Delivering independence to UK Veterans through groundbreaking physical and psychological care. Founded in 2012, Supporting Wounded Veterans provide six comprehensive pathways including sporting events, mentoring, pain management and employment to enable former UK servicemen and women, physically or mentally wounded, to move forward from rehabilitation to employment. Click here to view the discussion with our Patron, General Sir Nick Carter, and BBC Security Security Correspondent Frank Gardner at the 2024 SWV Winter Conference Rivers' Forum 2024 "Quite possibly the most frank and useful forum to address river pollution in the past 20 years." Sir Malcolm Rifkind ​ The Rivers' Forum was created to find employment for veterans on the Rivers and find solutions to the UK's river pollution crisis. ​ To find out more about the SWV Rivers' Forum 2024, please follow the link below. Find out More "I started the year with no possibilities and ended the year with everything being possible." J ohn Veteran battling with PTSD Veteran's Stories I am a Veteran We can help you to find ways to manage your physical and mental health​ through Sports Habilitation or Pain Management Pathways. We offer many comprehensive programmes to help Veterans, like yourself, move forward to a more positive future. If you are looking for support, please get in touch. Find Support Ocean Challenge Buddies Selection for the Ocean Challenge Buddies has begun! ​ Applications are open for keen sailors with strong empathy for the 2024 Ocean Challenge. We need Buddies who are calm, patient and have sailing experience to help our Veterans get the most out of the Sports Habilitation Ocean Challenge. ​ Click below for more information. Find out more PTSD Trial Supporting Wounded Veterans are working with King’s College London, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and NHS England on the first MDMA-assisted therapy in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) clinical trial to the UK. More Information Summer Drinks Party 2024 Please come and join us for this year's Summer Drinks Party, taking place on Wednesday 15th May. This is set to be a wonderful evening at the Cavalry & Guards Club, London. There will be drinks and canapés served throughout the evening, as well as an opportunity to speak to many of the SWV team, meet SWV Veterans and hear about the latest events and news within the charity. Please contact polly@swv.org.uk for any queries, and click on the link below to secure your tickets for the event - Find out more Give the gift of a lifetime Help us support wounded veterans and their families to recover from injuries, both physical and emotional We rely on your kind donations to support our wounded veterans in the UK Click to Donate Now Donate The six important pathways that aid Veterans in their rehabilitation back to independence - Sports Habilitation “With my walking stick, I’m an invalid, but on skis, I’m just another person.” Sport is a proven, potent medium for confidence building. Adaptive skiing enables those with disabilities to level with those without in a way that few other sports can. Learn more Pain Management "If only I had attended this programme shortly after injury - it would have saved me years of pain and related anxiety. Thank you SWV for setting it up for me, it is going to have a hugely positive impact on my quality of life." 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. Learn more Mentoring “I have had five years of nothing but hospital visits and being told negative, and scary, things about what was going to happen to my life. This is the first time for a long time that I have been treated as a human being with the chance for a positive future. The boost to my confidence and self-belief has been massive.” 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. Learn more Occupation & Employment Finding full-time employment or meaningful occupation addresses what is for many the most crucial part of a person’s transition from military to civilian life. Since we started our employment programme we have successfully found meaningful employment and training for over 90% of Veterans who engaged with SWV programmes. Learn more Mental Health Support Facing mental health battles can be hard, and there are many organisations that have the expertise and experience to help Veterans in need of mental health support. Here at SWV we offer Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) sessions for Veterans on SWV pathways to help reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression and pain, supporting them to a more positive future. Learn more Veteran Support Network "My whole experience with SWV has restored my faith in the human race and has pulled me out of a very dark place, if I can help you guys out in anyway I will with great pleasure." Peer support from those who have faced injury, illness and battled themselves and have completed SWV pathways for veterans. Learn more Latest News Ski-habilitation Week 2024 March 2024 saw another action packed Ski-habilitation Week with 22 Veterans joining 17 supportive Ski Buddies for a restorative start to the next stage of their rehabilitation to a brighter future. Read more Buddies smash through their £100K fundraising target! Buddies smash through their £100K fundraising target! Read more Carol Concert 2023 The SWV Carol Concert took place on 5th December 2023 - and is was a sell out! This year's concert will be taking place on 4th December 2024, tickets will be on sale soon. Read more

