Army veteran uses his own lived experience to launches gym-based coffee community clubs to support people’s mental health

An army veteran and reserve combat medic, who works for the NHS supporting veterans’ healthcare, has launched his own community groups providing support and a safe place to talk for vulnerable people facing challenging circumstances.

Connor Postles, who began volunteering at Base Body Fitness, a community focused gym in the heart of Parkhall, Stoke-on-Trent, running military-style fitness circuit training sessions began to see how his own experiences could support others.

His physical fitness classes led to him setting up regular community coffee mornings which in started to build momentum. That popularity encouraged him to come up with the idea of developing a series of mental health and awareness support groups for women and men. The first of these was aimed at veterans and underpinned by his own lived experiences of time spent in and then coming out of the armed forces.

Connor says: “After leaving the regular Army, I remember feeling isolated and unsure where to turn. There is a huge amount great of support out there, but awareness isn’t always great — especially locally.

“This club is about bringing veterans together, creating a relaxed space to connect, and helping signpost support where needed. Local Royal British Legion are going to attend, forces employment, SSAFA as well as loads of others.”

These clubs are something Connor has been driven to create based on the challenges, struggles, and the tough times he faced himself.

Connor says: “Having the right support would have made all the difference. If even one person feels less alone or more supported because of this then it’s worth it”.

Connor is now in the process of reaching out to organisations across Stoke-on-Trent for additional support, while continuing to volunteer at the gym where he has been encouraged and supported on his journey by owners Abel and John to develop his idea and put into practice.

“As the sessions have grown, I’ve had the chance to get to know some great people — and it sparked an idea”.

With the support of the team at Base Body Fitness, Connor is now launching weekly veteran’s “Brew Clubs” every Sunday (11.00–12.30). Each week will have a different focus, all centred around connection, support, and community.

Alongside the Veteran’s Brew Clubs, Connor is also running a Men’s Mental Health Club, something which again has been shaped by his own personal experiences of loss.

“This is something very close to me. It’s been shaped by personal experiences and the recent loss of a close friend to suicide which is unfortunately one of several over the past few years. I’ve reached out to a mental health organisation that works mainly through social media to collaborate and hopefully bring structured, in-person support into the community. The aim is to create a space where men can talk openly and support each other”.

Not stopping there, Connor is now also developing a Women’s Support Group aimed at providing a welcoming, safe space to talk and get support for women experiencing difficult situations and challenges in their life.

“The idea for the Women’s Support Group has been inspired by my time working as a prison officer, where I saw first-hand some of the challenges many women face, such as domestic abuse, county lines, peri menopause/menopausal difficulties, post-natal depression, perinatal difficulties just to name a few, I’d like to create a safe, supportive environment for women to connect and talk.

“That being said I’m very aware I’m probably not the right person to lead this as a 30-year-old bloke, so I am in the process of trying to find someone to help me out with this, but I have reached out to a few networks so hopefully this can get online soon. I have already spoken to women’s aid, period power, and put loads of emails out and it’s looking really good”.

Connor hopes the clubs will be a safe, welcoming space for vulnerable people, where those who are experiencing loneliness or isolation can meet and feel part of a supportive community.

You do not need to be a gym member to attend the coffee clubs. People are invited to come along, have a cuppa, chat and check it out.

Community Support Group dates:

• Veterans Brew Club (from 18th April) first one is a Saturday and then every 3rd Sunday of the month after that.
• Men’s Mental Health Group (26th April)
• Women’s Support Group (in development) 10th May provisional date.