The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s longest-standing charity, has provided Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) with a £5,000 grant to support the charity’s employment programme. The grant will help RAF veterans secure meaningful employment opportunities after leaving the Armed Forces. This is the first time that the Fund has funded this area of WWTW’s work.
Last year, WWTW supported 1,018 veterans, including RAF veterans, through the employment programme. This included helping veterans write their CVs and supporting them with training opportunities and interview practice, of which 363 veterans moved into sustainable paid employment.
This includes RAF veterans like Mike. He was referred from NHS Op COURAGE to WWTW for employment support, where he met with Kelly from WWTW’s Employment programme. Kelly applied for funding for Mike to gain his HGV Class 1 License, enabling him to complete his training and immediately secure a job. After 6 months, he was offered a full-time role and a healthy pay rise in recognition of his hard work.
Speaking about the grant, Tom Knight, WWTW Director of Services, said,
“We are grateful to the Fund for their support of the charity and investment in our core programmes. Last year, WWTW helped 2,956 veterans like Mike through at least one of our programmes. Whether it was through our employment, care coordination or mental health programme, that means 2,956 RAF, Army and Navy veterans were helped with their transition from the Armed Forces to civvy street.”
Irene Greenwood, Welfare Programmes Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said:
“We are delighted to provide this grant to Walking With The Wounded, helping to support former members of the RAF as they take the next step into fulfilling and sustainable employment. We are proud to partner with organisations that share our commitment to helping veterans develop their skills, secure sustainable work and thrive in civilian life.”
