Giving a little back to our veterans

Ian Williams is about to embark on an exciting painting upskilling programme in partnership with Riverside and Social Enterprise organisation, Halton Veterans Association.

Thousands of veterans return to civilian life each year and face the difficult prospect of adjusting to their new way of life. Many of the veterans supported by the Halton Veterans Association suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Painting has long been proven to have many therapeutic benefits, particularly with soldiers returning from war and has been used in many innovative ways to assist with rehabilitation for traumatised individuals.

Commencing in April 2019, the upskilling programme is specifically for local veterans, many of whom are now residents of Riverside but had found themselves homeless when they returned from war. The collaborative team will provide twenty-four veterans with a unique training opportunity which aims to increase their future employment opportunities. 

The veterans will be trained in groups over a three-month period which will ensure that they are provided with adequate one to one mentoring from the Ian Williams team. The week-long training per group will begin with a full day of theory which includes health and safety. Days two to five are of a more practical nature and will include the veterans gaining skills in paint preparation and various application techniques. The theory training which involves 8 members of Ian Williams staff will take place at Halton Veterans Associations offices. The practical skill training will then be undertaken by 4 highly skilled painting operatives in void properties which our customer Riverside have kindly offered to provide as part of our ongoing collaborative approach to delivering local community initiatives.  

All veterans will be given their own painting starter kit which includes essential trade tools such as brushes, rollers and overalls and a certificate of achievement will be awarded to all upon completion of the training.

It is hoped that the veterans will be able to use their newly acquired skills to carry out work within their own homes and also volunteer work within the local community. Ian Williams will provide an aftercare programme devised to ensure the twenty-four veterans have ongoing access to the team for any technical queries or application techniques advice.  

“Great social value work again from Ian Williams!! Keep up the good work! It is really appreciated.” Project Surveyor, Riverside Group.

To find out more about Ian Williams’ painting services, click here

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