Often, finishing a service career is presented as the end of someone’s great story. In reality, it is just the beginning.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) is not just a voice for ex-servicepeople.
They help individuals thrive after leaving the Armed Forces.
In March, I attended the launch of the Caerphilly Veterans Hub in its new home, supported by several organisations including the Machen branch of the RBL. I particularly enjoyed meeting Steve and Pete, who both picked up the guitar as part of Guitars 4 Veterans.
Projects like this, and organisations like the RBL, deserve credit for helping ex-servicepeople achieve their full potential after their time in the Armed Forces.
Leaving service life can be a monumental transition. It is right that charities offer support for those who struggle. We must recognise the work the RBL does to enrich lives, helping people not just to survive but thrive. They help people learn new skills, start businesses, or achieve amazing physical feats.
Dame Kelly Holmes, James Blunt and Bear Grylls are just three of the many British people who have exited military service and made waves in sport, media, and advocacy.
In 2018, a team of 13 serving military wounded, injured and sick personnel, and veterans, succeeded in summiting Mera Peak in the Himalayas, to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. They all received support from The Battle Back Centre, which was established by the RBL in 2011 to support wounded and injured service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
I was struck recently, reading the words of Tim Mackereth, who received an RBL grant while founding his own blacksmithing business after leaving the Army.
He said: "I think because it is a charity, people tend to think that RBL is something that you go to when you’re in need and you’re at rock bottom, rather than it being a support resource in a much more positive sense for all veterans.
"The truth is that you can use it in a much more forward-looking way than just getting you out of a hole."
His business has since served large restoration projects and produced three pieces for the National Memorial Arboretum. Tim used the RBL as a springboard to achieve his next big goal after leaving the Armed Forces.
I pay tribute to the RBL for giving ex-servicepeople more opportunities to achieve their full potential.
Chris Evans is the Member of Parliament for Caerphilly.
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