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Carol Concert 2023 Read the Latest news 5th December 2023 The SWV Carol Concert took place on 5th December 2023 - and is was a sell out! This year's concert will be taking place on 4th December 2024, tickets will be on sale soon. The SWV Carol Concert took place on 5th December 2023, and this fantastic evening was a sell out! The line up was spectacular, with readings from Hugh Grant, Hayley Atwell and Rory Underwood - and musical delights from the talented Ellie Laugharne, "The Violin Girl" Leia Zhu and the choir - Sorono This year's Carol Concert will be taking place on 4th December 2024, tickets will be on sale soon - we look forward to seeing you there! Previous Next

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Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund grants £10,000 to SWV programmes Read the Latest news 28 June 2021 SWV is delighted with new £10,000 grant to support employment and mentoring pathways Since 1803 Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund has brought together the Lloyd’s insurance market to support veterans and their families with the current strategic focus on supporting causes that enable veterans to make a positive transition to civilian life. Aware of the impact that the pandemic has had on the charity sector, and especially on veterans and the charities that support them, Lloyds Patriotic Fund invited charities supporting the military community to apply for grants of up to £10,000. Following a successful application, we are proud and grateful to announce that Supporting Wounded Veterans has received a £10,000 grant from the Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund. The grant will be used to support two of our Veteran Pathways programmes and the activity they undertake. Our Mentoring programme pairs veterans with trained mentors who provide help with professional and business matters, and with personal challenges. They assist in identifying goals, and tackling professional or personal barriers. Our Occupation, Training and Employment programmes works with veterans and assists them in finding meaningful employment and occupations. The programme enables veterans to works with one of our professional contractors on tailor-made job matching as well as giving assistance with writing CVs, interview techniques and arranging contracts. Together, we work at finding an occupation that suits an individual’s specific needs and skillset. Gilly Norton , Chief Executive of Supporting Wounded Veterans, said: “We are very grateful to the Lloyd's Patriotic Fund for recognising the importance of mentoring and employment support to wounded veterans. This new grant will help us to continue to support former servicemen and women who want to regain their independence after leaving service.” Previous Next

SWV Winter Conference & Challenge Thursday 9th - Sunday 12th March 2023 Winter Conference Thursday 9th March 2023 Silvretta Park Hotel, Landstrasse 190, 7250 Klosters Platz 14:00 Global political risk – who are our friends and foes now? How is this changing our strategies and economies? A panel led discussion lead by Manveen Rana 16:00 The Weaponisation of Energy. Is green energy really green? How does this affect the move to net zero? Dr Chris Walters , Michael Brennan, Michael Liebreich Friday 10th March 2023 Aula Room, Schule Klosters Platz, Bahnhofstrasse, Klosters 18:00 Nick Carter – What now for the Ukraine, Russia and the West? Nick Carter in conversation with Manveen Rana Followed by Q&A ​ ​ For more information or to book please contact us ​ Ski Challenge The SUPPORTING WOUNDED VETERANS SKI CHALLENGE is another innovative and exciting way in which we support the rehabilitation of medically discharged veterans back into employment. We do this with a fun, adrenaline-fuelled weekend in Switzerland that gives our veterans an unparalleled opportunity to meet members of the business community, understand more about the corporate world and exchange experiences. The weekend is also a critical part of our annual fundraising. The event is organised and managed by a team of Vet Reps who are veterans who have benefited from SWV programs and volunteer their time to benefit SWV. During the Ski Challenge participants compete with and against our veterans; the challenge is designed to ensure that able-bodied and disabled skiers compete on equal terms. You do not have to be of, or anywhere near, Olympic standard to take part! On the other hand, don’t think for a second that, just because a veteran uses adaptive ski techniques, they will be easy to beat. The long weekend involves outstanding hospitality. There will be exhilarating skiing events such as The Giant Slalom, and The Marathon Challenge (more below) but perhaps equally important, there will be the opportunity to listen and relate stories and experiences. Finally, the chance to end the week on a high with time to ski at your leisure. The programmes run by SWV are made possible through our amazing sponsors and individuals who take part in fundraisers. The Ski Challenge enables SWV to offer a unique programme of support. The success of the event speaks for itself; in 2020, 91% of veterans who engaged with the charity’s events are either in occupation, training or employment. Some decided they needed more clinical treatment before returning to work. The Ski Challenge makes this possible. The Ski Challenge is made up of two days of competitive skiing leading to the crowning of the Ski Challenge champions at a Gala dinner on Saturday night. An Inspiring Experience During the three days, inspiring, motivational and inspiring stories and experiences will be shared by veterans and members of SWV. It is also an excellent way to learn about new ways to support the charity or to become a mentor to a veteran. In addition to supporting SWV, the Ski challenge is an excellent workplace retreat and networking opportunity because of the wide range of challengers from all over the UK and world. ​ What is in it for you and your business or organisation? The Ski Challenge offers a fantastic opportunity for people to explore their own boundaries by interacting with people who have stretched theirs, sometimes overstretched them to their own detriment in the service of their country. The Ski Challenge is a fun event that allows the business community and individuals to contribute to the work that SWV does. Combined with the SWV Conference the event ticks many business objectives, such as team building, personal development, decision making and horizon-broadening. Everyone may not be declared a winner but certainly everyone benefits in one way or another. When you plan your next top team away day, consider how many goals you will meet and then think about joining us in Klosters.

