Lloyd's Patriotic Fund awards Combat Stress £100,000 a year grant for 3 years
Combat Stress will be conducting groundbreaking research into the use of sensory modulation to improve civilian life for veterans with complex mental health conditions, through a three-year partnership and grant from Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund.
For decades, Combat Stress has successfully delivered occupational therapy treatment alongside psychological treatment for veterans, while continually seeking to make advancements with innovative new approaches.
The charity will receive a £100,000 a year grant, for three years, to conduct pioneering research into the use of an Occupational Therapy intervention called ‘sensory modulation’.
This practice helps veterans with complex mental health problems understand their senses and gives them coping strategies to ground and calm themselves in stressful or anxious situations. This increases their ability to participate in everyday activities, such as work, relationships and leisure.
The goal is for sensory modulation to become part of the everyday practice of occupational therapists to further allow veterans with trauma-based complex mental health problems to lead fulfilling lives and careers.
The results are also hoped to encourage other veteran service charities and public sector agencies, such as the NHS, to adopt the practice.
Sue Freeth, Chief Executive of Combat Stress said:
"Veterans with complex mental health issues face a number of challenges after leaving the armed forces. The support and funding from Lloyds Patriotic Fund will allow us to increase our understanding of how the use of sensory modulation can enhance the lives and careers of veterans with mental health problems.”
Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund will also be collaborating with RFEA, the forces employment charity in order to improve the transition to civilian life for both veterans and their families who can also find the transition challenging. RFEA’s grant will be used to extend their Families Programme, to help partners of current and former servicemen and women into employment.
