Big Yellow Storage Big Yellow Storage ​ ​

Buddies raise over £75k for veteran Ski Week programme 2021/22 Read the Latest news 30 April 2021 Ski Buddies are volunteers who provide support to veterans during SWV's annual ski week A huge thank you to our 2021/22 Buddies who have got off to an incredible start in their fundraising to support the charity and attend the annual Ski Week. They have raised an astonishing £75,000+ from over 400 supporters . They’ve run and cycled thousands of miles, arranged quizzes and talks, baked cakes, taught Yoga and Pilates and held staycation holiday auctions. One is even on his way to gaining a Grade 1 ballet qualification! In addition, our Buddy alumni have been invaluable in offering help and support to our veterans throughout the lockdowns. We set up our Buddy programme to bring together veterans and those outside of the military community to demonstrate that having a mental or physical injury is no barrier to overcoming challenges. What we've found in the nine years of running the Ski Week is that this works both ways - with Buddies and veterans each inspiring and empowering the other to step outside their comfort zones and lead positive lives. Previous Next

VETERAN PATHWAYS RESEARCH NEWS AND EVENTS SUPPORT US ABOUT SWV Team 1 Items Our Partners More CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION: MENTORING PROGRAMMES +44 (0) 7909 090291 38 Connaught Square, London, W2 2HL United Kingdom Rikki Jacout rikki@supportingwoundedveterans.com Submit Thanks for submitting! Office address - 5th Floor, Kingsland House, 122-124 Regent Street, London W1B5SA

The Big Give The Big Give Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.

Garfield Weston Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.itur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.itur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.

VETERAN PATHWAYS RESEARCH NEWS AND EVENTS SUPPORT US ABOUT SWV Team 1 Items Our Partners More Contact the Pain Management team Our office is at the Garden House, Royal Hospital Chelsea. SWV staff are currently working from home due to the pandemic. 07990 552718 The Garden House ​Royal Hospital Chelsea Royal Hospital Road London SW3 4SR Martin Beaney martinb@supportingwoundedveterans.com Submit

SWV Veteran Ambassador Board Read the Latest news 1 November 2021 The SWV Veteran Ambassador Board welcomes new members SWV is delighted to announce three new veterans who have joined its Veteran Ambassador Board. The Board is a voluntary group of veterans who have participated in SWV programmes and now advise the charity on trends, challenges, and perspectives from the wounded veteran community. All Board members have experienced leaving military service and due to injury or illness understand the barriers that exist to be able to successfully transition to civilian life, while managing good physical and psychological health. Created in 2016, the Board meets twice per year and has 22 members, with a further five in associate ambassador roles. The Board’s experience is drawn from across the armed forces community, including Royal Navy and Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force. Members also provide peer support and advice to new veterans joining SWV programmes to help them maximise the opportunities across Sports Habilitation, pain management and improved mental health. Veterans, Tracy Wood, Trish Lawson and Stephan Van Niekerk were invited to join at the Board’s October 2021 meeting. SWV Ambassador, Martin Hewitt who chairs the VAB said: “I’m delighted to welcome Tracy, Trish and Stephan to the Veteran Ambassador Board. The VAB is a valuable, collegiate advisor to the team to ensure SWV’s support meets the needs of veterans and stays close to the challenges they face in civilian life. The SWV VAB works with the charities committee and trustees to help shape the design of new support programmes and frequently reviews the performance standards of existing services.” Gilly Norton, CEO and Founder of Supporting Wounded Veterans said: “We always wanted to make sure that veterans’ experiences steer and shape the programmes to best meet their needs. We are grateful for the Veteran Ambassador Board for their time, expertise and commitment to helping others.” Veteran Ambassador Board Bilal Alzalam Stuart Balfour Martin Beaney John Boe Spencer Bull Carl Canavan Mark Dean Arron Dindyal Richard Gamble Ben Graveston Martin Hewitt Ricky Huntley Ryan Knight Trish Lawson Harry Long Lee Manley Steven Reynolds John Tyrer Stephan Van Niekerk Martin Wade Jez Waite Tracy Wood Associate Ambassadors Ed Addington David OMahoney Sean Rose Dave (Scotty) Scott Del Spry Previous Next

