A dream day out

At Brandon Trust, everything we do is focused on enabling people to live the life they want and achieve their hopes and dreams. In October this year, we were able to organise a dream day out for Chloe – and several others got to join in with the fun too! 

Bringing in the SAS

Back in the summer, Chloe joined a Brandon event to help us develop our new strategy. During the event, she shared that it was her dream to join the army and she was really keen to try one of their assault courses.

Little did Chloe know that Brandon CEO Sue, who was also at the event, already had some military connections. In no time at all, Sue had contacted army veteran and former Major of the SAS Ken Hames MBE and arranged for him to deliver Chloe's dream.

The army experience was held at a beautiful estate in Herefordshire. Chloe brought housemates Dan and Megan along to share the day out with her, and they were also joined by support workers Gill and Carmen.

Learning survival skills  

The morning started off with getting army-ready in camouflage clothing and paint, followed by learning how to build a shelter and practising lighting a fire. Chloe was the first to light the fire – proving that she was made for the army! 

Lunch was a proper army experience with pre-packed boil-in-the-bag rations, which were very tasty. It was all cooked by Chris, the second veteran who supported this day out.

Sue and area manager Kim had been invited for lunch too, and they joined the afternoon hunt for much-needed equipment buried around the camp. All of the equipment was found and included an essential army kit of torches and compasses.

The walk in the afternoon included orienteering, nature and wildlife. The group made it back to the tent just as a rain storm hit and everyone stayed warm and dry while enjoying hot tea and protein bars. 

Make dreams come true 

If you'd like to help people achieve their dreams and take part in amazing experiences like this, join us as a support worker. To explore the variety of rewarding roles we have available and find out more about working with Brandon, head to our jobs section.

Photos were taken earlier this year, in line with COVID measures at the time.