For a number of years, the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) has been proud to provide funding and work with Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) who provide personalised assistance to ex-service personnel facing challenges after leaving the Armed Forces. The RNRMC funding helps enable WWTW deliver essential services in employment, mental health care, and coordinated support for complex needs.
Services such as these not only empower veterans but also extend crucial help to their families, aiding them in rebuilding their lives, finding renewed purpose, and making meaningful contributions to their communities.
After being medically discharged from the Armed Forces and returning home, Ash* began to experience a decline in their mental health. (*name changed to protect the beneficiary’s identity).
Ash started drinking every night – which quickly became a downward spiral, worsening mental health. The emotional toll became unbearable, culminating in thoughts of suicide as they struggled to cope with their circumstances.
Recognising the severity of the situation, Ash turned to a GP, a pivotal step that led to a referral for NHS talking therapies. During this time Ash was also introduced to Paul, a Veteran Support Liaison Officer (VSLO) from WWTW.
As Christmas approached, Ash became consumed by despair, feeling utterly purposeless and retreating from the world. Ash didn’t leave the house, and seldom ventured out of the bedroom, overwhelmed by the weight of the situation. Any employment prospects had collapsed, leaving finances in ruins and debts mounting, all fuelling Ash’s anxiety.
During the festive season, a time of connection and joy for others, those, like Ash who are alone can feel even more isolated than ever. Ash’s personal wellbeing was at an all-time low, and understandably - Ash’s mental health teetering on the edge, it seemed like there was no way out of the darkness.
Paul approached each issue individually and started to untangle a complex set of issues. Ash’s Universal Credit (UC) had been stopped, an appointment had been missed due to mental health issues. Paul firstly obtained funds through the WWTW’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) so that Ash could enjoy Christmas at home with family. He then fought Ash’s corner to get a resolution to the UC sanction and eventually, a supporting letter from a clinician helped to lift the sanction and restore Ash’s payments.
By cruel fate, Ash’s bank account had been compromised, and debits were repeatedly going out for things Ash had not purchased. Ash had tried to negotiate with the bank but was continually ignored. WWTW wrote an official letter of complaint to the bank and Ash was refunded in full.
Paul then sorted out Ash’s Personal Independence Payments and sat in on a video call to support the claim. Paul also arranged for the Citizen’s Advice to set up a debt relief order. Finally, to encourage Ash to get out of the house, Paul put Ash down for a Veterans’ Breakfast Club – somewhere they could go and relax with other veterans.
Ash now feels as though a tremendous weight has been lifted, as the once-overwhelming challenges have been resolved, and complex affairs are finally in order. With a renewed sense of hope and positivity, Ash is now looking forward to the future with optimism.
Living in the peace and tranquillity of the countryside, close to supportive family, Ash has found a sense of stability and belonging. Grateful for the progress already made, Ash is beginning to think about the next steps and is eager to return to work in the near future, marking another milestone in the journey toward a fulfilling and balanced life.
“We are grateful to the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity for their continued support. Their funding enables our team to continue to provide life-changing support to Royal Navy and Royal Marine veterans and their families through our employment, mental health and care coordination programmes.”
Kate Tabin, WWTW Director of Fundraising and Communications
RNRMC know the work with veterans at WWTW changes lives. Their highly personalised employment, mental health and Support Care Coordination programmes help military veterans who have fallen the furthest, regain a sense of purpose and their place in society.
