Spring Newsletter 2026

31 March 2026

SWV has successfully delivered its Ski Rehabilitation Week in Klosters, with 38 veterans attending the week.

The week brought together a diverse group, including 22 new Veterans facing a range of physical and mental health challenges and including veterans who are at risk of homelessness.

With the support of 18 Buddies, 8 Veteran Representatives, and specialist Medical Teams, each Veteran received tailored care both on and off the slopes. The buddy team were also fantastic fundraisers, between them raising over £134,000 for the charity. More than 40 volunteers and adaptive instructors also played a vital role in delivering the Ski Week.

Most importantly, Veterans returned home with renewed confidence, stronger connections, and a clear pathway into ongoing support as they are paired with their mentors and access SWV's other core programmes (including pain management and help with occupation, training and employment on their return home.) SWV once again showing that recovery doesn’t end on the slopes, it starts there.

If you are a Veteran and would like to find out more about Ski Rehabilitation Week 2027, please click HERE or email [email protected]. To learn more about becoming a Buddy, please click HERE.

Winter Challenge and Symposium

The week also featured the Winter Challenge, bringing teams together to raise vital funds for SWV. Congratulations to this year’s winners, Convex.

The Challenge included the 2026 Winter Symposium, with a fascinating discussion on global political risk from our Patron, General Sir Nick Carter, Lord Gove, editor of The Spectator and BBC Business Editor, Simon Jack moderated by The Times journalist, and SWV Ambassador, Manveen Rana.

A huge thank you to all teams who took part — your support makes a lasting difference to the veterans we serve.

SWV Support for Ukraine

Supporting Wounded Veterans is strengthening links with organisations supporting wounded veterans in Ukraine, sharing insights from our pain resilience and rehabilitation programmes.

These partnerships are very much a two-way exchange. Ukrainian organisations, working in extremely challenging circumstances, are rapidly developing expertise of their own — and we are learning a great deal from their experience.

A powerful example of this collaboration was the attendance of Vitalii, a Ukrainian veteran supported by Ukrainian Action, at this year’s Ski Rehabilitation Week. It was also a pleasure to welcome Ukrainian Action’s founders, Jeff and Natasha Hartman, who run their own rehabilitation programmes in the Carpathian Mountains.

Together, these partnerships demonstrate that by sharing knowledge across borders, we can strengthen support for wounded veterans everywhere.

MDMA Trials update

Our innovative trial of MDMA-Assisted Group therapy continues to move forward with the trial protocol now largely completed as we move towards ethics approval. The trial at Cambridge is part of a wider HORIZON trail with multiple sites around the world working together to make this promising treatment for PTSD and trauma available.

With our new trial at Cambridge, we expect the first trial participants to undertake the treatment in the last quarter of 2026.

RIvers Forum 2026

This Rivers' Forum 4, taking place on the 12-13th May at Micklefield Hall, Hertfordshire, will spotlight the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the future of our rivers. From discussing our water resilience in a changing climate to exploring the path forward for UK water reform, the agenda is designed to spark informed, forward-thinking dialogue. Sessions will also dive into the growing role of data and citizen science in river management, as well as tackling emerging threats such as pollutants, plastics, and PFAS: Issues that demand urgent, coordinated action across sectors.

We will also look at how solutions take shape on the ground, from promoting river-friendly farming practices to reimagining urban rivers within greener, more connected blue-green cities. By bringing together influential voices across policy, science, industry, and charities the Rivers' Forum creates a unique platform for collaboration and impact. Alongside this vital work, we remain committed to supporting veterans, ensuring this collective effort not only protects our rivers but also empowers those who have served to play a meaningful role in shaping a more sustainable future.

If you are interested in attending the Rivers Forum please apply for your ticket HERE

An Evening in Support of SWV

Algy Smith-Maxwell generously hosted a fundraising dinner in support of the charity, held in the historic surroundings of White’s.

Guests were treated to a compelling and thought-provoking discussion from Lord Gove and General Sir Richard Barrons, who shared their perspectives on the current global landscape and the UK’s defence capabilities.

Our remarkable veteran, Bilal Alzalam, spoke with great courage about his experiences living with a Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD, and the support he has received from SWV.

As one guest reflected, “I was torn between being depressed and impressed — depressed by the state of the world, and impressed by the quality of the speakers, especially Bilal.”

We hope the evening has raised a significant sum in support of SWV and raised awareness of the charity and the veterans we serve.

SWV Outward bound in the Peak District

This year SWV are working with Climb 2 Recovery to produce a week in the beautiful countryside of the Peak District. This is a new initiative to work alongside the ski week, using sport and outdoor events as a springboard for veterans' recovery.

The event aims to recruit new veterans to engage in outdoor activities (including some rock climbing and hill walking) over 4 days in late September.

If you are a veteran and would like to know more please contact Martin on martinb@supportingwoundedveterans.com

Please note that, while we have attempted to make it fully accessible, unfortunately there will be no wheelchair access at this event.