Paul Bromwell

Paul Bromwell is an ex-Welsh Guardsman and Falklands War veteran.

20 years ago he founded the charity Valley Veterans in the Rhondda providing weekly support for vulnerable veterans to benefit their mental and physical health. His diagnosis with PTSD 25 years ago gave him personal insight into the complex needs and struggles of fellow veterans. Paul received training as a veterans mental health support mentor that lead him to set up Valley Veterans. For the first 15 years Paul personally funded the group by remortgaging his home to purchase land to build stables for equine therapy services to assist veterans mental health and wellbeing. Since then, Paul has widened the support offered at the hub.

The recently developed nature area on the land near the stables offers horticultural activities, and twice­ weekly Breakfast Clubs provide hot food and drinks alongside the housing support, employment and benefits advocacy and mental health assistance that the charity provides.

Paul has established strong links between Valley Veterans and the MIND mental health charity and NHS Veterans Wales Mental Health Services. Despite his own health challenges, Paul has helped the hub grow to support around 140 veterans and is recognised as the role model for other veteran support groups to emulate in Wales.