How charity gives disabled veterans a fresh start with secure jobs and a future after leaving the Armed Forces

1 comment 1 Next THIS weekend we will honour the service and sacrifice of members of our armed forces on Remembrance Sunday. But one thing also worth remembering, is that many veterans need support for more than one Sunday a year. 3 Anil Gurung retrained with RBVE after his Army career was ended when he lost a leg to an IED in Afghanistan 3 Anil during his time serving in the Gurkha Regiment Source: Supplied Advertisement In the most recent census, around 1.85million people have served in the Armed Forces, but almost a third are now registered as disabled.

This can take many forms, from physical disabilities to mental health issues and neurodiversity. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. But Department of Work and Pensions figures show disabled people are far less likely to be in work, with an employment rate of 52.8 per cent compared to 82.5 per cent for non-disabled people.

Forces charity the Royal British Veterans Enterprise is determined to close this disability employment gap by providing secure jobs in the manufacturing sector. READ MORE EMPLOYMENT NEWS SUNEMPLOYMENT How young Brits can kickstart a career in agriculture SUNEMPLOYMENT Surprise careers you can land through apprenticeships - with £55k salaries The charity was founded in 1919 but its services are as vital today as a century ago and its factories produce more than 250,000 road, rail and commercial signs a year — one in five of the signs on roads, railways and building sites.

The teams run print, mail and fulfilment services for businesses nationwide and more than 70 per cent of employees are veterans, disabled, or both. Anil Gurung joined the British Army from Nepal in 2006, serving in the Gurkha Regiment. In the final days of his 2009 tour of Afghanistan, he lost his right leg as an IED detonated. He is now a sales estimator for RBVE. Anil, 39, from Maidstone, Kent said: “My recovery took a long time. When I woke up from surgery, I didn’t think I’d ever work again.

It was a dark time. Advertisement Most read in Money JOBS ARMY Major UK employer offering 40 apprenticeships starting next year - how to apply GAS BILL SHOCK Millions face 9% gas bill hike to cover neighbours switching to heat pumps KER-CHING Fab freebies YOU can claim in November - from £300 free cash & £15 spend at M&S RATE SHOCK Millions hit by Bank of England rate hike - and warning of Xmas 'Grinch' rise “I was medically discharged in May 2013, aged 25.

I joined the team at RBVE the very next month. RBVE has been crucial for me and my family. Leaving the Army so suddenly was a big shock, as I had planned to serve for many more years. “If I’d been out of work, I don’t think my life would have gone in the right direction. Having a job gave me stability, and a reason to get up each day. “More than 13 years later, I’m still learning. My job is to work out the cost and details of each order for our customers.

“I used to be a sign maker on the factory floor, so I also know how the signs are made, but I was promoted after completing a business apprenticeship. “People think losing a leg means you have to stop, but I’m doing things I never thought I would.” Advertisement RBVE chief exec Lisa Farmer says: “We believe work is the most powerful thing we can give someone, because it unlocks everything else — independence, a home and a future. The people we help aren’t asking for charity, only opportunity.

“Inclusive employment strengthens British manufacturing, unlocks talent too often overlooked, and delivers social value.” RBVE has three factories, in Kent, Surrey and Glasgow, employing more than 100 people. This week it began the construction of a new factory, which includes a training academy that can help hundreds more build skills with routes into jobs. The charity also has a specialist village in Kent, which is home to more than 300 veterans and their families.

Veterans can apply to work with RBVE, or for those who are struggling, the charity runs a free employability programme Lifeworks, which helps more than 1,000 people a year who need support into work. Advertisement Find out more at rbve . org.uk JOB SPOT LITTLE TREATS BAKERY in Cheshire is recruiting 50 new staff, including production operatives, engineering, and operational roles. Apply at robertsbakery.co.uk/careers/ . COURIER FIRM TO DELIVER ON JOBS COURIER giant DPD is launching a new mentoring scheme to help prepare young people for work.

The parcel firm has partnered with new platform Mentorhero to pledge 24,000 mentoring sessions in its first year for 16 to 25-year-olds. Up to 2,000 DPD UK employees will each mentor at least one young person per month. DPD UK CEO Justin Pegg said: “We have long believed that businesses have a responsibility to invest in the next generation.” Here are Justin’s tips to be an effective workplace mentor and advice for mentees from, Mentorhero CEO Jackson Parsons.

FOR MENTORS: PREPARE for them, not for you: “Read their message, look at their goals, and note one thing you’d love them to leave with. Then put your phone face down. Thirty minutes of full attention is worth more than an hour of half-listening, and young people can tell the difference instantly.” Break the ice: “Open with a moment from your own early career, ideally one where things didn’t go to plan. It tells them they’re allowed to be themselves. ‘What do you think you should do?’ is often the best thing you can ask.

“Aim for them to be talking for most of the session. Use open questions like ‘What’s getting in the way?’ and ‘What would good look like for you?’ Afterwards, send a short message with one thing you heard and one action they agreed to. The relationship is built in the follow-through.” FOR MENTEES: TURN up with one question: Mentors want to help, but they can’t read your mind, so give them something to work with. Write it down before the call, even if it’s: “I don’t know what I want to do.”

That’s a brilliant starting point. Be honest: When I was growing up, nobody in my world talked about careers, so I pretended I had it sorted. Big mistake. If you’re nervous or confused, say so. “I’m not sure what to ask” is fair to say. Follow up like you mean it: Send a thank you the same day, tell them the one thing you’re going to do, then tell them when you’ve done it. JOB SPOT THE MANPOWER GROUP is recruiting Class 1 HGV drivers to join one of the UK’s biggest logistics firms.

Applicants must have a valid UK C+E driving licence . See jobs.thesun.co.uk . CALLING ALL NEETS 3 The Sun Jobs Army campaign is helping young people struggling to find work Source: The Sun Advertisement GROUNDBREAKING new careers support to help NEETs and young people struggling to find work is being rolled out across the UK. Transform Your Training was set up by careers experts who have overcome trauma, adversity and other personal challenges themselves, which means they understand the barriers facing unemployed youngsters.

The programme has been selected by the Department for Education to train careers advisers nationwide and improve careers advice for young people in unemployment blackspots. CEO, Tammy Banks said: “Every young person deserves access to high-quality careers guidance, whatever their background or circumstances.” Find out more about training at transformyourtraining.org . Advertisement TECH SECTOR BOOST SEE your career tech off with the new TechFirst programme.

The government scheme will help young people to get their foot in the door of the country’s burgeoning tech sector with 10,000 work placements available nationwide. The initiative is being backed by firms including Microsoft , Cisco, IBM , Cognizant, AtkinsRéalis, Arm, Kainos and QinetiQ. All secondary schools are now able to access the scheme with help to provide workshops, skills sessions, career talks, industry workplace experiences, tech clubs, inter-school competitions and access to the digital-learning platform Ada Computer Science .

Minister for Skills Baroness Jacqui Smith said: “TechFirst give students the skills, confidence and experience they need to see a future for themselves in the sector.” Advertisement RECOMMENDED STORIES Companies can offer placements at tinyurl.com/3cp5pae4 . 1 comment 1