Veterans who use a community hub have paid tribute to the support it offers.
Around 20 years ago the charity Valley Veterans was founded by Falklands War veteran Paul Bromwell, initially as an informal support group for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Having served in the Welsh Guards during the Falklands Conflict 40 years ago, Paul was all too aware of the effects of returning to civilian life after leaving the Armed Forces. He himself suffered from PTSD as a result of his time in the South Atlantic and on his return home to the Rhondda Valley, initially struggled to get the support he needed.
It was that struggle that led him to set up an informal support group for PTSD sufferers that has now grown into a vibrant veteran-led community hub with more than 140 active participants.
In the latest of a series of accolades, Paul recently won the Community Champion category in the prestigious St David Awards – the national awards for Wales which recognise exceptional achievements by Welsh citizens. The award was presented by First Minister Eluned Morgan in a ceremony at the Senedd.
The award recognised how Valley Veterans provides weekly support for vulnerable veterans which benefits their mental and physical health. For the first 15 years Paul personally funded the group by remortgaging his home to purchase land to build stables for equine therapy services.
Over the years the support at the hub has widened and the group now holds a breakfast club every Thursday in the Ton Pentre Community Centre, that attracts up to 60 veterans each week, a Wednesday morning paperwork session, and daily equine and horticultural activities on nearby land.
Founder and CEO Paul Bromwell explained how the idea for the equine therapy was borne as part of the Valley Veterans hub because he wanted to offer the same opportunity to others that had been given to him.
Paul said:
“I went away horse trekking with Combat Stress and it helped me so much that when I came home, I bought a horse and on the days that I couldn’t sleep, I’d be up on the mountain with my horse and it would calm me down.
“I just thought if this is working for me that it will help others. By then I was looking after a couple of lads that were good friends of mine and were also feeling a bit of stress and had problems caused through active service.”
And from those early days of a few friends and one horse, Valley Veterans now links many support groups and more than 100 veterans across the valley.
“When people need help, we are always here – it’s never that dark place with no-one to help, there’s always somebody here,” said Paul.
“Being outside has been a game changer for many of the people that come here – it could be working in the gardening, mucking out the stables or grooming the horses –the benefits are clear to see.
“They can come and get help with their paperwork on a Wednesday, socialise at the breakfast club on a Thursday and any day of the week, work outside in the gardens and the equine area.”
Gary Pethig (64) from Gelli, who served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, said:
“This group has changed my life – it has literally been a godsend for me because without it I’d just be sitting at home watching television – instead I come here and have made lots of new friends.
“I get practical face-to-face help from various organisations who help me fill in all sorts of paperwork which otherwise I would find very difficult or impossible to complete by myself online or over the phone – and this means I can access the help that I need and am entitled to.
“I also enjoy getting outside by going outside into the garden and growing crops.”
Stephen Roberts (55) from Williamstown, who served in the Royal Engineers and now works for the Welsh Blood Service, said:
“I first came here six years ago as I was struggling with PDSD, I’d shut myself away from society and was struggling to get out. I knew about this place but I didn’t have the guts to come up here until eventually I arranged to meet someone here that I knew and have been coming ever since.
“I have met a brilliant bunch of friends that I’m close to and have had support off them ever since. It has changed my life, I was withdrawn from society before but coming up and spending time here and socialising has helped me hugely and I can now go out to social events such as birthday celebrations and fundraisers that I wasn’t able to before.”
Des Sparey (79) from Caerphilly, served in The Welch Regiment, said:
“This group has changed my life totally, without it I’d be lost. There is nothing better than coming up and talking to the guys here – I love it and won’t be without it. There are charities here that will help you if you have problems with things like healthcare, your finances or even finding somewhere to live.”
Veteran support agencies, mental health organisations, local authority representatives and other community groups attend the Thursday and Wednesday sessions to provide support and advice on areas ranging from housing support to employment and benefits advocacy.
Sian Sexton, Money Advice Advocate for MIND said:
“We are here building relationship, doing the groundwork and providing consistency. We are able to provide practical face-to-face help for people such as filling in forms when they need it and how they need it so they can access help more easily and more quickly.”
Stephen Sullivan, Strategic Pathways Development Officer, Adferiad Change Step said:
“I use this hub on a weekly basis and I bring in other projects – it’s all about collaboration and networking and making the referral pathways easier.”
