Updated on
When a Royal Navy veteran from Plymouth saw an advert asking for people to share their ideas for supporting veterans in the local area, he knew just what was needed. And now a gaming group he established six months ago, is helping to connect veterans across the city.
Gordon Jones, aged 45 and from Sherford knew there was a gap for veterans who don’t fall into the usual category of enjoying sports. So he went along to a drop-in session, organised by Kelly Dowell, the local Community Builder for Plymouth to have a chat.
Gordon had a successful and interesting career in the Royal Navy, serving for 23 ½ years as a meteorologist and an oceanographer. During that time, he worked on different ships, aircraft carriers and submarines across the world, helping the crews to understand how the weather and the ocean could affect any operations or tours they were planning, and worked with the US Navy for three years.
As a self-confessed “nerd”, he was never into sport when he was serving but has always had a love of gaming. Since leaving the navy earlier this year, Gordon struggled to find a community of like-minded people he could join that had similar interests. Instead of just complaining, he decided to do something about it.
Gordon explained, “When I met Kelly, she was very understanding. It was really important for me to find something where I could connect with other veterans, who have similar interests, but there wasn’t anything. I suggested to Kelly that there was potential for a veteran’s group focussed on gaming and Dungeons and Dragons in particular. We set up in August last year and it’s going from strength to strength.”
The monthly Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) sessions, which are held at take the Four Greens Community Centre, have an emphasis on creating fun for people and getting people together to talk. Help for Heroes funded the cost of the first kick-off session and Kelly continues to provide support when needed. Gordon is hoping to attract more Dungeon Masters, so they can continue to grow.
We’re keen to work with local veterans, like Gordon, to find new ways of connecting veterans, using their own skills and experiences."
Community Builder - Plymouth
Gordon added, “People aren’t necessarily talking about their problems, they're talking about their shared experiences. And the D&D format gives people the chance to use their imaginations and tell stories, but with dice.”
Kelly Dowell said, “We're expanding our reach into local communities. We’re keen to work with local veterans, like Gordon, to find new ways of connecting veterans, using their own skills and experiences. We’ve had really positive feedback from everyone who attends the D&D sessions. People value being able to meet up and talk to like-minded people.
"The D&D group offers an alternative space to the usual coffee mornings and veterans’ breakfasts on offer. It is also on a weekday evening, meaning it is accessible to those with a 9-5 job. Family members are also welcome, giving a chance for the partners and children to connect with others who understand their experiences of supporting veterans.”
Kelly has set up a Facebook group for Plymouth https://www.facebook.com/helpforheroescommunitybuilderplymouth/
For more information about the D&D group contact kelly.dowell@helpforheroes.org.uk