As well as a busy staff and volunteer team, we also employ part-time “Associates” who support us with particular projects. As we head into the new financial year, we’re taking the time to get to know our Associate team members. In this interview our Fundraising and Development manager, Ben Parker, spoke to Tony Carruthers our Military Matters associate.
Ben: Tell us a bit about yourself – what’s your background and experience?
Tony: Since leaving the Navy in the 90s I’ve been working in HR and, for the past 10 years, I’ve been running my own HR consultancy. I ended up in HR because it seemed like I had some transferable experience – how different can it be running a department of people from running a ship of people? The housing link came later – many of my clients are smaller housing associations, and my first HR role was with Margaret Blackwood Housing Association in Edinburgh who specialise in accessible housing.
Ben: How long have you been involved with HOS?
Tony: A large number of years! I was first recruited onto the board of what was then Ownership Options Scotland when the charity was first established – that came about through my links with Margaret Blackwood. Ultimately I became the Vice Chair, initially to advise about HR issues but my involvement grew. When Military Matters was first set up, I supported HOS to “break into” the Veterans sector using my contacts and knowledge. In the early days, the work was all about demonstrating that Military Matters is a unique and necessary service. Since then I’ve dipped in and out of HOS depending on funding and projects – sometimes working on engagement and relationship management, and occasionally some casework.
Ben: What does your latest work with HOS involve?
Tony: For the year ahead, we’re going to be focusing much more on the engagement piece. This will involve renewing connections and relationships in the Military sector – in the Military, people frequently come and go so it’s important to ensure relationships survive changes in personnel. We want to make sure that when people need us, they know they can find us. Just this week I’ve been speaking to the Careers Transition partnership – this has been to set up some face to face presentations for service leavers and to arrange a presence at employment fairs which we’ve done previously. We’re also continuing to participate in the Government’s Cross Party Group for Veterans, and engaging with MPs, MSPs and Councillors.
Ben: What are the particular barriers members of the Armed Forces community face when it comes to housing? Why is HOS important?
Tony: There’s a growing recognition that when folk leave the Military they need support. For veterans, there can be lots of similar barriers to our other clients – some veterans are injured in service and need adapted properties, some feel very isolated once they move to civvy street and need additional “wrap-around” support to sustain their tenancies. At HOS, we’re already used to supporting people in difficult circumstances so we’re well placed to do this work for Veterans too. I see our role as being about signposting and ensuring people are maximising the support available to them – crucially, if we can get in early, we can pre-empt problems before they arise. We also often have a role in managing people’s expectation when it comes to housing – Veterans don’t always understand how challenging the market is having not needed to think about housing during their service. Over the years, I’ve spoken to lots of colleagues in England who are envious because they don’t have an equivalent to Military Matters there. For the past 12 years we’ve found our niche – long may it continue!