Tesco Kilmarnock Extra is launching its first Help for Heroes café, providing a welcoming space for veterans, serving personnel and their families to connect and chat over a complimentary hot drink.
The supermarket is working with the armed forces charity on the initiative as part of a trial, with the café set to open on Wednesday 28 October from 10am to 12 noon in the store's Café.
Partnership and support network
The link-up forms part of Help for Heroes' community development programme. Tesco is one of the leading private sector employers of veterans and runs its own Armed Forces Network, which supports veterans, reservists and military family members working within the company.
In 2025, the Tesco Armed Forces Network agreed a three-year partnership with Help for Heroes to further support the armed forces community across the country.
Local community builder to host monthly sessions
The monthly café will be hosted by Jen Carroll, the local Community Builder for the area. She said there is a clear need for such a facility, noting that more than 4,000 veterans live across East Ayrshire and that Ayrshire has one of the highest concentrations of people with armed forces experience in Scotland.
Carroll added: "It is heart-warming that Tesco has agreed to work with us to provide a venue and a drink for those interested in coming along. We know there is a wealth of skills, experience and interests within the Armed Forces community, and we're keen to hear about these. Our Help for Heroes café is not just a place to meet over a brew, it's an opportunity for people to share their ideas, tell us what matters to them locally and help shape future groups, activities and opportunities for veterans and their families in the area."
She also encouraged veterans to attend regardless of how long they served, saying: "It doesn't matter how long you served or where, you can come along, meet fellow veterans, enjoy a brew and a chat, and, if you need to, talk to specialists from the Charity who may be able to provide support in several areas."
Encouraging early mental health support
The launch comes as Help for Heroes is calling for veterans to seek support for mental health problems early on, before they become a crisis. Evidence shows that veterans often minimise their own needs or believe that others are more deserving of help.
Tesco Armed Forces Network Chair Sabrina Lungo said: "Our network is proud to host Help for Heroes in The Café, at our Tesco Kilmarnock Extra store, giving veterans a place to make meaningful connections, access support, and catch up with other ex-service personnel over a coffee. Help for Heroes provides vital support for the Armed Forces Community, and we look forward to seeing how the Armed Forces Community benefits from this initiative."
John Owens, an Ambassador for Help for Heroes covering the Ayrshire area, served for 24 years in the Army with the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Royal Highland Fusiliers. He said: "I know from talking to other former servicemen and women, that, for some, isolation can be a big problem. They find it difficult to reach out for support, and can feel wider society doesn't really understand them. That's why having a safe, comfortable environment, where they can get together with like-minded people, is important."
Owens added: "It's really positive news that Tesco is helping us host this initiative, as there aren't enough opportunities like this in East Ayrshire. I'd like to encourage any former members of the armed forces, and their family members, to come along. Sometimes getting together with other people on a regular basis for a cup of tea and a chat can make a big difference to your mental and physical health."
The first Help for Heroes event takes place on Wednesday 28 October at 10am and will then be held on the last Wednesday of every month. More information is available via the Help for Heroes community builder Facebook page or the Tesco Café website, and support can be accessed at helpforheroes.org.uk.
