One year since the first lockdown began

Today marks one year since the first Coronavirus lockdown began.

In the last year this nation has tragically lost more than 120,000 men, women and children to the pandemic. We've seen how the restrictions have impacted the mental health of some veterans and the general public, and have witnessed the effect the pandemic has had on charities struggling to fundraise to ensure they can continue providing crucial services.

However, we’ve also seen an incredible amount of strength in overcoming such unprecedented circumstances as well as an outpouring of support, not just for Combat Stress and veterans’ mental health, but across the nation for everyone involved in the battle against the virus.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, wholeheartedly, for their continued support and dedication towards helping veterans. In a year that has been so difficult, you continue to inspire us with your selflessness and strength.

To members of the Armed Forces, we thank you and remain grateful for your continued service, which has been unrelenting during the pandemic; many of you aiding with vaccination administration alongside many other key activities.

All of us here at Combat Stress have been glad to offer our support in whatever way we can. This included the adaptation of our services to offer therapy online and by phone, the introduction of online self-help guides that are easily accessible for all, and transforming part of our Audley Court treatment centre into a vaccination centre while the other part remains safely in use for our staff to continue supporting veterans remotely.