Josh Smith experienced a troubled upbringing in Pembrokeshire and was looking for a fresh start when he joined the Royal Logistics Corps Reserves. He enjoyed his time in service but …
Donna overcomes challenges to join support network for South Wales veterans
Army veteran Donna Purnell, 36, from Ammanford, experienced mental health challenges and reached breaking point years after leaving service. With joint support from Veterans NHS Wales, Change Step and The …
RAF veteran Andy soars in new role after turbulent times
During a 12-year RAF career, Andy Jones worked on Tornado engines, joined a helicopter Search and Rescue crew and served alongside ambulance crews as a military co-responder. The 43-year-old father-of-one …
Ronnie will run his own marathon to support fellow veterans into work
A veteran soldier from Lincoln is taking on a marathon-length challenge to help others who are wounded, injured and sick and struggling to get back into employment. Ronnie Smith was …
100 Lives: RAF veteran Jim gets new career off the ground after stroke recovery
Jim served for many years in the RAF and in public service until a stroke left him temporarily paralysed down one side, bringing a sudden end to his career and …
100 Lives: Building a strong foundation to weather challenging times
Former soldier Keiren, 30, was on a self-destructive path after developing post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in Afghanistan, but with support he was able to turn his life around. …
Steve seeks support to weather the storm
After serving a full 23 years in the Royal Navy, Steve enjoyed a successful career in the NHS until drinking, depression and debt took their toll. With support from The …
100 Lives: Gareth takes stock and moves forward
Gareth Norburn, 39, served in the Royal Military Police until he was knocked down by a car while out running near his Telford barracks. After extensive surgery and rehabilitation, Gareth …
1OO Lives: Life beyond The Rifles for Dean
Former soldier Dean Paget, from Pontypool, served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Afghanistan. After completing a 24-year career in the Army he struggled to fit into the civilian world. …
RAF veteran Fraser charts a new course
Fraser, 53, served in the Royal Air Force for 10 years as an Avionics Engineer. He was six weeks away from realising his dream of becoming a Navigator when he …
Wildlife inspires Andrea to sketch out a new career
Andrea Bartlett served in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 12 years until she developed a degenerative optic nerve disease that runs in her family. After being medically discharged, the …
Extremely rewarding work for Steven
Former Royal Fusilier Steven Collins experienced tragedy when three of his comrades were killed by a roadside bomb while out on patrol in Iraq on his birthday. After leaving the …
Helping Mark find a new sense of purpose
Mark Stanley, 58, from Swansea, joined the Royal Signals as a teenager and was discharged seven years later after serving in Germany and Cyprus. Despite a successful move into a …
Helping Michael find the recipe for success
Michael Gallagher grew up in tough circumstances in Northern Ireland and served twice in the British Army, as a soldier and a chef. He was stationed in Woolwich alongside Lee …
Will drives forward to reach new heights
When he left the Army, Will struggled with mental health issues for some years and found it difficult to regain a sense of purpose. After going through counselling for post-traumatic …
Paul’s story
A former soldier who struggled to cope in the civilian world has found a new purpose leading others to help fellow veterans. Paul Atkinson, 50, completed three tours of duty …
Chris’ story
Chris spent 15 years in the Royal Navy and during his career received the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery Conduct. However, after a traumatic experience, Chris left the Navy and struggled with …
Yvette’s Story
Yvette served in the Army for 10 years, seeing active duty in the First Gulf War and Bosnia, where she drove heavy military vehicles for the Royal Logistics Corps. But …
A Mount-ain Climbed
In the summer of 1981, just a few months before his 21st birthday, Russ Kirby was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash. His left arm was paralysed and his naval …
Martin’s Story
Every person in our production team has interesting stories to tell. The team are made up of 24 people, many of whom are veterans, including Martin who served in the …
Finally I have found a job I believe I will be good at
Dom was a Driver Lineman in the Royal Signals for just over 10 years but left in 2007 due to a heart condition, PTSD and anxiety. He went into a …
Coaching For Success
Dean Graham, a 37 year old father and a former Corporal in the Royal Logistics Corps, developed a painful joint condition that affected his back while serving. He was medically …
New job for Dale
Dale, a former soldier who was injured while serving in Afghanistan, will be starting a new job on Monday 8th October with support from The Poppy Factory. Dale said: “I …
A Day in the Life of Employment Consultant Kirsty Gronow
Kirsty is one of The Poppy Factory’s 22 Employment Consultants who provide bespoke support for ex-Service men and women with physical and mental health conditions. We caught up with Kirsty to …
Danny’s Story – Our 1000th veteran helped
Father of two Danny Kitcher, 44, from Birmingham, is the 1,000th veteran to be supported into work by The Poppy Factory since the start of its Getting You Back to …
100 Lives – Tony’s Story
Tony, a former soldier was helped back into work by The Poppy Factory after a heart transplant. Tony who served in the Gloucestershire Regiment for five years, sought help from …
Wayne’s Story
My name is Wayne Harrod and this is my story on how I was helped by The Poppy Factory. I was in the Army, Infantry, 1 Royal Anglian. During December 2001 …
Ciaran’s Story
Two years after being medically discharged from the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, Ciaran Muir, 27, found meaningful work in the civilian world. In 2012, after serving in the British Army …
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