music, mayhem and murderous foliage!

All welcome — just remember… DON’T FEED THE PLANTS!

03/09/2026

What a moment! 🎤 Last week, Jim “Wiggy” Foley showed incredible courage by stepping onto the stage at the Full Moon Open Mic Night at The Source - Exeter and performing his own song, “The Topsham Wizard”, written about our very own HUB legend, John “Wizard” Kirby.

It takes guts to put yourself out there, but Jim absolutely smashed it. We couldn’t be prouder! A brilliant performance, a brilliant song and a brilliant bloke. Well done, Wiggy!

03/09/2026

Love fishing, the great outdoors and good company?

A new South West Veterans Fishing Club is being formed, with monthly fishing days, opportunities to meet fellow veterans, share knowledge and enjoy some time outdoors. Whether you’re an experienced angler or completely new to fishing, everyone is welcome.

Interested? Contact Frank Matthews: [email protected]

Friendship • Wellbeing • Fishing • Veterans

03/09/2026

MPGS IS RECRUITING - DEVON, CORNWALL AND SOMERSET LINK AT THE BOTTOM.

The Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS) is recruiting MPGS Soldiers across multiple MOD locations throughout the UK.

If you’re looking to continue serving while building a career closer to home, there are opportunities available across 13 UK regions.

👇 Find your region and apply using the relevant vacancy link.

📍 Scotland
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868710&showtype=VAC

📍 Wales
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868707&showtype=VAC

📍 Lancashire & Cumbria
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868704&showtype=VAC

📍 North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire & Northumberland
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868698&showtype=VAC

📍 Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Leicestershire
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868692&showtype=VAC

📍 West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire & Herefordshire
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868218&showtype=VAC

📍 Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex & Bedfordshire
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868215&showtype=VAC

📍 Kent
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868212&showtype=VAC

📍 Greater London
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868209&showtype=VAC

📍 Oxfordshire, Berkshire & Buckinghamshire
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868206&showtype=VAC

📍 Hampshire, West Sussex & Surrey
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868203&showtype=VAC

📍 Wiltshire, Dorset & Gloucestershire
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868200&showtype=VAC

📍 Devon, Cornwall & Somerset
Apply: https://bfrss.org.uk/profiles/companies/93765//?show=1868188&showtype=VAC

MPGS Soldiers provide professional armed security at MOD establishments, helping to protect people, sites and assets across the UK.

Vacancies are subject to availability at the time of application, so make sure you check the relevant regional listing for full details.

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28/08/2026

HUB Weekly Activities: Week Commencing 31 August 2026

Tuesday 1 Sept | 10:00
CWTCH/HUB Coffee & Catch Up
17 Union Street, Newton Abbot TQ12 2JX
Stand easy with a good brew, friendly faces and relaxed conversation. Whether you fancy a chat, a laugh or simply some company, there’s always a warm welcome. No boot polishing or standing to attention—just community, connection and a decent cuppa.

Wednesday 2 Sept | 10:00
Wellbeing & Volunteering Day – Solace in Devon
Coombehead Farm, Tongue End, Okehampton EX20 1QL
Enjoy wellbeing activities, volunteering, fresh air and good company in beautiful surroundings. A chance to recharge the batteries—without anyone shouting, “Double time!”

Thursday 3 Sept | 10:00
Bacon ’n’ Banter – GMC Lympstone
Bacon butties, brews and another battle for the Norman Cup. Expect friendly rivalry over the dominoes table, strong tea and plenty of banter. Bring a mate—the only inspection is the quality of the bacon bap.
Suggested donation: £5

Friday 4 Sept | 10:00
Crediton Breakfast Club – The Ship Hotel
Start the weekend with a hearty breakfast, relaxed conversation and good company. Whether it’s a full English or simply a brew and a catch-up, you’ll always find a warm welcome.

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

26/08/2026

For all you "Green Fingered" types............

Defence Garden Schemes monthly workshop delivered with The Poppy Factory supporting wellbeing, practical growing skills and pathways towards employment.

1 September - Growing Futures | Gordon Messenger Centre, Lympstone.

All materials and refreshments included.

To book, please email [email protected]

26/08/2026

This morning, around 40 veterans from the Armed Forces Community were warmly welcomed to Ashburton at the beautiful home & gardens of retired Naval Officer Mike Walker and his wife, Angela. We enjoyed a fantastic FREE breakfast courtesy of Mike, explored their stunning gardens, discovered a historic tin mine and were treated to a fascinating tour — quite the morning’s orders. More importantly, there was plenty of friendship, laughter, conversation and fellowship.

A huge and heartfelt thank you to Mike and Angela for opening their home and sharing their wonderful space with us. We hope to return soon!And a special shout out to Dartmoor Butchers of Ashburton who provided all the quality meat with a discount as it was for veterans.

Interested in our other HUB activities? Get in touch via Facebook or [email protected].

21/08/2026

HUB Weekly Activities: Week Commencing 24 August 2026

Tuesday 25 August | 10:00am
Exminster Golf Centre Veterans Drop-In
Stand easy and give it a go! Thanks to Exminster Golf Centre, HUB members can enjoy:
£6 – Cuppa & bacon bap
£10 – Cuppa, bacon bap & a bucket of balls on the driving range
There’s free parking, all equipment is provided, and no experience is needed. Just turn up, have a go and enjoy some good company and friendly banter. No pressure to produce a hole-in-one — we’re definitely not issuing orders!
Address: Exminster Golf Centre, Exminster Hill, Exminster, Exeter EX6 8GA

Wednesday 26 August | 10:00am
FREE Veterans’ Breakfast — Ashburton
We’ve been very kindly invited by retired Naval Officer Mike Walker and his wife Angela to join them at their home, near Ashburton, for a FREE breakfast and a chance to enjoy their extensive gardens. If you’ve already confirmed your place with Jola, you’re on the list. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate anyone who hasn’t booked in advance. We’ll catch you on the next one!
The location will be sent directly to everyone who has booked on Tuesday 25 August.

Thursday 27 August | 10:00am
Coffee & Catch Up — Double Locks, Exeter
Join us for a relaxed Coffee & Catch Up at the historic Double Locks.
A chance to enjoy a brew, good conversation and some friendly company in a lovely riverside setting. No agenda, no formalities — just turn up and join us.

Friday 28 August | 9:30am
Topsham Breakfast Club
Start the weekend with a hearty breakfast, good company and a proper catch-up.
Whether you’re after a full English or simply a brew and a chat, you’ll always find a warm HUB welcome.
Address: Estuary League of Friends, Nancy Potter House, Topsham

Open to veterans, serving personnel and families. Because no one should have to tackle life’s missions alone. For more information: [email protected]