**Valley Veterans: How One Man’s Mission is Transforming Lives Across Wales**
Few who return from the frontlines escape unscathed, and for ex-serviceman Paul Bromwell, the scars ran deep long after his return from the Falklands War. At just 18, he found himself thrust into a world of unimaginable hardship and danger, an experience that would leave lasting marks on his mental health. His journey since has been one of profound transformation—not just for himself, but for countless others who have followed him on the path to healing and renewed purpose.
Recalling his earliest days back home in the Rhondda, Paul speaks candidly about the lingering trauma. “I was one of the youngest men in my unit,” he reflects, haunted by the memories. “I think about my own children at 18, and what I had to do at that age… It never leaves you.” For Paul, like so many veterans, the return to ‘normal’ life brought invisible wounds—chief among them, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compounded by the relentless weight of survivor’s guilt.
Therapy became a turning point. During a two-week retreat with Combat Stress in Shropshire, Paul discovered solace in horse trekking. He found that caring for and spending time with a horse offered him quietude when sleep escaped him. “Being up on the mountain at night with my horse brought me peace that nothing else could,” he remembers. The experience was so powerful that upon his return, Paul invested in horses of his own, eventually caring for as many as seventy over the years.
These deeply personal experiences formed the foundation for what would become Valley Veterans, a thriving support network based in the valleys of South Wales. What began modestly—Paul building stables in his own back garden to help a few friends—quickly blossomed into something far greater. “I just felt, if this helps me, maybe it can help others too,” he says. In the two decades since, the network’s reach has expanded dramatically, now supporting between 250 and 300 veterans from all over Wales.
Valley Veterans is more than a support group; it serves as a crucial hub for equine therapy, gardening, social connection, and practical assistance. Weekly sessions attract over 140 active members, with additional outreach connecting veterans to mental health services and advocacy. Paul has always insisted that Valley Veterans remains open to everyone—veterans and civilians alike—fostering a feeling of camaraderie and inclusion. “It’s a brotherhood,” he says. “We lift each other up when things get tough.”
The practical support offered by Valley Veterans is wide-ranging. From Thursday breakfast gatherings at Ton Pentre Community Centre—which regularly see up to 60 attendees—to midweek paperwork clinics and access to gardening and equine activities, the hub offers a lifeline to those who might otherwise feel isolated or adrift upon returning from service. According to Paul, just being involved and having something to look forward to can help veterans rediscover a sense of purpose and belonging.
The impact of Valley Veterans extends into partnerships with local mental health charities, such as MIND and Adferiad’s Change Step, who provide expert support on site. Sian Sexton from MIND speaks highly of the practical aid they can offer at the hub, while Stephen Sullivan of Change Step highlights the collaborative spirit at the heart of the operation. These partnerships have made it easier for veterans to receive direct help with everything from form-filling and money advice to advocacy.
Paul’s tireless dedication has not gone unnoticed. For many years, he funded the initiative himself, even re-mortgaging his home to buy land for the stables. His work has recently been recognised with the Community Champion honour at the St David’s Awards and a King’s Champion accolade, though Paul is quick to downplay personal glory. “It’s not about awards,” he insists. “Helping others helps me, too. The kindness goes both ways.”
The stories of those who have benefitted from Valley Veterans are testament to its life-changing influence. Gary Pethig, a former Royal Welsh Fusilier, credits the group with giving him both practical assistance and a reason to get out of the house. Stephen Roberts, who served in the Royal Engineers, says the group helped him reconnect with others after years of struggling with PTSD. Each story echoes the core philosophy that Paul has championed from the start: that no one should feel left behind.
Above all, being outdoors—whether tending to animals or planting in the garden—has given many the sense of freedom and purpose they had lost. “It could be mucking out the stables or growing tomatoes; it doesn’t matter,” Paul says. “The important thing is that spark comes back, and you rejoin the world.”
After years of service both on the battlefield and in the community, Paul Bromwell has built something far greater than he ever imagined: a legacy of hope, friendship, and purpose for the veteran community in Wales. His work stands as a powerful reminder that the hardest battles can lead to the most unexpected triumphs, and that, together, no one has to face their struggles alone.