Pub of poppies a stunning tribute

SEA OF RED

The Don Bar ceiling

IT’S a remarkable visual tribute to Britain’s armed forces heroes – a vast sea of vivid red, made up of nearly 80,000 remembrance poppies.

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PASSIONATE Julie Cooper Veterans worried about their mental health can get help and advice at $' 6*'4' (14 6*'/ 9+6* # %722# #0& # 5/+.'> 7.+'2.#05(14/14'6*#0 2122+'5 61 .+0' 6*' 9#..5 +0 6+/' (14 6*'%'06'0#4;1(6*''0&1(6*'

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LOCALS GET TOGETHER TO HELP 0' 8'6'4#0 .18'5 6*' 64+$76' 51 /7%* *' (75+.+'4 1//; .#0&+0)5 +0 7.+' 5#+& < 2+' (41/ 75 #0& 2+065 $17)*6 (14 *+/ 1%#.55*196*'+4&'&+%#6+10616*' 70&#;6*' 27$ 2418+&'5 # (4'' &+00'4 (14 8'6'4#05 6#.511(('45 4166'4 ' %1/'5 $; $75 #6 #4170& 2/ 8'6'4#05%*#4+6+'5

14/'4 9#5#66*' ')'65#(4''61#56+'14 *4+56/#5&+00'461(14/'4 5'48+%'/'0 9*1 &10 6 *#8' (#/+.; *'0 4/'& IT was always going to be a hard sell. Convincing war veterans, and those with PTSD, that theatre could aid their recovery.

“You can imagine the initial reaction from the first group of hardened, war-weary veterans we approached,” admitted Alan Cameron, who founded Stand Easy Productions to help wounded and isolated veterans through the use of drama.

“They thought it would just be a silly load of prancing about on stage.” But it’s far from that. In less than two years, dozens of men and women, often suffering from illnesses such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, have learnt theatre skills that can help in their day-to-day lives.

Working in collaboration with Dundee and Angus College, the organisation hosts weekly workshops in a creative and supportive environment, where veterans can also participate in a theatre production of their choosing. The acting tends to re-enact experiences the veterans have been through.

Sessions take place at the D&A College Gardyne Campus and last for three hours, with a break in the middle for refreshments and a chat. “What we do is led by the veterans, and the weekly sessions are there to provide a more or less continuous support for our veterans, so there is always a strong social element,” explained Alan.

SENSE OF HUMOUR

A key part of the project is the involvement with local drama students. He said: “The veterans learn quicker by being with the students, they gain confidence, they appreciate being listened to by young men and women and they enjoy the liveliness the students bring.

“The students learn from the veterans, from their life experience and courage in dealing with their mental health issues, and they enjoy their sense of humour.”

Alan added: “The hardest thing is to get veterans involved in the first place, but once they are on board they quickly see the benefits. I have tremendous respect for these guys who come here with some serious difficulties. But once they get here, some of that pressure is taken off, and most feel able to speak about their experiences and even act them out. It’s a good outlet for stress. We are now developing a policy of getting family members to attend. If we can help one person, we are potentially helping a whole family.”

Billy McWilliam, from Falkirk, is one veteran who says the classes and workshops have been lifechanging. The former Royal Engineer’s relationship with his family broke down after he left the service in 2001. He developed PTSD following tours in Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland.

“Things started to go downhill for me after Kosovo,” he said. “The last few years have been a real struggle.”

But after coming along to the Stand Easy classes, Billy, 63, says he’s found a new confidence. “I feel like a different person now.

Last month I was on stage doing a monologue

– never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be up on stage one day.”

For more stories, search ‘TSB Local Pride’

FOUNDER Alan Cameron

When people help people it’s a good thing for all of us