Toby'S Story

Toby served in the Royal Engineers for four years, and when he left the military aged just 21, his transition back into civilian life was a difficult one.

Returning to civilian life

Serving in the Royal Engineers for four years, Toby’s deployment to Serbia was a life-changing time resulting in lasting mental trauma. Only 21 when he left the military, Toby’s transition back into civilian life was not straightforward and he relied heavily on drink. His life started to implode until he was finally diagnosed with PTSD and help came through veteran services.  

Toby was initially in the RAF cadets when he was 17, but when looking for a career he decided to enlist in the Army. He qualified as an HGV driver with the Royal Engineers and he enjoyed military life, making strong and lasting friendships with the guys he served with.  

When he looks back on his four years in the Army, however, it is with mixed emotions. His deployment to Bosnia was a major turning point. After leaving the services he found the return to civilian life challenging, and he was in and out of work, unable to settle in a job. 

A significant diagnosis

Toby had always been a talented musician and artist - he had played various instruments at school and sang in the choir. He now turned to his creative skills and became a music technician at a university, running workshops in sound engineering and undertaking recording work with some well-known bands and artists. Although he worked hard, and loved the work, the financial rewards were not sufficient, and money issues were a significant worry, adding to his troubles. 

Things started to get worse and he was relying on alcohol to manage. At this point, he decided that the only way he could cope was to leave his wife and son and try to manage alone. 

Toby was eventually diagnosed with PTSD and received intensive treatment at Combat Stress, the Veterans’ Mental Health charity. As part of this, he took part in Art Therapy and found it to be a very powerful part of his treatment. ‘You would draw or write something very personal, very deep and dark and then be asked to share it with the group. It was tough.’ 

Exploring new passions

Toby continued his treatment through Op COURAGE for a year before he was referred to Joanne, his Employment Advisor at WWTW and they discussed possible plans for the future. He had initially considered going back to work, but Joanne thought that it might be better for him to try volunteer work to help build his confidence, re-apply skills and re-socialise him. Joanne talked to Toby every week and together they set small achievable goals so that he never felt overwhelmed.

Over the last year, Toby has really spread his wings. He is using his creative skills again and runs some local community art sessions and has himself produced three pieces of art that were displayed at the Veterans’ Art Exhibition in St Pancras Hospital, London. 

Toby also volunteers at a food bank hub and raises funds for the hub by making and selling key rings, dog leads and collars made from para chord. He arranged a local walk and talk group (with support from the local mental health service) with a view to organising camping trips in the future. 

Over the last year, Toby has really spread his wings. He is using his creative skills again and runs some local community art sessions and has himself produced three pieces of art that were displayed at the Veterans’ Art Exhibition in St Pancras Hospital, London. 

Toby also volunteers at a food bank hub and raises funds for the hub by making and selling key rings, dog leads and collars made from para chord. He arranged a local walk and talk group (with support from the local mental health service) with a view to organising camping trips in the future. 

Toby still speaks to Joanne every week and she offers encouragement, advice and continuity of support. She recently nominated Toby for a local volunteer award, the Veterans’ Recognition Award, which he won for his outstanding efforts in the community.