Soldier – August 2019

10 AUGUST 2019 http://www.soldiermagazine.co.uk

New direction for Soldier reader

The Poppy

Factory made

me realise my

potential

A

FORMER sergeant who was

struggling to cope in civvy street

has found a new path in life

after reading an article in Soldier.

Paul Atkinson (ex-QDG) developed

post-traumatic stress disorder on

leaving service in 2013 and struggled

to hold down jobs.

But the 50-year-old’s luck changed

after reading about The Poppy Factory

• a charity that helps veterans find
  employment – in this magazine and
  contacting them for help.
  He explained: “After the second Gulf
  war there were a number of incidents
  that stayed with me, and once I left the
  Army I really crashed.
  “I ended up getting a part-time job
  in a mobile phone shop but because
  of my PTSD dealing with awkward
  customers was difficult and I would
  have to walk out of the shop to calm
  myself down.”
  Within two months of contacting
  the charity, the former sergeant had
  found work as a mentoring coordinator
  for Forces charity SSAFA.

“The Poppy Factory made me realise

my potential and the value of the

experience I’d had from 22 years in the

Army,” he said. “If it wasn’t for them I

don’t think I’d still be here.

“My life was in such a mess – now

things have really changed.

“I lead a team of mentors who

support Service leavers, their partners

and veterans as they transition into

civilian life.

“And I’m using my own experience

to show them that even though they

may be in a bad place, there is light at

the end of the tunnel.”

To find out more about The Poppy

Factory visit http://www.poppyfactory.org

What’s your instrument?

Saxophone.

How did the Kneller Hall

concert go?

It was fantastic – certainly one

of the highlights of my career so

far. It’s always nice to return to

Kneller Hall and this was the fi rst

time I’ve played the famous Rock

stage. It’s a great performance

space and somewhere you always

want to be as a military musician.

What reaction did your

music get?

There was such a nice

atmosphere. The show was full,

which is always good. And it’s

great to play outside.

What’s the best part of

your job?

Getting to do your hobby as a

career. The relationships you form

in the Army are unique. And being

able to play at prestigious events

like the Festival of Remembrance

is a real honour.

Musn Rachael

Kendall (CAMUS), 24,

of the Band of the Scots

Guards, talks summer

show season...

■SERVICE personnel and the public were treated to three nights of dazzling music during the Royal

Military School of Music’s Concerts in the Park series. Staged at Kneller Hall in Twickenham, this year’s

shows marked the 25th anniversary of the Corps of Army Music. “It was a fantastic evening,” said chief

instructor Maj Craig Hallatt (CAMUS) after the first night, which focused on Scottish music. “Ostensibly

these are training concerts for young musicians and student bandmasters – they’re basically our

equivalent of a live-firing exercise.”

Picture: Peter Davies

CAMUS SHOWS

WOW

STATESIDE PERKS

■SOLDIERS can enjoy discounts in America

thanks to a new initiative from Rewards

for Forces.

The scheme, which offers lower prices

at shops, cinemas, restaurants, hotels and

other UK businesses, has signed a reciprocal

deal with its equivalent organisation in

the US.

It means members can access benefits

that were previously only available to

American troops.

Similar arrangements have already been

set up with Canada, Australia, Cyprus,

Germany and Gibraltar, but this is the

biggest deal to date.

“It was worth doing because America

is such a large country and a very popular

holiday destination,” said Peter Raith,

managing director of Rewards for Forces.

Visit http://www.rewardsforforces.co.uk

Former cavalryman Paul Atkinson, now and

while serving in the British Army

IN NUMBERS

3,

engagements per

year by CAMUS

musicians

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