6 veteran support groups for social connection

Regardless of how long you’ve served in the Australian Defence Force, discharging is a major life event.

In addition to starting a new profession, you may also find yourself in search of social connections. For many service members, a career in Defence offers built-in support systems and friends. Even if you stay in touch with your military mates after discharging, not being around them every day could lead to feelings of isolation.

If something is missing in your post-Defence life, joining a veteran support group may help you rebuild a sense of mateship out in the civilian world.

These are some of the best veteran support groups for creating social connections.  

Mates4Mates

Dedicated to actively changing the lives of veterans and their families impacted by service, Mates4Mates is one of the largest ex-service organisations in Australia. They provide physical, psychological, and social support services, as well as opportunities for veterans to connect with other members of the Defence community via regularly scheduled activities, including BBQs, coffee catch ups, art workshops, cooking classes and more.

Mates4Mates have centres in North Queensland, South East Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, where veterans can pop in for a cup of coffee and a chat, to take part in one of their many regular social connection activities or for their psychology or exercise physiology appointments. For those veterans and family members who are unable to attend face-to-face services as a result of distance, illness or injury, Mates4Mates offer a range of social connection activities via their online family recovery centre.

Diggers Rest

Diggers Rest is a retreat for soldiers. Their mission is to provide current and former service members with a friendly and relaxing environment to help them reconnect with family, society, and themselves, without worrying about the cost of accommodation.

Based on the Sunshine Coast, Diggers Rest helps veterans feel less socially isolated. Participants are provided with self-catered accommodation for periods of two to three days at a time and may like to join in conversations around the campfire or participate in a weekend working bee. Families are well taken care of with a play area for kids and a pool with BBQ facilities.

Operation PTSD Support

Operation PTSD Support offers partners and carers of incapacitated veterans a range of support services, including social inclusion events and activities, respite retreats, discounted legal assistance, emergency crisis care and more.

By connecting veterans and their loved ones with a community of people in similar situations, they help combat social isolation among Defence families. Operation PTSD Support also aims to educate the general community about PTSD and mental health first aid and raises funds to purchase resources for partners and carers of veterans.

RSL RAEMUS Rover OFF-Road Racing 

RSL RAEMUS Rover Off-Road Racing connects veterans through the adrenaline-pumping sport of off-road racing. The program was founded by veteran Ian Baker, who served 33 years in the Army as a mechanical engineer.

Open to current and former members of the ADF, the RAEMUS Rover program lets participants experience the rush of high-speed racing with a focus on teamwork and camaraderie. The RAEMUS Rover crew helps hundreds of veterans every year, with track programs held at Willowbank Raceway and around Queensland. They also operate monthly workshops, where participants can learn welding, fitting and vehicle mechanics, or simply drop in for a chat.

Bootstraps

For veterans and their partners living in the Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs, Bootstraps offers the creative process of leather work to help participants relax and reconnect. Bootstraps provides a space for veterans to connect with other military people or civilians and have a coffee and relax while learning a new skill and creating something tangible.

Rec Connect

From cooking workshops to art classes, Rec Connect (formerly Active Lifestyles program) provides a range of activities for veterans, current serving Defence members and their families to learn something new and connect with fellow members of the Defence family.

Delivered by RSL Queensland, this program caters to all abilities so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re interested in participating, please visit our What’s On page for information on upcoming events. 

No matter where you find friends in the veteran community, making social connections is key to living your best post-Defence life. If you’re struggling with adjusting to the civilian world, RSL Queensland can help. Find out more about our support services here.

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