John's Story Read their story I joined the Army at the tender age of 16 back in September of 2003, I went to the Army Foundation College with little or no understanding of what to expect. I finally joined my battalion - The King's Regiment at Catterick Garrison in 2004. My first tour of active duty was Operation Telic 9 - Iraq, in the city of Basrah. The tour was non stop, from the moment we landed to the moment we left it was contact after contact. I lost a lot of colleagues on that tour, two of which I was very close too, I don't think even to this day I've mourned them properly, I suppose it's my way of dealing with things (coping mechanism). After the tour I realised I wasn't the same person who left 7 months previously, I found myself becoming restless, struggling with flash backs, nightmares and night terrors. I started to drink more than I ever had and fighting whenever the opportunity arose. I kept myself busy I completed my JNCO Cadre, found myself being posted to the recruiting team, whilst there I passed Junior Brecon and was sent back to battalion before another tour of Herrick in 2013. Herrick was a lot easier of a tour. We had sticky situations of course but no where near as bad as Telic 9, again I found myself volunteering to do other stuff - ie train medics or work alongside Americans, booking courses so I could plan and keep busy. It wasn't really until 2016 when I had literally done every course available and been on countless exercises, Kenya, Belize and so on that my wife said enough is enough - you either get help or we split up. I understood I had changed, I had ruined so many relationships through drinking, fighting, isolating myself or letting people down too many times. I made the decision to speak with the Medical Officer and broke down. I felt a huge burden lift from my shoulders that day, I was sent home for a month, I returned to meet the MO and given a few options, soldier on, move corps or look at leaving the Army. I was medically discharged in 2017. It wasn't until I was on a course in Tedworth House (H4H) that I learnt about Supporting Wounded Veterans, I had been skiing a few times with my wife but never with a group of like-minded Veterans who all had different injuries. I was unemployed at the time, finding a job was difficult, so I applied, half expecting to be told better luck next time, expecting it to be like most charities, unless you know someone there you don't normally get a place. This time round I did and was asked to do a Skype call with the committee members. I got a place on the 2017 Ski Week in the most amazing surroundings you will ever see in Klosters, Switzerland. The Ski Week itself was one of the best weeks of my life. The fresh air, the amazing ski runs, being surrounded by Veterans with similar issues, the Buddies, the committee and board members, I loved every minute of it, and returned home motivated and up for looking for work. SWV suggested that I make use of my contacts, I did and ended up with a job at JLR moving on to the DHL supply chain, (I introduced SWV to my contact and that has helped a couple of other Vets get work). I applied to be on the Vet's Help Desk for the following year of 2018. Again I was very lucky and blessed to be selected, I love nothing more than helping people, even more so if they're Veterans, so it was a no brainer when given the opportunity to come back and experience it from a different angle. My partner in crime on the help desk that week has created a friendship which to this day is very strong. We communicate weekly whether it be about Liverpool or Chelsea, or even just to have a moan about stuff! The chance to be part of a week away on the slopes of Klosters is priceless and the relationships you create are second to none. Since then, in 2021 I left my role at JLR / DHL after 5 years of learning how to adapt to civi street and how such businesses work and operate on a daily basis. Covid wasn't kind to the motor manufacturing industry and I found myself feeling very confused and low as the environment become very toxic. I left to take over as a warehouse manager of Meyer Ltd. This was a step up as it's more of a Senior Manager's role, but I've found my military experience and time in JLR / DHL has allowed me to settle in to the new role without any hiccups. Previous Next

