28 March 2025 | The Gurkha Centre | Hayes | By Hari Bhandari
On 28th March 2025, The Gurkha Centre hosted a successful Veterans Café at the Hayes and Harlington Community Centre, highlighting community solidarity and dedicated support for Gurkha veterans and their families.
This event provided veterans from across West London with a friendly environment to share experiences, access essential services, and build stronger community connections. Guest speakers from prominent veteran support organisations presented valuable information on employment, physical health, and mental well-being.
Notable contributions included Darren Wright, Founder of Veterans into Logistics, who outlined comprehensive career pathways in logistics and driving, expressing his readiness to collaborate closely with The Gurkha Centre to support Gurkha veterans. Similarly, Matthew Egan from Veterans Job Board UK presented diverse employment opportunities in partnership with leading companies, pledging ongoing cooperation with The Gurkha Centre to facilitate tailored job placements.
Imran Khalil, Director of The Fighting Chance, alongside Development Manager Bart Bartholomew, introduced their innovative non-contact boxing programme, emphasising its benefits for physical and mental health across all age groups. They committed to launching tailored sessions for Gurkha veterans in West London in collaboration with The Gurkha Centre.
Tim Riley, Psychological Therapist and Peer/Veteran Charity Engagement Lead from Op COURAGE highlighted mental health support services and facilitated immediate referrals, emphasising ongoing collaboration to provide timely, culturally sensitive care for Gurkha veterans.
Peter McCafferty from Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Clubs shared insights on fostering veteran camaraderie and proudly announced the milestone achievement of the Royal Hospital Chelsea welcoming its first Gurkha pensioner. He emphasized ongoing collaboration with The Gurkha Centre to integrate Gurkha-focused support services into London’s veteran drop-in centres.
Robin Herzberg, Chair of the London Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee, provided updates on a forthcoming report to the government. Robin noted the report’s inclusion of key points raised by Gurkha veterans during previous Veterans Café events, emphasising responsiveness to their concerns.
David Brough, Chair of Hayes Town Partnership, discussed his extensive efforts in enhancing local services specifically tailored for Gurkha veterans. He underscored the importance of disseminating information through weekly news updates, improving service accessibility, and actively collaborating with local authorities to enhance community safety. David encouraged Gurkha community participation in local cultural events, such as the Hayes Canal Festival, to foster greater integration and recognition.
Community members actively contributed, with Reena Karki generously sponsoring the event and preparing traditional Nepali food. Young volunteers, social workers, and students also played an essential role, demonstrating a strong collective community commitment.
Under the leadership of Founder and CEO Hari Bhandari, The Gurkha Centre remains committed to its monthly Veterans Café, continually strengthening support networks and advocacy for Gurkha veterans.
For further information or participation in future events, please contact The Gurkha Centre at 📞 07799346871 or 📧 info@thegurkhacentre.org.uk.
