DMHA provides Innovation Fund grant to support veterans with PTSD in Northern Devon
The Devon Mental Health Alliance Innovation Fund has been awarded to the Root Cause Project by our Community Mental Health Development Leads in North Devon.
We have awarded Root Cause a grant to support with the work they are doing with local veterans who struggle with PTSD. The purpose of the Root Cause Project is to give veterans a space to develop useful skills and confidence through a connection with nature, and being with others who have been through similar experiences to them.
One of the joint founders, Roy Goddin, explains:
“Root Cause’s approach is from a holistic perspective, where there is no target or agenda. Participants are free to come and go as they please and be active participants engaging in the activities, or passive and simply enjoy being away from the noise and switch off. All our current structures have been built using traditional building techniques, and are solar-powered and gravity-fed water systems. This a unique opportunity to be low-impact and sustaining. Most importantly, attendees will help build and maintain upcoming builds, and in doing so, create a community that comes together and works together, mirroring the comradeship that all veterans miss and utilising their existing skills”
The funding has already been able to support several activities including a cook-out, a Dartmoor walk, and a camp out in the woods. One of the attendees commented:
“I found it hard to adjust to civilian life after my military service. Root Cause has given me a place I feel welcome, where I can come and spend time with people who get me. Had Root Cause been around when I left, then it really could have given me exactly what I needed — comradeship, understanding, and time. Having an organisation to assist vets like me is invaluable and I would recommend anybody contact Root Cause and use them to get reconnected. Just being in the woods and working together makes you feel you have a purpose.”