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Veterans talk PTSD, opportunities and building hope

Residents at Whitefoord House welcomed fellow Veteran Shadrech Chipwatali, for a wide-ranging chat about coping with life after the Army, trying to overcome barriers into employment, and the pride and camaraderie which binds together ex-Service men and women.

Shadrech proudly served for more than a decade in The Royal Regiment of Scotland, before he was medically discharged as the result of injuries sustained in Afghanistan. Initially, he struggled to adapt to civilian life, and was later diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD. This presented significant challenges in his daily life and career aspirations, but despite these hurdles, Shadrech persevered and graduated with an honours degree in construction management.

Now he enjoys a fulfilling role as an Assistant Site Manager with Robertson Construction, and is keen to build on his own experiences to reach out to other Veterans, both within the workforce and the wider community.

His visit to Scottish Veterans Residences allowed him to sit and chat openly with fellow Veterans, and it proved to be a highly energising and thought-provoking session.

Shadrech, who also volunteers as a mentor with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, said: “I emphasised the importance of resilience and determination in navigating the complexities of life after military service.

“The residents expressed their concerns regarding the stigma sometimes associated with being a Veteran. Many feel that this stigma hampers their opportunities for employment, as potential employers may harbour misconceptions about their capabilities. The lack of adequate support from employers to accommodate the specific needs of veterans was a common theme in our discussions.

“It was clear that there is a pressing need for greater awareness and understanding of Veterans’ experiences among employers. The residents articulated a desire for more tailored job opportunities that consider their unique backgrounds and challenges.”

Throughout the discussion, there was a notable sense of engagement and openness among the residents. Their willingness to share their thoughts and feelings created a supportive environment, fostering a constructive dialogue.

Colin Leslie, Head of External Relations at SVR, said: “We are extremely grateful that Shadrech gave his time to reach out to our residents and share  his story in such a candid and sensitive way. His experiences clearly resonated with many of our residents, and the chat underlined the special bond that exists when Veterans support each other in such a positive way.

“The discussion also shone a light on the employment barriers that sometimes exist for Veterans experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges. SVR will continue to support our residents to help them fulfil their huge potential and harness the unique and special skillset they have acquired during their military service.”

SVR thanks Shadrech and Robertson Construction for arranging the visit, and we look forward to welcoming him back again soon.