New veterans’ hub launches in St Athan to support former RAF personnel

A new monthly veterans’ hub has launched in St Athan, South Wales, giving former service personnel a welcoming place to meet, share experiences, and access support.

The hub takes place at St Athan Golf Course, a former RAF facility chosen for its accessibility and strong ties to the Forces community and is open to veterans from across the tri-services. Attendees can enjoy a coffee and breakfast while connecting with others and finding out about the welfare services available, including those we provide.

The main driver and organiser of the hub is St Athan Village Councillor Derek Roberts, with the initiative championed by RAF veteran and Fund ambassador, Rob Bugden, who understands first-hand the impact of having the right support in place. Rob sustained life-changing injuries in a parachuting accident during an exercise in California, leaving him with severe spinal damage. We stepped in to purchase and adapt a house to meet his needs, enabling him to live independently and rebuild his life.

Speaking about the new hub, Rob said: "It was fantastic to see so many veterans come together at St Athan Golf Course, which is not only steeped in RAF history but also completely accessible for everyone. The idea is simple – to give people a chance to meet, chat, and enjoy some social interaction. But it’s also about creating a network where we can signpost to help when needed. We hope to build a real community for local veterans."

The first event saw around 30 veterans attend, with interest already growing for future sessions. The next hub meeting will take place on 27 September, with veterans from across the services expected to join. Plans are underway to involve a number of Armed Forces charities, and we’ll be there at upcoming gatherings to offer our support.

By supporting initiatives like the St Athan veterans’ hub, we continue our mission to combat loneliness and isolation within the RAF Family and ensure no one is left behind.