A recent article in the local Beestonian magazine highlighted the amazing work that the pubs managers, Neil and Martin, have done in setting up a support group for Veterans. Whilst it has been given an interesting name, VD Clinic, it is a simple abbreviation for Veterans Darts Clinic. Matt, the author of the article, visited the pub on a Tuesday evening, when the darts team meet, and he has provided Nottingham CAMRA with the content, so we thought we’d share it with our members.
“The team was set up in last September, after the co-landlord of the Boat and Horses, Neil, had found his feet and saw an opportunity. We have talked before in this magazine about the Boat and Horses, and how the new(ish) management quartet have devoted themselves to creating an inclusive, community pub for the Rylands, and how Neil and his fellow manager Martin are both veterans themselves, in the Army and Royal Navy, respectively. As well as taking on the mighty task of running a pub in these difficult economic times, Neil is three years into a four-year course in counselling and psychotherapy, with a focus on the issues veterans face after leaving service. These might feel like two conflicting careers, but Neil has skilfully wound the two into one, using the pub as a hub for those, like himself, who found the transition to civvy street tough.
Open and supportive discussions are encouraged!
A recent survey conducted by the Royal College of GPs found that in the Army alone, 55% of veterans suffered from health issues, with mental health taking the lion’s share of problems. 80% of respondents reported that their condition was worsening over time. This is a slow-burn crisis in our communities. “Many veterans with issues are seen as either ‘mad’ – their head goes, they get ignored; bad -they get into crime; or sad: people who just sit at home and cry”. Few people question why this is, but Neil has much experience and seen the patterns “Many people join the military because of issues with their family, and it’s a route out. They get into the Army, or whatever, and find a family united in loyalty, courage and integrity. Then, that is ripped from underneath you. They find it hard to slide back into society, and isolation sets in. Most here are on the second, if not third marriage. It’s tough in so many ways”.
The VD Clinic is a response to this, inviting vets to have an evening they can meet others in a thoroughly non-judgmental space, with no obligations, no pressure, just an open environment to take what you want/need from. Oh, and darts “We’re not that good” one player tells me, smiling in a way that says “and it doesn’t matter”.
Recognition for not being very good, The Sh*t Shot Trophy!
Most of the players were strangers beforehand, and have been recruited by Neil and others. Andy, an affable former member of the Royal Artillery (“I was a cloud-puncher” he says with pride), serving in the Gulf and with the UN, joined the railways when he left in 1993, and found a similar ‘family’, but not enough to stop him getting into trouble, getting into fights. After serving community service working with disabled people as a result of this, he knew he had to change. It’s been a long journey, but meeting Neil and the club has had huge benefits “We go to other pubs, and that opens your eyes. We feel part of something”. It’s a sentiment shared by Ed, a shy, quiet member of the team I sit down for a chat with. At first reticent, and with a sadness about him, when he gets to talking about the team his eyes light up and a smile breaks across his face. A Lance Corporal in the Army, he served ten years. ‘Coming out was like a road crash, not knowing where you are, who you are”. He has struggled for some time “We’re all a bit weird” he says, waving at the team “We all have issues. We can be too direct. We feel different. But when I’m here, in this bubble of friends, I feel ‘this is for me, this is for us’.
It took time to admit I have issues. I was cautious about being involved in this. But it has done wonders for me”. We talk for some time, and he occasionally checks himself that yes, he is having a normal conversation, yes, he can be a person, yes, he does have a place. Chris is quite different: younger than the others, only having left the army in 2018, after a dozen years between Afghanistan and Iraq. Unlike Ed, he’s outwardly confident, outgoing, and keen to chat. Yet the moment he talks of his experiences – he was medically discharged on mental health grounds – you realise that this is a front, and he struggles with life in the non-army world. “It’s hard to access services. I tried, but it is hardly there. Then one day I came down here after Scouts – I’m a Scout Leader for 2nd Beeston, and we debrief here – and Neil introduced himself. I knew he was a vet straight away – you just know – and I soon joined. That moment -I owe it a lot. I was in a bad place, I’d hit rock bottom. These guys – they’d drop anything to help. No NHS, no pills, this is a therapy service with darts. I didn’t know I needed this, but Neil somehow did. These Tuesdays give me something to base my week around. They know more about me than family” He slips his glasses off, and rubs away a tear forming in his eye.
Sometimes, articles don’t have the wordcount to do justice to the subject, no matter how elegant a prose stylist. I leave that evening knowing that I could write all day about these men, these damaged men who were once strangers, but are now brothers. I could write reams about how Neil has dedicated so much to his need to help those who he sees are struggling, and to give them the tools to rebuild. It’s a little miracle happening in the Rylands, and if you can find miracles in a bunch of middle-aged men supping ale and throwing darts, in a quiet suburban pub on a week night, then you know Beeston is a very special place indeed.”
Thanks again to Matt for sharing this article. If you get chance, please visit this pub and you’ll immediately get a feel for the community spirit that they’ve built there, with regular events, entertainment and even a Fish & Chip van parking up outside on a Friday night. The pub has 4 real ales with the Ossett Yorkshire Blonde being a regular feature and on the numerous occasions I’ve been there, it’s always in excellent condition.
The VD Clinic getting out & about!
