VETERANS from care homes across Chesterfield came together for a morning of shared stories, laughter and companionship, as Chatsworth Lodge Care Home hosted the first of a new series of breakfasts.
The inaugural brunch welcomed veterans and veterans’ spouses from Springbank Care Home, Riverdale Care Home and Millfield Nursing Home, with more than 15 guests enjoying coffee, pastries, a traditional fry-up and relaxed conversation.
For many, it was a chance to reconnect with others who shared similar life experiences and service backgrounds.
The breakfast is part of a new initiative led by Chatsworth Lodge manager Zenka Shires aimed at bringing local veterans together and creating regular opportunities for connection and friendship.
She said: “There was such a lovely atmosphere in the room. Seeing the veterans chatting, laughing and swapping stories reminded us how important it is to create spaces where people feel understood and valued.
“These breakfasts are about much more than food – they’re about friendship and giving back to people who sacrificed so much.”
Chatsworth Lodge provided a warm welcome, with conversations flowing as freely as the coffee.
The care team said the breakfast showed how simple community events can have a powerful impact, helping residents feel connected not only to each other, but to the wider community.
Following the success of the first gathering, veteran breakfasts are set to become a regular event, ensuring Chesterfield’s veterans continue to feel supported, recognised and very much at home.