Veterans and young people are benefiting from a new initiative keeping a Lake District site in top condition.
The Veterans Community Working Party (VCWP) has enhanced its mission after being awarded a £19,440 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
The funds will support and develop employability, self-care and creative skills amongst veterans.
The VCWP does this through outdoor activities for veterans, including weekend maintenance work parties for the charity, the YMCA at Lakeside.
Here, the work parties help to look after the 70-year old residential centre, occupying a vast 100-acre site along the western shores of Windermere.
VCWP project manager, Nicole Blair said: "Over three days, once a month, a group of up to 18 veterans come from across the UK to stay at YMCA Lakeside.
"They use their skills and time to rejuvenate outdoor classrooms, activity areas and buildings."
Approximately 10,000 children and young people visit the YMCA each year, benefiting from a 'world-class' experience.
Ms Blair said: "At our launch event, with special guest Samantha Scott, the High Sheriff of Cumbria, the task was to paint and decorate staff accommodation ready for the new season.
"Work parties have also been clearing damage caused by storms and December’s heavy snowfall.
“In exchange, YCMA Lakeside provides accommodation and some time and space in which veterans can gather to peer mentor, learn new skills, take time out and focus on their own wellbeing.
"VCWP provide supervision, training, project management, and governance to ensure projects run well."
It's not just the young visitors and Lakeside community that are impacted by VCWP's projects.
The influence of this initiative on the veterans is immeasurable.
Veteran, VCWP Director and Mentor, Barry Seymour said: "VCWP is important to me because it helps others like me.
"I have PTSD, complex trauma and I’ve had two strokes.
"By being a mentor, I can give back to those struggling to cope after service life."
One participant, veteran Ruth Walsh, said: "VCWP helped me when my head had completely fallen off and I was diagnosed with complex PTSD.
"The working party enables me to give something back, work alongside like-minded people, each with our own different skills and attributes."
Godfrey Owen, Centre Director for YMCA Lakeside, says that the veterans are part of the community.
Mr Owen said: "Our partnership with VCWP is making a significant contribution to the site.
"The Working Party's visits each month have meant many positive improvements to the site and the veterans are quickly becoming members of our community."
The official launch took place on January 13 at YMCA Lakeside.
VCWP will be looking for more opportunities to run similar projects in the future. You can contact Ms Blair at: info@vcworkingparty.org.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here