The Coach Trip That Started It All

What began as an ambitious idea quickly became something far more meaningful than we ever imagined.

In April 2026, 40 veterans and members of the armed forces community travelled together on a 5-day coach holiday to Leicester - a trip organised to bring people together, reduce social isolation and create opportunities for connection, friendship and shared experiences.

Over the course of the week, strangers became friends, confidence grew, and a coach full of people from different military backgrounds and generations discovered something incredibly simple but powerful: nobody needed to feel left behind.

After months of planning, fundraising and organisation, the coach finally departed Plymouth. There were nerves at first, many people had not travelled in years, some were travelling alone, and others were unsure what to expect. It did not take long for the atmosphere to change. By the time we arrived at the hotel in Leicester, the coach was already filled with conversation, laughter and the beginnings of new friendships.

The first evening included a private dining experience, plenty of stories being shared and a lively gathering in the hotel bar afterwards - quickly proving this was not going to be a quiet trip. One of the most meaningful visits of the week was to the National Memorial Arboretum. For many veterans, this was an emotional and deeply personal experience. One veteran described the Arboretum as a “bucket list” visit they never thought they would achieve. Another participant later shared: “We’ve been before, but this time felt different. You made everyone feel special.”

The group explored more than 400 memorials, reflected quietly together, shared stories and posed for a group photograph before enjoying a traditional tot of port. The day also included an unexpected adventure when the coach found itself navigating narrow country roads and a bridge with only millimetres to spare, much to everyone’s amusement.

Throughout the week, the group took part in recordings with BFBS radio, including singalongs and interviews that left the entire coach laughing. What began as a light-hearted idea quickly became one of the highlights of the trip and gave everyone the sense that this was something genuinely special. There may also have been a slightly questionable rendition of “What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor”… although memories remain disputed. A visit to Warwick Castle brought another memorable day. There were birds of prey displays, castle exploration, laughter and one memorable incident involving “contraband” being confiscated from one of the quieter members of the group during security checks.

At one point, our oldest veteran, Al, was looking slightly cold, a situation swiftly remedied by discreetly improving his coffee with a splash of rum. That evening ended with bingo, dancing and a YMCA performance led enthusiastically by “Little Mo” and Maggie, proving age is very much just a number.

The group spent time exploring Leicester, with some enjoying the city centre while others visited the National Space Centre. For many, the joy came not only from the destinations themselves but from simply experiencing them together. By this stage of the trip, friendships had firmly formed and the hotel bar had become the social heart of the holiday each evening.

The final day included a visit to Cadbury World, complete with chocolate, milkshakes and the discovery that too many children and too much sugar is still exhausting regardless of age. As the coach made its way home to Plymouth, the singing continued. “We’ll Meet Again” played through the speakers, voices joined together throughout the coach, and the journey ended exactly as the week had been lived: with laughter, friendship and community.

What became clear throughout the week was that this trip was never simply about destinations. It was about:

- connection

- belonging

- confidence

- inclusion

- shared understanding

For some participants, this was their first holiday in many years. For others, it was an opportunity to reconnect socially after periods of isolation or bereavement. And for many, it simply reminded them that there are still places where they belong. The success of the trip ultimately led to the creation of Veterans Voyage CIC, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating more opportunities for connection, community and shared experiences within the armed forces community.

Because sometimes, all it takes is a seat on the coach.