Veterans cafe opens in Eccles providing support to ex-service people

A centre has opened in Eccles primarily for Salford veterans, to provide a space for them to come together and share experiences of their time.

Salford Veterans Community Centre opened under the management of Carl Blower, and is decked out with military themed décor along with memorial pieces to remember the lives of those lost in wars.

With songs playing on the radio, and cups of tea being served in personalised armed forces mugs, the café has become a hub of community in the short space of time that it has been open.

Ernie Ratcliffe, an 84-year-old Royal Navy Veteran from Eccles, served 12 years with the armed forces. As he sat tucking into his freshly cooked breakfast, he spoke fondly about his time serving our country.

One thing he loves is being able to connect with other veterans, maintain the comradeship, and gain emotional support which wasn’t available when he left the Navy.

He was able to catch up with other veterans like Caroline Devine, 64 years old from Eccles, who is a Women’s Royal Army veteran.

Despite serving the country through different parts of the forces, Ernie and Caroline had lots to talk about over their cups of tea and described the café as a place for veterans to reunite.

Mr Ratcliffe explained: “There’s only two from my class left. It’s no reunion. So what do we do? We join the veterans, and that’s our reunion.”

Caroline, originally from Glasgow, said she was inspired to joined the armed forces after a careers fair at her school. She also said how she experienced loneliness when she first set off to her training camp. She said: “I didn’t know anybody, but because everybody is coming from all over the country. You become like a family”.

Carl Blower, one of the Directors and Founders of the Salford Veterans Community Centre, wants the place to not only be a café but also a chance for people to connect to businesses and health services which can support veterans.

He explained that his previous career in the Air Force also gave him an extended family within his squadron and seeing others in the centre mirror that is extremely moving.

After getting involved with Salford Veterans breakfast club on a Saturday as a police officer for Eccles, he wanted to create a space where veterans could get together each day instead of once a week to maintain those support networks.