Welcome to Hook Veterans Club

Rediscover the strength of camaraderie and peer support that you enjoyed in the armed forces, through Hook Veterans Club. We are a peer support group for ex-service people in Hook, Hartley Wintney, Odiham and surrounding villages, dedicated to fostering a community where veterans can connect, share, and thrive. Your journey with the club begins here.

We are here for every ex-service person, whether you served recently or decades ago, in any branch of the armed forces. You may be navigating the transition to civilian life, seeking new purpose, or simply looking for a place where your experiences are understood without explanation.

Many of us face similar challenges – from finding a new routine to maintaining the strong bonds forged in service. We are familiar with the resilience, dedication, and occasional struggles that may come with a military past, and we're here to share the load and celebrate your journey.  At Hook Veterans Club, we will strive to understand the unique journey you've been on.

This group is for you – all ex-service personnel in Hook and beyond, join us and help create a community that truly "gets it".

Who We Are

We are veterans ourselves, who are in the process of establishing a registered charity and who will work as a Board of Trustees to achieve the following high-level objectives:

  • To Provide help and support, where possible, to those veterans living in Hook, Hartley Wintney and surrounding villages who need and welcome that help.
  • To create a meeting place where veterans can re-live the camaraderie experienced during their time in the armed forces.
  • To provide an environment where people will "get it". A "safe" place with friends who will understand and be willing to lend a sympathetic ear.

The initial Board of Trustees has now been formed and we are well on the way to completing the documentation that is required to register as a charitable organisation. Once registered with the Charity Commission it will enable us, as a group, to legitimately raise the funds required to help and support those in need.

The guiding mantra for the Board of Trustees will be to always run the group with the best interests of the attending veterans in mind.

Who You Are

  • You are a military veteran who wishes to be part of an organisation created to encourage camaraderie and to help and support local veterans in need.
  • Initially you will live in the general practice area of Whitewater Health e.g. Hook, Hartley Wintney, Bramshill, Dipley, Greywell, Hazely Bottom, Mapledurwell, Mattingley, Newnham, Odiham, Rotherwick, Winchfield etc.
  • Veterans from outside of this area will also be welcomed at the regular meetings.
  • You will support the group development through active involvement and spreading the word about the group.

What We Will Do

As a Board of Trustees we will work to deliver the following:

  • Organise regular meetings to allow members to engage with the Trustees and vice versa.
  • Organise and run a weekly weekday coffee morning and, depending on the level of interest a Saturday morning meeting.
  • Organise and run a monthly breakfast club event.
  • Identify and arrange for a local support or medical service to attend a monthly meeting and present a talk/update on services that they can provide e.g. OP courage, Red Cross, SSAFA, Royal British Legion, NHS etc.
  • Identify other charities that can provide specialist assistance to veterans and create an informal "Hub" environment with the information.
  • Organise and run outings to specific events.
  • Organise and run an annual social get together.
  • Organise and run fund raising activities throughout the year.

We will also ask for your input on what you would like and need from the group.  Your inputs will be used to help steer the group development.

The number and type of activities that are arranged will be driven by the level of interest from the group.

Op Courage, an external help agency, visit Hook Veterans Club

What's In It For You

  • You will benefit from being in a safe space where ex-service people can connect, share experiences, and support each other through the unique challenges that come with military service and the transition to civilian life.
  • Professional, charitable and medical services will come to you.  They will bring with them information and help that could improve your experience of being a veteran.
  • There may be an opportunity to meet up with old friends but there will almost certainly be opportunities to make new ones.
  • We will offer a place where you can be yourself, understood, valued and be amongst people who truly "get it".
  • If you are fortunate enough not to need help and/or support, you can gain satisfaction from the fact that you will be helping those that do.