AI - Business Excellence Awards 2018 - Award Sapper Support - "Best Mental Health Support Charity -UK"

Our Mission Statement

"always there when needed..."

Our Vision Statement: to alleviate the suffering caused by PTSD and associated mental issues. To give aid to those who need our help regardless of background or status.

In the Autumn of 2014 whilst attending the Remembrance parade at the Cenotaph in London, we learnt of the untimely death of a brother sapper. It's always sad when a young life ends, but even sadder when you learn the person took their own life. He had been suffering from PTSD. The suffering that PTSD causes is well documented but only truly appreciated by those it affects and those friends and family who witness its corrosive grip.

Initially designed to help sappers, the volume of calls we have received and the different number of cap Badges has meant that we have needed to adapt quickly. With the increasing number of 999 personnel contacting us we are now a multi service charity.

We now have a facility to help with early diagnosis, pay for that all important initial assessment. Once diagnosed, treatment can begin.

However, we are not solely limited to helping those with PTSD. There are other forms of mental health issues which we can help with by giving emotional, physical, financial support and signposting to other agencies.

Our volunteers are not doctors, councillors or health professionals. They are sappers who speak the lingo of the British squaddie, have served in all the theatres of war from Iraq's Desert Storm to modern day Afghanistan.

We are not here to judge, we are here to listen, chat and help.

Sapper Support is here to help people today, before they get to the point where they break.

Once leaving my Training Regiment, I was posted to 39 Engr Regt at Waterbeach, serving in 34 Fd Sqn. Whilst there we deployed to Belize for my first tour. On returning to the UK, I applied for a transfer and moved to 33 Engr Regt EOD, serving in 21 Engr Sqn EOD. Promoted to L/Cpl I was 2ic of my section when we deployed to Bosnia in 96. Working in Gorni Vakuf and the surrounding area, we made safe thousands of ordnance pieces, recovered various vehicles and personnel who strayed off road and cleared routes and buildings. When I left the army in 97 I joined the fire service, where I still serve today. Over the past 4 years I have been the REABD Fundraising Coordinator. Raising thousands of pounds for those soldiers of Bomb Disposal who have been injured physically or psychologically. After hearing about yet another soldier who had taken his life whilst suffering from PTSD I decided enough was enough. I set up 0800 040 PTSD and this website as support.

We are not doctors, social workers or psychiatrists. We are ex sappers, who know how to talk to sappers.... And more importantly we know how to listen.