W
L
EMPLOYMENT EXPERT WILL SUPPORT VETERANS
WITH HEALTH CONDITIONS INTO WORK
Unemployed veterans who receive health treatment on
the Wirral can now get help moving back into work
through a new service launched by The Poppy Factory at
St. Catherine’s Hospital.
Ex-Forces men and women who go for treatment at The
Stein Centre at the hospital in Birkenhead can speak to
Lynne Evans, the charity’s new Employability Consultant,
about career planning, training opportunities, CV writing
and job application advice.
Lynne grew up on the Wirral and has an extensive local
network of contacts. She will draw on her past employment
support experience with the Shaw Trust, Gingerbread and
Merseyside Youth Association to support veterans with
physical and mental health conditions in the area.
Lynne Evans, Employability Consultant for The Poppy
Factory, said: “Everyone wants financial stability and a sense
of purpose from their job. For many ex-Forces personnel,
knowing how to go about job searching and CV writing in
civvy street can be tough and they need help to get their feet
securely on the ladder.
“The veterans I will be supporting may have complex
mental and physical health conditions developed during or
after their service, but having health challenges should not
exclude anyone from the labour market. Our veterans have
a wealth of skills to offer that should be sought-after by local
businesses.”
As well as working with veterans, Lynne will develop
relationships with employers in the area who are interested
in hiring ex-Forces workers.
18 wirrallife.com
Lynne said: “I grew up on the Wirral and went to school
and college here so I know the area well. There’s lots of
regeneration work happening on the waterfront, in the
tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as in the town
centre. It would be great to see local veterans using their
skills, knowledge and experience in new roles to help this
important rejuvenation happen.”
The Poppy Factory’s award-winning Getting You Back
To Work service has helped over 1,200 veterans find
meaningful work since 2010 throughout England, Wales
and Northern Ireland. The three-year pilot project will
enable The Poppy Factory to research and address veteran
employment needs in the Wirral. It is the first time an
Employability Consultant from The Poppy Factory has been
embedded in an NHS setting.
The charity will work closely with health and social
care partners in the area, including local GPs, Cheshire
and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral
University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and
NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group.
The project is funded by The Forces In Mind Trust (FiMT),
a £35 million funding scheme run by the FiMT using an
endowment awarded by The National Lottery Community
Fund.
Veterans looking for employment support can refer
themselves directly to Lynne at The Stein Centre on 07387
415429 or email [email protected]. Medical
practitioners can also refer patients who they feel would
benefit.