Veterans Foundation supports SWV research into PTSD Read the Latest news ​ 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. 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. PTSD affects not only the sufferer but their family, friends and colleagues. The effect for society is wide reaching and expensive both in terms of the human cost and the cost to society as whole. In a first for the UK, Supporting Wounded Veterans have commissioned a study to investigate this. We hope that initial results will become available later in the year. The Veterans Foundation has been set up to help fund charities and other charitable organisations that are helping serving and former members of the Armed Forces, and their dependants, who are in need.” As a fellow Veteran’s Charity, the Veteran’s Foundation also strive to improve the lives of injured Veterans across the UK and, as always, we are very grateful for their support. Previous Next

VETERAN PATHWAYS RESEARCH NEWS AND EVENTS SUPPORT US ABOUT SWV Team 1 Items Our Partners More CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION: OCEAN CHALLENGE We have a permanent office at the Garden House, Royal Hospital Chelsea. +44 (0) 7909 090291 The Garden House ​Royal Hospital Chelsea Royal Hospital Road, London. SW3 4SR info@supportingwoundedveterans.com Submit Thanks for submitting!

Nick's Story Read their story Nick Davis, Grenadier Guards, served for 11 years, attended the 2014 SWV Skihabilitation week and SWV Pain Management Programme 2. Nick was injured in 2007 on an operational tour in Afghanistan, when out on a foot patrol clearing an enemy compound. The enemy had booby-trapped the area with a daisy chained I.E.D. The device exploded killing the point man instantly and causing multiple injuries to the rest of the section, Nick was hit badly by the explosion with extensive tissue loss and damage resulting in a right leg above knee amputation, in addition he also had extremely damaged hamstrings on the right stump and lost the majority of his gluteas-maximus muscle (right hip and buttock virtually gone). After 18 months rehab at Headley Court, he then returned to full-time service in 2009 before being medically discharged on 13th December 2011. Nick secured employment as a Candidate Manager at “Soldier On!”, and in 2014 attended the SWV Skihabilitation week, after this, he went on to work as a driver with “Capstar Chauffeurs” but the ongoing effects of his injuries were catching up with him, and he started living with chronic pain. Employment became impossible and from walking with a prosthetic leg he was spending more and more time in a wheelchair, unable to manage the simplest of tasks. Things got bad. He spent a year laid up in bed in pain unable to do very much and relying on his wife for everything. He spent the better part of a year in a dark place believing that his pain levels couldn’t improve, he became very negative about doing anything as he believed any actions would make the pain get worse. Nick turned to the NHS for treatment, it soon became clear that this was going to a lengthy process. That’s when Supporting Wounded Veterans told him about the SWV Pain Management Pathway (PMP) which they had just started running at King Edward VII Hospital, initially he had huge reservations about attending the PMP but as was pointed out to him, what had he got to lose. He completed the 2nd SWV PMP which consists of 5 days residential and 5 follow up days spread over the following year, towards the end of 2017. Nick advised SWV that he was so pleased to have attended, there are a few factors that have helped him get back to “normal”, not least, the support of his family through some very challenging times, the continued support from Supporting Wounded Veterans and the key is the support and education provided by the PMP. During the first week of the PMP he decided things had to change when, during a lesson on pain killers, it became apparent to him, that the medication he had been taking for 8 years was not working, when the Psychologists advised that “they lose their effectiveness after 1 year to 18 months”. It was at that point he thought “Why the hell am I taking these when they are not working? “ He came off his medication and the realisation that the addiction associated with the opioids he was taking were causing the pain spikes at certain times of the day, on ceasing to take the medication the pain spikes ceased also! Although he still has constant pain, he is much more able to cope with it on a day to day basis, which has, in turn, led to him feeling much more positive about life and ready to go back into some form of meaningful occupation. As of May 2018, Nick successfully applied for a part-time role (he also learnt at the SWV PMP to realistically manage the hours he works) as a driver with a local firm that specialises in working with schools and young people with learning difficulties. He is also a part-time coach for his son's Football Team, has started to play golf again and most importantly is back to being a proactive busy family man enjoying time with his wife and children. “If you want to change, there are great people at SWV and the PMP to help you do it. But you have to want it for yourself. A massive thank you to all at Supporting Wounded Veterans and the PMP Team for all the help and support, it has helped me in ways I couldn’t have thought. Thank you” Previous Next

