Secret Postcard Auction 2024
We're excited to announce the Combat Stress Secret Postcard Auction, Edition 4. We are proud to have some of the UK's leading artists taking part to auction their artwork in support of veterans' mental health. An exciting new fundraising initiative, funds raised through the Auction will help more former servicemen and women affected by mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. The work we do is life-changing and often life-saving. No one else does what we do.
How does it work?
Simply place a bid on your favourite piece of art (or the art you think is by your favourite artist) and, if you’re the highest bidder when the auction closes, you could you be the lucky one who picks up an original piece of artwork by a leading artist or well-known celebrity. Only when the auction closes will the winning bidders know who created their standout piece of artwork.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore the collection of art (and place an early bid) during our exclusive showcase, and you’ll also be able to discover a full list of artists involved in the event. But figuring out what artwork matches which artist? Our lips are sealed!
All proceeds raised through our Secret Postcard Auction will go towards helping more veterans to receive our life-changing mental health treatment and leave the battlefield behind.
Why an art auction?
Art therapy at Combat Stress
At Combat Stress, we have veterans explore art therapy during treatment to help them express their emotions and find a way to explore their mental health issues.
"Art making can open up doors to the mind and body in ways words can’t and may help change how memories are stored. Art Therapy provides an opportunity for a veteran to reflect on their experiences in the military and make sense of them by tapping into all the senses using art," says Sophia Cowx, Senior Art Therapist at Combat Stress.
A veteran might be referred to art therapy if they have thoughts and feelings that they’re finding difficult to connect with and give expression to through words alone. Art and creativity play a key role in our specialist treatment for veterans with complex mental health issues. Veterans have the chance to explore art therapy during treatment to help them express their emotions and find a way to explore their mental health issues.
It provides a way to express and communicate past and current experiences, including establishing links between the events in the past and what’s presently happening in their life. It can be used as an alternative to talking therapies.
During an art therapy session, a veteran is offered a theme to respond to that relates to their issues. Their creative response can be made using pencils, pens or paints. Some veterans may choose to make collages, use clay or items from around the home to create three-dimensional art.
Although art making comprises a big part of art therapy, veterans will also spend time talking with their therapist and use the sessions as time to think about, reflect on and make sense of their experiences in the military.
Army veteran Joe says,
“Art therapy sessions made me realise if I can express one iota of an emotion onto paper, then I can get it out of my head."
Our Support for veterans
Please help us to continue providing life-changing treatment to veterans by supporting our Secret Postcard Auction.
£125 pays for a veteran to have an appointment with a psychologist to help them process their trauma
£222 funds three virtual art therapy sessions for a veteran to help them make sense of their trauma
£675 funds 25 calls to our 24-hour Helpline, helping veterans to start their journey to recovery
Are you an artist?
How you can get involved.
If you’re interested in supporting veterans with complex mental health issues by generously donating up to three pieces of artwork, please complete the registration details below so we can get in touch and send out our Secret Postcard Auction pack to you.
The pack includes the postcard templates as well as instructions on returning your donated piece(s) of postcard-sized art. Postcards can be created in any medium, as long as they fit within the postcard guidelines outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
Our Secret Postcard Auction goes live on Monday 18 November at 10am and holding an exclusive private viewing of all artwork at a date to be confirmed. All postcard art submitted will be entered into the auction anonymously, giving bidders the chance to secure a unique piece of art.
Artwork from veterans who have used art therapy and other creative sessions at Combat Stress will also be included in the auction.