The Garfield Weston Foundation grants £150,000 to SWV’s Pioneer Programme

SWV has been awarded a new grant of £150,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation to support its campaign to bring clinical trials for MDMA-assisted therapy to the UK.

The project consists of two clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with severe PTSD, sponsored by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies) and delivered by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London.

The UK study will build on many years of research in the US, which has been designated as a ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ by the FDA. The MAPS Phase 3 trials, published in May 2021, also have demonstrated very encouraging clinical outcomes for those with PTSD.

Army veteran Martin served just shy of 16 years and was discharged with Complex PTSD. Speaking about SWV’s Pioneer Programme, Martin said:

“The results of the trials in America are phenomenal in comparison to anything that has been published from conventional treatments in the UK. Having tried so many options in the past, there is an opportunity to try something different and finally break through those barriers, giving me the chance to recover.”

Gilly Norton, Chief Executive of Supporting Wounded Veterans said:

“We are incredibly grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation for joining us as a Pioneer and supporting this revolutionary research which could transform treatment options for UK veterans and all those who have PTSD. There have been no major developments for treating complex mental illness for too many years, and now thanks to the Garfield Weston Foundation, we will be able to fund this important research into MDMA-assisted therapy in the UK for PTSD.”

SWV has now raised £950,000 of its £1.5m appeal target. To support the appeal, please visit: www.supportingwoundedveterans.com/pioneer

About the Garfield Weston Foundation

Established over 60 years ago in 1958, the Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded, grant-making charity which supports causes across the UK and, in the most recent financial year, gave over £99million. Since it was established, it has exceeded donations of more than £1billion, of which well over half has been given in the past ten years.

One of the most respected charitable institutions in the UK, the Weston Family Trustees are descendants of the founder and they take a highly active and hands-on approach. The Foundation’s funding comes from an endowment of shares in the family business which includes Twinings, Primark, Kingsmill (all part of Associated British Foods Plc) and Fortnum & Mason, amongst others – a successful model that still endures today; as the businesses have grown, so too have the charitable donations.

Known for its transparency, flexibility and straightforward approach, the Foundation supports a broad range of charities from small community organisations to large national institutions. Around 2,000 charities across the UK benefit each year from the Foundation’s grants.