Del's Story Read their story A former Staff Sergeant with the Royal Signals, Del, 37, suffered a severe brain injury in Afghanistan in 2009 when the vehicle he was driving hit an IED during a battle with a Taliban stronghold. “I was in an open-top reconnaissance truck which had a reinforced base designed to withstand blasts. But when we hit the IED, I was blown upwards and my head hit an overhead metal bar,” he explains. The impact knocked him unconscious. He was rescued along with the Commander sitting beside him (who was thrown out of the truck and also suffered multiple injuries). Del woke up in hospital at Camp Bastion and soon afterwards was flown back to the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre in Birmingham, where he learnt he had lost all hearing in his right ear and suffered major bruising to his brain. His memory recall, coordination and ability to process information were badly affected. “It was as if I was living in a permanent fog,” he says. “I became painfully slow at the simplest of tasks and unable to do more than one thing at a time.” At Headley Court, the specialist rehabilitation centre for wounded soldiers, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. “It was a vicious circle – I became tired and sleepy a lot of the time, and that made me frustrated and angry.” Del, who lives in Carlisle with his partner Lisa, a Teaching Assistant, and Step-Daughter Hannah, 18, was medically discharged in November 2012. He had served 19 years, having enlisted as a 16-year-old school leaver. “I’d always thought I would see out my career in the Army, but after my injury, I lost all my confidence and I couldn’t see what I was going to do with my life,” he says. Four months later, he was offered a place on the first Supporting Wounded Veterans ski trip. “One of the first things you realise when you are put together with a bunch of wounded Veterans is that there is always someone worse off that you. We bounced off of each other, shared problems and I made instant friendships.” Del had skied before, but still had to overcome anxiety attacks. By the end of the week, however, he says: “It was as if a line had been drawn in the sand. I stopped thinking about the negatives and realised I could look forward to the future.” On his return home, Del was paired with a Mentor to help him focus on re-employment. Shortly afterwards, he spotted a vacancy for an Assistant in a local fishing and shooting shop. He applied, and, as a keen fisherman, got the job. He has since returned to Klosters with Supporting Wounded Veterans as a helper. “I feel like my life has moved on a million miles and it has been great to pass on my experience to the other Veterans.” Previous Next

B Brown Advisory B Brown Advisory 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.

2024 Winter Conference Talk General Sir Nick Carter in conversation with Frank Gardner

SWV Rivers' Forum Empowering Change A call to arms - The Rivers’ Forum is about finding solutions: solutions to the UK's river pollution crisis, while opening up opportunities to training and employment for Veterans within the conservation and rivers sector. Too many who have influence on what happens with our rivers work in silos and do not have a forum to work together with decision makers and tech companies. SWV consulted government bodies, river and environmental groups, charities, developers, landowners, water companies, tech companies and philanthropists about the need for a Rivers’ Forum and received an overwhelming “Yes! This would really help.” The Forum is an opportunity to create relationships to drive real change and collaborative impact. This is NOT just a physical clean up of the waterways. The Forum provides a neutral platform to discuss the challenges in river conservation and water quality creating outcome orientated and collaborative approaches to the problems, as well as creating opportunities for Veterans within this sector. The Rivers’ Forum 2024 took place from of 30th April - 2nd May at Lillibrooke Manor, Maidenhead SL6 3LP. Please email - simon@swv.org.uk if you have any question about this event. ​ The Rivers' Forum Deliverables Creating opportunities for Veterans to support, lead, plan and execute project plans as well as creating qualifications for working on the rivers. To gather change-makers, not for profits, government bodies, philanthropists, tech companies and universities together on a neutral ground. Establish collaboration to drive change. Venue, Travel & Accommodation Read More Challenges faced on UK rivers Read More Why SWV? Read More

