Armed Forces East of England Conference 2025
On 24th April 2025, The Bridge for Heroes held its second annual Armed Forces Conference to launch Veterans Voice – the new project name for its East of England Thrive Together Programme, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT).
The event brought together a diverse cross-sector audience, including representatives from Armed Forces charities, the NHS, local authorities, the Department for Work and Pensions, the justice and blue light sectors, and the AFCFT. The day featured inspiring presentations from distinguished speakers across the Armed Forces community, who shared powerful insights into their roles, lived experiences, and the positive impact of their work.
Attendees also had the opportunity to visit exhibition stands from key organisations, including both the partner charities funded through the programme – such as Veterans Community Network, Veterans Central, Combat 2 Coffee, Suffolk Family Carers, The Poppy Factory, and NHS James Paget – and other leading national and regional charities including Walking with the Wounded, Warrior Programme, Fighting with Pride, PTSD Resolution, and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Two interactive workshops encouraged open discussion and captured feedback from attendees. The first focused on collaboration, exploring what an effective partnership looks like across the region and how it might be improved. The second looked at the potential for a digital platform to support and connect organisations, identifying essential features, challenges, and views on integration with NHS-run systems.
You can find more details about the speakers and their presentations, and photos from the event:
