Veterans are unique people. Their military training and experience divides them from the civilian population and Gardening Leave seeks to offer them a safe, peaceful environment where the staff and volunteers they meet will show them understanding and respect.
Whilst we cannot say ‘I know how you feel’ what we can demonstrate is that we have an understanding of the challenges they face in their everyday lives and where possible we can offer some practical things to make their lives easier and less stressful.
Whether you are interested in joining us as a member of staff, a volunteer or a Friend of Gardening Leave, I hope you will find the list below helpful. It is by no means comprehensive but after the first 2 years of Gardening Leave, it contains some of the lessons we have learned.
Do’s and Dont’s for discussion at Volunteers Training Day
1. Greeting a Veteran – smile, shake hands, make eye contact.
2. Off-the-cuff remarks – always acknowledge and apologise to the Veteran so they don’t misinterpret or brood on something you have said.
3. Non-relevant/superficial (dinner party) chat which Veterans find it difficult to relate to……
4. Never push yourself on them/into their personal space.
5. Give them your complete attention when they are talking to you in case they lose the thread of the conversation….. Help them to get back onto the subject (v demoralising for them if they can’t remember, they will just say ‘forget it’ and the moment is lost).
6. Be a mirror so they can hear themselves saying things out loud. They know you can’t solve their problems but sometimes just being able to talk is a help. Don’t identify and say ‘Oh yes that happened to me too’
7. Confidentiality – how to talk about GL outside GL.
8. Letting Veterans do stuff – e.g tea and coffee, don’t always wade in and say ‘I’ll do it’ – they like to be able to do things themselves, we have to be there to support, not get in the way!
9. If you say you will do something e.g. telephone someone to find something out, ALWAYS DO IT! Veterans can feel very let down if they think they aren’t being taken seriously.
10. Be very aware of not making quick body movements.
