A COMMUNITY interest company which works to support former and current Armed Forces and emergency service personnel is due to release a documentary following the work it does.
Model for Heroes is celebrating the release of its documentary, which will premiere at the Army Flying Museum, in Middle Wallop, on Saturday, January 27.
Models for Heroes is a community interest company which since 2017 has provided model-making activities for veterans and emergency services personnel.
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Over the last year alone, Models For Heroes have dispatched boxes of model-making supplies to over 180 beneficiaries and hosted over 1,000 hours of model-making sessions via a UK-wide network of volunteers.
Salisbury-based filmmaker Richard Clarke filmed the charitable activities of Models For Heroes at locations across the UK throughout 2023, with a focus on how building models helped both volunteers and beneficiaries of the organisation in their daily lives.
Richard said: “I had heard of Models For Heroes from attending model shows, but not a lot about the work the charity does, or how it all started. So, I thought about how I could help get it's message beyond the world of modelling, and that’s where the idea for the film came from.
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"I wanted to show how Models for Heroes started and how they help beneficiaries. This included talking to experts in their fields about mental health issues and how a hobby like modelling can help.
"I have learnt a lot about Models for Heroes over the year of filming and met some amazing people along the way, without them, this film would not have been possible.”
Models For Heroes director Malcolm Childs said: “I am delighted to see this film which highlights the impact the work of our fantastic 150 plus volunteers make to beneficiaries right across the UK.
"This premiere is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our volunteers and to reflect on the tremendous privilege we have of building models together with our beneficiaries. I have seen first-hand how model building encourages focus, patience, development of coping mechanisms and delicate motor skills.
"I am proud that we can support our armed forces and emergency services personnel with an activity which promotes positive mental health in a supportive social environment.”
More information on Models for Heroes can be found at modelsforheroes.org.uk. A trailer for the documentary is available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch.
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