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. …
100 Lives: Holly’s Lemon Aid
Former Army mechanic Holly served for seven years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. After leaving the Forces she struggled with her mental health and found it hard to …
Employment support for more RAF veterans with health conditions
RAF veterans with health conditions who need help moving back into employment will be given one-to-one support by The Poppy Factory through new funding from the RAF Benevolent Fund. The …
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend The Poppy Factory’s 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey
D-Day veterans join thousands gathered for the ceremony in the 75th anniversary year of the Normandy landings The opening ceremony of The Poppy Factory’s 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster …
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 …
Wirral project launches as study shows value of employability support
Employment support for ex-Forces men and women with health conditions on The Wirral will have a positive financial impact for veterans, the NHS and wider society, according to a new …
Employment support for wounded, injured and sick veterans is worth £5.7m
New study measures the social value of The Poppy Factory’s employability service, which supports hundreds of ex-Forces men and women into work each year. For every £1 invested in the …
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 …
David is driven by a dairy farming dream
Former soldier David was seriously injured when he was struck by an armoured 4×4 in Iraq. After leaving the Army, his mental health suffered and he took a wrong path. …
Francesca makes her mark with 10K fundraiser
An entrepreneur is taking on her first ever 10K run after being inspired to help The Poppy Factory support wounded, injured and sick veterans back into employment. Francesca Gubbay, who …
MOD award gold to The Poppy Factory
The Poppy Factory has been recognised by the Ministry of Defence for its outstanding support for the Armed Forces community with an Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. It will be …
TV historian Dan Snow asks for support to help sick and injured veterans back to work
Broadcaster Dan Snow MBE is urging members of the public to get behind ex-Forces men and women with health conditions who need help moving back into work. …
Somerset veterans encouraged to seek employment support
Veterans in Somerset who have health conditions and would like to get back into work are encouraged to get in touch with The Poppy Factory. The appeal follows funding of …
Alison’s picnic fundraiser raises £1,000 for veterans with health conditions. And who doesn’t love a picnic?!
Alison Steele from Codsall in Wolverhampton has raised over £1,000 with the help of her friends and family by hosting a picnic as part of The Poppy Factory’s summer fundraising …
Getting to know… Employability Team Manager, Adam
Our Getting You Back To Work team comprises of 15 highly skilled Employability Consultants who work with veterans with health conditions to find jobs within their local communities. Adam is …
New RNRMC funding will support more veterans with health conditions into work
Wounded, injured or sick veterans who have served in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines and need help moving back into work will benefit from new funding for The Poppy …
Lynne is set to support veterans on the Wirral
Unemployed veterans being treated for health conditions who live on the Wirral can now benefit from employment support thanks to a new service available at St. Catherine’s Hospital run by …
Survey shows military skills and values are essential for workplace success
Skills and values developed in the military are essential for good performance in the wider working world, according to new research published in Armed Forces Week by veterans’ employment charity …
Zarah’s 8 top tips for writing a civilian CV
No matter what your title or rank, anyone leaving the Forces can feel stumped when putting a CV together for the first time. Zarah, our Employment Consultant based in South …
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 …
The Poppy Factory wins national employment award
The Poppy Factory has been named winners of the Disability and Health Employment category at the ERSA Employability Awards for its work supporting veterans with health conditions get back into …
Meet the volunteer giving veterans a head start in business
Setting up a business after leaving the Forces can be a big decision. But thanks to the advice of Nigel Messenger, a Poppy Factory volunteer and business owner with over …
Royal visits since the Second World War
The Poppy Factory has drawn tens of thousands of guests to our historic home in Richmond over the years, including some very notable appearances by members of the Royal Family. …
Happy Volunteers’ Week!
Last year, we had almost 100 volunteers supporting the charity in 19 different roles. We are incredibly grateful for all of our volunteers for their dedication and hard work. A …
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 …
Photos from The Poppy Factory archive
The Poppy Factory first opened its doors in 1922 to make Remembrance poppies and wreaths for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and the royal family commemorating those who died …