VETERANS PROJECT EXTENDED THANKS TO £98,000 GRANT

Thanks to a £98,000 grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust a much loved project for Armed Forces Veterans, aged over 50 or living with a disability in the city of Plymouth, is set to continue for a further three years. In just over a year the project which now supports over 100 people a month has gone from strength to strength with regular events including a weekly social morning, two monthly brunches and a walking football team.

When?

The2ndSaturdayandlastSunday ofeachmonth,10:00-12:00

Where?

AgeUKPlymouth,MountGould, PL49RD

How much?

£500foraneightitembreakfast

As part of Age UK Plymouth’s commitment to over 50s and those living with dementia in the city of Plymouth, clients and their carers were consulted prior to the grant application and their thoughts, views and opinions have been fundamental to shaping plans for the project As well as a wider range of groups and activities, there was significant interest in the additional provision of counselling and wellbeing support.

The funding has seen a qualified, independent Therapeutic Counsellor appointed to provide one-to- one counselling sessions designed to support veterans who might be looking to build and maintain good mental health. A flexible six to ten week programme has been made available free of charge to veterans over 50 years or with disabilities, providing an opportunity for change for those living with a range of challenges to their mental wellbeing, including; PTSD, low level depression and social isolation.

Counterpoint Therapy Plymouth’s Georgina Edwards says, “I’m looking forward to working with Age UK Plymouth to offer face to face counselling for individuals through a series of regular, free sessions in a comfortable and confidential environment. These sessions will id i f k

The Veterans Project at Age UK Plymouth comes under the remit of its Wellbeing Hub, and Sarah Allen the charity’s Information, Advice and Wellbeing Hub Manager is thrilled at the opportunity to continue working with veterans through the charity She states, “It’s a huge testament to the success and hard work of the team, who have built and developed our Veterans Project over the past 18 months, that we are now able to not only continue to support but also massively increase our offering and the range of opportunities for our clients”

Over the past 12 months the project was able to arrange and subsidise trips to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, Drakes Island, Plymouth’s Citadel and the naval base at Devonport, as well as hosting a Walking Football Festival and working with partners including the Eden Project and the Defence Gardens Scheme. The Veterans group has also welcomed volunteers from The Royal Navy and Sky, amongst others, who have kindly given their time to support the activities hosted at Age UK Plymouth’s Mount Gould Centre.