Veteran Volunteers: volunteers Pam and Andy explain the project’s value

Housing Options Scotland’s ‘Military Matters’ project is a dedicated support service, made up of a friendly team of veteran volunteers who understand the challenging transition back into civilian life.

With a good amount of knowledge picked up from her own military experience, HOS Development Worker and Military Matters leader Gina Wilson understands the sometimes-complex needs of clients who have served time in the military, regardless of how long ago that service ended. Camaraderie and understanding play crucial roles in helping veteran clients through the readjustment process.

While the project is still finding its footing and hoping to develop further, volunteers Pam Mitchell and Andrew Fife are already lending a helping hand.

Pam joined the project late last year, wanting to do her part for the veteran community, who have offered her plenty of support and companionship over the years. She said: “I wanted to get involved to help the people who have helped me along the way. Everyone deserves a bit of no-strings-attached support, and I wanted to give back.”

With seven and a half years RAF experience under her belt, Pam understands the difficult transition back into civvy street, especially when it comes to finding suitable housing: “It was November 1985 when I left the Air Force. It was difficult because you’re so used to having lots of people around you, which made things feel lonely at times.

“In terms of housing, it was particularly tricky if you were single, because most support at the time went to families. I’d end up sharing flats and bedsits, which meant it was a year and six months before the council would offer me a flat in a really derelict area of Edinburgh.”

Upon leaving the Forces, Pam worked as a clinical therapist, where she helped veterans who were suffering through mental health crises: “I found it easy to get started with the Military Matters project, because most of my work I had done as a therapist. I would offer huge discounts to ex-military personnel who might’ve been suffering from PTSD or any other sort of trauma.”

Andy Fife, the project’s other volunteer, served in the Army for 13 and a half years before leaving in 1994. He completed operational tours on Op Granby, Ops Haven and Warden in South East Turkey and Northern Iraq, as well as time with the United Nations in Cyprus and in Northern Ireland.

“I left the Army through redundancy in 1994 and although I could say my resettlement went quite well, looking back, I struggled to settle for about 7 years”. “I realised during lockdown that I hadn’t dealt with a lot of issues throughout my life and my mental health had suffered as a result. I recognised that volunteering could give me an opportunity to improve that and help people at the same time”.

Andy’s son and daughter-in-law are currently serving in the Army and that coupled with his service past, led him to Housing Options Scotland and ‘Military Matters’.

“I’ll be there as somebody who can listen to what’s going on in a client’s life and help them to work out what they really want. If I can help them engage with housing brokers, hopefully they’ll get the outcome they desire.”

For any enquiries about Military Matters, please get in touch with Gina Wilson via email: gina@housingoptionsscotland.org.uk, or, if you’re seeking support, get in touch here.