Okehampton Community and Recreation Association (OCRA) and Pegasus Outdoor Ventures have teamed up to provide opportunities for armed services veterans to improve their mental and physical health. A joint funding bid to Veterans’ Foundation has been successful and means that funded places are available for those who are currently or have experienced PTSD or are struggling in other ways (mental health, physical health, homelessness, etc) can join the project. The grant application will go towards funding places for veterans to experience Woodland Therapy where they will benefit from the enjoyment of staying in the woodlands and spending time in nature with their contemporaries, whilst learning new skills or reinvigorating old ones. Veterans can access the project directly or via numerous other organisations such as the Royal British Legion.
OCRA are providing administration support to the project as well as assisting with referral streams. General Manager Ian Blythe comments “This vital scheme has been excellently set up by Chris and Pegasus Outdoor Ventures and we are extremely proud to have helped secure funding for the next 2 years from the Veterans’ Foundation. Having visited the site, it is incredibly calming with a simplicity to it that will benefit all that attend the sessions. Thank you to the Veteran’s Foundation for supporting this opportunity”
Chris Bournes added “Pegasus Outdoor Ventures provides Woodland Therapy for Mental Health Issues, Rest and Recuperation alongside Bushcraft and Survival Skills Tuition and Training so it’s a natural fit for many who have a service background. This funding from The Veterans Foundation is tremendous and will provide for this aspect of our provision over the next two years”
The Veterans’ Foundation is one of the country’s fastest-growing military charities and we are proud to work with hundreds of smaller charities and charitable organisations across UK that share our passion: to provide a better life for our Armed Forces family who are in need.
Pegasus Outdoor Ventures was established in 2006 and is named in memory of Lead Instructor Chris Bourne’s father who was rescued from Dunkirk and then with the 6th Airborne landed at Pegasus Bridge on D Day 6th June 1944, in the 2nd wave of gliders. It was formalised when taking a group of youngsters to South Africa for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition and Residential Sections.
Chris Bournes added “Pegasus Outdoor Ventures provides Woodland Therapy for Metal Health Issues, Rest and Recuperation alongside Bushcraft and Survival Skills Tuition and Training so it’s a natural fit for many who have a service background. This funding from The Veterans Foundation is tremendous and will provide for this aspect of our provision over the next two years”