Tesco North Shields Extra store to host Help for Heroes veterans' café events

As part of a trial, Tesco is working with the armed forces charity to offer a welcoming space for veterans, serving personnel and their families to connect, chat, feel supported, and grab a complimentary hot drink in The Café at the supermarket chain’s North Shields Extra store as part of the charity’s community development programme.

Tesco is one of the leading private sector employers of veterans and has its own Armed Forces Network. In 2025, this network agreed a three-year partnership with Help for Heroes to further support the armed forces community across the country.

The monthly Help for Heroes café will be hosted by Caroline Griffiths, the local Community Builder for the area, who believes it has the potential to provide much-needed support for veterans in the area.

She said: “There is, clearly, a need for such a facility in this area, as we know there are more than 8,800 veterans living across North Tyneside.

“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.

“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.”

The first Help for Heroes event in The Café at the Tesco North Shields Extra store takes place on Tuesday, November 3 at 10am and will then be held of the first Tuesday of every month.

For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/H4HCommunityBuilderNewcastle