Since 1932, Veterans Aid has been providing sustainable, long term solutions to veterans in crisis. Now we’ve made a commitment to our collective future with green strategies. Despite the pandemic we have continued to focus on making sure we do our bit for the planet.
Recent studies have shown that having access to green space promotes good mental health. This might not sound like anything new, indeed whose mood isn’t lifted with a walk through the park? Green infrastructure also has real, physical benefits of improved air quality, less noise pollution and reduced risks from flooding or heat waves.
In built-up urban areas, green spaces can sometimes be in short supply. But that’s not the case at Veterans Aid’s New Belvedere House in East London. Two garden projects were created in collaboration with Biotecture and Waterside UK. The sensory garden and living wall help create a calm and therapeutic environment for our residents.
Throughout the various Covid-19 lockdowns, gardens and public parks became an oasis for all trapped inside. Veterans Aid remained fully operational throughout the pandemic, and at New Belvedere, we developed and improved our outside spaces to make sure the residents were seeing greenery every day.
But that’s not all. As part of our £8.4m refurbishment, solar panels were installed on the roof of New Belvedere House. The solar panels are seamlessly integrated with the electrical system, so residents directly use the clean and free electricity created. Solar energy produces ZERO greenhouse gas – Veterans Aid is delighted to make these green, low-cost changes to its working model.
Veterans Aid has also encouraged staff to use green methods of travel where possible, with the majority of our employees using public transport or cycling to work. Clients in urgent need of emergency accommodation or medical care are transported via Zipcars rather than company-owned cars. Every Zipcar used takes the place of roughly THIRTEEN privately owned vehicles, drastically reducing carbon emissions!
It might not be much but Veterans Aid is doing its bit to save the planet with long-term, green solutions that really make a difference.
