15 years of changing veterans' lives

For the past 15 years, Walking With The Wounded has supported veterans and their families as they rebuild their lives after serving in the Armed Forces. 

In that time, the charity has supported more than 15,000 people through our Employment, Mental Health and Wraparound Care Coordination programmes. Each story reflects resilience and recovery, and the life-changing impact that the right support can have.

To mark our 15-year anniversary, we're looking back at three inspiring stories from veterans that showcase the challenges our clients have overcome, and the difference Walking With The Wounded and our team have made along the way.

Sammy's Story

Sammy joined the Army in 2005, initially training as a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) technician before transferring to the Royal Signals, where she served for six years. This included postings in Germany, deployments to Kuwait and Qatar, and two tours of Iraq as a Combat Medical Technician and Radio Systems Operator.

After her second tour of  Iraq, she developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and was medically discharged in 2011. Struggling with her mental health, unstable employment, homelessness, and a relationship breakdown, she was referred by Walking With The Wounded to NHS veterans' mental health services, where she received specialist treatment, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

With ongoing support, she rebuilt her confidence through training courses and peer support before pursuing her original ambition of becoming a vehicle mechanic.

Through Mission Motorsport, with additional assistance from SSAFA, she enrolled on a Level 3 vehicle maintenance course, where she thrived, made new friends, and regained hope for the future. She credited the combined support of Walking With The Wounded, the NHS Complex Treatment Service, and the Tri-Service Veteran Centre with transforming her life.

Tom's Story

Tom, a former Welsh international cross-country runner, joined the Grenadier Guards in 2002 and served with distinction in London, Kenya, Bosnia and Afghanistan, rising to the rank of Sergeant.

After intense frontline combat in Afghanistan, he struggled to adjust to civilian life, developing depression and alcohol dependency that led to repeated homelessness, unemployment, imprisonment and a suicide attempt in 2021.

Determined to rebuild his life, he sought support from Walking With The Wounded Employment Advisor Tony, who helped him access training as a heavy machinery operator and secure funding through industry contacts.

Since qualifying, Tom has established a successful new career, overcome his addiction, stopped counselling and medication, and is now supporting his family while pursuing his passion for music and inspiring other veterans, particularly those involved in the criminal justice system, to believe recovery and a brighter future are possible.

Dwayne's Story

Dwayne moved from Grenada to England at age 16 and joined the Army Royal Logistics Corps, serving as a driver before qualifying in Explosive Ordnance Disposal and deploying to Iraq, Belize and Afghanistan, where he experienced traumatic combat.

Shortly after returning home, he was stabbed in the spine during an assault, leaving him temporarily paralysed, but he made a remarkable recovery and returned to service before being medically discharged due to a non-freezing cold injury.

Struggling to adapt to civilian life, he developed complex PTSD, alcohol dependency and homelessness before seeking help through NHS Op COURAGE and Walking With The Wounded.

With support from his therapist and Veteran Liaison Support Officer (VLSO) Clare, he secured safe housing, rebuilt his relationship with his children, stopped drinking, and began planning for a new career through further training.

Now continuing his recovery, Dwayne is passionate about encouraging other veterans to seek support and hopes to use his experiences to advocate for improved services and reduce the stigma around asking for help.