We are proud sponsors of the Help for Heroes Gig Rowing Team who are participating in the Great River Race 2019.
Group CEO Abid Hamid recently spent the day with Help for Heroes in Plymouth, at one of the charity's recovery centres which supports veterans who are wounded, injured or sick as a result of their service in the armed forces. Abid was invited to meet the veterans to discuss their transition into a career outside of the armed forces and to offer them career advice (they also managed to fit in a game of wheelchair rugby!).
“Overall the day was very humbling and positive. The people I met were amazing given the trauma that they've experienced, they are unbelievably positive but are in need of career support. The Ministry of Defence provides them with training options: retrain as teachers, do a degree, acquire new skills etc, but what they also need is support on various fronts from writing a CV to applying for jobs – and confidence.” – Abid Hamid
Abid was joined by Steve Maguire and Richard Housley, two ex-paras who founded Forces Cyber Pathways, a company that helps train ex-forces personnel in cyber security. "What do Help for Heroes do?" Help for Heroes is the leading charity for the armed forces community, empowering veterans and service personnel to reach their full potential and rebuild their lives after traumatic experiences. Supporting existing members of the armed forces, ex-service personnel and their families, Help for Heroes provides everything from mental and physical rehabilitation, to financial support and career guidance."Why is it important?" Veterans are undoubtedly very hardworking individuals, however they often encounter difficulties when transitioning back into a traditional workplace. During their time with the armed forces, they develop a very different skill set to that often required in other career paths, leaving them at a disadvantage when it comes to finding a job. It's important to raise awareness among employers about the situation many veterans face, and to remind them that they are accustomed to working in high-pressure environments, adapting to their surroundings, thinking on their feet and taking their initiative.
Employers need to learn how to support ex-forces personnel and create opportunities to facilitate their career progression."How can we all help?"
- Commit: join 3000 other companies who have already signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, which encourages companies to have a positive attitude toward employing ex-services personnel.
- Donate: donations are welcome as one-off or regular payments which contribute to the ongoing support Help for Heroes provides.
- Fundraise: from a simple bake sale to running a marathon, taking on a challenge is a good way to raise awareness and funds for the charity.
- Volunteer: volunteers are at the core of the Help for Heroes community, helping at events or representing the charity in your local area, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
- Find out more on the Help for Heroes website.