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

Rivers' Forum 2024 The Forum is an opportunity to create relationships to drive real change and collaborative impact Rivers' Forum 2024 Event Date 30th Apr - 2nd May 2024 The Forum is an opportunity to create relationships to drive real change and collaborative impact. This is NOT just a physical clean up of the waterways. The Forum provides a neutral platform to discuss the challenges in river conservation and water quality creating outcome orientated and collaborative approaches to the problems - as well as creating incredible opportunities for many Veterans within this sector. The Rivers’ Forum 2024 will take place from the evening of 30th April - 2nd May at the wonderful Lillibrooke Manor, Maidenhead, SL6 3LP. Please email - simon@swv.org.uk if you have any question about this event Previous Next

Coller Foundation grants £100,000 Read the Latest news 19 January 2022 Coller Foundation grants £100,000 to Pioneer Programme - funds will support research into new PTSD treatments for veterans Supporting Wounded Veterans has been awarded a new grant of £100,000 from The Coller Foundation to support its appeal to bring clinical trials for MDMA-assisted therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to the UK. The Pioneer Programme is an innovative collaboration between SWV, research sponsors, MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies), and the research delivery team at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. The project consists of two clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The UK study will build on many years of investment and research in the US, where MDMA-assisted therapy has been designated as a ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ by the US Government’s Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The MAPS Phase 3 trials, published in May 2021 , have also demonstrated very encouraging clinical outcomes for those with PTSD. Royal Air Force veteran, Stuart, served for 30 years and was medically discharged in 2015 with PTSD. He hopes the research will give him and his family the chance for a normal life. He explains what this treatment opportunity could mean for veterans with PTSD: “To be spontaneous and able to live our lives in a natural manner, rather than this stilted, frightened manner. I have to plan everything around how I might react to any situation, like a crowded place, or sudden noises. I avoid social gatherings, which makes for a very considered and planned life. It can be quite insular as I end up avoiding everything.” Gilly Norton, Chief Executive of Supporting Wounded Veterans said: “We are incredibly grateful to The Coller Foundation for joining us as a Pioneer and supporting this innovative research. We are now much closer to being able to offer veterans with PTSD an alternative treatment option for managing their symptoms. This is only possible thanks to funders, like the Coller Foundation, who see the potential of psychedelic medicine and the benefits it can bring when used in combination with therapy in a professional clinical setting. This important research into MDMA-assisted therapy is now another step closer to being delivered in the UK.” Jeremy Coller said: “We are pleased to support the innovative work of Supporting Wounded Veterans in the UK. We are hopeful that these clinical trials will provide veterans with an alternative method for managing PTSD, as well as advance the UK’s understanding of the potential therapeutic uses of psychedelic medicine.” To hear further insights into the future for MDMA-assisted therapy, SWV Patron, General Sir Nick Carter , former Chief of the Defence Staff, guest edited a Christmas edition of the Radio 4 Today programme where he spoke to MAPS and highlighted the recent research results in the US. You can listen to the highlights of this programme on the BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0bdn9gc (listen from 39 minutes). Launched in December 2020, the Pioneer Programme appeal aimed to raise £1.5m. With thanks to The Coller Foundation, SWV has now raised £1.2m making the trials a reality in 2022. Previous Next