MDMA Assisted Therapy Veteran Enquiry Information For The Open Label Phase II Feasibility Study Of Manualised MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy In Veterans With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ​ ​ ​ Supporting Wounded Veterans (SWV) has been working in conjunction with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and NHS England to bring the first MDMA-assisted therapy in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) clinical trial to the UK. ​ For information on SWV's Pioneer fund and for interviews with clinicians please click here The clinical trial will be conducted and delivered by expert clinicians and researchers at the IoPPN, King’s College London. ​ This new clinical trial builds on many years of research in the US, led by MAPS. This webpage outlines how to enquire about being a participant in the trial, including information regarding the enrolment process provided by MAPS & King’s College London below. Please read all of this information before submitting your contact details. ​ The roles and responsibilities of SWV in the MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD trials is to a) provide fundraising and advocacy and b) confirm veterans' proof of service for King's College London. This is explained in more detail below. ​ Entry Process for Veterans Read through this introductory information Complete the contact details form and submit your proof of service documents SWV will check and verify your veteran status If verified as a veteran, SWV will send your name and email address to the clinical trials team at King's College London The King's College London team will contact you to inform you of the enrolment and screening process Fundraising and Advocacy SWV is a charity which supports UK veterans who have been medically discharged or have been wounded, are ill or injured, physically and/or psychologically. It has been leading a £1.5m fundraising appeal to fund European clinical trials that will enrol UK veterans to research a new treatment for at least moderate PTSD. Through its programmes for veterans with physical and psychological injuries, it understands that PTSD is a huge barrier for veterans wishing to transition successfully to civilian life. SWV is supporting this new clinical trial to explore whether this treatment option is more effective than existing treatment options. Veteran's Proof Of Service SWV is supporting King’s College London by sharing the details of this project within the veteran community to ensure all those who apply are former servicemen and women. Please only enquire and share your contact details with us if you can provide your proof of service as a former member of the British armed forces and are a veteran. Veterans are defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in Her Majesty's Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations. Please note , SWV is not part of the enrolment or screening process and will not have any involvement in the trial participant selection, or in any part of the trials. This will be managed directly and solely by the clinical team at King’s College London and the Sponsor of the trials, MAPS. You can express an interest in this research trial by submitting your details and providing the consents set out in the form below. Once SWV has successfully verified your veteran status, then when the trials open for participant enrolment, SWV will send your name and email address directly to the clinical team at King’s College London. Helping you to manage expectations of the clinical trial process - Data generated by a series of international clinical trials suggests that MDMA-assisted therapy may have significant therapeutic utility in the treatment of PTSD that is unresponsive to conventional treatments. However, it is important to note that this is an experimental treatment that is still very much under clinical investigation and that the effectiveness of the treatment has yet to be established. Furthermore, as it is a trial that must comply with strict regulatory safety guidelines dictated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), a narrow inclusion criterion will be applied. As such, it is likely that a significant proportion of applicants may be excluded from participating in the study. This will be determined by the clinical team at King’s College London via a series of assessments. This is a complex and demanding clinical trial which requires participants to travel to KCL in south London on several occasions over the course of the trial, it is important to consider the feasibility of this travel for you before applying below. In addition, it is important to note that outcomes may vary for those enrolled in the study and there is no guarantee that you will benefit from taking part in this research study. We encourage applicants to not consider the study to be the ultimate solution for their PTSD; it may help facilitate a meaningful psychological process, and participants in the study may require further treatment after completing the study. ​ SWV V eterans' Pathways SWV supports former servicemen and women who have physical or psychological injuries with opportunities and activities to regain their independence. It does not provide clinical treatment options for the treatment of PTSD as there are many organisations within the healthcare and voluntary sector who are equipped to do this. To support the clinical trials, SWV is working with Op Courage, the Veterans Trauma Network and other military charities to signpost to further support for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the trials; those who have not benefitted from participating in the trial; and/or those who benefitted from their participation but are in need of additional mental health support. ​ ​ SWV's Vision For The Future SWV is committed to securing the funds and a wide range of support from across the military and healthcare sectors for the research to take place and for the development of novel, safe and effective treatments for veterans suffering from complex physical and/or mental ill health. SWV is hopeful that the treatment will prove to be safe and effective, and if so, that it will eventually be approved and licensed as a treatment for at least moderate PTSD. If you would like to be kept informed about the enrolment process to join this clinical trial when it is open to applicants, please complete the enquiry form below. ​ If you have any questions about how to express your interest in this clinical trial please contact: Martin Beaney, SWV Veteran Coordinator - martinb@supportingwoundedveterans.com

Gerry Lewis Foundation Gerry Lewis Foundation Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.itur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc. Bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur. Augue ut lectus arcu bibendum at. Velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor.

