b'AWAY FROM ISOLATIONIMPACT REPORT 2021In Scotland, Fares4Free offer free taxi transportation to Royal Navy veterans thanks in part to RNRMC funding, along with a network of volunteer drivers. Having started working with Fares 4 Free in 2020, the RNRMC developed the partnership further in 2021, providing 40,000 in grant funding to the Scottish organisation. Fares4Free founder, David Gibson, knows how valuable this service is in helping combat loneliness and isolation, and this was recently exemplified by the organisations work with a Royal Navy veteran who suffers from PTSD and agoraphobia:This veteran has been known to Fares4Free for over three years, said David. conditions, to leave the house more regularly on excursions to improve their quality of life. Though anxious at first, soon they were abler to go on walks, enjoy coffee stops and meals out, often accompanied by Stanleyor Coordinators dogwho proved to be a massive hit!The veteran (who wishes to remain anonymous) said:Life Transforming. What a journey. So much kindness. Until I was introduced to Fares4Free I was very anxious before appointments and had become extremely isolated. Then WOW my first cuddle with Stanley (beautiful Boxer Dog with a cute face) and immediately I knew that everything was going to be completely safe.DRIVING VETERANS AWAYDavid Gibson and all the supporting charities were so flexible in their approach with me, slowly immersing me in FROM ISOLATIONFares4Free took her to a veterans events and to a peera whole range of therapeutic services at my pace and, most importantly, not making me feel guilt-ridden when I just support group on a couple of occasions. We also took her tocouldnt face going outside.At the beginning of 2020 the RNRMC became part of the Military Mental Health Alliance,visit her parents, over 50 miles away, her father has terminalI was dumbfounded to learn the Royal Navy and Royal Getting around is tunity to sit in fran essential paront of the firt of life, howe and talk openly about my ever for some naval veterans,cancer and her mother at this point had a recent dementia Having the opporan informal consortium of healthcare providers, charities and other organisations acrossdiagnosis. This journey would have been impossible viaMarines Charity have been funding my trips and the curr sportaesses and physical difficulties mak fares4free part of my recovery journey. I hope they are so tranent str tion options are limited, and extra sues me awarpport is nee that my situation is eded. Thankfully, the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight working in partnership to create interconnected servicespublic transporther anxiety was off the scale.not unique and therpartner charities to helt for vp resoeterans, serlve these isving personnel, rsues, and some eservists andproud of your work and please please thank them from the RNRMC workso wvide mental health suppordesigned to pr ith e is light at the end of the tunnel.organisations have become lifelines for vulnerable individuals, providing far moreWe then investigated options for her and her teenage son,bottom of my heart.their families.who suffers from a number of physical and mental health than simply travel from A to B. 54 55'