In March 2025, the charity Supporting Wounded Veterans took 17 medically discharged veterans to Switzerland.

We took them on a "skihabilitation" week as part of their rehabilitation journey back into employment. The aim was to give them confidence in their own abilities as well as help support them with their mental and physical problems

With the help from many volunteers, including returning military veterans who themselves had suffered trauma, specialist adaptive ski instructors, buddies to support the new veterans during the day, we also had a GP ( me !), 2 Psychologists, a Psychiatrist, a Physio and osteopath and a Masseuse.

I was the Medical GP Lead for the week and was kept busy. What a joy to give something back to these amazing group of men and women. It was a privileged to have been able to help.

Ski-habilitation' week marks the start of a long journey for these seriously injured personnel, to help them regain their fitness, self-confidence, and ultimately to return to employment. Many have never skied before or even believed they could following their injuries. Depression, isolation and endless pain may have consumed their every day, but with this week, the charity aims to provide them with a new start. Following on from the ski week, mentoring, pain management, training and personal support from the charity aims to lead to long-term employment.

Supporting Wounded Veterans was founded in 2012 and helps medically-discharged military veterans back into meaningful civilian life and employment. Many of our veterans have been told they will never be able to work again. The key programmes are:

Skihabilitation,

Mentoring,

Pain Management and Pain Resilience,

Occupation, Training and Employment

Each of these needs-driven programmes has been established to address physical and mental needs of veterans.

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The Medical Team consists of a GP, psychologists, physios and osteopaths. Ski buddies are also volunteers and are paired up with one of the veterans for the week. They help them wherever needed and support the adaptive ski instructors. This could involve gathering kit, helping them up from a tumble, providing a listening ear, or just letting them talk.

The Cost

£5000 is the total cost per veteran to cover the Ski Week which includes their travel, accommodation, ski equipment, the medical team and adaptive ski team

Then there is the ongoing programme of mentoring, pain management and employment advice. The success of the charity is incredible. 90% of the veterans who have worked with SWV are currently in employment.

I spent a great part of my youth as a military GP in the British Army and now work in a fantastic Veteran Friendly GP practice in Sherborne, Dorset.

I thoroughly enjoyed my army career and deployed on many Operational Tours and numerous exercises. I was lucky enough to come out unscathed but had to help people with significant injuries and suffering mental trauma during my career. I love the bond of common language and lived experiences we have in the military, and this aids me now as a GP when I meet veterans in civilian life to help them navigate their health needs.

Our wounded veterans have given so much to us, I feel it is our duty to give back to them and help with their ongoing recovery. Please support as generously as you can.

Thank you so much for your support x