EDUCATION
“Adjusting to civilian life takes patience and determination” R
oyal British Legion Industries have been working with the Armed Forces since 1919. The latest addition to their
armoury of support is LifeWorks designed by Occupational Psychologist, Sharon Patmore.
The first word is from the Chief Executive of RBLI, Brigadier Steve Sherry: “Having joined as a 17 year-old soldier, I’d served 38 years in the Army before facing the transition to life on Civvy Street. Like 26,000 other men and women who leave the Services each year, I had to contemplate the daily demands of a life where there may be relatively little structure and where things that had been provided – like food, accommodation and a job to do – would be my responsibility, not someone else’s.
”I was lucky. With the support of family and friends I made that transition surprisingly painlessly, taking all the skills and experience I’d gained in the Army and applying them to similar roles in the civilian world of work. But I know that for many it’s not that easy or straightforward.
”Many who joined up straight from school with no previous employment experience, as well as those who did so to escape an unsatisfactory home life, can find it really hard to settle back into wider society. And for those who have the added trauma of an injury or health condition
– whether it’s physical or psychological – for whom re-training and rehabilitation may be essential if they are to adjust successfully, the future can appear exceptionally challenging.
“There’s help around but, because it’s provided through a number of different organisations, it can be hard to find out about and hard to get. As a result, too many people miss out on the support that is available. And sadly, without that support many of them are simply not able to seize the opportunities that do exist or to realise their full potential.
”LifeWorks is an innovative programme that provides just the kind of individual, tailored and on-going support that can help overcome the difficulties of adjusting to civilian life. I’m naturally proud and delighted to recommend it.”
These programmes are intended to help an individual gain a better understanding of suitable work options and how to access them. It also explores health and wellbeing, interests, personality and abilities, thus ensuring career choices are also realistic and achievable.
The programme has been attended by individuals from all three Services and has been extremely well received. Tom Greenwood of 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment said, “LifeWorks has given me a clear idea of what I am going to do in the next few months and where to look for further help when I need it”.
LifeWorks isn’t a set programme everyone follows – it’s built around you, it is your own plan with your own personal path to independence. If you have served in the Armed Forces and are not sure where civilian life will take you LifeWorks programmes can help.
Andrew Hughes “I served for many years with the RAF and have been very impressed by the course. It seemed like it would provide me with the tailored guidance and training I needed. Once on the course, the advisors were absolutely brilliant, it was like a friend that has come to rescue you.
“I had a really low opinion of myself but the five days made me feel positive again. My trainer helped me understand that I had many beliefs about myself that were holding me back. They were based on feelings which could have been influenced by depression. My trainer explained that I’ve got to challenge those beliefs and now I have”.
Chris Francis
“I started as a PTI in the RAF delivering parachute training. I left and ran two parachute schools where we did a lot of film and media work including Steven Spielberg’s Band of Brothers and ITV’s Drop the Celebrity. Then I had a stroke and later lost some of my eyesight.
“If you develop an unexpected disability, you need to try and find your way back into life and the work place again. I felt I had lost part of my persona and wasn’t who I used to be. That’s what’s been useful for me about coming on the LifeWorks course; the reaffirmation of self.”
LifeWorks and LifeWorks+ are available to anyone who has served at any time in any of the British Armed Forces, even if it’s a long time ago or was for a relatively short time. If you are struggling to find work for whatever reason get in touch. Please call us on 0800 319 6844 or email
lifeworks@rbli.co.uk
24 Envoy Winter 2011
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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