R3 Cymru, the Monmouthshire based charity which trains service veterans for civilian life, has taken over the lease of the former forestry offices and workshop at Wentwood.

Their next task is to raise sufficient funds to make the offices fully compliant for disabled access and meet all health and safety criteria. Initial costing puts their current financial needs at £50,000.

R3 Cymru has run already a few pilot courses using former NCOs as mentors for NEETS (Not in Employment Education or Training.) This has the double advantage of giving sustainable and satisfying work to veterans, building on their military 'Can Do' ethos and skills while giving a practical example to young men who, in many cases, have only known failure and unemployment.

This is the first stage of a much wider process of building on service veterans' skills, giving them further challenges in civilian life and the opportunities to bring their strengths and training into a variety of future careers.

The next step will be to have a permanent office at Singleton Court, from where all grant applications may be made, especially to raise money for the full conversion and adaptation of Wentwood as an appropriate training centre. So far Monmouthshire County Council have been very encouraging in their donation of machinery, office furniture and equipment, while NATWEST have supplied volunteer manpower to clear weeds and decorate the interior.

R3 Cymru are due to apply for a joint MoD and local authority grant to construct an assault course suitable for all disabled to use. Former soldiers will be trained as mentors and assistants to assist others to overcome their individual handicaps, perhaps setting them on the road for future Paralympic appearances.

Other courses will bring veterans into the green economy, qualifying them for a range of employment from forestry to wind farms.

In the short term, R3 is looking for sponsors and graduate interns to help in designing the website, assist in fundraising and developing a number of communication and admin processes.

If you would like to assist R3 Cymru in raising the necessary £50,000 to move their operation up a gear, contact the chairman: Andrew Hubert von Staufer on 07428 707600 or email [email protected]">[email protected]