Three months ago 'J' was sleeping in a wood near Hainault. Thanks to his Army training his shell-scrape ‘bivvy’ was snug, secure and virtually watertight. Clearly proud of his skills he describes the improvised ‘central heating’ system that relied on warmth channeled from his highly effective fire-pit.
“If I was a homeless civvy I would probably have ended up on the streets, under a cardboard box and they’re not waterproof you know . . . I learned a lot in the Army.”
According to 'J' it wasn’t hardship so much as the unvarying (and infrequent) diet of squirrel that got him down. Military training notwithstanding, he wasn’t very good at catching them.
But the Army wasn’t responsible for his plight, as he’s quick to point out - the morning after enjoying a reception at 10 Downing Street where he met the Prime Minister.
The 24-year-old former infantry soldier had attended the reception with Veterans Aid CEO Dr Hugh Milroy to mingle with members of the Royal Family, politicians and other beneficiaries of LIBOR funding. Recalling it the following morning he shakes his head, “It was just - surreal!”
A grainy phone snap (above), taken by Milroy on the famous doorstep, confirms that it was indeed very real.
After a childhood in Romford, 'J' went to Harrogate’s Army Foundation College; inspired to enlist by “watching Arnold Schwarzenegger films” and a genuine desire to get some qualifications – which he duly did. He served with 1 Royal Anglians from September 2005 to July 2011, did two tours in Afghanistan, as an infantryman then in a fire support role with a mortar platoon, served briefly in Northern Ireland and trained in Kenya. He returned to civilian life with some great memories, a medal, a son and plans for the future.
He had NVQs, a driving licence and a job. The Army had delivered on expectation; it was relationship breakdown and a costly legal battle to see more of his boy that caused things to unravel for Jason.
His month in the woods as a survivalist was all very well, but the point came when he knew he needed help. “You don’t like to ask though, it wasn’t easy.”
Eventually he swallowed his pride and went to the Royal British Legion. They referred him immediately to Veterans Aid.
First contact at the charity’s Victoria Drop-in Centre was former Fusilier Jon Fullan who took 'J's details, gave him money for immediate needs and arranged for him to move into the VA hostel, New Belvedere House, in East London.
'J' was stunned when he saw it. “I had mates who’d been in hostels and they were dirty, noisy places – real dives. But here, it’s great. Back at barracks we were four or even eight to a room; here I’ve got my own room, the banter is just like in the Army, we’ve got a 62” TV, a snooker room and the people are really nice. I’m making a fresh start here and I’m getting the help I need to move on.
“The wing commander (CEO Dr Hugh Milroy) told me when I left he didn’t want to see me again; not nastily, he just meant I shouldn’t need to come back. A least, not with my bags – lots of people come back just to keep in touch, but that’s fine.”
Milroy added, “Everyone who comes to Veterans Aid has a journey ahead of them, whether it’s a physical one, from the streets or temporary accommodation, or a more personal one that involves dealing with addictions, confronting realities and making enduring life-changes. The destinations are different for everyone and the variety of help we offer is limited only by imagination, but we need funding to deliver it.
“'J's presence at a Downing Street reception, just three months after living in a hole in the ground, excited no particular comment - because he looked just like everyone else. And that’s what veterans are; men and women who have served in the Armed Forces, but in other respects are just like anyone else. When they leave us, our ‘clients’ merge into the society we are all part of and simply get on with their lives. ”
Today 'J' is on a plumbing course and learning carpentry. He has a safe base and access to advice and guidance. When the time is right he hopes to join his parents in Cornwall and, when he’s older, introduce his son to surfing and adventure sports.
And maybe one day, he’ll be able to tell him how, through Veterans Aid, he met the Prime Minister.
***
* Veterans Aid received a grant of £160,000 from LIBOR. Prime Minister David Cameron said afterwards, "An excellent example of the Armed Forces Covenant delivering is the recent LIBOR grant to frontline charity Veterans Aid. This organisation has been helping ex-servicemen and women in crisis for nearly 82 years. It doesn't 'hand out' money, it gives individuals a positive 'hand up' providing bespoke help with education, skills training, mental health and homelessness issues.
"It takes around 3,000 calls for help a year, provides more than 20,000 nights of accommodation and in the last 12 months has placed 60 veterans in specialist treatment facilities. This group had primary problems like addiction - 40 to alcohol and 20 to drugs, gambling or other things. Nearly all are now well on the road to getting straight and leading sustainable, independent lives. Rehab is a fixed cost; the process that follows is not. You can't put a price on restoring confidence, making someone laugh, get fit or learn how to reintegrate into society, but all these are aspects of recovery that this inspirational charity spends money on."
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