Ex-Army sapper Martin Douglas has told how his life was turned around after he posted a chance question on Facebook.
Martin, 35, from Oxclose, Washington, struggled to adapt to civilian life after 22 years as a Royal Engineer, and worked in a call centre and in motor manufacturing before he asked the question on social media that led to a job he enjoys. Martin was contacted by Manchester-based charity Veterans into Logistics, and says the rest is history.
And now the organisation that has helped Martin and 300 other veterans into jobs is launching a North East base in Sunderland with the aim of helping as many ex-military servicemen and women into well-paid HGV jobs as it can. The Sunderland arm of Veterans into Logistics will be headed by former trade union official and activist Alec McFadden, who said he became intrigued by the organisation when he heard about the plight of ex-service personal. many of who struggled to adapt to civilian life after leaving the armed forces.
"The weekend of Remembrance Sunday seems a good time to highlight that many Army, Navy or Air Force veterans find themselves unemployed, in prison or homeless," said Alec. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common and some end up taking their own lives. Our mission is to reduce unemployment and homelessness amongst the ex-military community by creating a pathway for veterans into the transport and logistics industry. These are well-paid jobs and we’re of course helped by a national shortage of HGV drivers.
"Our aim is also to achieve equality for all vets when they leave the Armed Services .They should be given free training to start a new career outside the Army, Navy or Air Force and help with housing. The step from life in armed services back into community is massive and the governments of all political parties have failed."
Although Sunderland has a higher than average ex-military population, Veterans into Logistics is keen to help people all over the region, and it has received a kick start with a donation of £40,000 from Asda to train 10 veterans into new careers as HGV drivers.
The charity already has a partnership with Asda Logistics Services and employs drivers trained by the charity. Melanie Richmond, Asda training manager, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Veterans into Logistics with this investment that will help to support 10 armed forces veterans with the opportunity to be upskilled to hold an HGV licence. We have been working with Veterans into Logistics for the last two years, helping them with their vision of supporting and rehabilitating ex armed forces back into work and civilian life and the next step of their life journey.”
VIL's partnership with Asda has already helped local veterans such as Martin, who left the armed forced in 2010. "I struggled to adapt to civilian life as I never had any real life experience as an adult, said dad-of-three Martin. "I had always heavily relied on following orders and routine so struggled to do things for my self. I wouldn't say the support when you leave the Army was adequate and it just feels like you're another number and once your out that's it."
"The difference VIL had made to my life is they've helped actually get me into a job I enjoy doing and I'm mentally a lot more happier," he said. "After leaving the Army I struggled for a long time. I feel like one of the lucky ones as there are people worse off then me."
VIE was founded in 2020 by Manchester veteran Darren Wright after his friend, Jamie Doyle, was found dead at home less than twelve months after leaving the Army, where he has served 22 years in The Royal Artillery. After walking away from Jamie’s funeral, Darren thought more needed to be done for ex-military personnel who are struggling to adapt to civilian life, as he too had struggled with the loss of the military network and structured military lifestyle.
Alec, who is the charity's national co-ordinator, said that the plan is to copy the success in the North East that has been achieved in Manchester and the North West ." It should be easier as we are now a registered charity , have great partners like ASDA and a great track record," he said. "Soldiers , Air Force and Navy military personal make great HGV drivers because they are used to taking orders and working alone, just getting the job done. Many people not ex-military seem unable to accept the degree to responsibility but to vets it comes with territory."
The launch has been supported by Martin's MP, ex-shadow veterans minister Sharon Hodgson, who has campaigned for more help for servicemen and women when they leave the armed services. "I am delighted that Asda are donating £40,000 towards the training of 10 unemployed ex-services personnel to be HGV drivers, and it is fantastic that Asda Washington will be the central depot for the training," she said. "I was honoured to be invited to the presentation at the depot and look forward to supporting investment in the skills of the future for veterans."
Veterans into Logistics trustee Major Daryl Groves is passionate about supporting ex-military personnel and alongside the charity’s driver training scheme, the team also provide personal guidance, as they understand the skills, discipline, and hard-working ethos that ex-military personnel have from their careers in the armed forces. “This donation will be life-changing for the veterans it supports, bringing structure, stability and financial security,” he said at the launch.
Alec said: "The biggest help could be Government providing support and assistance, a bridge when the ex-military first come out and providing the skilled training for them to become HGV drivers or other skilled jobs. The councils are key for homes and housing. With good jobs and homes, the transition back in the community would become smooth and totally by-pass prison .We only need a chance not charity , although we need charitable funding from Big Lottery to carry out our programme
"These are good jobs. The training with our courses can take a little as 25 days but there is no pressure and some take up to 40 days. The courses are free for our ex-military trainees, and they can get salaries from £36,000 up to £50,000. This is good money and with it comes a better quality of life, which they deserve."
For more information on Veterans into Logistics, visit: www.veteransintologistics.org.uk
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