We are delighted to award a grant £10,000 to the Scottish charity, Change Mental Health, towards its Veterans Community Café project improving the mental health and wellbeing of military veterans.
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the Army family is central to the work of the Army Benevolent Fund. We fund a variety of programmes which improve wellbeing and offer wide-ranging assistance to ensure that serving and former soldiers and their families can access specialist training and support.
Change Mental Health provides non-clinical, person-centred support to people affected by mental illness of all ages and background, in communities across Scotland. Its Edinburgh services are based at a community hub, the Stafford Centre. Here Change Mental Health offers free activities and facilities which help people manage their mental health and reconnect with the community. With our donation, its Veterans Community Café project provides specific support tailored to former members of the armed forces, emergency services and others.
A weekly get-together for veterans and their families, Veterans Community Café helps former soldiers, isolated due to mental health issues, rediscover a sense of camaraderie through regular contact with others with similar experiences. The café is managed by a veteran, and offers free refreshments and hot meals, as well as wellbeing activities and a mix of peer and practical support, such as advice on benefits and housing. Some café members rarely leave their homes because of their mental ill-health. The project’s Out and About Group combats institutionalisation by supporting people to gradually gain the confidence to explore their local area together.
Michele Mason, Area Manager for Edinburgh at Change Mental Health, said:
“It’s incredible that The Army Benevolent Fund has once again recognised the truly important work Change Mental Health is doing to support the veteran community with their mental health in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
“We know that 92% of those who attend our Veterans Community Café are army veterans, a café which provides a non-judgmental, safe space where veterans feel understood. This grant will enable us to support more veterans in a welcoming and informal setting at our Stafford Centre in Edinburgh’s city centre, where they can build supportive networks and reduce social isolation and loneliness.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer, the Army Benevolent Fund, added:
“Helping serving and former soldiers to improve their health and wellbeing and lead happy fulfilling lives is a priority for our charity. The valuable support offered by Change Mental Health ensures that veterans who may be isolated and struggling with life’s challenges can find the help and advice they need. We are proud to award this grant.”
Read more about Change Mental Health here.