Pioneering project offers fresh start to injured Iraq veteran

Ex-Coldstream Guardsman Nigel Berry, 38, from Richmond, was discharged after being injured in an incident while on active service – but struggled to cope with life out of uniform, his employers say.

Now Mr Berry has found work with Yorkshire builder Rok, working on a pioneering housing project at Catterick, near the army garrison, to help his old comrades in arms.

The development is to provide supported accommodation for the retraining and rehabilitation of people who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other global conflicts.

Mr Berry had been given work experience by Rok contracts manager Dave Suthers, who was quickly impressed with the new recruit's dedication and willingness to learn.

Mr Suthers was keen to take on Mr Berry full-time and at that point he was approached by the Royal British Legion, which offered to pay the former Guardsman's salary for a year to get him started.

Mr Suthers said: "When I heard how difficult Nigel had found it coming back to civilian life and how he had lost everything through not being able to put his horrifying experiences behind him, I really wanted to help and he has repaid us in spades with his excellent work ethic."

"It is really good that Rok has been able to find him employment and that the Royal British Legion is there to support people like him to make the whole thing possible."

Mr Berry said: "Rok and the Royal British Legion have been very supportive and this is a great opportunity for me to start a whole new career.

"Working on this project is extra special because the support and help ex-servicemen and women will receive here is so important. I never had this type of support and it has been a long and difficult journey to get to where I am today."

The scheme where he is working, The Beacon, will have IT facilities, an employment area, health resource unit, training centre and allotment as well as accommodation for 31 ex-service men and women.