Carly had a successful career in the Army, rising to the rank of Corporal throughout her 13 years of Service in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Iraq and Afghanistan. Then her mental health began to suffer. After leaving the Forces, Carly was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and struggled with homelessness. Following employment support, she is now ready to help other women who have served through the Everton in the Community Women Veterans programme.
Time in service
Carly said: “I knew I wanted to join the Army when I was 12 years old. I was a tomboy and I liked physical fitness and being outside, I didn’t much like the academic side of school.
“I joined when I was 16 in 1997, at a time when not many women joined the Services. I really enjoyed the initial training and the atmosphere, I met some really like minded people and embraced the camaraderie.
“Two years later I was sent on tour to Northern Ireland and soon after that, Cyprus. Both tours went OK. Then in 2004 I was sent to Iraq, and that was tough. My job involved protecting local women during search operations.
“In 2007 I went to Afghanistan. That was difficult too. There was loss of life and it was a hard environment to be in. I remember getting back from a tour and the first thing we did was get drunk. That’s how we coped at the time. Looking back, it wasn’t a good way to deal with what we’d been through. It wasn’t until I left the Army that I realised how my experiences impacted my mental health.”
Difficult times
“I left the Army in 2010. It felt like the right time for me. I enjoyed my time in Service and I’m proud of getting to the rank of Corporal. Joining so young made me wonder what else was out there, so I decided to move to Spain for a couple of years and open a bar with my partner. After that, I travelled around a lot for various jobs, including being a Biathlon instructor.
“I’ve had a hard time in recent years. My nan died during the Covid pandemic and I was caring for my partner, who injured his spinal cord in an accident. I was his full-time carer and I wasn’t getting much support. Then my dog died, and I knew I had to reach out and ask for help as things were getting too much. My mind was all over the place and I started getting flashbacks of my time on tour.
“In 2022, I moved back home with my parents in The Wirral and reached out for support. I was diagnosed with PTSD and signposted to Op COURAGE. They referred me to The Poppy Factory and that’s where I met my Employment Consultant, Andrew.
“Andrew has supported me enormously. Without his help I wouldn’t be where I am today. He’s helped me with more than just employment, he’s helped me move into a flat of my own and help me believe in myself again. I would sometimes ring Andrew for a chat and explain how I was feeling, and he’d listen and offer me guidance. It’s such a comfort to know I’ve got that support on the end of the phone.”
Andrew Pickersgill, Employment Consultant at The Poppy Factory said: “Carly’s journey is perhaps such a powerful one because every ounce of what’s brought her to where she is now, is testament to her own steely determination and resilience; her persistence and never giving up; her fortitude; her reaching out and accepting help, it also helps being able to partner with excellent projects like Everton’s Veteran’s Provision. I’ve really enjoyed working with Carly and I’m always at the end of the phone if she needs me.”
Laughing away the blues
“Andrew mentioned the work that Everton in the Community are doing to support veterans. Everton in the Community 
Veterans Provision is a project that helps people through engagement, support tools and evidenced-based behavioural change methods to improve their lives, so I went along to a Laughing away the Blues event. I was a little apprehensive at first but the people there made me feel so welcome. My confidence started to grow and I started to feel my spark coming back.
“I now believe I’m strong enough to move forward and help fellow female veterans who’ve been through similar experiences.”
More you might like
- Find out about employment support for the ex-Forces community
- Read inspiring stories of veterans who are transforming their lives
- Book your visit to The Poppy Factory in Richmond-upon-Thames