This weekend was Remembrance Sunday and today marks Remembrance Day and the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
It is a time to take a moment to honour, recognise and remember all veterans and their families. A time to remember those who made sacrifices, and those who gave their lives so that we could live ours; the ones who never returned and the ones who returned, never the same.
Every year the UK mark Remembrance Day with a two-minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Due to the coronavirus pandemic Remembrance has had to be celebrated differently this year.
Today’s two-minute silence at 11am will be broadcast on BBC One and other TV channels. I welcome everyone to take part and honour the two-minute silence. It might be worth checking your calendar and putting in a reminder, and perhaps starting any meetings scheduled for 11am a few minutes later. Here are some ways you can mark the day.
As we look at ways in which we can mark and support Remembrance this year, I wanted to share with you some positive news from across the Group about how we’re getting involved either in a personal capacity, or as part of GC services.
Close to our hearts
We are all likely to know someone who has been or is in the Armed Forces but for some it’s closer to home than others. Rachel Chesters, Head of Business Marketing, gives her perspective:
“Having two brothers in the British Army has been challenging at times but I couldn’t be prouder of them and the sacrifices they have made. I am grateful every single day that my brother Patrick came home from 9 months on the frontline in Afghanistan in 2012. I know that not everyone with family in the Armed forces gets to say that, some of his men didn’t make it home, so I’ve always been so grateful that my brother was one of the lucky ones. My youngest brother is an Officer in the army, so I do worry what the future holds for him. But I’m so grateful for what they do too, it’s quite amazing – I’m a very proud big sister. So many men and women have made the unimaginable sacrifices in defence of our freedom. That is why, today and every day, we must remember those that never came home and the families they left behind.”
The Poppy Appeal
As millions of people across the UK are now unable to leave their homes, and with volunteers unable to carry out face to face collections, the Poppy Appeal have created a range of new ways for you to show your support remotely this year. From donating through the post to donating online, please read the many ways you can support the Poppy Appeal from home. Every poppy makes a difference to the lives of our Armed Forces community.
Miles for the Heroes
This weekend Shaun Schofield, a veteran of the British Army and now a Skills Coach for Business Growth Hub, set out on Miles for the Heroes on behalf of the British Royal Legion, a charity very close to his heart.
The British Royal Legion supported Shaun personally when he came out of the Armed Forces and continue to support many other veterans, as well as their families.
Knowing the Poppy Appeal wouldn’t be the same this year, Shaun, along with fellow veteran Adam Phillips decided to find a way of raising as much money as they could by walking 75 miles to mark the 75 years since the end of WWII.
Starting at 11am on Saturday morning they walked through the night to the cenotaphs of all GM boroughs, finishing at Manchester Central cenotaph just before 11am on Sunday morning.
You can watch the live videos they shared throughout the night on Facebook, the first one has over 11,000 views – you might have even seen them on the news at 6 o’clock on Sunday.
They’ve raised over £1200 so far and would love for you to donate.
Mental health
According to the Office for Veteran Affairs, Mental health and suicide are issues that are disproportionately prevalent in the Armed Forces as compared to the rest of the UK general population.
Many ex-soldiers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can sometimes be delayed. Reflecting on some of his own thoughts and feelings, particularly following the death by suicide of a veteran he knew, Shaun wrote this powerful poem and has kindly shared it to encourage people to talk and that it’s okay not to be okay.
If you know someone that may be impacted by Remembrance Day or may need some support in general, reach out to them.
Please remember if you are struggling, to talk to someone - a friend, colleague, family or your GP. Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), delivered by Health Assured, is available 24/7 for free, confidential advice on a range of issues to you and your immediate family. You can contact the helpline by telephone on 0800 030 5182 or visit the health portal (username: Growth, password: Company). During working hours, you can also access support from our Mental Health First Aiders. Samaritans also operates a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123.
Moving into employment
On Remembrance Day last year, we were hosting an employment support fair for those affected by the collapse of Thomas Cook. We were joined on the day by colleagues from the Royal Air Force and have continued to work closely with them as an employer for our GC Employment clients.
Claire is one of the ex-Thomas Cook employees we were able to support through this partnership:
“Overnight, I lost the job and lifestyle I loved… I wanted a career I could be proud of. A job that would challenge me, whilst giving me the opportunities to develop myself through ongoing training and learning. A job that would provide security but also incorporate my passion for travel and aviation, so not an ordinary job! I feel like I’ve found all of this and so much more with the RAF.” Read more about Claire’s experiences.
From helping people find careers in the RAF to supporting them on their journey after the Armed Forces…
We’re currently working with Colin, a veteran who had been homeless for some time and had lost touch with his wife and children. Since leaving the British Army, Colin has had several jobs, but when he was recently made redundant due to the impacts of Covid-19 – he hit rock bottom.
He was referred to our GC Employment Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES) programme from Salford Housing and is now working closely with his Key Worker, Andrea Young to get ready for employment. Through this support he now has accommodation and the support he needs to rebuild his life including weekly counselling, and being nominated for a new mobile phone to help him communicate, give him access to online courses, job searches and to just touch base with friends and family – especially during lockdown.
I’m pleased to be able to share some of these stories with you. It’s heartening to hear how our services are positively impacting our clients, and I would also like thank Shaun for sharing his personal reflections at this time.