Funding the people behind Bramble Woods: practical social value in Catterick
August 28, 2026
Viking Arms Defence’s 2026 investment in e50K CIC has strengthened project leadership, supported employment for an Armed Forces spouse and helped Bramble Woods Community Garden maintain momentum during a period of growth.
Meaningful social value depends on more than good intentions. It requires capable people, consistent leadership and the resources to turn plans into sustainable results.
In 2026, Viking Arms Defence allocated investment in e50K CIC to senior project oversight at Bramble Woods Community Garden in Catterick. The funding covers just under 20% of the salary of e50K Projects Lead Rachael Ladd, enabling her to dedicate additional, focused time to the project.
Supporting a place where communities come together
Bramble Woods is a welcoming, community-centred green space for Armed Forces families, veterans and local residents. Its multigenerational programmes use nature-based activities to improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation, build confidence and develop practical skills.
The site is part of e50K CIC’s wider work to strengthen resilience and opportunity across the Defence community. As a Community Interest Company, e50K reinvests its income into expanding its impact, developing successful programmes and reaching people whose needs can otherwise be overlooked.
Investing in the leadership behind delivery
As Bramble Woods entered an important period of expansion, the additional oversight funded by Viking Arms Defence enabled Rachael to provide hands-on support to the site team.
Her work helped clarify roles and processes, strengthen day-to-day management and improve coordination across the organisation. It also supported the Communities Lead for the North and gave the wider team greater confidence during a period of change.
The result is a more stable and better-structured project, equipped to deliver sustainable benefits for the Defence community and local residents.
“Senior leadership support is essential in creating stability on site. It allows issues to be addressed early, supports managers to succeed, and ensures delivery remains consistent with our values and long-term objectives. While this work is often the hardest to fund, it is fundamental to sustainable delivery.”
— Rachael Ladd, Projects Lead, e50K CIC
Making the site team feel seen and supported
For a small team working on site, regular access to senior leadership provides an important connection with the wider organisation.
“Having senior leadership present on site gives us someone to communicate with in person, which is so important. It helps senior leaders see what happens day to day, allows us to showcase what we are doing and makes us feel seen and supported.”
— Kerry Anne Saunders
That connection helps operational challenges to be identified earlier and gives senior leaders a clearer understanding of what successful community delivery requires in practice.
Practical social value in action
Alongside strengthening delivery at Bramble Woods, the investment has supported employment security for an Armed Forces spouse and contributed to the stability of a UK micro-SME and voluntary, community and social enterprise.
At the time of publication, the outcome supports the intent of MAC 6a of the Social Value Model: creating employment and training opportunities for people who face barriers to employment. It demonstrates how targeted investment can create value simultaneously for individuals, organisations and the communities they serve.
Building lasting community resilience
Community projects flourish when the people responsible for delivering them have the time, support and stability they need to succeed.
By investing in leadership capacity at Bramble Woods, Viking Arms Defence has helped e50K maintain momentum, strengthen its workforce and prepare the site for more confident, sustainable delivery.
We are proud to support e50K and the people working every day to create stronger, more connected communities in Catterick.
