Providing support to limbless and injured veterans for life
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight in the honourable service of our country.
Our Mission
To assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is an Armed Forces charity dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limbloss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK.
Other ways to help
Celebrate your life with a gift to Blesma by remembering us in your will
Find out howFundraise for Blesma and your efforts will help the lives of our limbless veterans
See our fundraisersOur News
-
Mastering the morning commute
Jonathan Bell is deep into a compelling War and Psychiatry Master’s degree that will help him use his life experiences to support veterans and ensure their voices are heard. The course, which delves into complex strands of behavior, policy, and history, is demanding and intense. However, Jonathan has made it easier by completing one important assignment—a successful application to the Veterans’ Mobility Fund for a lightweight wheelchair with an assisted power pack. I would certainly recommend applying to the VMF if you have a need for new equipment, whatever your reason The former 1st Battalion Green Howard is now able to commute much more easily from his home in Surrey to central London, whizzing along cycle lanes to lectures, seminars, and library sessions at King’s College Institute of Psychiatry. “This new model is fantastic and has replaced my battered old wheelchair,” he says. “I can zip around town and don’t need to use buses or taxis as I just use the cycle lanes from Waterloo to the campus. It means I can get to lectures on time, and it makes life and studying so much easier than it could otherwise have been.” Jonathan was injured during a military training exercise while preparing for operations in Bosnia in 1993, which resulted in him being paralyzed from the chest down. He became one of the first recipients of an award from the £2.52m Veterans’ Mobility Fund (VMF), established in March last year following a successful joint lobbying campaign by Blesma and Help for Heroes. Apply now >>> Removing the stress Jonathan’s application process was seamless. From identifying the appropriate model of wheelchair and arranging necessary medical support and service documentation, to completing the required forms, everything went smoothly. The forms were then presented to the VMF panel, which evaluates grants for mobility aids not typically available on the NHS, such as specialist wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and orthotics like splints and braces. It is quick and safe, and takes the stress out of the journey “I found the entire process simple, straightforward, and easy to follow,” says Jonathan, 60, a passionate hand cyclist who organizes an annual cycling event to raise funds for the Association. “When I saw that the applications were open, I went to Draft Wheelchairs in Cambridge to try a wheelchair with an electric attachment, as his old chair had been bumped so much that it was clearly nearing the end of its life. “With my studies in central London, I needed a wheelchair that was lightweight and easy to handle when getting on and off trains, and which could get me places quickly without draining my strength and energy. The wheelchair gets a lot of use in daily life, but it really comes into its own on the commute. I can use the train with no problem, then I just clip the electric attachment onto the front and zip over to campus, which is about three miles from Waterloo Station. It’s quick, safe, and takes the stress out of the journey.” I found the entire process simple, straightforward and easy to follow As for the VMF application process, Jonathan had a positive experience. “It involved supplying proof of eligibility covering my service and disability. I then got the quote for the new equipment, which was supported by a clinician; in my case, a physiotherapist wrote a supporting letter about how it would help reduce the stress on my body and extend my active life. It all ran very efficiently, and once approved, the funds were released to he manufacturers who then let me know when the new chair was ready. In total, it took about five months. I’m sure every claim is different, but it wasn’t a difficult process to navigate. You have to decide what you need and then just follow the VMF guidelines. The criteria are very clear, so just follow the process and you will be fine. It is certainly worth doing and has made my life and pursuing the Master’s much easier.” Being left seriously injured Jonathan joined the Army in 1986 and completed several tours of Northern Ireland before a tragic accident left him and 15 other soldiers seriously injured. The accident left Jonathan paralyzed from the upper chest down, and he spent seven months in the hospital. After receiving a medical discharge at just 26 years old, Jonathan decided to pursue education. Despite not having performed well in school, he began his studies at around 30 years old, taking an access course in English and Sociology, which he found to be a rewarding experience. "I decided to go to university, and that was the making of me. I got a chance at a second career and was determined to make the most of it," he says. He went on to earn a number of A-levels and a degree, eventually embarking on a successful career as a journalist. Jonathan spends time talking with one of his course tutors Jonathan's ongoing desire to learn and share insights for the benefit of the military veterans' community led him to enroll in a Master's course. The course involves regular 6,000-word essays and a final 15,000-word dissertation and aims to promote understanding of how both members of the Armed Forces and civilians prepare for and cope with psychological trauma. It also develops knowledge and skills in exploring the impact of human conflict on health and wellbeing. Aligning with Blesma’s ethos of advancing knowledge about the effects of service and conflict, the course focuses on how people prepare for war, cope during conflict, respond to trauma, and adjust to peacetime life. There has been a shift to recognising that people with experiences should be able to contribute, and that is where i want to make a difference "My dad was in the Army, I joined up, and then defence became a niche area in my journalism career. I have a deep knowledge of soldiers, veterans, and associated issues, so when I came across this course, it was perfect. It is about soldiers and mental health, but that's just the tip of the iceberg," Jonathan explains. His most recent essay focused on atrocities in war and what drives soldiers to commit them, reflecting the broad and challenging nature of the course. Jonathan continues to learn new things all the time and is interested in contributing to military and veterans' policy. He believes the veteran’s voice is crucial in shaping the right policies and support systems, and he hopes to help improve resources and conditions for veterans. "Myself and others have a lifetime of experience, whether it’s navigating NHS pathways or offering general advice, and that experience and insight should be used," he emphasizes. Jonathan believes there has been a shift towards recognizing the value of lived experiences in contributing to meaningful change. "The Master's is a fascinating subject and is part of my journey, and studying is made easier and more enjoyable because of my new wheelchair. I would recommend applying to the VMF if you have a need for new equipment, whatever your reason."
