We are delighted to award a £10,000 grant to Veterans Outdoors, a charity that improves the mental health and wellbeing of military veterans by providing person-centred therapeutic outdoors activities, mentoring and welfare support.
Our grant will allow Veterans Outdoors to provide a range of activities and experiences including guided walks, horticulture courses, animal husbandry, and team building days featuring activities such as kayaking, working alongside delivery partners across Devon and Cornwall.
The South West has one of the highest concentrations of veterans leaving the Armed Forces with PTSD or another mental health condition. Without intervention these issues can spiral into joblessness, homelessness, criminal behaviour, self-harm and suicide.
Jeremy Hibbard, CEO of Veterans Outdoors, said:
“Outdoor therapeutic focused activities are a perfect match for veterans, who are naturally aligned with working outdoors, and where they can find friendships amongst like-minded peers and develop team spirit.
“These activities are proven to improve the mental health of veterans, helping to reduce anxiety, build their confidence and help them find meaning and purpose in their lives again. We are enormously grateful for funding from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.”
Peter Monteith, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, said:
“The work of Veterans Outdoors empowers veterans to resettle into civilian life, develop their confidence and reduce social isolation; we are delighted to fund the charity’s support for members of the Armed Forces.”
To find out more about Veterans Outdoors, visit their website here: https://www.veteransoutdoors.org.uk/.
