We are pleased to award a £30,000 grant to Step Together Volunteering toward its Rehabilitation Through Volunteering programme. This supports personnel on Recovery Duty (serving personnel who are wounded, injured or sick, and receiving support through the military’s recovery programme), and veterans with complex needs, to use volunteering as a way to rebuild confidence, reconnect with their communities, and take steps towards civilian life.
Most people leaving the Army make a successful transition from military to civilian life. However, if their transition is due to an injury or illness, some face additional challenges such as poor mental health, isolation, or difficulties finding work. For these individuals, Step Together Volunteering’s two experienced Project Managers, both members of the Armed Forces community, offer tailored one-to-one coaching and offer volunteering placements that match each client’s interests and circumstances.
In the past year alone, Step Together Volunteering, who operate nationally, supported 71 Army veterans and serving soldiers on Recovery Duty, many of whom were living with multiple and complex needs. This has resulted in improved wellbeing, stronger social networks, and the skills and confidence to move on to education, training, or employment.
One of the veterans who benefitted from the programme is Lucy, formerly of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, (REME). After sustaining a life-altering injury whilst on exercise in Canada, Lucy was medically discharged from her career as an Aircraft Technician.
Lucy says:
“Volunteering has allowed me to ease into working again after my injury, it has taught me how to work within my abilities and how to adjust my working style to accommodate for what I’ve lost to my injury. It has also helped me to get out and learn to socialise with people more, which has been incredibly difficult for me since being medically discharged.”
Anna-Clare Temple, Chief Executive Officer at Step Together Volunteering, said:
‘‘We are incredibly grateful to the Army Benevolent Fund for their continued support of our work with members of the Armed Forces Community. Without this vital funding we would not be able to deliver our support for personnel on Recovery Duty facing possible medical discharge and veterans who have struggled with the transition to civilian life.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer at the Army Benevolent Fund, added:
“Step Together Volunteering makes a real difference to Army veterans and serving soldiers facing some of the toughest challenges of transition. We are proud to continue supporting their vital work, helping ensure no one is left without the opportunity to reconnect and rebuild after service.”
For more information or to make a referral, you can contact STV at their head office on the details below, or visit their website here.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0117 955 9042.