Trish's Story Read their story I joined the Army as a specialist driver in the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) in 2006 as a specialist driver. Within a few years, I had completed an operational tour of Iraq. After a few more years driving, I changed my trade to Logistic Specialist. During my time in the Army I was lucky enough to be involved with a lot of sport and as a result, I got to travel whilst competing. Sadly, during the last few years in the Army, I suffered lung problems which led to a medical discharge. I found the transition to civilian life very hard, particularly as I had a restrictive medical condition. I had started to find daily life a real challenge to the point where I was struggling to leave the house. I withdrew into myself and would hardly talk to anyone. I just felt life wasn't worth living. There was no enjoyment anymore in anything & I found myself questioning everything that I did. I contacted Supporting Wounded Veterans (SWV) because I had heard about the ski week and skiing is one of my great passions. That said, I hadn't been able to ski since my health had deteriorated. I had heard about the charity previously but only about the pain management course. I was at a point in my life where I needed help. I decided to reach out before life became unbearable and I before I contemplated the unthinkable. I chose to be positive and I applied to attend the ski week. The ski week is hosted in the Swiss resort of Klösters. There is a large team of medical staff there to support the whole group. Doctors, Psychiatrists, Physiotherapists, etc. Each Veteran is placed with a Buddy and a Ski Instructor. I was lucky as my ski group only consisted of two Veterans. I benefited from this as I was uncomfortable with large groups and I just wanted to blend in with the larger group. There were times during the trip where I became uncomfortable. Having like minded people there to support, help and guide me helped me to build my self-confidence, knowing I could push myself and if things went wrong then I had help. Being on the ski week let me see I could still do a sport I truly loved (with some limits due to my lung problems). It helped to reaffirm that I can still be me and not just a person with lung problems and ongoing mental health issues. Since coming home from the ski week I have gained the confidence to throw myself into things I wouldn’t have thought possible before contacting SWV. After the ski week I was assigned a Mentor which I benefited from massively. It was good just to have that extra listening ear or that extra push when I wasn’t sure I could do something. My Mentor was also there during lockdown which was a massive help because I felt I was starting to slip back into what I was like before the ski week. I was also lucky enough to be funded for ten sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). This enabled me to have a tool to help me calm down in stressful situations. Since being on the ski week, from being really reserved and just wanting to stay home all the time and avoid people, I now throw myself into activities that I enjoy. I joined my local theatre group and I even managed to perform in the Christmas Panto. That wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t been on the ski week with SWV. I’ve also changed my choice in career to animal care, something I am very passionate about. Within the last year I’ve applied to go back to college. I have just completed a course which will now enable me to go onto the HND level this year. Also during the last year I have started to volunteer working on two different farms, one with sheep and the other with Alpacas. I also volunteer at Edinburgh Zoo as a Visitor Engagement Volunteer. I have done this as a result of the confidence I gained after attending the SWV ski week. I have found a sport I can be involved in that has given me my competitive edge back. The team is named “The Wounded Highlanders.” It is a team of wounded Veterans who compete in Highland Games. I have trained with them a lot and I attend my first big official event in a couple of weeks. Previous Next

Our People The SWV Team Patron ​ General Sir Nick Carter GCB CBE DSO ​ Trustees Our Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall control and strategic direction of the charity to ensure we continue to reach our aims and objectives. The Trustees meet regularly during the year to consider, determine and review our strategies and policies, and to receive reports from senior management. All of our Trustees work in an unpaid, voluntary capacity. ​ James Charrington Philip Howell The Right Hon Lord Hamilton of Epsom Paul Kettlety Simon Walker ​ Founder and CEO ​ Gilly Norton ​ Chief Financial Officer ​ Ed Hynes Ambassadors ​ Martin Hewitt (Captain) Manveen Rana ​ Executive Committee ​ The Executive Committee meets monthly and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity. The Group produces financial and operational reports for the Board of Trustees together with recommendations for the continued operation of the charity. The Executive Committee do not hold any voting powers. ​ Martin Beaney, Veteran Coordinator Bart Borchardt, Head of Buddies Arron Dindyal, Veteran Support Caroline Gillespie, EFT Faith Griffiths, Head of Fundraising Rikki Jacout, Head of Mentoring, Mental Health Support & Family Support George Littler, Lawyer Zizi Mason, Project Manager - Occupation, Training & Employment Simon Moseley, Project Manager - Medical Trials and Rivers' Forum Johnny Scott Barber, Corporate Relations ​ Full Committee ​ Curtis Adams Nikki Atkinson Ashley Berry Oliver Bleeker Kate Bright Ron de Jong Rachael Dickens Frances (Tuft) Dobson Michael FitzRoy Peter Flynn Anna Gage Nigel Hadden-Patton Polly Hipkins Liam Modlin Sally Ramsay Patrick Emma Resouly Bella Seel Carol Winkler Nicholas Wiszowaty ​ Plus the Executive Committee ​ Veteran Ambassador Board ​​ Bilal Alzalam Stuart Balfour Martin Beaney John Boe Spencer Bull Carl Canavan Gavin Clark Mark Dean Arron Dindyal Richard Gamble Jonathon Giemzapip e Martin Hewitt Ricky Huntley Ryan Knight Trish Lawson Harry Long Lee Manley David Martin Stephan van Niekerk Willie Plowman Steven Reynolds John Tyrer Martin Wade Jez Wa ite Tracey Wood ​ Veteran Ambassador Board Associate Members ​ David O'Mahoney David Scott Del Spry Ed Addington ​