SWV Rivers' Forum Challenges Faced On UK Rivers ​ ​ Pollution of the UK’s rivers differs between the devolved nations, between industrial, rural and farming areas, from catchment to catchment. Even where people are prepared or not prepared to take ownership for their river management. Types of pollution may have changed over the last 30 years but there is no doubt that the UK’s rivers are still very polluted. Unless there is collaborative leadership, investment and innovative focus on their management now, there will be no improvement for future generations. Challenges include; Insufficient progress in the amount of collaboration, communication and transparency between government, the water companies, environmental and recreation groups. Prioritisation of infrastructure investment and resources deployed to execute. An inconsistent regulatory framework and a lack of resources to enforce it. An inconsistent approach to monitoring and water quality testing. There is a need for a single structure for pollution management and data capture UK-wide. Insufficient recognition and enforcement of agriculture’s impact on pollution, e.g. of rising nitrate levels etc. A need for more technology input and opportunities to be used to solve problems on the rivers. Lack of a UK-wide approach to testing & monitoring personnel, training and fundraising.​​ ​ Venue, Travel & Accommodation Read More Challenges Faced On UK Rivers Read More Why SWV? Read More

Anna's Story Read their story Anna’s 12 years’ Army service included two tours of Iraq, but she sustained her life-changing injury away from a war zone as a Combined Services candidate for the British Bobsleigh Team at the Winter Olympics. Anna, a former Captain in the Adjutant General Corps, seriously damaged her leg as she sped downhill at 70 mph while training in Latvia in 2005 after her foot hit a small block of ice. “Basically my left leg went left, and the rest of me went straight on,” she says. She underwent multiple operations and lengthy rehabilitation treatment at Headley Court, all of which failed to prevent her becoming confined to a wheelchair. By 2009, she found herself poleaxed by a deep depression. “I was on a cocktail of medication for the pain, struggling to function and feeling as though life was slipping away from me.” Finally, in 2011, Anna had an elective through-the-knee amputation. “My depression lifted instantly and I realised that what disables me – having only one leg – is also the very thing that enables me.” Within months, she was not just walking, but skiing on her new prosthetic leg. Anna, 39, was medically discharged from the Army in 2012. The same year, she met her husband Ollie, a car mechanic, and they now live on Exmoor. She took part in the 2014 Ski Week, knowing that on her return, she would have to undergo further surgery because of nerve damage to her leg. “The trip was awesome,” she says. “How can you not smile when you are in the mountains with sunshine and beautiful panoramas?” But even more valuable to Anna than enjoying the week’s skiing was the support she received following her return from Klosters. SWV arranged for her to be mentored through recovery by Jane Durgan, a former solicitor who is also a lifelong amputee, not through injury, but because of a congenital condition. “She completely understands my frustrations, because she has lived with them herself. And she constantly reminds me that it’s possible to be an amputee and live a full life,” says Anna. “I don’t need professional support at the moment, but having Jane’s shoulder to lean on has been invaluable.” Previous Next

Transforming Negative Transitions Programme Read the Latest news ​ 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. On 7th September 2023, Zizi Mason and Martin Beaney from Supporting Wounded Veterans (SWV) visited HighGround at Bicton College in Devon to meet HighGround’s Founder Anna Baker Cresswell and Chris Shepherd who manages HighGround’s Rural Weeks programme at Bicton College. 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 and in 2024, HighGround will deliver 2 Rural Insight Career Weeks which will be a blend of HighGround’s Rural Weeks and the Rural Experience Weeks which the Charity has developed over the last 3 years thanks to funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. Following the Rural Insight Career Week, SWV will deliver their Mentoring and Occupation, Training & Employment (OTE) Programmes. Martin Beaney SWV’s Veteran Co-Ordinator said “Over the last 11 years SWV has successfully developed Mentoring and OTE interventions for veterans, and by partnering with HighGround, we are looking forward to developing new pathways for the cohort we have identified under the TNT programme.” Anna Baker Cresswell, Founder of HighGround added, “Without funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the concept of Rural Experience Weeks, a slower paced Rural Week with an emphasis on improving veterans’ wellbeing using the outdoors would not have been possible. To be working with Bicton and SWV to further develop this concept to help those most at risk of a negative transition following brief careers in the military, is a great privilege.” If you require more information about the programme please do contact martinb@supportingwoundedveterans.com Previous Next