We are pleased to welcome a new volunteer to the team, Andrew. As the first of our Veteran Volunteers, he will be helping veterans settle into civilian life. Here’s a little more about Andrew:
My name is Andrew Fife and I’m a new volunteer with Housing Options Scotland’s “Military Matters”. I was searching for a volunteering opportunity when “Military Matters” popped up on Facebook and I jumped at the chance to be involved. I’d reached a point in my life when I realised I hadn’t dealt with a lot of “my stuff” and my mental health had suffered as a result. I’d never asked for help before, so that first phone call to Veteran’s First was pretty hard, however I’m now on the road to getting the help I need to thrive. Through volunteering, I’m hoping that I will be able to help others while learning something new and increasing my feelings of self-worth.
I’m from Newcastle originally and arrived in Scotland in 2001 via the Army, a spell living in Dorset and a couple of years living and working in Mallorca and Lanzarote. Since arriving in Edinburgh, I have worked for Edinburgh Leisure for the last 20 years, which has been great for me because exercise and being outdoors are my favourite things to do.
My 14 years in the Army were as a member of the Royal Corps of Signals and I served in Germany and the UK. I also completed tours with the UN in Cyprus, Gulf War 1, two tours on Op Warden/Haven in South Eastern Turkey/Northern Iraq and Northern Ireland. My son and daughter in law are both serving soldiers, therefore the military still remains a part of my life and I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my life experience to help other veteran’s in their time of need.