In 2012, I embarked on my Churchill Fellowship, an experience that profoundly shaped the trajectory of the charity I founded, Veterans at Ease. The report I submitted after my Fellowship outlined the lessons learned, challenges faced, and aspirations for the future. Looking back, it’s remarkable to see the growth and impact the charity has had since then.
What started as a seed of an idea, driven by the desire to support those who served our country, has blossomed into a thriving organisation supporting thousands of individuals struggling with their mental wellbeing, particularly within the armed forces and emergency services communities.
My vision for Veterans at Ease came from my deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by veterans and emergency responders. Transitioning back to civilian life is often difficult, compounded by trauma, stress, and loss – experiences that many civilians can scarcely imagine. My Churchill Fellowship allowed me to gain valuable insights, form crucial connections, and broaden my understanding of the mental health landscape. This enabled me to refine the charity’s mission and develop a sustainable model of support.
When I started in 2012, it was just me, driven by passion and a strong sense of purpose. Today, I’m proud to say we have over 40 dedicated staff members, a clear testament to the growing demand for our services and the trust the community has placed in us.
Building a charity from the ground up hasn’t been easy. It has required resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from setbacks. But the milestones we’ve reached along the way are proof of our impact and the lives we’ve touched. One of the proudest moments for us came in 2016 when we received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. As the first military charity in the UK to be given this prestigious award, it was recognition of the invaluable contribution Veterans at Ease has made to the community.
Another defining moment was in 2017 with the launch of our social enterprise and the opening of our first shop. This was a significant step towards financial sustainability, helping us generate income to fund our activities and reduce reliance on grants. The social enterprise also created opportunities for beneficiaries to gain work experience, rebuild confidence, and reintegrate into civilian life. During the pandemic, our social enterprise proved to be incredibly resilient, adapting to meet the increasing demand for our services. We pivoted to remote delivery where necessary and found innovative ways to stay connected with our beneficiaries. We now have nine shops across the UK, including five in the Northeast and three in Norfolk, as well as an online eBay shop.
Beyond our team’s growth and the expansion of our services, our greatest success is measured in the number of lives we’ve transformed. Since 2012, we’ve supported over 500 individuals, offering free, open-ended, bespoke 1:1 psychotherapy. This approach allows our beneficiaries to truly process their trauma at their own pace, and we are significantly increasing the number of therapists across the UK to meet growing demand.
"When I started in 2012, it was just me, driven by passion and a strong sense of purpose. Today, we have over 40 dedicated staff members."
We’re also excited about our latest initiative: training 11 new psychotherapists, all from the armed forces and emergency services communities. This project is close to our hearts because it addresses the growing need for mental health support from professionals who truly understand the unique challenges faced by our beneficiaries. This peer-to-peer model has proven to be incredibly effective in building trust and creating a safe, supportive environment for individuals to open up.
We are also collaborating with a number of veterans’ organisations, including Launchpad, a military housing charity, and Avondale House, one of its armed forces community hostels in Newcastle. These partnerships allow us to provide more comprehensive, holistic support, ensuring that our beneficiaries receive the help they need to rebuild their lives in every aspect – whether it's housing, employment, or social support.
Looking forward, we’re excited to expand further, with plans to extend our services to veterans and emergency responders in East Yorkshire and Scotland. This is just the beginning – our mission is to continue growing, adapting, and innovating to meet the evolving needs of those who have served this country.
The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
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