Skiing for wellbeing: Positive Pathways helps blind veterans
The Positive Pathways programme, part of the Veteran’s Mental Health and Wellbeing fund, made 226 awards between 2019 and 2021, worth £11.4 million. The Trust developed this veteran focused programme to get veterans out and active.
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK received £70,000 in November 2019 to host a ski trip for their members, including Anne who is diagnosed with macular degeneration and other conditions that affect her mobility, confidence and ability to get out and about.
Glynis Gilliam, Working Age Case Manager at Blind Veterans UK, told us: “Our project focuses on providing an annual ski trip to blind veterans who have been identified either through our outcomes framework or direct application as a blind veteran who could benefit.
During the week-long trip, beneficiaries are pushed to explore their own personal boundaries, through skiing, social activities and conversations with supporting staff.
After the conclusion of our ski trip, further referrals both within Blind Veterans UK (for example to our counselling service or life skills programme) and outside of the organisation will be made if needed.”
Finding the positives
While Covid did impact upon the organisation’s project, it actually meant that because less people could travel, the funding covered more of the individual costs. However, more than 40 veterans still took part on the trip. Funding from the Positive Pathways programme allowed the group to maintain this activity, which the group say would have been difficult to do otherwise.
The charity told us that over the life of their two-year project, they’ve been able to record notable progress in things such as physical health, socialisation and wellbeing among their beneficiaries. For some, the project acted as an intervention, assisting them in starting a positive journey and overcoming the challenges they face.
Spotlight on veterans’ mental health
And this project is no exception. The Positive Pathways programme has seen huge successes for those awarded funding for everything from bike building to beekeeping, sports to arts, gardening to music.
Both the Positive Pathways programme, and more widely the Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, funded by HM Treasury, have placed a much-needed spotlight on the mental health challenges faced by many veterans, and allowed their needs to be better met.
We’re also delighted that the programme has led to the development of a supportive and mentor-driven way of delivering successful projects.
Find out more
We encourage you to read the full case study about Blind Veterans UK and their fantastic Positive Pathways project. You can find out more about Blind Veterans UK at https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/
For more on the Positive Pathways programme, click here. You can also find lots about the work the Trust has done in support of veterans, in our Knowledge network.