Veterans Project extended thanks to £98,000 grant
Published on 28 April 2023 08:00 AM
Thanks to a £98,000 grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust a much loved project for Armed Forces Veterans, aged over 50 or living with a disability in the city of Plymouth is set to continue for a further three years. In just over a year the project which now supports over 100 people a month has gone from strength to strength with regular events including a weekly social morning, two monthly brunches and a walking football team.
As part of Age UK Plymouth’s commitment to over 50s and those living with dementia in the city of Plymouth, clients and their carers were consulted prior to the grant application and their thoughts, views and opinions have been fundamental to shaping plans for the project. As well as a wider range of groups and activities, there was significant interest in the additional provision of counselling and wellbeing support.
The funding has seen a qualified, independent Therapeutic Councillor appointed to provide one-to-one counselling sessions designed to support veterans who might be looking to build and maintain good mental health. A flexible six to 10 week programme will be made available free of charge to veterans over 50 years or with disabilities and will be an opportunity for change for those living with a range of challenges to their mental wellbeing including PTSD, low level depression and social isolation.
Counterpoint Therapy Plymouth’s Georgina Edwards says, “I’m looking forward to working with Age UK Plymouth to offer face to face counselling for individuals through a series of regular, free sessions in a comfortable and confidential environment. These sessions will provide an opportunity for veterans to speak to someone who is accepting of who they are and of their life story. I will compassionately acknowledge and hold their thoughts, experiences and reactions, and together, we can explore new possibilities at their own pace.”
The Veterans Project at Age UK Plymouth comes under the remit of its new Wellbeing Hub, and Sarah Allen the charity’s Information, Advice and Wellbeing Hub Manager is thrilled at the opportunity to continue working with veterans through the charity, “It’s a huge testament to the success and hard work of the team who have built and developed our Veterans Project over the past 18 months that we are now able to not only continue to support but also massively increase our offering and the range of opportunities for our clients.”
Over the past 12 months the project was able to arrange and subsidised trips to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, Drakes Island, Plymouth’s Citadel and the naval base at Devonport as well as hosting a Walking Football tournament and working with partners including the Eden Project and the Defence Gardens Scheme. The Veterans groups has also welcomed volunteers from The Royal Navy and Sky amongst others who have kindly given their time to support the activities hosted at Age UK Plymouth’s Mount Gould Centre.
With future plans set to include social and gardening groups, walking and sports activities and much more, Age UK Plymouth look forward to supporting our military community for many years to come.
Any Armed Forces Veteran over the aged of 50 or living with a disability in the City of Plymouth is welcome to join the group, for more information visit https://bit.ly/AUKPVeteranSupport or email michael.truelove@ageukplymouth.org.uk.