Read full article -
Empowering Veterans Through Art: Blesma's Sculpture and Storytelling Workshop
You don’t always have to speak to tell your story. The latest well-received addition to the Blesma storytelling and wellbeing programme saw Members create sculptures with meaning. The two-day course, which followed an introductory online session with acclaimed sculptor and course leader Simon Watson, kicked off with a discussion about art to encourage the group’s freedom of expression. Participants then immersed themselves in constructing and personalising their plaster artwork. Some Members chose to cast their full face (with help from other Members!) while others decided on a partial face mould or other body part. Guided by Vanessa Liladhar and Frankie Mapes from The Drive Project, which devised and ran the course as part of its expansion to the increasingly popular Blesma Storytelling and Wellbeing Programme, the Members were able to take time to explore and express their feelings through art while being absorbed in the technical tasks of mould-making. The process involved building up a mould with strips of plaster, which was then allowed to dry overnight. Members came back the next day to insert their keepsakes into pieces of clay that were set into the mould before plaster was finally poured in and left to set to create a finished 3-D piece that could then be painted. The course helped me massively. I felt free to show and share my emotions. “It was handled really well, and we just lost ourselves in the modelling,” adds Mick, from Elgin, Scotland, who chose a police whistle, a trinket from his daughter, a tiny silver box containing a sixpence piece and a cherub given to him by his mother and sister as a good luck charm for his tour of duty in Afghanistan, and a Queen chess piece to represent his wife Lorna to inlay into his full-face mould. Art becomes a medium for storytelling as Members craft sculptures reflecting their identities and experiences “I was thinking of doing something about mental health in black and white, but that plays to the internal monologue that can bring you down. I didn’t want it to be a negative piece, so I thought I would do something that would make me smile and have something that is close to my heart, which is why I brought along these objects,” adds Mick. “The result was a full-face mask with indents of the pieces I brought, which make it really special and personal.” Mick got much more from the sessions than he was initially expecting. “The course helped me massively. It was two days of relaxing, being mindful and being among people with similar attitudes and experiences, hearing their stories and having a laugh and a lot of banter. I felt free to show and share my emotions, and Frankie and Vanessa were always there to help and support us. It really surprised me how open we were with each other. “I was a bit concerned about going on the course, but I loved it and we are now keeping in touch online and have developed a little community. I’ve already found it motivates me to do more stuff rather than just sitting watching the TV.” The two-day sculpture course gave the Members who took part the chance to craft a piece of art with a personal meaning The Members enhanced their creative skills, made something they were proud of and boosted their confidence and sense of self EXPANDING THE IDEA OF STORYTELLING “We wanted to expand what we mean by ‘storytelling’ and explore different ways in which people can tell a story,” says project lead Vanessa. “Telling a story through a piece of art opens up the opportunity for Members who might not have wanted to share anything verbally. “It’s true that there was a fair amount of trepidation at first, and you could feel the nerves in the room to start with, but everyone soon relaxed and supported each other, particularly when making the face masks as you needed someone to help create the mould. “Everyone was quite tired by the end of the second day, but the positive feedback we got was immediate because Members had a finished piece of artwork, whereas on other storytelling programmes it can take a while to feel the impact. Members benefitted from the experience by learning or enhancing their creative skills, making something that they were proud of and boosting their sense of confidence and sense of self. It has also brought them together with other Members whom they might not have met.” Operations Director Tony Bloomfield agrees:“It’s wonderful to hear from Members about the positive time they are having through our Storytelling and Wellbeing Programme. The positive difference the experience is making to their lives is a true reflection of the programme’s strength.” The workshop offers a therapeutic space for creativity, reflection, and shared understanding PERSONAL STORIES Liz CooperLiz became a Widow Member after her husband Shaun, who served in the Army Air Corps, passed away last year. She made a sculpture of her hands because of her wedding ring. “Doing a face would have been too claustrophobic for me.” Painted black and gold to look bronze, the sculpture now sits on her mantelpiece. She said: “It was very personal for each of us and was about much more than a piece of artwork.” Harry EdieFormer Royal Artillery, injured due to a muscle-wasting condition: “It was just a friendly environment with lovely people, and it was great to learn new skills.” “Getting your face covered in Vaseline and plaster… took us out of our comfort zone, but we were all in it together.” “Blesma inspires me to try things I wouldn’t normally do – that makes a huge difference.” Harry served in the Royal Artillery before an ankle injury and a muscle-wasting condition cut short his Army career. He has been a Blesma Member for 18 months Liz became a Widow Member after her husband Shaun, who served in the Army Air Corps, passed away last year Join Us in Making a Difference Your support enables us to continue offering these life-enhancing programs. Together, we can empower our injured veterans and their families to explore new forms of expression and healing. Donate Today and Be a Part of Their Journey.
Read full article
Get Involved
Across the UK, thousands of people are doing their bit to help
Whether you want to organise a big fundraiser in a group, take part in a Charity Event, complete a Charity Challenge on your own, or get your company involved in raising money for our limbless veterans, then go to our fundraising pages where you will find all the information you need, as well as events you can be part of.
