Rural skills and daily farm life are the therapeutic tools being used by an Upper Eden venture to heal military veterans scarred by their experiences.
Woodland Xperiences, based at Piper Hole Farm, near Kirkby Stephen, is a not for profit scheme which aims to help ex-military personnel to regain their physical and mental health through weekend outdoor programmes.
It is run by two ex-military men — founder Adrian Martin and Paul Etheridge, of Brough — with the support of volunteers.
Adrian, aged 52, served for 18 years in the Royal Artillery as an observation post assistant and saw active duty from the age of 18, including tours in Northern Ireland, both Gulf wars, Bosnia and Kosovo.
Both Adrian and Paul are keenly aware of the toll which armed service can take on those involved, and the high rate of mental and physical health problems among ex-military personnel.
The idea for Woodland Xperiences came in 2018, when a friend, James Cameron, started up the forces charity Mission Motorsport.
“Attending a few events, I saw veterans in different stages of mental and physical recovery and how James nurtured them and used motorsport as a recovery tool,” Adrian told the Herald.
“This is where my venture began as I took self-therapy from being outside in the mountains while leading groups. So why not let it work for others? Why not let adventure be of assistance to others who also have lived and experienced the outdoors while on tours of duty.
“It’s what they know, and if I can utilise this environment and make it safe it must promote conversation to aid in recovery.”
Explaining how the weekends work, he said: “We simply create a safe conversational environment to allow those who attend to speak openly about past experiences and how they are managing any disabilities both physically and mentally, and not be judged.”
The weekends see participants return to nature, staying in woods at Piper Hole Farm which is owned and worked by Frank Hunter. Frank is a huge supporter of the work Adrian and Paul deliver.
“We cannot thank Frank and his family enough for the support and work they give us,” said Adrian. The camps are partly funded by grants from military charities (Veterans’ Foundation) and a small contribution from those attending. All equipment, activities and food for those taking part are provided.
Those attending can take part in a whole range of activities including canoeing, paddleboarding, axe throwing, archery, target shooting, cold water swimming and hill walking.
Adrian stressed it is up to the participants which activities they want to do. “They pick and choose, it is their weekend, it is about them, we simply facilitate a safe conversational environment”, he said.
“While climbing a mountain or throwing an axe you don’t realise you are sharing your experiences with your buddies, brothers or sisters.”
Since 2019, more than 260 veterans and serving military personnel have taken part in camps, plus many more family members. Those taking part often come via other military charities, with 11 camps already booked for this year.
“There is no typical customer, as we all come with different levels of mental or physical qualities,” explained Adrian.
“Some veterans may have limbs missing, which can be seen, or have hidden mental wounds which can be worse, as they can’t be seen.
“We run family and veteran and serving soldier camps as we all experience things we wish we never did. This is why they also all stay over the weekend period, as night times can be painful for some. However, confronting this and being with others as they used to be is amazing.
“Some people have slept through both nights, when they may only sleep for an hour at home.
“Families thrive on camp as they spend quality time together and the children can see and understand how and why their mum or dad is how they are.
“It can be a real make and break time for families and re-engagement. It’s always a pleasure to see everyone thrive and return again.”
“Sometimes, just providing that safe space and being with like-minded others can show there is a meaning to life and that you have brothers and sisters and families
that understand in their own ways what is going on behind those eyes.
“Lighting that fire at camp is like rekindling life.”
While Adrian and Paul, aged 46, are both ex-military, Paul is well-known for his mountaineering exploits, having scaled some of the world’s most challenging peaks.
“Paul and I officially came together after he returned from an epic K2 attempt in 2019. I invited him to join the venture just before he departed as I knew he needed something positive to return home to (apart from family and friends), as climbing K2 is a massive mental task,” said Adrian.
“I knew he would accept, as we both strongly believe in the outdoors as being both therapeutic and rejuvenative. I had to move the camp location while he was away due to unforeseen circumstances. When he returned, Woodland Xperiences was set up and registered as a Community Interest Company (by guarantee not shares) so that we could give everything back to our community. We have never looked back.”
With demand increasing, the organisation is expanding its offering to include a veterans farming experience, hosted by Frank and a team representative which will trial in 2023.
The farming experience has been set up to immerse veterans in the “therapeutic application of rural skills and experiencing daily farm life” at Piper Hole goat farm.
The team are also looking to offer the courses to businesses, and profits will go to supporting the work with veterans. This is a benefit for businesses looking to use the activities for team building and help in the Corporate and Social Responsibility index.
