On Christmas Eve, The Dalesman Country Inn in Sedbergh will once again be welcoming a group of veterans and their families for festivities. 

The Dalesman’s ‘Christmas for Veterans’ initiative began in 2017 and has become an important event at the pub for the local community.

The Dalesman are working with specialist charities Tom Harrison House and Veterans HQ Liverpool and Brian Capstick (farmer, Army veteran and founder of veterans charity, The Rawthey Project) as well as members of the community to facilitate a welcoming stay over Christmas for veterans who have suffered with addiction.

Owner of The Dalesman Mike Garnett said: “This will be the fifth year that we’ve had veterans to stay over Christmas.  After the uncertainty that Covid brought, we’re looking forward to a more uncomplicated year where we can offer a relaxed festive itinerary for the veterans and their families.

“That first year I had no idea what to expect, neither did my family but they’ve been very supportive of it. This year we even have our extended family coming so we’ll create one big dinner table that we can all sit around together on Christmas Day."

“Doing what we do has undoubtedly changed Christmas for us, but we wouldn’t go back. We feel it’s important to direct your generosity where you can at Christmas!”

This year the initiative is welcoming veterans who have come through the Tom Harrison House addiction recovery programme.

The programme is designed for those who have served and  struggle to engage with mainstream, civilian rehabilitation services.

The charity also offers ongoing family support to ensure that, post-programme, the family can work together in support of their recovery. 

The group will attend a festive church service and enjoy a stroll around the village on Christmas Eve, tuck into a delicious home-cooked lunch at The Dalesman on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day they will be invited to hand out bacon sandwiches and coffees with their hosts as the local hunt come through the village with the hounds.

Brian Capstick, who works alongside The Dalesman, said: “Over the past few years as the local community have become more aware of what we’re doing, the social value has increased. People will go out of their way to welcome and engage with the veterans where they can.”

“We can’t underestimate the value of being embraced by a community. The veterans that come to us see how the community in Sedbergh comes together and they don’t feel so isolated; it gives them hope.

"Social isolation is often linked to alcoholism and what we’ve seen is that rather than being counter-intuitive, being in a friendly pub environment in a supported way is actually beneficial for them.” 

Brian and Mike are engaging with senior military representatives to look at how support can be improved for veterans struggling with the transition to civilian life.

To find out more contact:http://info@thedalesman.co.uk