Looking for Support?
About Connect To Protect
Connect To Protect is a veteran-led charity established to promote and protect the physical and mental health and wellbeing of veterans, serving personnel, and their families.
We were founded in recognition that service life, transition, trauma,
identity, family pressures, and stigma can have a lasting impact on
wellbeing. These experiences are not always fully understood by the systems and services people turn to for help.
CTP exists to improve that understanding and strengthen support.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to improve wellbeing by advancing understanding, facilitating support,
reducing stigma, and helping professionals and organisations respond more effectively.
We do this for the public benefit and in line with our charitable purposes.
Our Areas of Work
Education and awareness
We help professionals and organisations better
understand the issues affecting veterans,
serving personnel, and families.
Peer support
We support safe peer environments where
shared experience can reduce isolation and
build trust.
Advocacy and research
We support better systems and better outcomes
through advocacy and evidence-informed practice.
Counselling and wellbeing services
We aim to provide or connect people to tailored counselling,
wellbeing, and recovery support.
Public and professional education
We use training and awareness work to reduce
stigma and improve confidence in working
with veterans and families.
Who We Support
Our work is focused on:
Veterans
Serving Personnel
Families
We also work with:
Health Professionals
Social Care Staff
Statutory Services
Charities and Community Groups
Wider Communities
Because improving outcomes is not only about helping individuals directly.
It is also about helping the systems around them respond better.
Governance
Connect To Protect is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the
charity’s work and ensuring it meets its legal and charitable obligations.
Meet The Board
Our Board of Trustees brings together lived experience, professional knowledge,
and a shared commitment to improving support.
Jamie Wilson
Hi, I’m Jamie, currently serving with the RAF
in Northern Ireland. With a background as a
physiotherapist, I am deeply passionate about
promoting mental health and
well-being within the veteran
community.
Ian Hill
My name is Ian Hill, and I have over 40 years of service as a Regular and Reserve officer with the Adjutant General’s Corps. I was absolutely delighted to be invited to become a Trustee with CTP and it is a privilege to be part of an organisation that will deliver bespoke wellbeing and mental health assistance to our veteran
Michael Donaldson
Michael Donaldson brings over 30 years of frontline mental health experience, operational service as a Combat Medic. On Op TELIC 7 and Op TELIC 8, and a career spent
working at the sharp end of trauma, crisis,
and recovery.
His experience includes the DCMH at Thiepval
Barracks, Lisburn, HM Naval Base Devonport,
acute admission wards across Northern Ireland,
and prison healthcare roles at Maghaberry and Hydebank.
Through his work with Inspire and as founder of
Connect To Protect, he has earned the trust of
veterans and professionals alike, alongside
recognition through the RCN NI Defence
Nurse of the Year Award and the Veterans
Community Champion Award.
Nicholas Pannell
Hi I am Nick Pannell, I am a veteran, I served a total of 38 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps both regular and reserve service, and I am passionate about Mental Health.
Johnny Klewchuk
Johnny 53, with family originating from Winnipeg Canada is a dedicated professional who has served with the Ministry of Defence since 1989. A committed family man, he is married to Michelle and is a proud father to five children-Emma, Reece, Cameron, Aleesha and Jaxon along with the family’s beagle, Luna.
Beyond his career, Johnny is a passionate advocate for veteran’s charities and a strong supporter of children facing challenges. In his free time, he enjoys water-based activities, particularly offshore sailing, where he holds experience as a costal skipper and Rib operator.
