HighGround is a charity which helps Service Leavers, Reservists and Veterans to find jobs, careers and vocational opportunities in the land-based sector including Farming, Forestry, Conservation, Landscape Design and much more.

Thanks to funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, HighGround have developed Rural Experience Weeks (REW) to improve veterans’ mental health and wellbeing with a 5 day, fully residential programme which includes Horticultural Therapy, Arboriculture, Forest School and Smallholding.

REW are delivered at Bicton College, a lovely spot in rural Devon. These weeks are an opportunity to be outdoors, doing things with like-minded people whilst learning about future opportunities in the land-based sector for employment and self-employment.

This year's Rural Experience weeks have been postponed to the 13th September.

1. You must have served in HM Forces – doesn’t matter how long for, or how long ago.
2. We understand that not everyone is ready to jump into full time employment, and our role is to help you get closer to finding out what you really want to do, and then travel with you as you get there.

Blesma Member John Spearing attended the course in 2019 and told Soldier Magazine: “I was medically discharged in March because of a head injury from a road accident I had on leave in 2015. I could never work in an office-based environment, I’m not that kind of person. Being outdoors appeals much more to me, and once you learn to use the equipment your pay improves quickly!”

Please note that Friends of High Ground works on a referral basis. If this opportunity is of interest to you, please ask your Bso or Outreach Officer to make contact with HighGround on your behalf.

You can learn more about HighGround here.