Squared Away: Need Help Getting Back On Civvy Street?

The transition from military to civilian life comes with a whole host of challenges and for some of the UK’s approximately 2.5 million Armed Forces veterans, help and support from charities is essential in getting their lives back on track.

With more than 2,000 military focused charities out there, veterans can be left confused as to which one is right for them.

That is where Veterans' Gateway comes in.

Veterans’ Gateway aims to be the first point of contact to put veterans & their families in touch with organisations best placed to help them.

With information, advice and support for a range of issues including healthcare, housing, employability, finances, personal relationships and more, the days of searching through endless websites are over.

Forces Radio BFBS is shining a light on resettlement as part of the #SquaredAway campaign.

Hear below how Veterans’ Gateway & the employment referral partners are helping people successfully make a new life on civvy street.

Assistant Director of Veterans’ Gateway Mark Collins spoke to Forces Radio BFBS’ Amy Casey about the initiative entrepreneur who, utilising the help available from X-Forces, was able to tackle some corporate giants in the snack food industry.

We are shining a light on resettlement and some steps that you can take via Veterans’ Gateway to ensure support & success on civvy street.

Someone who did just that is Kevin Bath, creator of JimJams, a company which makes reduced or no added sugar chocolate spread, jams and marmalades.

Hear from him below...

As we explore new initiative Veterans’ Gateway, we continue employment month with one of the referral partners – Walking With The Wounded. Chief Executive Ed Parker starts by telling Amy Casey about the charity.

It is not just about serving personnel and veterans; there is also support for families & spouses via the Veterans' Gateway. Olivia Smith reached out to Veterans' Gateway after following her husband for many years over the course of his career in the Royal Marines.

She had a niggling idea about a potential business and with a little help, she brought Olivia and Pearl to life.

Veteran John Geden suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and so reached out to Veterans' Gateway for help. They supported John not only through his recovery but also into an incredible new business.

Anyone who has suffered from or lived with PTSD will understand the struggle John went through but the charities that aided John’s recovery, also came to his aid a few years later when John and his daughter had an idea for a fantastic business. We hear about Sinah Common Honey next.

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