First Light Trust is right on target thanks to £10k cash boost

John Johnston support Co-ordinator and Neal Bennison, funding Officer for the National Lottery

The town’s FirstLight Trust hub will use that grant to run a three-month pilot programme offering holistic support to military veterans struggling to adapt to civilian life after experiencing traumatic events.

The programme, including various activities and therapeutic support, has already begun with model-making classes and archery lessons.

Trust founder Dorinda Wolfe Murray said: “We are over the moon about this funding as it means that we can really start to create support and activity pathways for the veterans who access the FirstLight Trust in Hawick and wider afield.

“We know how important activities are in helping make friends, reducing isolation and increasing mental and physical wellbeing.”

Model-making takes place every Wednesday afternoon at the charity’s Hawick High Street hub, and archery sessions are currently being held in Selkirk on Friday afternoons.

In addition to activities such as those, the charity is running courses providing education on health and nutrition, alcohol and money, and veterans are being given individualised plans to help them lead healthy and fulfilled lives.

“The programme will run initially for three months and, on completion, project results will be evaluated, and based on these results, we hope to secure funding to implement a long-term plan,” Ms Wolfe Murray added.

“Any veterans living in the Borders with post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health conditions who feel they might benefit from our activities or therapy sessions is welcome to pop in to the hub and speak to one of our colleagues or contact our support worker, who will be happy to provide all of the information about what support is available.”

The hub is always looking for more volunteers to help out. For further information, go to www.firstlighttrust.co.uk, call hub coordinator Lisa Brown on 01450 218647 or email [email protected]