We are proud to award the Thistle Foundation a grant of £7,500 to help continue its work supporting veterans through one-to-one sessions and its online Lifestyle course.

The grant will help ensure Thistle can continue to offer help to veterans in need. Due to the increased demand on support during COVID-19, Thistle has adapted its support network across Scotland to provide the following:

  • 1:1 phone-based sessions
  • Support to complete individualised ‘Stay Well at Home’ plan
  • Signposting to services as needed
  • An Online group-based Lifestyle course
  • Physical activity support for veterans self-isolating

Founded in 1945, Thistle’s pioneering founders believed those wounded in war should be able to live a life of dignity with their families instead of being confined to a hospital bed. Today, veterans can benefit from Thistle’s wider Health and Wellbeing service and better manage challenges they may be faced with.

Its Lifestyle course gives participants the tools needed to manage a health condition that may be inhibiting their confidence or control over their lives. With regular group sessions in a supportive environment and physical activities, participants are able to learn to positively manage their conditions.

A Lifestyle course participant said: “I feel more in control. I am seeing things in a different way – more in shades of grey rather than black or white. I’m able to step outside myself and looking at how I want to respond to something rather than react. I’ve been able to adopt that more often than not.”

Mark Hoolahan, CEO of Thistle, added: “I am delighted that Thistle has received this grant from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. Support for veterans has been at the heart of Thistle Foundation for more than 75 years. During the current COVID-19 crisis, we have seen a significant increase in demand from veterans looking to access our services.  The support of The Soldiers’ Charity is greatly appreciated in helping ensure we can continue to be there for veterans in Scotland, now and in the future.”

Find out more about Thistle at www.thistle.org.uk

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