Bradford Coffee Meet-Up Supports Armed Forces Community

Local football figures join weekly SSAFA and Foundation event

Bradford City FC Community Foundation and SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, have been hosting weekly coffee meetings aimed at supporting serving and former members of the UK Armed Forces, along with their families. These sessions provide a relaxed environment for attendees to share experiences, build friendships and access support.

The coffee mornings take place every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm at the Foundation’s City Hub, located at Valley Parade near the University of Bradford Stadium. The sessions are free and open to all serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

Event highlights and guest appearances

On Tuesday 4 November, Bradford City AFC manager Graham Alexander and player Josh Neufville attended the coffee meeting as part of the English Football League (EFL) Week of Action. They spoke with attendees about their careers in football and discussed themes such as teamwork, resilience and community spirit, which resonate with the work of both the Foundation and SSAFA.

Graham Alexander commented on the visit, emphasising the club’s wider role beyond football:

“A football club is more than just a team on the field. We have a commitment to supporting members of our community, from all walks of life, and it gives us all a sense of pride to see the club badge connecting with people and changing lives.”

Representatives from both organisations were present, including SSAFA West Yorkshire Branch Chair Derek Cross and Ian Ormondroyd, CEO of the Bradford City FC Community Foundation and former City player.

Partnership impact and community support

The collaboration between the Foundation and SSAFA aims to provide vital peer support and connection for the Armed Forces community across Bradford. Since the coffee meetings began in the summer, a regular group of attendees has formed, benefiting from both social interaction and access to SSAFA’s support services.

Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation, highlighted the importance of such partnerships:

“Our work with SSAFA is the perfect example of the sort of partnership working we thrive on. I’d like to thank them for their work and support for our community here in Bradford, and I’d like to thank Graham and Josh for joining us this week, and showing their support for the work we do.”

Derek Cross from SSAFA also spoke about the sessions:

“These sessions have become a real lifeline – a place where people can share experiences, build friendships and stay connected to the community. It’s fantastic to see Bradford City showing such strong support for those who serve and have served.”

Personal experiences from attendees

Colin Pearson, a veteran who regularly attends the coffee mornings, shared his perspective:

“These sessions have made a massive difference to me. It’s not just about the coffee — it’s about having somewhere you feel you belong. The support from SSAFA and the Bradford City FC Community Foundation means a lot. I’ve made new friends, found people who understand what I’ve been through, and it’s given me something to look forward to every week.”

Background information

• The Bradford City FC Community Foundation has worked with over 36,000 people across 29 projects in the past year.
• The Foundation has been active since 1988, delivering both sporting and non-sporting programmes.
• SSAFA provides lifelong support to serving personnel, veterans and their families across the UK.
• The coffee mornings support the Armed Forces community in Bradford and contribute to the club’s wider community engagement.

The coffee mornings are part of Bradford City AFC’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, coinciding with the club’s Remembrance fixture against Burton Albion on Saturday 8 November.