Veterans Woodcraft – supporting Veterans and the Armed Forces Covenant

Off By Ed Hanna

Set up by a group of Veterans in 2017, Veterans Woodcraft delivers woodcraft courses for people who are battling against suicidal thoughts, PTSD, mental health issues and physical disability, mainly caused by their Military service.

By working with wood and learning new skills, Veterans and civilians can rebuild their lives, grow in confidence, and develop resilience to help them recover and lead active, fulfilling lives.

Their latest project is setting up a new workshop at Newton Aycliffe, with drop in café (Healthy Kitchen & Deli) mental health and wellbeing support (Room for Change) and for the more adventurous, Sporting Force, combined with the Warrior Project. They now plan to build a ‘Veterans Village’ on donated land to support and retrain Veterans who may have fallen on hard times, especially those who are homeless. They also operate in partnership with local colleges and are able to award recognised qualifications.

Confidence
One beneficiary, Alison said, recently: “I feel that Veterans Woodcraft are family. Since my breakdown, this is the first time I have been able to be myself; to be Alison. There’s no judgement or unkind comments from any of the guys or the Veterans who attend the workshop. The support from VWC has really boosted my confidence, and I feel more comfortable when I am out and about. The possibility of helping run a workshop fixing vintage tractors and stationary engines will, I hope, give me that extra confidence to look for part time employment, possibly leading to full employment.

I cannot thank the guys at VWC enough for what they have done for me. They are the best ‘medication’ I could have asked for.”