National Lottery funding helping Hull charity support veterans’ mental health on the eve of British Legion centennial anniversary

A charity in Kingston-upon-Hull that has supported veterans and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic has received a £10,000 cash boost from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Norland Crew has been helping former members of the military deal with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, which have been exacerbated by the effects of the nationwide lockdown.

The news of the award comes just ahead of the 100th Anniversary of the British Legion on Saturday May 15th, and also marks Mental Health Awareness Week across the UK.

Run by two former veterans, Keith Thompson and Craig Metcalfe, Norland Crew signposts ex-servicemen and servicewomen to Hull & East Yorkshire Community Counselling Service. The therapy centre offers one-to-one specialist support for those experiencing mental health issues and other related problems such as substance misuse and homelessness.

In addition, National Lottery funding has enabled the organisation to orchestrate a series of upcoming powerful and poignant visits for veterans - such as to the National Memorial Arboretum to pay respects to fallen comrades, and to Eden Camp, a large Second World-War museum in Malton, North Yorkshire.

The charity currently also arranges fishing trips for veterans to enjoy, with the aim of providing a calm and relaxed environment for those struggling with any issues to chat casually about their problems with friends.

In seeking to combat loneliness, isolation, and mental health issues, Norland Crew adopts a whole family approach, supporting widows and veterans’ loved ones, recognising the impact that caring for someone with trauma or struggling with mental health issues can have. As part of this support, the charity has arranged for a special afternoon tea for military wives with the Lady Mayoress of Kingston-upon-Hull, offering a day of respite and fun in September 2021.

A Falklands veteran, 85, anonymous, said: “Norland Crew has helped me with my physical health by getting me out and about by providing transport for me. They have also helped with finding a care home for my wife as I am too ill to support her as she is suffering with dementia, as well as getting my food deliveries for me.”

Keith Thompson, Co-founder of Norland Crew, said: “Our achievements would not have been successful, giving care to the veterans in need, without the very kind generosity of the National lottery players.

“As a veteran of Aden and the Falklands conflict, I have been under fire and seen death and destruction - sometimes horrific – and a smell or sound can really upset me, like many veterans who have served in combat.

“Many of our veterans’ first port of call when struggling with depression was to call their GP, but we quickly realised that they would highly benefit from specialised support to address underlying problems, which is where we come in.”

Abdou Sidibe, Head of Funding for Yorkshire & Humber at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we are delighted to see Norland Crew having so much success in helping veterans and their families, using their own lived experiences and knowledge to offer specialised assistance. Money raised by National Lottery players has been vital in helping connect people feeling lonely and socially isolated with organisations that can provide support.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised every week for the UK’s good causes, and £41 billion has been distributed to 565,000 good causes across the UK since 1994.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk