It’s finally happening! After months of planning, we’re thrilled that this week sees the first of our Regional Connect Weeks kick off as our team of entertainers, caterers, TNF staff and volunteers hits the South West Region!
Our Regional Connect Weeks are our bold new idea for the 105th anniversary year of The Not Forgotten. In honour of this, and from listening to your feedback, we are doing events a little differently this summer and right through til next March.
We are focusing on one region of the UK at a time, delivering a full week of activities, events, and engagement to bring each regional community together, reach new friends, and show the full strength of what The Not Forgotten offers.
Where are we coming to?
☀️South West England - 9-13 June - Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dartmoor
☀️North West England - 23-27 June - Lancaster, Blackpool, Aintree, Carlisle, and Lake District
☀️Wales - 14-18 July - North Wales, Eryri (Snowdonia), Caerphilly and Bridgend
☀️South East England - 28 July - 1 August - Essex, Kent, East Sussex
☀️Scotland - 1-5 September - Glasgow, Edinburgh, River Spey
☀️North and East England - 23-27 March 2026
☀️Northern Ireland - 30 March - 3 April 2026
If we haven't quite hit your area don't worry! We will be bringing Christmas Lunches to areas not visited in the list above, and we'll be building more programmes around new regions in years to come.
What events are we hosting?
In each region we are holding a:
☀️Fun Fest - part village fete, part sports day, part concert and afternoon tea
☀️Garden Party - drinks, afternoon tea and entertainment in beautiful locations
☀️Community Afternoon Tea Concert - light tea and entertainment, music and camaraderie
☀️Challenge Event - try your hand at hiking, cycling, canoeing and abseiling
☀️Concerts in local care homes
☀️Fundraising collections at supermarkets and events
Any of our beneficiaries and their guests in each region can attend - all you have to do is register your interest on our events pages.
(Make sure you are registered as a TNF beneficiary first! If not, get your name on our books HERE)
We'd love to see as many of you as possible over the next nine months at a location near you!
And... if you have any ideas for future Regional Connect Weeks let us know! Perhaps you own a venue or local business, can facilitate a challenge event, offer catering, volunteer for supermarket collections or can link us with a local veterans breakfast club or care home. Get in touch on info@thenotforgotten.org
Richard Walker OBE, Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten, said:
"We’re a small team with a big heart, serving a vast and diverse veteran community—from 20 to 110 years old, across all three Services and the Merchant Navy. Whilst we've always done our best to reach as many people around the UK as possible, we were conscious of feedback over recent years that beneficiaries felt we weren't coming to 'their area' or they didn't know about events near them. So... we've made a strategic delivery decision this year to come out to every region over the next 9 months. It's a big task, but one we're very excited about in our 105th year.
At the same time we've modernised with a clearer, more transparent communications plan, a friendlier, more professional website, a live events portal where you can apply for national and regional events, and regular updates via social media and blogs.
We've made some important strategic partnerships with organisations, businesses and volunteers in the regions to help support this delivery.
But we also need you - our veterans, serving beneficiaries and supporters. This is your moment. Find an event near you, get involved, apply to attend on our Events page or volunteer on our volunteer page.
Let’s make 2025, our 105th anniversary year, unforgettable.
Thank you for being part of The Not Forgotten family.
With gratitude,
Colonel (Ret'd) Richard Walker OBE, Chief Executive, The Not Forgotten"
Don't forget, alongside our Regional Connect Weeks we are also delivering our full programme of support all year, which includes:
⛵ Sailing adventures
🎶 Drive-in concerts
🎾 Tennis at Wimbledon, rugby at Twickenham, horse racing and polo
🍰Afternoon Teas
🎿 Skiing trips
🏰 Royal events
🏎 Track Day at Brands Hatch
🐝 Beekeeping experience days
🌅 Respite breaks to Devon, France, and Majorca
🌺 Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph
…and so much more. Find them all HERE
