Research on Waterloo charity

To find out about the charity I decided to look at their story part of the website, this is what I found out:

Waterloo uncovered is a UK charity, they combine veterans and an archaeology project. They aim to understand war and its impact on people, and to educate the public about it.

The founders of the charity, Mark Evans and Charlie Foinette, both studied archaeology together at University College London, before joining the army. They both chose to join the Coldstream Guards, and led men into combat as well as seeing war up close and personal, and felt its impact first-hand. 

In 2010, after returning from Afghanistan, Mark was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Four years later the Ministry of Defence began a project to support veterans through archaeology, and Charlie thought Mark would be an ideal candidate. They were both amazed that archaeology could help veterans recover and support their transition into civilian life. 

Inspired by their shared past and the approaching bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, they decided to create a new venture to involve serving personnel and veterans in unearthing the secrets of the Battle of Waterloo.

As they began to set up the venture, they were shocked to find out how little archaeology had previously been carried out at the battlefield. A well as there being little to no eyewitness accounts. Also, only 200 years after the battle and most of the archaeology was almost gone, looted by metal detectors, disturbed by modern farming and eroded daily by the natural environment. “What was left needed to be recorded now, or risk being lost forever”

“Charlie and Mark acted fast and sought the help of some of Europe’s top archaeologists and historians who readily joined the project. Universities, companies, governments, organisations and individuals all jumped on board, seizing the chance to be a part of such an ambitious plan.”

“Archaeology has been proven to help recovery from injury. A multifaceted discipline, it offers opportunities to everyone no matter their ability or injury. In particular, it is very helpful to those who suffer or suffered from PTSD. The work not only provides interest and focus but is also meditative. Its outdoors and team-based nature is particularly appealing to soldiers, and the chance to do work that will be appreciated and seen by the public makes it even more rewarding.”

This is what their aims are according to the GOV website. 

“Waterloo Uncovered was established in 2015, the Battle of Waterloo's bicentenary, to undertake the first major excavation of the battlefield, and support serving personnel and veterans in their recovery, education and return (transition) to civilian life. The charity includes education and welfare as charitable objectives and encourages multinational collaboration.”