Today marks the 80 anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE) so we spoke with Lee Chapman a former Army Sergeant who is continuing to serve his community and developing a growing network of support for local veterans and their families.

Lee was just 16 when he left his small hometown in Llandudno Wales to join the Army, a career which spanned almost 15 years.

“I grew up in Llandudno and there were not that many job opportunities really except retail or hospitality,” he recalls. “I’d already been in the cadets, so I joined the Army straight from school.”

His career in the Army saw him travelling the world including time served in Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Canada, and Poland where he was on the frontline as a mechanical engineer often working under fire.

“You’re a soldier first and a tradesman second,” he says. “If a vehicle breaks down during patrol, you’re the one jumping out to fix it, no matter what’s going on around you.”

Although he faced many challenges it is the transition to civilian life that those leaving the Army often find difficult.

“When you leave the forces, no one debriefs you back into civilian life. They build you up to be a soldier, but they don’t break that back down. You’re just out. You have to rebuild yourself.”

“In the Army, you’re told where to be, when to eat, even when your dentist appointment is. Suddenly, it’s all on you,” he explains. “I was lucky. I secured a job as an engineer surveyor before I even left. I finished on a Friday and started training on the Monday.”

Not everyone has the same experience and recognising this Lee has spent his time, working alongside other ex-forces colleagues, mentoring veterans and supporting them in transitioning out of service be that with securing a place to live, employment or building a friendships in the community.

“It’s not about what you know, it’s who you know,” he says. “That network — that's what makes a difference.”

As well as starting an Armed Forces Community Network within the company he works for, who employ around 200 people who have served, he has also widened this to his local community, with the support of funding by Walsall Council’s Resilient Communities Voluntary Community Sector and Cohesion Team, setting up a regular coffee morning and a monthly veteran’s breakfast in Pelsall.

“It’s about giving continuity. Even if it’s the one thing someone does in their week, it breaks the isolation,” he says. “It’s free, informal, no pressure — just turn up.”

Lee believes that peer to peer support and lived experience makes all the difference.           

“If you hear someone talk about what they’ve been through, and it sounds like what you’re feeling, that can spark something. That can save someone.”

He was also keen to highlight that his approach is about building a network in recognition of the real and often unseen struggles many ex-service personnel face when adjusting to life beyond the military.

“Whether it’s loneliness, loss of purpose, difficulty finding employment, or mental health challenges, too many veterans feel like they are facing it alone. The network exists to change that.

“There’s loads of great charities out there but not enough joining up,” he says, “We need to work together so when someone comes in, it’s about asking ‘who do we know that can help?’”.

Sessions take place at Pelsall Community & Arts Centre, Pelsall, WS3 4QB:

  • First Sunday of every month – Veterans’ Breakfast Club - 9:00 am – 11:00 am
  • Every Wednesday morning – Drop-in Coffee Morning - 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Each session offers free hot drinks, free breakfast options on Sundays, and most importantly, a space where veterans and their families can talk, listen, and be heard. There is no pressure, no formalities, just a community ready to welcome anyone who has served, regardless of rank, role, or length of service.

If you would like to find out more about the Armed Forces Community Network contact Lee on afcnwalsall@gmail.com or phone 07943269002 or find them on facebook groups/afcnwalsall