15 Years Supporting Veterans

15 Years in. But there is more to be done.

For 15 years, we've stood with veterans struggling with the transition to civilian life.

But the work is not finished. There are still 140,000¹ veterans experiencing the lowest level of wellbeing who need our support. Will you join us?

Marking 15 Years of support

Back in 2010, our founder Ed Parker saw what many still don’t: wounded servicemen and women leaving the military without the support they needed to rebuild their lives.

While it’s true that many ex-military personnel transition well, some face complex and interconnected challenges: physical injuries, psychological wounds, social isolation, and practical barriers as they return to civilian life. Combined, these can erode a person’s sense of purpose.

But these people are not broken. They don’t need the country’s pity. Despite their wounds, they are resilient, capable, and determined, with an enormous amount still to give. To realise that potential, they need support tailored to what they’re facing. With it, they can move forward with their lives, thrive in new roles, and serve again - just in a different way.

Today, we’re still here because the need hasn’t gone away. We estimate that around 140,000¹ people who have left the military still need our support, with many more likely to need it in the future. We will continue our life-changing support until the need no longer exists.

How we got here: 15 years of support

From the day Walking With The Wounded was registered with the Charity Commission, those who have served have been at the heart of everything we do. Over the years, we’ve listened, learned and evolved in direct response to their needs, even when that meant taking a harder route. 

While our work is far from finished, here are some of the milestones that have shaped our journey so far (tap the image to expand):

Walking With The Wounded was founded to challenge the narrative of pity that too often surrounded UK veterans struggling to transition to civilian life. The aim was never to portray them as broken, but to remind the country of their resilience, capability and potential. 

Over time, as our understanding of the challenges veterans face has deepened, our work has evolved too. What has not changed is our commitment to standing alongside those who have fallen the furthest after service, supporting them in rebuilding stability, confidence, and direction in their lives. 

This is just part of our story.

Why this work still matters

The transition from military to civilian life isn’t just about finding a job or a place to live. For many, it means rebuilding from the ground up.

And it isn’t easy. Imagine waking up one day without the structure, support and sense of belonging you once had. Trying to navigate civilian life while managing physical and mental challenges, all without a clear pathway of support.

Too often, these challenges go unnoticed, leading to lives being lost, families broken, and futures put at risk. But with the right support, whether immediately after service or years later, we can help them rebuild stability, confidence, and direction for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Since we were founded, we have supported over 15,000 ex-military personnel. Our work is not finished. We estimate that another 140,000¹ people who have served still need our help, with many more likely to need support in the future.

That’s why we need you to stand with us for the next 15 years, so we can reach people at the point they are struggling most. Together, we can change the trajectory of their lives.

Thank you

While there is more to come, we wanted to mark this milestone and thank every supporter who has stood with those who have served. Your generosity and encouragement have helped thousands of veterans rebuild their lives.

We also want to thank everyone we have supported and the wider armed forces community. By trusting us with your stories and facing into challenges, you have helped shape our services and inspired others to come forward and ask for help.

As we mark our 15-year milestone, we do so not out of vanity, but to reflect on our responsibility to be there for those who have served, now and into the future. Please, join us.

¹ ProBono Economics 2023. Research funded by Walking With The Wounded.