The Army Benevolent Fund has awarded a £20,000 grant to the Scottish mental health charity, Dundee Therapy Garden, which supports former soldiers whose lives have been impacted by their service.
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the Army family is central to the work of the Army Benevolent Fund. Our assistance helps ensure that serving and former soldiers, including those with mental health conditions, can access specialist treatment and support, and we also fund programmes that improve the mental wellbeing.
Dundee Therapy Garden (DTG) provide tailored horticultural therapy sessions to veterans experiencing loneliness, relationship difficulties, alcohol and substance misuse, and other challenges that affect their mental health.
Our grant will help fund the charity’s running costs and refurbishments to improve disabled access at its garden site in Dudhope Park, Dundee, where veterans take part in horticultural activities. Veterans referred to Dundee Therapy Garden are offered two full days of therapy each week from trained staff, including a mental health nurse who is a veteran and served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On behalf of the DTG Therapy team and Trustees, a spokesperson said:
“We are extremely grateful for the very generous grant from the Army Benevolent Fund. This money will enable us to continue with our very unique and important wellbeing support to veterans.
“Many of our veterans rely on the service here at Dundee Therapy Garden and without it they would struggle on a daily basis – the Army Benevolent Fund has provided a vital lifeline to these veterans who are also extremely grateful.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer, Army Benevolent Fund, added: “Helping former soldiers to improve their mental health and wellbeing so they can lead happy, fulfilling lives is central to the Army Benevolent Fund. We are proud to award this grant to the Dundee Therapy Garden where veterans can receive valuable therapeutic support, and reconnect with family, friends, and community.“
Find out more about Dundee Therapy Garden here: https://www.dundeetherapygarden.org/