The Rural Veterans Hub

Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life host Beyond the Postcode, a podcast about people who live or work in HD8, and interview Linda and Keith from the Rural Veterans Hub, a veteran-led community offering support, friendship and sanctuary for ex-forces members and their families in rural areas. Linda and Keith describe the shock of leaving military structure, identity and camaraderie, everyday difficulties adjusting to civilian life, and challenges accessing military-minded healthcare and therapy, including PTSD support, especially when living rurally. They explain the military covenant and the need for veterans to be recorded as such at their GP to receive appropriate priority for service-attributable issues. The Hub meets twice a month, provides banter, speakers, trips, crafts and activities, and shares success stories involving improved wellbeing and help navigating housing and bureaucracy, while encouraging new members to connect via Facebook, the website or by attending events.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:35 Life After Service Shock

01:53 Losing Identity and Respect

03:45 Civilian Work Culture Clash

05:19 Cleanliness and Military Habits

06:59 PTSD and Gaps in Care

08:51 Why Rural Support Matters

09:47 Military Covenant and Advocacy

11:22 Hub Success Stories

15:00 Trips Crafts and Camaraderie

18:58 How to Join and Contact

20:03 Series Wrap and Thanks