Nature-based Interventions and Equine Therapy for Uniform Public Services (NIETUPS)

This symposium, which took place in Chelmsford on 9 October 2024, was for anyone researching, delivering or potentially benefitting from participation in nature-based and equine therapeutic activities that help people adjust to life-changing circumstances. It brought together expert practitioners and researchers in the field of the recovery support from the United Kingdom and the United States.

The day included symposium presentations, as well as an interactive equine demonstration in partnership with the UK Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at ARU's Writtle Equine Training and Development Centre.

Warrior Equine – an organisation that works with Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and emergency service workers – said:

Sessions included:

• Symposium overview from Prof Matt Fossey (ARU Professor of Public Services Research; Director, Veterans and Families Institute for Military Social Research (VFI); Co-Director, Centre of Excellence for Equity in Uniformed Public Services (CEEUPS)
• Introduction to the needs of recovering UK and US uniform public service personnel from Dr Chris Kay, Dr Matt Carpenter (Vice President of New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NYLEAP)) and Jim Banish (Founder of NYLEAP, USLEAP and Valor Station)
• Adventurous activities and recovery support talk from Pete Smith (Warrant Officer Class 2, Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor, UK Ministry of Defence, Adventurous Training and military recovery) and Dr Ailsa Snaith (Expedition canoeing with Forces Wives Challenge Charity)
• Lived Experience from within Uniform Public Services talk from Clifford O'Farrell (UK Household Cavalry veteran) and Denny Wright (Rochester New York Police Department)
• Equine assisted programmes talk from Mary Jo Beckman (CDR, US Navy, Ret; PATH Intl Master Therapeutic Riding Instructor), Anita Shkedi (Equine Assisted Activities & Therapy) and Cpt Karl Scholes (Riding Master of the UK Household Cavalry Regiment)
• Equine assisted programme interactive demonstration from expert practitioners from ARU, EquuStrong, the Household Cavalry, and local and US veterans.

Videos and slides from presentations are available on request – email [email protected]

Exploring identity, belonging and psychological safety through outdoor adventures

The FWC project is an ongoing pilot study investigating the experiences of military wives as they participate in multi-day outdoor adventures. Recognising the heightened mental health vulnerabilities within the military spouse community, this research explores identity, belonging and psychological safety through immersive wilderness experiences.

The research is ongoing and has been conducted as a collaboration between ARU and Forces Wives Challenge, a community-driven organisation with over 1,700 members which co-ordinates outdoor challenges across the UK and internationally, creating opportunities for military wives to connect, support one another, and push themselves out of their comfort zone, undertaking activities such as mountain walks (Yorkshire Three Peaks), scrambling in North Wales, and open canoe and Nordic ski journeys in Sweden.

Military life presents unique challenges for spouses, including protracted separations, frequent house moves, disruption to social networks and support and career instability, all of which can have a profound impact on wellbeing (Padden and Posey, 2013). These stressors may contribute to the reported higher rates of depression, sense of isolation and aberrant coping mechanisms among military spouses compared with the general population (Gribble et al., 2019).

This study aims to explore the experiences of military wives on outdoor adventures outside of the military setting, and understand the long-term impact of participation.

The first part of the research was conducted in September 2024 on a six-day wilderness open canoe journey in Sweden (run by Sweden Outdoors Coaching), where 23 military spouses participated in anonymised journaling. Participants documented their thoughts and experiences throughout the trip, which will allow researchers to identify recurring themes.

The second part of the research will be conducted in March 2025 on a six-day Nordic ski journey in Sweden (also run by Sweden Outdoors Coaching). The study will conduct follow-up after six months.

Why is this research important?

This study fills a gap in research on the experiences of military spouses in non-military settings. While studies have examined the psychological impact of military life, little research has explored how shared outdoor challenges might impact wellbeing, support networks and resilience.

By focusing on identity, belonging and psychological safety, it is hoped that the findings will inform ongoing development of the outdoor challenges to optimise the experiences of the military wives and the wider impact on the military community.

It is also hoped the findings could help shape military family support programmes, highlighting the value of nature-based intervention in reducing isolation and promoting positive outcomes. By shedding light on the impact of shared outdoor adventures, this study is a step toward enhancing the wellbeing of all those who support and serve our Armed Forces.

The long-term goal of this research is to build an evidence base that can inform policy, improve support service and ensure military families receive the resources they need to thrive. We also aim to expand studies to service personnel and uniformed public services.