The rewarding feeling of supporting veterans and their families is why Veterans Outreach Worker Lydia Granfield “loves” her role at Combat2Coffee.
Lydia, who has devoted her life to helping others since joining the Combat2Coffee team in late 2021, is a familiar face to veterans and their families across the county.
She initially joined the team to help run our former Bury St Edmunds coffee shop before moving into an outreach role alongside Siobhan.
Lydia is no stranger to the military, with her father serving in the Royal Anglian Regiment, while her husband also served with our founder, Nigel.
Both Lydia’s husband and their son continue to serve today.
She said: “I’ve been around the military since I was a young child. I’m really passionate about supporting the armed forces.”
Lydia’s diverse role sees her work across Suffolk in building relationships with veterans and their families to discuss their needs – including running our popular Tuesday morning coffee group at the Newbury Community Centre.
She said: “I love the outreach role. I have a lot more time to build more relationships with the people we support and their families.
“It is such feelgood work.
“Combat2Coffee is such an exciting project. Nigel is a brilliant salesman when it comes to raising awareness of what we do – but it really does sell itself. So many people relate to it as it’s such as worthwhile cause.
“The project is going to continue to grow – and I want us to be the biggest warm hug to whoever needs us, wherever they are.”
Outside of work, Lydia loves watching thrilling crime dramas – especially CSI. Her caring nature also extends beyond her role through the time she loves spending with her grandchildren and dogs.
