Care After Combat

Care after Combat were awarded £10,000 under the Force for Change programme in August 2022, to support Armed Forces Veterans that encounter the justice system. The award directly supported the production and provision of monthly Wellbeing Activity Packs – titled ‘Stand-Easy’ – to all Veterans in prison who were signed up to Care after Combat’s Project Phoenix support.

Stand-Easy was initially developed as part of Care after Combat’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This multi-faceted pack helped replace the face-to-face contact between the organisation and Veterans in prison, which was lost due to prisons closing their gates to support organisations, and prisoners being locked in their cells for 23 hours per day. The packs proved extremely popular and highly effective. They maintained supportive connections, helped to combat loneliness and isolation, and fostered a sense of military community.

As the pandemic restrictions eased, the Veterans who had received the packs were asked if they wished to continue receiving them – 100% said yes! Therefore, Stand-Easy became a core offering of Project Phoenix. The Force for Change grant has helped Care after Combat continue to deliver this highly effective intervention and support mechanism.

The person-centred packs offer educational support in psychological topics and promote both physical and mental wellbeing. The content maintains a positive and uplifting tone, infused with military-style humour, to encourage motivation, positivity and a sense of hope, even in the face of very challenging conditions. An interactive ‘virtual forum’ topic is included each month, along with a stamped addressed envelope for returning completed forum topics and quizzes, and a blank sheet of writing paper.

Care after Combat initially estimated that around 210 Veterans would sign up to the weekly wellbeing packs. However, by word of mouth, this rapidly increased to over double the original figure.

Adrian Kirk, Chief Executive Officer for Care after Combat told us: “The Wellbeing Activity packs have been a huge success, both in terms of popularity with those we support and in delivering highly effective interventions and outcomes. The Veterans themselves have very much been part of the development and refinement of ‘Stand Easy’, and their desire to continue receiving the packs remains as strong as ever. Thank you to the AFCFT for this kind grant that has enabled more Veterans to receive the packs.”