“Without Veterans at Ease, I’d hate to say what could have become of me”: new therapy centre for Stockton’s veterans, thanks to National Lottery cash boost

A North East veterans’ charity is set to expand its much-demanded therapy services to Stockton town centre, after receiving almost £10,000 of National Lottery money.

The vital funding has been awarded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, after servicemen and women have been “crying out” for better mental health support services for veterans in the local area.

Veterans at Ease provides free face-to-face and online psychotherapy to men and women, whether still serving or ex-military, to help improve their mental health. This includes addressing conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and supporting individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Andy, a Royal Engineer for six years, served in the first Gulf War in 1991. He sought the help of Veterans at Ease after struggling with civilian life and is now an assistant manager at one of its charity shops.

Andy said: “Back in 2016 I found myself not in a good place, where I was drinking heavily and was very angry with myself and everyone around me. I left the Army to pursue a civilian life, to which I found it very hard to settle. After three failed marriages and a fourth on the rocks, I spiralled out of control and felt like everyone was out to get me, to the point I considered ending my life, though thankfully I was stopped by the police.”

“I was then introduced to Veterans at Ease and its lead therapist, Garreth Murrell, instigated the start of my journey in therapy, which, after time, helped me immensely on the path to recovery. A journey I am glad to say has been successful. Without the help of the services that Veterans at Ease offer, I would hate to say what could have become of me.”

The charity’s therapy centres are situated within Veterans at Ease shops in Gateshead and Whitely Bay, and soon a branch will be coming to Stockton. Thanks to National Lottery funding, the charity will be able to expand its therapeutic support to more southern areas of the North East, reaching the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, including the military town of Catterick Garrison.

Veterans at Ease was formed by Garreth Murrell, an ex-serviceman who, after experiencing a decline in his mental health in 2007, decided to undergo Neuro-Linguistic Programming therapy (NLP). While noticing an improvement in his mental wellbeing as result of the therapy, Murrell was inspired to help other vulnerable veterans and retrained as an NLP therapist himself. Now, other ex-servicemen are following in his footsteps.

Garreth Murrell, CEO and Founder, Veterans at Ease, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding has been instrumental in the continuation of our services throughout the most impactive global pandemic this century. Without it I know, first-hand, that many of those we helped would have ended their lives – their words not mine.

“We have an 80-85% success rate. Our therapists are veterans themselves who have come through the other side. At Veterans at Ease, the beneficiary will stay with us until they’re in a better place. The main advantage of NLP therapy is that veterans don’t need to relive and explain the trauma they’ve been through to benefit from our services. Instead, we focus on where they want to be, so we have something to work towards.”

Duncan Nicholson, Head of Funding for the North East and Cumbria at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are proud to support the valuable work Veterans at Ease is providing to help the local military community with their mental health.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, this vital funding is having a huge impact on people’s lives across Stockton. It’s so inspiring to see dedicated volunteers and groups, like Veterans at Ease, supporting their communities to prosper and thrive. This funding has given a much-needed cash boost to communities, so they can build back stronger from the pandemic.”

Seven charities and community groups across Stockton have been awarded almost £67,000 of National Lottery funding in the past quarter**, while almost £3 million has been distributed to 123 community organisations across the North East in the past three months**. National Lottery players raise £36 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.

Stockton isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that almost £65 million of National Lottery funding awarded to over 1,700 community groups.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Thanks to National Lottery players, last year we awarded over half a billion pounds (£588.2 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK. Over eight in ten (83%) of our grants are for under £10,000 – going to grassroots groups and charities across the UK that are bringing to life amazing ideas that matter to their communities.

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