“It’s that time again! When the quiz gets you guessing, the tea and coffee flow, cakes are in abundance and banter is so much fun. Come and join us!”
Our weekly Tea & Stickies gatherings are something VOS staff, volunteers and service users alike look forward to – a chance to chat, catch up and demolish some delicious biscuits and cakes, alongside a refreshing cuppa. We also play games, bingo and hold weekly raffles, keeping things lively.
Learn something new with your tea
However, they’ve also become a great place to learn new things – VOS will organise guest speakers to come and teach us new and valuable things to help in our daily lives.
Recently, Sarah and Laura from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) came to Tea and Stickies, to inform Veterans about how to avoid scammers. They’d previously attended our monthly Portsmouth Drop-In session and returned with an informative talk that was invaluable in helping our service users stay safe online and on the phone.
Fun and games every week
Games are a regular feature of Tea & Stickies – written quizzes make sure everyone is fully engaged, and our regular visitors always look forward to the weekly raffle. This inevitably results in a good deal of raucous laughter and great banter!
For D Day 80, back in June of this year, service users were encouraged to come along with family stories to share and even dress up for the occasion – everyone could take in a short talk while enjoying their tea and cake, helping to mark a momentous date in UK Military history.
Of course, national celebrations like the Coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III are definitely incorporated into Tea & Stickies afternoons. Again, our visitors are encouraged to dress up according to the theme and get stuck in – as you can imagine, this really lifts the mood and brings everyone together!
Hot tea and a warm welcome
These are just a few examples of the variety of things that can happen at a VOS Teas & Stickies get-together. It’s about building and strengthening community and relationships, and this is as much about discovering fresh things as it is about having regular, reliable fun.
It goes without saying that tea and coffee are hot and plentiful every week, and there are always delicious biscuits and cakes within arm’s reach to keep everyone happy. The conversation is the most important part, however, and it’s heartening to see familiar faces week in and week out that makes this a safe and welcoming place to be.
We couldn't do it without you
Organising everything and making sure each event runs smoothly is the team of friendly, dedicated VOS volunteers. The team works together to make our Veterans feel comfortable and welcomed, baking many of the cakes themselves, keeping the drinks piping hot and helping visitors feel relaxed so they can simply focus on having a lovely time.
Tea & Stickies is a guaranteed good time where VOS service users, current and new, can feel welcomed, safe and supported. For many, they’re an invaluable social hub and important source of upliftment that we recognise and don’t take lightly.
If you haven’t been to one before, what are you waiting for?! We’d love to see you there. And if you’re a Tea & Stickies regular, we look forward to seeing you next time and thank you for making these weekly get-togethers as great as they are.
VOS is here to support veterans from the UK Armed Forces service, the Merchant Navy, and their partners. If you know a veteran (from any time of service) located in Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Gosport, Fareham or the Solent area, please pass our details along.
If you’re a veteran or partner and are thinking about getting in touch, we would love to hear from you. Call us on 02392 731 767, visit one of our drop-ins, or email admin@vosuk.org.
Please note that VOS is not a crisis service. If you need immediate support, please contact one of the following:
- Your GP or NHS 111
- Attend A&E or call 999 for medical emergencies
- The Samaritans on 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
- A trusted family member or friend
