IN BRIEF
SANTA’S DELIVERING
PRESENTS IN STYLE IN
BIRKENHEAD… FORMER SOLDIER WITH
PTSD BECOMES HEAD
GROUNDSMAN AT
THORNTON MANOR
Forget the reindeer, Santa’s hitting the road in an open
top Triumph Spitfire this year as part of the Birkenhead
Lions Club Christmas efforts to raise money for the
local Council kennels on the Dock Road. A veteran soldier who served in Northern Ireland
and Bosnia has landed his dream job working as Head
Groundsman at luxury Wirral venue Thornton Manor
thanks to support from a mental health charity.
'Spitty the Spitfire' who is 50 years old, has been kitted out with a 6ft
Christmas tree behind his seats, lights strung from his bumpers along
with spotlights, baubles, a tannoy, sound system and now Santa rides in
style. Local businessman and owner of Spitty, Stan Olivieri, whose house
has hosted a famous Christmas light show and a free grotto of animated
musical characters for the last 42 years, has allowed the group to use Spitty
after their carol wagon went out of action. Birkenhead Lions are appealing
for more people to come along and volunteer their time and effort for
the good of the local area. The lights are on at Stan's grotto (at 4 Withert
Avenue, Higher Bebington CH63 5NF) between 4pm and 9pm, please
knock and enjoy an array of festive delights, you might even get a lollypop! The Poppy Factory has been supporting Carl, who has been wrestling
with PTSD for 20 years, as one of 300 veterans in the North West to get
back into work since 2010.
NEW CEO FOR THE HIVE
Wirral’s Hive Youth Zone will start 2019 with a new
Chief Executive at the helm, as Adam Mellor takes over
from previous incumbent, Stuart Barnes.
Adam, who was previously Head of Youth Work at The Hive, has been
appointed to oversee the Youth Zone, taking over from Stuart who has
recently assumed a new role as overall Head of Openings and Delivery
Support for OnSide Youth Zones. One of the first members of staff to
come on board at The Hive, Adam worked closely with Stuart in helping
to shape and deliver its proposition. A seasoned youth worker, with 14
years’ experience under his belt, Adam has worked at management level
and as an active youth worker on session with The Hive’s young members.
Commenting on his appointment, Adam said, “This is a hugely exciting
opportunity for me to build upon what’s already been achieved at The
Hive, working alongside an exceptional team to ensure our Youth Zone is
the very best it can be for young people across Wirral.”
10 wirrallife.com
The charity estimates there are at least 20,000 wounded, injured or sick
veterans of working age in the UK who are struggling to get back into
work after leaving the Armed Forces.
47 year old Carl said: “When you’ve got PTSD, it’s like being stressed
the whole time, and I’ve been like that for 20 years. But when I’m at
work, I sort of forget. Now I’m actually making decisions again. I’ve got
a lot of new confidence and I’ve learned so much because I’m taking
everything in. I was in such a bad place before, and now I’m feeling so
positive. I’m so grateful to Thornton Manor for giving me the chance.”
The Poppy Factory’s latest research showed that 4 out of 5 people in the
North West thought it would be difficult for someone living with post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to stay in paid work for 12 months
or longer. It was commissioned as part of their Working with PTSD
campaign, which showed that with the right support, a veteran living
with PTSD who may be struggling to fit into the civilian world can
move into meaningful long-term employment.
The Poppy Factory provides tailored support across England and Wales
to help ex-Forces men and women with health challenges to return to
meaningful work.
Deirdre Mills, Chief Executive of The Poppy Factory, said: “We know
from experience that those who struggle with post-traumatic stress
disorder can find it very challenging to stay in a job. But with the right
support over the long term, they often become the most dedicated,
passionate and successful workers.”