Moving Forward with Combat Stress

On 30th March 2023 I was honoured to be asked to attend the Combat Stress Open Day held at their HQ at Tywhitt House in Leatherhead. It was inspirational to hear first hand from veterans who had been supported by Combat Stress in their darkest hours and had now stepped out into the light. I was taken aback by all the work completed by the various clinicians, mental health nurses and occupational therapists delivering specialist courses and therapy based on veteran’s needs.

It was great to receive a walk around the grounds and numerous specialist rooms and hear from veterans now working for Combat Stress delivering peer support. I was also fortunate to speak to the CEO Jeff and a number of the Board of Trustees about the Enduro214 and receive their full support. It is great to be working for such an amazing charity and hopefully continue to give something back to those that need our support the most.

Two days later on the 1st April 2023, I was invited to attend the Duke of Lancaster Association annual gathering on behalf of Combat Stress up in Carlisle Castle. Once again, I was astonished to hear their history and close links to Op Market Garden and Arnhem and their ties to the Parachute Regiment who were also represented by the Parachute Regiment Bolton Branch.

It was like being back in the Sergeants Mess all over again, with strong banter and the occasional beer flowing, but as soldiers always manage, honour was maintained with a parade and the ‘Last Post’ sounded for all of us to pay our respect to our absent friends.

As the Combat Stress County Representative for Lancashire with over 300,000 veterans within my region, it is deeply humbling to meet so many veterans and listen to their stories. Hopefully I will be in a position to help out as many as possible as we continue to move forward.