Common Questions answered for you
We know it can be daunting to take steps to make changes, but please know that we are here to help. Here are just a few of the questions we get asked, but if you have more then please get in touch.
SWV programmes and activities are funded by generous donors and supporters. Your place on the Sports Habilitation Ski Week or Ocean Challenge, Pain Management Programmes and Mentoring will be funded by the charity.
“Both the Ski Week and Ocean Challenge were a real opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone and learn new skills, something I hadn’t done since leaving the military. Meeting the other Veterans reassured me that the journey of recovery is not a lonely one, and since taking part I have many new enduring friendships. Both weeks where made completely adaptable for both physical and mental injuries, overall, I had an amazing time and lots of memories made.”
Andrew, Veteran 2018
The Sports Habilitation Ski Week and Ocean Challenge, are both opportunities to engage with other Veterans, many in similar situations to yourself. Linking together with other Veterans, in a supportive and nurturing environment, has proven to have a positive impact on many Veterans facing difficult challenges through injury and illness.
To learn more, please head over to the Sports Habilitation page, or email –
[email protected] if you have any questions.
If you are successful in your application to join one of the Sports Habilitation programmes – either the Ski Week or Ocean Challenge – then the challenges themselves last a week. After this you will be allocated a Mentor who will be there for extra support and guidance for a further year, maybe longer if needed. Your Mentor will be able to help you access further support from the charity if other programmes would be appropriate to your recovery.
The Pain Management Pathway is 26 weeks, following the initial Pain Review and other Mental Health programmes are tailored to meet your needs, so there isn’t a set time frame for those.
There is also ongoing support and contact in the form of the Veteran Network – head over to the Veteran Support Network page to learn more.
Yes, SWV encourages Veterans to support each other and to do that we have created many roles for Veterans to help others who may be in similar situations.
For example you could join the Mentor Programme as a Mentor. This would involve working with a fellow Veteran with the aim of identifying solutions to problems, signposting to the solutions, working on goals and how to attain the goals, the SWV Mentor Programme provides support and guidance to Veteran Mentees in their professional and personal lives.
I am not very confident meeting new people or being with big groups
Not a problem, if you find this difficult then just let us know and we will make sure you are supported on this during the Sports Habilitation Ski Week or Ocean Challenge – the Sport Habilitation programmes are a great opportunity to learn to manage being around new people and groups.
“The warmth and compassion with which we have been welcomed on the Sports Habilitation Ski Week, the care and understanding of our individual issues (I find large groups of people hard to manage, but SWV offered me support and helped me find my safe place in the room), all of this had made accepting the help that SWV provides so much easier – SWV has given me a reason to go on …”
Veteran, Ski Week 2016
“Thank you for providing the stepping stones from which I can start a new journey.”
“You have given me a reason to go on …”
“I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all at the SWV team. As you are aware I have the privilege to be selected to represent the UK at the forthcoming Invictus games and it is in no small part due to the support and care I have received from all involved with SWV.”
“The good news is I’ve been given a conditional offer to start as a consultant for – early next year, so all going to plan and if I don’t fail a straightforward assessment, soon I’ll have found a new career. However, I know that without the opportunities you opened up and gave to me when we got back from Klosters I would never have been in a strong enough position CV wise, post the Army, to get offered the place, as ever – thank you so much.”
“…you have allowed me to put some demons to bed and let me achieve a dream I NEVER thought might become a reality…”
“my mentor has helped me sew the weeks together”
“I have had 5 years of nothing but hospital visits and being told negative, and scary, things about what was going to happen to my life. This is the first time for a long time that I have been treated as a human being with the chance for a positive future. The boost to my confidence and self-belief has been massive.”
“I would personally like to say from the bottom of my heart, and I think I speak on behalf of everybody as well, thank you so so much for all the help you are providing – again thank you so much we all appreciate it”
“Being part of SWV has opened my eyes to the art of the possible. All of us came here with an idea of what we could do, but with the charity’s encouragement and support we are finding ourselves going above and beyond what we thought we might achieve.”
Complete the online application form for the Sports Habilitation Ski Week or the Ocean Challenge or the Pain Review and if you have any questions send an email to [email protected]
If you feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, Samaritans offers a free 24/7 listening support – Call 116 123 or visit their website by clicking here.
