I've been volunteering with Combat Stress for two years now, and I want to share a bit about my experience. I first decided to volunteer after attending an event at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in 2024. Honestly, I didn't know much about the charity at first, but talking to the volunteers there really opened my eyes and made me want to support the incredible work they do. As someone married to a veteran and the mother of two active soldiers, giving back feels extra meaningful to me.
The support I've received from the team has been fantastic, and I love spreading the word about what makes Combat Stress unique in helping our veterans. I’ve been lucky enough to attend many events, and hearing the stories of those who’ve been helped by the charity has truly been inspiring.
Volunteering has allowed me to give back to both the organisation and our veterans. One of the best parts is the warmth and gratitude shared by the service members I meet—they’re always so appreciative. I’ve also heard touching stories, like young service members fundraising in honor of loved ones or friends who have been helped by Combat Stress.
A couple of stories stick with me. One is from a young soldier whose older brother received help from Combat Stress for PTSD after serving in Afghanistan. Despite his own struggles, his brother had the courage and support from his family to join the Army himself. And at Bootfest 2025, we met a veteran who told us that he wouldn’t be here today without the help he received from Combat Stress. His story was so powerful that the event’s organiser created Bootfest specifically to raise funds for the charity.
I highly recommend volunteering with Combat Stress. It’s a wonderful organisation to be involved with. Being a smaller charity, they don’t get as much publicity or support as some of the larger service charities, but they truly value their volunteers and everything they do.
If you're thinking about volunteering, I encourage you to give it a try—even if your time is limited. You never know who you might help, and you'll meet some amazing people along the way. And if volunteering isn't possible right now, please consider making a donation or taking on a fundraising challenge instead—you’ll still be making a big difference.
