Richard joined the Army when he was 19 years old. The experience of losing comrades in Afghanistan and Iraq led to very difficult times in the civilian world. But with …
Adaptation is rewarding for ex-Forces patient David
A combination of health conditions and low self-confidence left former soldier David struggling to see a way back into employment in his 50s. After his GP referred him for employment …
Gary regains the power to inspire through fitness
Gary Hart, from West Sussex, experienced a lot during his time in the Armed Forces – first in the Royal Navy and then in the Army as a member of …
Ex-Army job seekers will overcome barriers with support from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
More ex-Army job seekers will be supported to overcome employment barriers thanks to significant new funding from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The charity has awarded a substantial grant towards the …
Ex-Forces patients benefit from NHS-backed employment support
Ex-Forces patients who are being treated for mental and physical health conditions can now access one-to-one employment support through pilot projects backed by NHS England. Health professionals can refer veterans …
Steven is riding tall after recovery
Steven, 25, thought joining the Army would be the escape he needed. But after being discharged he found himself slipping further down the road of alcohol and drug addiction. With …
Armed Forces Week: Working together on job opportunities, equipment and training
As the UK celebrates the contribution of veterans during Armed Forces Week, we look at how a partnership between specialist charities is helping ex-Forces job seekers with health conditions to …
Army veteran Josh weathers Covid-19 downturn with hospital work
This week is Men’s Health Week, offering an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health and wellbeing. For many of the veterans we’ve supported …
John secures a new job at 60
Former soldier John could no longer continue with the tough building work that he had done for 30 years. Opportunities seemed to be few near his home in the North …
Liam turns his love of dogs into a business
Just one year after being recruited into the Royal Marines, Liam’s dreams of a long military career were cut short by a serious back injury. Then the 24-year-old from North …
Stress Awareness Month: Helping veterans overcome stress
Many of us have experienced stress in some form or another. Especially over the past year, when so many things have changed. Our work routines have been disrupted and our …
Veterans with health conditions supported into more than 200 jobs since lockdown
More than 200 jobs have been secured by veterans with mental and physical health conditions since the first UK lockdown, following employment support from The Poppy Factory. The charity has …
Bob joins Ambulance Service at height of pandemic
After serving in the Royal Military Police, Bob experienced some difficulties in his civilian career that had a serious impact on his mental health. With support from The Poppy Factory, …
Supporting Musa to step out from isolation
Former Infantryman Musa Jallow, 39, was isolated and struggling with his mental health. He thought he would never have the confidence to work again. With employment support he is finding …
Funding will help more RAF veterans move into employment
RAF veterans with health conditions will be supported back into work throughout the challenges of the next 12 months, through further funding from the RAF Benevolent Fund. The Fund has …
Michael’s long journey to a secure home and future
After leaving the Army, Michael Murphy, 40, was hit by a series of family tragedies and went through a very difficult time. With employment support he was able to find …
New pilot will combine housing and employment support for veterans
Veterans with health conditions who are supported by leading housing provider Stoll will also be offered employment support from The Poppy Factory through a new partnership launching this week. The …
National Work Life Week: Helping veterans find the right balance
It can be very difficult to find a good work life balance. And for those who continue to work from home in response to coronavirus, it may be increasingly hard …
Expert tips to make your CV work for you
Every day, our employability team supports veterans throughout England and Wales on their journey towards employment – and writing a good CV is an essential step on that journey. Here …
The Poppy Factory Annual Review 2019
The Poppy Factory’s employability service helps change the lives of hundreds of veterans with health conditions each year, and our work as a charity is developing all the time. We …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …