Care for Veterans is delighted to share that ABF The Soldiers’ Charity has awarded a grant of £133,827 to enable the continuity of specialist care services for disabled veterans.
The grant will go towards essential services offered by Care for Veterans, including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, wellbeing activities, chaplaincy, and personal care.
One such individual who has benefitted and continues to do so from these vital services is current resident Steve Boylan. Steve was a warrant officer for the Royal Engineers for over twenty years. At the age of 39, he was knocked from his bike and sustained a severe brain injury, partial paralysis and speech difficulties. It is now four years on from his arrival at the home, during which time Steve has made amazing improvements which have helped him to attain a greater quality of life.
Steve Boylan explains how living at Care for Veterans has helped him.
By utilising speech and language therapy and attending regular physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions with the team, Steve has developed his communication and mobility skills. Steve has continued to stay focused on his goals and said that he feels that “it is going excellently”. On continuing with physio, he said, “I think positively…. one day I will walk again… just think one day, and I am one day closer to getting better – I am one day closer to it now”.
“Every day is a gift… one day, my goal is to walk again.
Being here makes that goal possible” – Steve
Occupational therapy has played a big role in Steve’s happiness, with recent projects such as building a model of the Tirpitz battleship and completing an online course to improve his computer skills keeping him cheerful and focused. Working on the Tirpitz model project reminds Steve that “everything needs a journey of time, and every effort goes to make the end effort”.
Steve sits proudly next to his model of the Tirpitz Battleship
Lead Occupational therapist Elaria said, “The funded occupational therapy which Steve has received has been vital in his rehabilitation journey. When Steve first arrived, all he wanted to do was sit in his room and watch TV.”
Continuing, Elaria told us that, “Since coming to live at Care for Veterans, we have seen a marked improvement in Steve’s mental health as he seems so much happier and engaged. He has completed online training courses with the help of our therapists. More recently, his work building a model of the Tirpitz battleship has been a way to incorporate his love of engineering with therapy to help his left visual field scanning. Steve has a left hemianopia which affects his ability to see left, so needs reminding to look further than where he thinks his vision ends. “
As for the future, Elaria said, “Now, we are starting to work on left-hand therapy for Steve. I’ll be assessing what his abilities are and then using that to create a personalised plan. This could involve giving a gentle massage to stimulate movement and blood flow, then moving on to gripping exercises if he is able to. This will help him regain and maintain as much independence as possible in everyday life.”
Care for Veterans receives no regular Government funding and each year needs to raise over £1.5 million to enable the continuity of their first-class and award-winning care. It is with thanks to incredible individuals and amazing supporting organisations like ABF The Soldiers’ Charity that Care for Veterans can provide support to those who have already given us so much.
Steve goes to physiotherapy every day. Photo credit: Tony Graham
“Our charity is hugely grateful for the loyal and longstanding support of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity in helping us care for Army veterans of all ages. Our comprehensive range of services aim to enhance their daily lives by improving independence, dignity and self-esteem.” – Andy Neaves, Chief Executive at Care for Veterans
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the Army’s national charity for soldiers, past and present, and their families for life. Last year, they supported 65,000 people in 48 countries worldwide with grants to individuals, families and fund-leading organisations that support soldiers, former soldiers, and their families.
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, added: “We are always proud to support Care for Veterans’ rehabilitation services for those with complex neurological conditions and to help them improve their mobility and quality of life. Our charity is committed to helping all veterans enjoy independence, comfort and dignity in their final years.”
If you would like to learn more about Care for Veterans, click here.
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