Latest News Ski-habilitation Week 2024 March 2024 saw another action packed Ski-habilitation Week with 22 Veterans joining 17 supportive Ski Buddies for a restorative start to the next stage of their rehabilitation to a brighter future. Buddies smash through their £100K fundraising target! Buddies smash through their £100K fundraising target! Carol Concert 2023 The SWV Carol Concert took place on 5th December 2023 - and is was a sell out! This year's concert will be taking place on 4th December 2024, tickets will be on sale soon. Transforming Negative Transitions Programme HighGround and Supporting Wounded Veterans have been awarded a grant by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to fund a 3 year Transforming Negative Transitions (TNT) programme. To find out more click the button below. Ocean Challenge 2024 Ocean Challenge 2024 - Applications for this year's Ocean Challenge are now open for both Veterans and Buddies Veterans' Foundation Supports SWV We are extremely grateful to the Veterans' Foundation who have awarded SWV a grant to support our Ocean Challenge SWV Rivers' Forum “Quite possibly the most frank and useful forum to address river pollution of the past 20 years.” This was the assessment of former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who chaired the first Rivers’ Forum Supporting Wounded Veterans. SWV Winter Conference Talks We were delighted to host some fascinating talks as part of SWV’s Winter Conference in Klosters this year. Click below to watch or listen to the recordings. Our Patron, General Sir Nick Carter, spoke with Times Journalist Manveen Rana on the strategic and security questions facing the world today AFCFT supports SWV and HighGround SWV is delighted to have been awarded a £288,000 grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. 2023 Ski Buddies go above and beyond! As the 2023 buddies prepare to undertake their duties supporting veterans on this year’s Ski Week we would like to take a moment to thank them for their amazing fundraising efforts so far. Veterans Foundation supports SWV research into PTSD We are delighted to announce that the Veteran’s Foundation have generously awarded SWV a much appreciated grant to support research into the societal effects of PTSD. Watch the Carol Concert Watch the video of the 2022 SWV Carol Concert 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2 Read The Latest Updates

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Natalie's Story Read their story I joined the Army aged 20, in April 2001. I served for 5 years, during which I was deployed to Iraq for 8 months working within the Weapons Intelligence Section, investigating IED’s. I left the Army in 2006 and joined the emergency services. Serving as an operational officer within a civilian environment, I immediately identified that my deployment to Iraq had effected my mental health. I sought out CBT to help develop coping mechanism for the triggers identified and at that point was happy that I had left the Army seemingly unscathed. In November 2017, while working on Bonfire Night, my vehicle was ambushed by fireworks, which triggered my PTSD. Although I had earlier identified coping mechanisms to deal with the actual fireworks on the night, I had not identified coping mechanisms to deal with the fact the Army could still effect my mental health so long after my service. In the months that followed, my mental health deteriorated so much that I was considering suicide. Despite being part of a large Government organisation, the support available was not suitable for Veterans and as I was not physically injured during my Army service, I did not think that I was eligible for the support of Veteran charities and did not want to waste valuable resources. In February 2018, my best friend who had previously attended the Ski Week with SWV identified that I was at my lowest point and convinced me to seek support from an EFT counsellor used by SWV, and to make contact with SWV to see if there was any long term support available. In March 2019, I attended the Ski Week in Switzerland, continued EFT counselling and was assigned a Mentor who I am still in contact with. As a result of the EFT, I established coping mechanisms to deal with the emotional impacts of my Army service and it has provided me with the tools to deal with difficult situations since. I was unsure what to expect from the mentoring scheme, but its impact has been invaluable for me. The routine and structure of having informal meetings with someone who I would not normal engage with has led to a significant increase in my confidence and self-esteem. I made the decision to engage with the charity as much as possible and as a result my mental health is probably the best it’s been in a very long time and I now feel that I have the emotional tools to maintain that moving forward. The changes made also gave me the self-belief to seek, and achieve promotion at work, switching roles to improve my work life balance. Previous Next

SWV Rivers' Forum Read the Latest news 26th May 2023 “Quite possibly the most frank and useful forum to address river pollution of the past 20 years.” This was the assessment of former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who chaired the first Rivers’ Forum Supporting Wounded Veterans. A remarkable group of more than 60 people came together in Berkshire over two days in May (23rd and 24th) to connect, collaborate and co-ordinate on better ways to solve the crises facing our rivers. In between short presentations from senior figures — including Environment Agency Chairman Alan Lovell — delegates discussed specific challenges in smaller groups, their answers recorded by moderators. Attendees included senior figures from water companies, NGOs, farming, academia and research, campaign groups, polluting industries, user groups, innovators and experts from abroad. This is not only an important event to work towards solutions for the UK's river pollution problem, but will also provide training and employment opportunities for Veterans within the conservation and river sector. Our Founder and CEO spoke to George Wedlake of the British Forces Broadcasting Service about the Forum and how Veterans will be working to support efforts on the nation's rivers. BFBS Interview Rivers Forum 26 MAY 23 .mp3 Download MP3 • 5.58MB Please click here for the press release. Previous Next