A VETERAN is crowdfunding so he can run woodwork courses for veterans and the wider community struggling with poor mental health.

Live Edge Woodwork CIC is based at the Veteran's Hub in Newton Aycliffe and Mik Hugill had the idea to run courses for people struggling with poor mental health when he realised that woodwork was a relaxing and therapeutic hobby.

Mik is a former Lance corporal of the British Army and he is crowdfunding so the courses to be run either for free, or very cheaply.

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Mik said: “I think it could really help and get people talking.

“I always found woodwork to be quite relaxing and it sorted my own mental health. I work alongside the Veteran’s Hub in Newton Aycliffe, but these courses are run separately by me.

“I also want to include families of veterans, because often they get forgotten about.”

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Donna Murray from Shifting Our Minds CIC is a counsellor and welfare officer at the Veteran’s Hub.

Donna said: “A hobby like woodwork helps people rebuild their lives and support their mental health. It’s a positive coping strategy and it will increase confidence, resilience and self-esteem.

“People will start to talk naturally without realising it almost.”

To donate to the Just Giving page, click here.

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