Ian Williams recently embarked on an exciting painting upskilling programme in partnership with Riverside and Social Enterprise organisation, Halton Veterans Association. We’re delighted to report that we’ve just finished the second round of Veterans Community Force training, a unique opportunity to help increase future employment opportunities.
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.
With one to one mentoring from the Ian Williams team, each week-long training per group begins with a full day of theory which includes health and safety. Days two to five are of a more practical nature and include the veterans gaining skills in paint preparation and various application techniques. The theory training takes place at Halton Veterans Associations offices and the practical skill training is then 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 are given their own painting starter kit which includes essential trade tools such as brushes, rollers and overalls and a certificate of achievement is 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 volunteer work within their own homes and the local community. Ian Williams will provide an aftercare programme devised to ensure veterans have ongoing access to the team for any technical queries or application techniques advice.
For more information on the painting services offered by Ian Williams, click here
