Veteran Pathways
From injury to independence
Last year, 1,578 UK regular armed forces personnel were medically discharged, representing approximately four per day. For Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force personnel one of the most common causes of medical discharge was mental illness, which has increased since 2015.
For some veterans, the path to independence and employment can be a struggle which can be greatly improved by managing and developing their physical and mental health.
SWV offers veterans with physical or mental injuries or illnesses initial support through two programmes - Sports Habilitation and Pain Management. To apply for either of these programmes please follow the links below.
After completing either of these two programmes, veterans are then invited to join the mentoring and employment programmes, and where appropriate, can be referred onto the pain resilience programme and further mental health support.
Sports Habilitation
Sport is a proven, potent medium for building confidence.
Adaptive sport and access to new challenges enables veterans with disabilities to participate with those without.
Pain Management
We funded the UK's first veteran Pain Management Programme and continue to deliver pain management courses.
We have found that successfully managing pain can reduce the barriers to employment for many veterans.
Mentoring
Veterans who have participated in Sports Habilitation or Pain Management Programmes are offered individual mentoring support.
Mentors may offer help with retraining, career change, setting up a business, or returning to employment.
Occupation, Training & Employment
Since we started our employment programme we have successfully found meaningful employment and training for over 90% of veterans engaged with SWV programmes.
Mental Health support
We offer Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) sessions for veterans on a SWV programme to reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression and pain.
Veteran Support Network
Peer support from those who have been through a SWV pathway for veterans, and activities for their families.