Supporting Wounded Veterans

Chronic pain impacts a person's life in many ways - often affecting every part of their life. Sadly there is rarely just one simple method to sort chronic pain - and so it needs to be looked at by a team who understand, to help the person battling with pain find strategies and techniques to improve their pain and quality of life as a whole. This is why SWV started the Pain Management Pathway - the first of its kind specifically for Veterans, with the understanding that Veterans have very unique injuries and illnesses. To learn more about this incredible pathway, please simply click on the link below - https://lnkd.in/gyQRxzVS

There are many benefits to having a Mentor, one of which is the confidence boost that they can bring. Having someone 'fighting your corner' and wanting you to succeed as much as you do can give you the boost that many need to make a career change, reach for that promotion or to take the plunge and get extra qualifications. Many Veterans can benefit from that confidence boost when having to find a new career path when their time in service has been cut short. Injury and illness bring their own challenges, but having someone who can support and guide a Veteran into a new career pathway, while finding what suits there physical and mental health needs is very important. SWV Mentors receive training from the charity - training specific to Veteran's unique and varied needs. This combined with the Mentor's own experience and background can be the positive support that a Veteran needs to move into a new and fulfilling career in civvy street. https://lnkd.in/e5Q4PUrT To donate- Text VETERANS to 70470 to donate £10 Or VETERANS20 to donate £20

After the Ski-habilitation Week each Veteran is offered the chance to have their own Mentor. Their Mentor is on hand to help them transition into a new career in civvy street. This is a transition that many find tricky to navigate, so having support in the form of a Mentor can be invaluable - especially when coming to terms with how injury and illness has caused this sudden career change to be thrown at them. When transitioning from one career to another it can be hard to identify our own strengths and weaknesses, and understand how our skills can be transferrable from one industry to another. A Mentor makes this easier, with support, guidance and advice. The SWV Mentors have varied backgrounds and a wealth of knowledge and expertise. The SWV team aim to fit the appropriate Mentors with a Veteran who will benefit from their area of expertise. https://lnkd.in/erp3yDAx To donate- Text VETERANS to 70470 to donate £10 Or VETERANS20 to donate £20

Come and join us for a fun-filled evening at this Autumn's fundraising event - Rollicking Reels! Taking place on 26th October at St Columba's Church Hall, Pont Street, London - the event is set to be a great evening of reeling with an amazing band and caller. This is set to be an evening packed with fun, music and plenty of dancing! Simply follow the link below to secure your tickets - https://lnkd.in/eHHd_p3S

Sport in its many forms has such incredible benefits. As well as the undeniable physical benefits of boosting our strength and fitness, sport brings us a great deal more. Sport can help a person find confidence and bring a sense of accomplishment with sporting achievements. It can help a person discover what their body is truly capable of - this is even more important when faced with injury, illness and ongoing battles. Sport also helps to bring people together, to unite people in a common interest and build camaraderie and support. Sport doesn't need to stop when your military career does, to find out more, please click on the link below - https://lnkd.in/ex7_hwhU To donate- Text VETERANS to 70470 to donate £10 Or VETERANS20 to donate £20

Sports are not just activities for better health, but they can be the catalysts for friendships too. Engaging in sports helps to reduce isolation and associated loneliness. It doesn't even have to be a team sport, but engaging in the same activity as like minded people can help too. This is one of the many incredible benefits of the SWV Ski-habilitation Week - connecting with others, in a supportive environment. Simply click on the link below to learn more - https://lnkd.in/ex7_hwhU To donate- Text VETERANS to 70470 to donate £10 Or VETERANS20 to donate £20

What a huge challenge! Today saw Andrew Geoghegan has undertaken the incredible challenge of swimming the Henley Thames Marathon - an incredible 8.8 miles from Henley to Marlow. But that's not all! on 31st August Andrew will also be swimming in the epic Windermere End To End Swim - not for the faint hearted! And why is he doing this? Andrew has set himself this incredible personal challenge to raise money for SWV to help fellow Veterans. Andrew came on this year's Ski-habilitation Week and in his own words, "The week has helped change my life." It was such a positive week for Andrew that he felt driven to set himself a challenge with the aim of helping SWV to further help other Veterans. To find out more about Andrew's incredible challenges, and to donate too if you are able, please simply click on the link below... https://lnkd.in/eVU4YFWf

When serving in the Armed Forces sport, fitness and high levels of activity are the norm. But when injury and illness suddenly halt your military career it can be difficult to find a new avenue of sport - especially one that caters for different injuries, illnesses and physical needs. So when we suggest skiing, many people think we are crazy! It seems such an intense sport, and so out of reach, especially when even walking up stairs causes such pain and difficulties. But this is where adaptive skiing comes into its own. You don't need to be a wheelchair user to take advantage of this great kit. It can help those with mobility issues, or those who are limited by pain, to take to the slopes and experience the exhilaration and freedom of the slopes. So don't be put off by the idea of skiing, it might be just what you need to help you through your medical discharge and out into civvy street. To find out more, please simply click on the link below - https://lnkd.in/ex7_hwhU To donate- Text VETERANS to 70470 to donate £10 Or VETERANS20 to donate £20

There are so many positives about military life - one big positive is the sense of community and social life. But when moving away from the tight knit unit of military life many find they become isolated. Isolation and loneliness is something that many Veterans struggle with, especially when battling with pain, injury, illness and mental health challenges. Many Veterans who engage in the SWV support pathways report how much better they feel simply by being around Veterans. It brings back a sense of community, camaraderie and a sense of belonging. Applications are currently open for the SWV Ski-habilitation Week, a great opportunity to access further support. For further details please follow the link below... https://lnkd.in/ex7_hwhU To donate- Text VETERANS to 70470 to donate £10 Or VETERANS20 to donate £20

When leaving the Armed Forces there are a lot of big decisions to be made - where to live, finding a new job, finding a new purpose and integrating into a new community. This can feel tough, but can be even trickier when learning to live with injury, illness and mental health battles. We can have an idea of what it is like once leaving the Armed Forces, but often the reality of it all can be very different. Plans may go well and turn out better than hoped. But sometimes things don't go to plan, things may seem harder and it is then a good idea to reach out and get support and advice. The SWV pathways offer a range of support options, and a great starting point for Veterans who have been medically discharged, struggling with transition from the service and looking for employment is the Ski-habilitation Week. This is a transformational week for Veterans, helping them to link in with others in a similar situation, to gain support and guidance from a great support network. For further details, please follow the link below... https://lnkd.in/ex7_hwhU To donate- Text VETERANS to 70470 to donate £10 Or VETERANS20 to donate £20