Setting up Combat2Coffee hasn’t just been a labour of love for Nigel Seaman – it has been a key part of his ongoing recovery journey.
It was 2018 when Nigel took the leap and launched Combat2Coffee, marking a major milestone in his continuing journey to recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
He had first realised the power of coffee during his time at a residential course, where he was receiving treatment for his spiralling mental health that was significantly impacting his family life.
It was there that he set up a coffee machine in his room and invited fellow veterans to speak about their experiences. The power of coffee as a conversation starter had been realised – and his vision to spread this to the masses quickly developed.
Nigel said: “We’re still doing the exact same thing now as I was back then, just on a much wider scale.
“We’re putting coffee in the hands of people that need to talk and lending them an ear or a hand to help them on their journey.
“The beautiful thing about it is that it’s not just those people we’re helping, we’re helping ourselves as people with PTSD too.”
Nigel’s own experiences with PTSD stem from his time serving in the Royal Anglian Regiment, while his time working as a prison officer opened his eyes to the lack of rehabilitation and support available for those in custody.
That has seen us work with numerous prisons across the country, opening coffee shops and providing barista training to help improve employability.
Nigel added: “There are so many people out there who need our support – not just veterans themselves, but their families too. I know firsthand the impact PTSD can have on your loved ones.
“That’s why so much of our work isn’t just about selling coffee and conducting outreach services, it’s lobbying and encouraging organisations to enact positive change, like signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
“It is truly humbling to see how much we have grown from what started as such a simple idea.
“I still have my bad days and very much feel the effects of PTSD in daily life – but equally every day I see how we are changing lives, one sip at a time.”
