Welcome to Head Up. We are a new UK Armed Forces charity set up by veterans, intending to promote mental health awareness for UK Armed Forces, and help Forces personnel build a positive mindset and improve their mental resilience. We are on a mission to raise enough money to develop a holistic and positive 7-day retreat in 2024. This retreat will be there for all those who have served, and are still serving, in any service of the UK military including Reservists, who wish to improve their mindset and outlook.
We are a not-for-profit Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which is the highest charity status available. Our aim is to raise funds to establish The Retreat, which will be a safe haven for serving Military personnel and Veterans to enable them to deal with mental health difficulties. The Retreat will be a non-militarised, luxury, eco-friendly location with comfortable accommodation, and many other restorative facilities. This is on top of the work we currently provide; one-to-one help, wellness days, mini retreats and wellness presentations
Paul is the founder of Head Up and a trustee. He served for 18 years with the Household Cavalry Regiment. This included five frontline tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. He was awarded a Mention in Dispatches (MiD) for bravery 2011. After losing several comrades to suicide, Paul founded Head Up to enable veterans and service personnel to access mental health support.
George is a trustee of Head Up, and served for 10 years in the Rifles Regiment. After two frontline tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, George was medically discharged with a complex hip injury. Alongside his work at Head Up, George works as a crisis and security consultant, and is a Lloyd's Military Network committee member.
Simon is a trustee of Head Up, and served for 10 years with the Household Cavalry Regiment. This included two frontline tours of Afghanistan, in one of which he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for actions taken in Afghanistan in 2013. Alongside his work for Head Up, Simon is an Ambassador for Fighting Minds, supporting veterans into finding work.
Adam served for 11 years with the Household Cavalry Regiment, encompassing two frontline tours of Afghanistan. In 2018 he left the army to pursue a career in the civilian sector and is now a crisis and security consultant, as well as being a Head Up Trustee, helping to promote mental health awareness for the UK Armed Forces.
Justin is a trustee of Head Up, and served 5 years with the Rifles Regiment. 1 Frontline tour of Afghanistan, where he received a battlefield injury resulting in double above-knee amputations. Medically discharged from the army in 2014. He is an adaptive athlete with interests in a variety of sports including, mountaineering and hand cycling and is now working in furniture design and manufacture.
We have Head Up flags up for grabs to anyone that can take a picture in an interesting place. Email us to apply for a flag.