The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Richard Demarco talks of  ‘the healing power of art’

The Edinburgh HQ of electronics company Leonardo is marking this year’s Armed Forces Day (25 June) by hosting a month long exhibition for staff displaying original artwork and poetry created by ex-service men and women supported by the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans, Combat Stress. The official opening of the event took place at Crewe Toll yesterday.

Senior members of the RAF and Richard Demarco, one of the founding fathers of the Edinburgh Festival, opened the exhibition to share their views on the paintings and text produced by the veterans. Artwork will be displayed alongside a ‘textline’ number for mobile donations and a collection box and there are plans to repeat the exhibition in November to mark Armistice Day.

Arts impresario Richard Demarco, Director of the The Demarco European Art Foundation, opened the event with his thoughts on the healing powers of art and how it can be used as a balm to those suffering both mentally and physically. The AOS’s secretary, Sqn Ldr Nobby Clark and OC 603 (City of Edinburgh Squadron) and Sqn Leader Jerry Riley paid tribute to the work of the charity and Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Glen MacDonald (rtd) gave an eloquent description of the process the veterans go through to channel their experiences into art.

Leonardo, previously known as Finmeccanica (and, quite a while back now, Ferranti’s) has provided security equipment to Britain’s armed forces for over 73 years. The exhibition was the brainchild of one of the company’s apprentices, Michael Given, who wanted to find a productive way of supporting veterans, as Combat Stress is the chosen charity of Leonardo’s UK apprentices.

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans, providing free specialist clinical treatment and support to ex-servicemen and women across the UK with mental health conditions. The charity treats conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, and provides a range of free services including short-stay clinical treatment, a specialist PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme, occupational therapy, community support and a free 24-hour Helpline (0800 138 1619).

Sue Freeth, Chief Executive at Combat Stress, said: “Everyone at Combat Stress is incredibly grateful to Leonardo for their support in showcasing our veterans’ artwork.

“The event will raise awareness of Combat Stress and the work we do as the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans. We are always working to encourage more veterans to seek our help as we know the difference that our free specialist clinical treatment and support makes.

“We saw a 28% rise in referrals over 2015/16 so fundraising events like this are vital in ensuring that Combat Stress is able to continue supporting veterans in Scotland and across the UK.” 

While the event will not be open to the general public, it will be accessible to all Leonardo employees and it’s hoped that it will raise healthy funds for the charity as over 1800 employees are based at the Crewe Toll site.

For more information about Combat Stress’ fundraising events please contact Kath Provan on 01292 561347 or email kath.provan@combatstress.org.uk.

Pictures: Mike Glendinning