Former servicemen and women can face many challenges when they leave the armed forces. Among the
toughest of these challenges is often reintegrating into civilian life and replicating the sense of purpose and self-worth they experienced while serving.
Many
will find new purpose through employment, but volunteering can also be an effective means of meeting
new people, reducing
social isolation and
discovering activities that improve well-being and may lead to employment
opportunities.
Scott, how would you describe your role at WWTW? I lead WWTW’s volunteering programme, OP-REGEN. OP-REGEN offers a
platform for ex-military personnel to recognise
their inherent skills
and empowers them to demonstrate these skills to the wider community. For those that have landed
on hard times,
the project aims to support
these individuals and their families to reintegrate back
into society.
What does an average day look like to you? An average day for me includes engaging with volunteers to ensure they
continue to feel valued and operate as extended members of the WWTW team. Other
responsibilities include liaising with other departments in the charity and
referral pathways to help recruit more
volunteers and raise awareness of the
programme. In addition, much of my time is spent
supporting those volunteers that wish to take
a leading role, supporting them with identifying potential activities, events
and helping them develop briefs and rallying support.
What's the best bit about your job?The best bit of my role is undoubtedly seeing the impact that OP-REGEN
has upon those that engage within their communities. That might be in raising
awareness of WWTW support services, which often results in more veterans
seeking support; veterans who might not have sought help otherwise. Or the
impact of seeing our volunteers receiving the recognition that they deserve in
supporting their communities.
I’m very proud to represent walking WWTW, an organisation that supports
all, irrespective of optics, rank or injury.
A veteran in need is a veteran
in need and we help by providing the tools to achieve long term sustainable independence.
What is the biggest challenge?
It goes without saying that the global pandemic has been challenging and has led to events
and activities often being
cancelled at late notice. However, OP-REGEN was born during this time and has
been able to provide an opportunity for members of the armed forces community
to play a part in the solution.
Another challenge and something that I am passionate about is changing
the lack of awareness of the benefits of volunteering and the importance of the
role that volunteers play within our sector. This is something that we aim to
change as OP-REGEN grows, more veterans are supported, and a bigger impact is
made.
If you could change one thing about support for veterans, what would it be?
There is a lot of support out
there for the armed forces community. However, I feel it is often not well
known and somewhat disconnected. In 2022, OP-REGEN
will launch the regional leadership programme; regional leaders will be supported to help glue the
cracks between support services for veterans and raise awareness of help within
their areas, alongside facilitating and developing volunteering opportunities
for veterans and volunteers within their respective demographics.
What would you like to achieve in this role in the future?
I aim for OP-REGEN to be recognised as the go-to volunteering programme within our sector and to be delivered on a national scale with
regional leaders operating across the UK, raising awareness of the support
services for veterans, showcasing the values and standards of those that serve and supporting Walking With The
Wounded’s mission to be the first port of call for those we support.
