Volunteers' Week 2023

CELEBRATING OUR FANTASTIC VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers' Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. To celebrate the week, we're saying a huge thank you to our amazing volunteers, who help us raise awareness and help more veterans who need us. We’re also sharing the stories of our fantastic volunteers and ways you can get involved, no matter how much time you can spare.

If you want to share your thanks for volunteers across the UK, you can get involved by commenting on our social media posts throughout the week, to express your appreciation.

Meet our volunteers

Introducing just some of our selfless, dedicated volunteers from across the UK. We are so grateful to every single one of our fantastic volunteers for their contributions. Whether it’s an hour, a day or more, every single volunteer makes a life-changing difference. Find out how and why they choose to volunteer with Combat Stress.

Sip Powers

Sip was medically discharged from the Armed Forces after completing 34 years’ service. During this time he encountered wounded and injured service personnel with serious mental health problems.

“Whilst still serving there are numerous services available to look after these individuals, however once discharged the support is no longer there and this is where Combat Stress kicks in.

"I am now personally involved with this leading veterans’ mental health charity, as the new County Rep for Lancashire, but I also know veterans who have received care and support directly from Combat Stress."

Sip is attempting to complete numerous extreme endurance events to raise awareness for the 2.4 million veterans who are still suffering in silence.

In August 2023, Sip will attempt the Enduro214, a solo endurance challenge, covering 525km and 36,000m of ascent to summit all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District.

Andy Bell

Andy left the Royal Air Force after serving for 22 years. Today, he volunteers for COmbat Stress as part of our National Veterans’ Voice.

“Combat Stress gave me the tools to fight the worst moments of my life and discover new strengths that lay buried under the fear, anger and grief that came with PTSD. I cannot put into words my profound gratitude.

When I was told about the National Veterans’ Voice I was very nervous to join. However, after my first meeting with them they listened to what I had to say and I realised this was a group of people like me who wanted to help make a change. I felt at ease and very comfortable in making this a positive experience.

Combat Stress has given me the tools to support other veterans and their families who were in the same position as me.”

Lisa-Ann Malloy

Lisa-Ann volunteers for Combat Stress as community volunteer in memory of her friend, Staff Sergeant Jamie Ferguson, an SAS medic who took his life in June 2020.

“I only wish Jamie had found Combat Stress, so I do this for him and others who feel so desperate, that the only release is to drastically check out, such is the deep pain you are enduring. I will do my best by Jamie every day, to support mental well-being for our Armed Forces, so that Jamie and others are never forgotten. The bravest choice you make is to serve your country and the least we can do is to be there for you when you return.

“It is my passionate belief that we will improve every year to raise awareness and vital funding to support existing and future generations.”

Adam Allum-Winnup

Adam is a community volunteer for Combat Stress

“Upon leaving the military I found myself struggling mentally with my transition to the civilian world and this left me requiring counselling. That experience raised my personal awareness of mental Health and made me think I can’t be the only veteran to have gone through or be going through mental health issues.

“That instilled a huge desire in me to do whatever I can, to help raise awareness of mental health and what better way to do that than through the amazing work Combat Stress do.”

Herbie

"Combat Stress is a place you can trust."

Herbie joined the Army in 1977, when he was 16 years old and served for seven years. His regiment was the first to do a two-year posting in Northern Ireland, when he was just 18.

Herbie is incredibly supportive of Combat Stress after having experienced, first-hand, the impact our treatment can have. Herbie now volunteers for us by attending many events and acts as a Peer Support volunteer, and as part of our National Veterans’ Voice Committee. We’re hugely grateful to Herbie for the time he gives to raise awareness and support more veterans.

“Helping Combat Stress also helps me. I enjoy giving back to the charity who mean so much to me. Combat Stress has given me my life and my family back, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. Volunteering helps me on my continuing journey of recovery too."

Our volunteer vacancies

If you’ve been inspired to volunteer your time to change veterans’ lives, you can explore all our current volunteering vacancies here online. Follow the link below to discover more about each role, and find out how to apply.

View volunteer vacancies