Veterans Viewpoint is a community-led project supporting veterans by reconnecting them with the outdoors, local landscapes, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The project addresses loneliness, isolation, and mental wellbeing by encouraging veterans to get outside and engage with the natural and historic environment around Catterick Garrison — particularly the Yorkshire Dales, right on the Garrison’s doorstep. Through walking, photography, writing, and simple exploration, participants rebuild routine, confidence, and connection.

Veterans take their own photographs and write first-hand reviews and reflections of the places they visit. These authentic contributions form published content within Town & Dale – Outdoor Lifestyle & Adventure Magazine, as well as across digital platforms, helping to inform and inspire the wider military community to get outdoors and explore what surrounds them.

A central part of the Veterans Viewpoint philosophy is making these stories visible and accessible beyond traditional media. Five veteran photographs are commissioned into high-quality postcards, each featuring an iconic, eye-catching stamp-style QR code. These postcards are distributed free of charge across the Garrison and surrounding areas, inviting people to scan, explore, and discover the stories behind the images. Over 5,000 postcards are currently in circulation, with a further 5,000 ready for print, creating a tangible link between outdoor exploration, storytelling, and community engagement.

By sharing real experiences from within the Armed Forces community, Veterans Viewpoint helps serving personnel, veterans, families, and visitors discover what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of the Yorkshire Dales — from walks and viewpoints to towns, villages, and lesser-known places.

Veterans Viewpoint promotes:

• Mental health, wellbeing, and time in nature

• Physical activity and outdoor exploration

• Creative expression through photography and writing

• Community connection within the military family

• Confidence and purpose after service

The project also supports the rural and tourism economy by encouraging responsible outdoor access and highlighting local destinations. Free postcards, exhibitions, and public displays further extend its reach, allowing both military and civilian audiences to engage with veterans’ perspectives.

Veterans Viewpoint is not therapy, and it is not about looking backwards. It is about moving forward, through fresh air, shared stories, and reconnecting with the land that surrounds the Garrison.

Veterans Viewpoint – Connected by Service