Paul is one of our Navigators working in Gwent, Wales. The Navigator Service is for veterans who aren’t quite ready to start employment. The service helps veterans improve their health and wellbeing, by taking part in meaningful activities and connecting with others to develop a strong support network.
Name: Paul Roberts
How long have you been working as a Navigator? 8 months
Where do you work? Gwent, Wales
How did you get into this job? A couple of colleagues I worked with in the Armed Forces community recommended this role to me.
What does a typical day look like? A typical day starts off with a big mug of coffee and looking at my diary for the day and preparing for a day of driving to meet with the veterans. It may also involve meeting with allied stakeholders around the region to discuss a veteran or to share information about what is happening in the Armed Forces community.
Meeting with the veteran and talking with them about the challenges they face. This could be at a coffee shop, a public place or Veterans Hub. Quite often it is a gentle approach of building trust, breaking down barriers and building a rapport. Identifying needs, concerns and expectations is key. If the meeting is a follow up meeting it normally involves reviewing what was discussed last time and agreeing what steps to take next. Often the Veteran will be encouraged to take action themselves. However, due to the nature of challenges, I will often accompany/advocate for them at meetings or arranging for them to access the help/services/benefits they should be receiving.
What do you love most about your job? Meeting with veterans and helping them discover they can feel they have a purpose in life again. Seeing the people I work with walk tall again.
How do you approach working with a new veteran/family member? A gentle introduction. Not delving into their challenges too quickly. Allowing the veteran to understand that the Navigator role is there to support and that the Navigator can relate to the challenges they are experiencing. Quite often this involves talking about Service time – “pulling up a sandbag and shooting the breeze”. Giving the veteran a chance to feel heard and understood and not being judged.
How many veterans/family members are you working with? Working with 17 Veterans with various needs and challenges.
How many people have you helped back to work? I have not helped anyone back to work per se – however I have helped a number of veterans to get to the start line where they feel ready to start thinking about going back to work or finding something that they can contribute towards such as volunteering or joining a veteran support group.
Do you have any advice for a veteran who is thinking about contacting The Poppy Factory? Reach out. Don’t struggle on your own. Remember how you were when you were in service – you wouldn’t see someone struggle and you’d want to help them. Sometimes you just need to have a little support until you are ready to go again on your own.
Do you have any hobbies? No hobbies as such – but have lots of activities I enjoy doing. Walking and getting out and about in the fresh air. Going to the gym to help keep me fit and mobile enough that I can hit the hills and enjoy being out and about. I’m also learning to play the banjo – but that’s a secret!
Find out more about our Navigator Service here.