Military children’s charity has launched its first therapy programme

Little Troopers has launched new services to support children whose parents serve in the British Armed Forces.

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the programme will initially run in England for two years, offering free one-to-one psychotherapy sessions and community therapy groups.  

One-to-one sessions will be opened to 100 children, while group meetings will consist of 50 sessions.

Set up in 2011, Little Troopers have hired qualified therapists from The Owl Therapy Centre who will deliver the provision.

The one-to-one programme includes six hour-long meetings and is open to military children from the ages of three to 18.

The group sessions are designed for teenagers to meet in local youth clubs and community centres, giving them opportunity to speak with other young people who have been impacted by military life.

Louise Fetigan, Founder of Little Troopers, said: ‘We have seen a big increase in the number of military families contacting our charity worried about how military life is impacting the wellbeing of their child.

‘The Little Troopers Therapy Programme is something I have wanted to bring to fruition for some time and is a step-up in support from our charity, filling the gap that exists between everyday support for military children that can be provided at home and in school, and crisis support already delivered through the NHS.’

Therapists who work for the Therapy Programme come from the CQC Therapy Centre which has more than 550 clinicians, meaning all sessions will take place face-to-face and will be delivered in either a local space or the child’s home.

Nicola Lathey, Managing Director at The Owl Centre, said: ‘At The Owl Centre we are thrilled to partner-up with Little Troopers to provide this much-needed therapy programme for forces families across the country. 

‘There has been a huge increase in referrals to The Owl Centre for our Mental Health and Wellbeing services generally since Covid, predominantly around anxiety. We have also seen an increase in referrals for military families, where one family member is about to be, or has been deployed, with families feeling the impact of this weighing heavily on their shoulders.’

The therapy programme was launched yesterday in aid of World Mental Health Day. 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez