Good News Stories

Liam joined us for a Rural Week at Bicton College last autumn; thanks so much for sending us your brilliant poem and we are so glad to be supporting you as you continue your Life beyond the military – Outdoors.

What to do?

By Sgt Smith 25203554
15/03/2018

I thought I done it all!
Been made a man
Been to war
Seen country that I haven’t seen before!
Even had a family
I couldn’t ask for any more

But now they say “ it’s time to go”
Do your passion
Fufill your dream
And that I have done
I served my country and my Queen!

So where to go?
Nobody knows
How I feel
I cannot show
I’m sad
Depressed
I’m up and down

Be this!
Be that!
Too much to take
My head is like a thousand mile lake
I want to go forward, but I feel I’m going back
So many things to be
How will I provide for my family?

I could sing?
Or dance?
Maybe Cut down trees?
Or even make honey from the bees
Heaven knows what will I do?
I just hope it’s rite for my boo!

But like they say!
Do what you love?
But what I loved was what I did!

So the question still stands
What to do?
What to do?
I don’t have a clue?

But waiting!
Let’s see
There is support out there for me!

Time to talk!
Time to share!
And Even sometimes have a cry on a chair?

So to see there are people out there that care!
Gets me up and scream!
Come on dare to dream!

So stand up and shout!
Thank you to all!
To Those that go the extra mile!
To Those that want to make you smile!
To those that do what other people would never do!
I really do thank you!!!

So when I’m asked what to do?
This is all because of you!
I’ll smile
I’ll joke
I’ll even makes laughs with like minded folk
Because I’m not scared anymore
As your kind are there knocking on my door

Just like others I’m sure they say
Thank you all so very much
You are my diamond in the rough
You are my diamond in the rough

Volunteering takes Ray a step closer to his end goal!

Following on from Rural Week with us at the end of 2017, Ray has recently secured a position as a full-time volunteer at National Trust Scotney Castle in Kent.  He’s gathering invaluable experience and getting closer to his end goal of becoming a full-time Ranger.  Congratulations Ray!

TAFF’S READY TO DIG IN!

More >

GOOD LUCK PAUL

We send all our good wishes to Paul who has been a patient at Headley Court for a long time as he leaves to start his new life in civvy street. We’re ready to help with the Gamekeeping when you’re ready Paul!

GRAHAM’S SUCCESS

Congratulations to Graham who, after serving 22 years in the Royal Navy joined us for a Rural Week in 2017 and is now working as a gardener.

WELL DONE JAMIE!

Huge congratulations to Jamie, who has been one of Carol’s Horticultural Therapy patients at Headley Court following a serious injury – he has just been accepted as a Volunteer at Doddington Hall & Gardens – a new chapter begins Jamie. We are all very proud of you!!!

ALPINE WALKS

Duncan is an RAF veteran and joined us at Bicton for a Rural Week last summer.

We are delighted that his venture Alpine Walks is going so well; please can you share these links as far as you all can…

Here is a link to the website and various accompanying social media outlets. If you know of anyone willing to ‘Like’ the Facebook page please pass the link on, would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.myalpinewalks.com

https://www.facebook.com/alpinewalks/

https://www.instagram.com/my_alpine_walks/

Will keep you posted on future movements.

AN UPDATE FROM MARTYN

Martyn was medically discharged following a long career in the Army; he joined us for a Rural Week 2 years ago and recently sent us an update:

Please send my warmest regards to the team whose help and support was first class. Without their help I would not of had the confidence to approach local farmers and would have missed out on last year’s lambing, milking and the banter on the farm.

Martyn – HighGrounder
Rural Week 2

   GOOD NEWS FOR SERVICE LEAVERS AND VETERANS IN LONDON

We’re working with the RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity and Team London to help unemployed ex-Forces in London get a fresh start. The RFEA provides life-long, life-changing support, job opportunities, and training to Service Leavers and Veterans – irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

The Programme Offers:
• A minimum of 14 hours direct delivery
• 6 hours of mentoring (SVA or employer-employee)
• 16 hours of volunteering
• Basic skills support
• A minimum of 5 hours Employability training

Criteria:
• 18+
• Ex-military
• Unemployed
• London-based
• Right to work in the UK

      Click here to register with the RFEA Forces for London Programme. 

ALLAN AND ARBORICULTURE

Allan is a serving officer in the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment who joined us for a Rural Week in May 2017. Julian Sayers, our Liaison, recently contacted Allan for some feedback and this is what he sent us:

Dear Julian,

Thank you for the follow up and links. The course was a great opportunity and just what I hoped for in providing a reality check across the entire sector and making some options more accessible whilst also allowing me to discount others. The general overview week is excellent and, whilst the majority of attendees had a particular path in mind, everyone should be encouraged to look at all the options with more detailed ‘look at life’ experience opportunities either individually signposted or provided as an add on if funds can be found. In summary a week that gave myself and other attendees the confidence and inspiration to progress into the sector.

Allan has already gained several arboriculture qualifications and when he retires later this month he will be heading down the arboriculture and walling route towards Ranger jobs. Good Luck Allan and please send us a pic!

Allan – HighGrounder

Rural Week 11

JAMIE AFTER HIS RURAL WEEK

Jamie joined us for a Rural Week in July and since then he has been busy exploring opportunities in the Land-based sector. Over the course of two months, he trained as a tree surgeon with Sawpod, a tree surgery company based in Andover, who were “really good training providers and very helpful when dealing with servicemen on resettlement,” according to Jamie.

Continuing in Amesbury, Jamie went on a two-week Civilian Work Attachment with a local tree surgery company and took a course in hedgelaying with the Blackdown Hills Hedgelaying Association.

Julian, our Ops, Outreach and Liaison officer, asked Jamie how he felt about civilian life after the Rural Week:

“I am definitely better prepared now for life after the Army and the week that I spent at Bicton really helped focus what I wanted to do when I left and how I was going to go about it. Also, the speakers that Anna booked have really helped with contacts and further information.”

We are happy to have played a part in Jamie’s progress, truly Life Beyond the Military – Outdoors, and will continue to offer our support in 2018.

Jamie Ranson – HighGrounder

Rural Week 14

JOHN HOWE: THEN AND NOW

We first met John when he was a patient at Headley Court. He recently started a Game Management course at Plumpton College and in just 10 weeks he has passed his Deer Stalking certificate and has now secured a work placement in Ashdown Forest.

“Massive congrats John, you are an inspiration to us all!” – Anna Baker Cresswell 

John Howe – Work Placement 

Ashdown Forest

DANNY STARTS HIS OWN COMPANY AFTER THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT

Danny served in the Parachute Regiment and joined us for a Rural Week earlier this year while he was still serving:

”My time on the HighGround Rural Week was all I needed to cement my decision to enter into Arboriculture. The help and support I’ve had from Anna and the team has helped me to no end. I am now a contract climber and have set up my own company, Mawson Aboriculture & Horticulture. I recommend the Rural Weeks to anybody wanting to start a career in anything outdoors!”

Huge congratulations from all of us Danny, it’s Good News like yours which inspires all of us!

 

HI-LINE’S NEW RECRUIT AT THE ROYAL MARINES CAREERS FAIR

Matt and Kirsty from Hi-Line were at the Royal Marines Careers Fair last week and they have signed up another HighGrounder to come and work for them in the New Year – great news all round!

CATCH UP WITH A HIGHGROUNDER

Julian recently followed up with a HighGrounder who joined us for a Rural Week at Plumpton College last November.
She told Julian about her experiences volunteering for the National Trust in the New Forest and is now researching land-based courses at Sparsholt College where she can use her Enhanced Learning Credits.
Truly HighGround in action!

HighGrounder – National Trust Volunteer 

Rural Week November 2016

MARTYN WHITE: FARMING IN THE NORTH EAST

Martyn was referred to us by his Occupational Therapist at Headley Court after his service in the Royal Military Police Force. He came to a Rural Week at Plumpton College, where our Rural Weeks were previously held, and we’ve recently been in touch.

Martyn has been involved with local farms in the North East, helping with the lambing season, and hopes to continue working with livestock whilst he looks for employment.

His talk with Julian Sayers, HighGround’s Ops, Outreach and Liaisons Officer, was very positive. Martyn told Julian that he had a great experience on his Rural Week; learning about the Land-based sector gave him the enthusiasm he needed to pursue farming.

We are happy to hear that our Rural Weeks encouraged him to partake in farming and wish him all the best during his search for employment opportunities.

Martyn White (Centre)

Martyn White – Rural Week 6 Catch-up

Plumpton College

WELCOME ABOARD, NEV
 

We are delighted to welcome Nev Nixon, our new Course Manager, to Rural week 15. Nev served in the Royal Marines and is already making his mark at HighGround. Welcome aboard, Nev!

JOEL – “RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PEOPLE, RIGHT PLACE”

Joel is currently serving in the RAF and when he leaves next year he will have completed 22 years of service. He joined us on our 13th Rural Week (RXW13) in July and sent us this heart-warming message earlier this month:

“I’m just about to book a 21 day personally tailored course in Construction Plant Operating with a company in Bristol which will qualify me on the majority of the equipment we sampled at Bicton plus a few more, and to top it all off they have offered me, due to my extensive previous experience on operating hydraulic systems, the opportunity to qualify as an Instructor with a view to being employed by them as a “contractor” Instructor.

After the Rural Week things have really fallen into place – right time, right people, right place so things are massively looking up for me.

A lot of this is thanks to Anna for giving me the Rural Week place and it giving me the information and guidance to find my direction, all of which I didn’t process in early July..!

Thank-you so much, I could never let you know how much this opportunity meant to me and helping each other in mutual comradeship with stuff which has evolved from service and life experiences has been a powerful and unexpected part of the Rural Week.”

SAM ON BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND THE RAU

Sam Meredith found clerical work after leaving the Army, in which he was a Junior Officer, but after a few years in the office he decided to change his career path:

“The rural sector has always appealed to me but having no family links to the rural industry I was at a loss as to where to start.  After a couple of recommendations from friends in the Army, I contacted HighGround to see if they could help focus my job search.” 

After a series of phone calls with HighGround, Sam decided to join us for first Rural Week in the new location at Bicton College, Devon. Sam discussed the possibility of studying to gain the knowledge needed to pursue a career in the rural sector:

“The wealth of information from the Rural Week was invaluable, giving me some clear ideas of what sort of business I might like to work in, some of which I would never have thought to look into. It also confirmed that studying for a year at the Royal Agricultural University [RAU] was the best place to start for me.”

Sam on his Rural Week with the HighGrounder Team

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Sam is now in his first week of study at the RAU as a Business Management (MSc) student; his first step into civilian business.

 

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Anna’s advice and guidance…HighGround have opened the door to a whole new area of industry that I wouldn’t have understood without attending the Rural Week.”

 

Sam was passionate about conservation, particularly the anti-poaching efforts in Africa, so Anna Baker Cresswell helped Sam research projects and contacted people across Africa in order for Sam to volunteer his free time before his course in September. Veterans for Wildlife offered him a place on a project in the Kruger National Park in South Africa and he deployed within a fortnight of his enquiry.

 

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Kruger and I can honestly say it’s one the most rewarding projects I have ever been involved in.”

 

Sam is enjoying his time at the Royal Agricultural University, confident he is “on the right track towards a satisfying and enjoyable new career within the rural industry”.

Sam at Kruger National Park

Sam at the RAU to start his course

 

Sam Meredith – Business Management (MSc)

Royal Agricultural University

DREW STARTS LONSDALE SECURITY

HighGround has been working with Drew for some time now, supporting Drew to pursue his aim of working for himself in the outdoors. Using his military skills and experience, Drew has started a security service called Lonsdale Security, providing clients with the experienced security detail from ex-military and police personnel. The growth of this business could provide much-needed employment opportunities for ex-Armed Forces individuals and we at HighGround wish Drew every success with his new business.

 

 

‘Congratulations to Drew for starting his new business!  We will do all we can to promote it and wish him every success with his Life beyond the military – Outdoors.’

– Anna Baker Cresswell

Drew – HighGrounder

Owner of Lonsdale Security

JOHN ON GAMEKEEPING

Sending our very best wishes to John who starts his Gamekeeping course at Plumpton College this week.

‘Very proud of you John.

You are a shining and inspiring example of how HighGround helps

with Life beyond the military – Outdoors.’

 – Anna Baker Cresswell

John – Gamekeeping Course

Plumpton College

HI-LINE OFFERS HIGHGROUNDER WORK EXPERIENCE

Hi-Line is one of the UK’s leading tree and vegetation management companies, an expert in all areas of arboriculture and ground maintenance, and we are very proud to hear that one of our HighGrounders has been offered work experience with them. Hopefully, this will be the first of many!

HIGHGROUND WELCOMES LEE KIMBER BACK ON RXW13

We welcomed a pathfinding speaker to our evening programme on Rural Week 13.

Former Royal Marine Lee Kimber had been referred by the Royal Marines Charity to a Rural Week in 2015 while he was still serving, awaiting medical discharge. Now 2 years later having started his own Chainsaw training company (LBS Training & Assessing-SW) and a very popular Forest School (Wellington Forest School) business in Somerset, Lee returned to tell HighGrounders (Service Leavers and Veterans) about his transition and his new career.

 

“I just could not pass up the opportunity of the invite from Anna to come and tell my military to civilian life transitional story to fellow Service Leavers and Veterans so they might better equip themselves for what is a massive change in their lives, and turn this for what could be for some, a daunting challenge into a very positive one to build upon. I found HighGround immensely helpful with assisting me to find the right direction for me to go in, a truly fantastic organisation for Service Leavers and Veterans to turn to.”

Lee Kimber – Rural Week 13

Bicton College

Anna added, “This was a very proud moment for me to meet Lee again and hear his inspirational update, and the fact that he has offered to come back again makes it even more special!”

LOST AND ANXIOUS

Rural Week 12 (RXW12) has ended, and now Rural Week 13 is underway. One of the participants from RXW12 had this to say about the Rural Week programme in the hopes of inspiring and informing others about the service:

‘Beginning the Rural Week as WIS, I was anxious, unsure and scared of what direction my future may take.  I felt the course would broaden my views and options as being from Admin background I literally could not see wood for the trees. 

The week did not disappoint, the organisation and companies that came along and showed us the side of Rural employment were outstanding. Anna made me feel very welcome and her knowledge, strength, and compassion for me and the others was commendable. I left the week with the positive attitude that being medically discharged was not the end of my life; it is the beginning of a new one.  

I would like to thank Anna for helping me get to that decision and now the future looks bright.’

 

Anonymous – Rural Week 12

Bicton College

MORE ON RURAL WEEK 12

We’ve had some lovely comments from our HighGrounders during our latest Rural Week. It really makes the experience worth it when we get great feedback like this:

“This week was the first week of my new life. It is the first course I have done in 14 years of Army service where I have enjoyed it from start to finish. If I could do this course all over again I would as I enjoyed it that much.” 

Jack – Rural Week 12

Bicton College

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BEN TWEETS HIS SATISFACTION WITH RURAL WEEK 12

It has been a week since HighGround’s latest Rural Week at Bicton College and one of our new HighGrounders, Ben Smith, mentioned us in his tweet about the programme. We were delighted to welcome 11 HighGrounders from all 3 services to Rural Week 13 referred by Walking With the Wounded, Combat Stress, Headley Court. Found us via the Officers Association and the Career Transition Partnership. We’re glad you enjoyed yourself, Ben, and learned at the same time!

A great week spent at Bicton College learning about the Rural Sector. Thanks Anna. @HighGroundBoss @BictonCollege pic.twitter.com/gIbZaud4Jq

— Ben Smith (@BenSmit23569181) July 7, 2017

Ben Smith – Rural Week 12

Bicton College

MARK THOMAS ON COURSE

Mark Thomas is now on a Countryside Management course at Plumpton College and he has kindly shared his experiences and first impressions of his modules with us.

‘When I came to HighGround I had already completed an ‘Access to Higher Education Diploma (Land Based Studies)’, this allowed me to go on to a two-year foundation degree (FdSc) in Countryside Management. HighGround was instrumental in my decision to make that choice, and obviously opened my eyes to the vast array of opportunities that the Land Based Industry has to offer. Unfortunately, I managed to break my back later that year, so my studies were put on hold until the 2016/17 academic year. My first year comprised of 6 modules: Countryside Management Practices – these were physical tasks, ranging from hedge and path laying to constructing boxes for Dormouse surveying; Plant and Soil science – learning plant biology and identification skills, including their Latin names! People & Countryside – how we can improve people’s enjoyment of our countryside; Principles of Ecology, my favourite subject; and Wildlife Population Management – looking at how we can mitigate the damage we have done to native species of fauna and flora. We also had a module Called ‘Work-based Learning’ that involved work experience, in my case the college farm shop. Needless to say I have enjoyed every minute of it, have been very well supported by the college, and have found it massively beneficial to my mental health.’

Mark Thomas – Countryside Management (FdSc)

Plumpton College

HEADLEY COURT ENCOURAGES YOU TO “GET OUT IN YOUR GARDENS”

Carol, HighGround’s Horticultural Therapist, and a few of her patients worked on the Miracle-Gro ‘Come to your Senses‘ gardens which won Gold and ‘Best Discovery Exhibit’ award at the 2017 Chelsea Flower Show. Read what some of the patients had to say about their time at Headley Court and their experiences.

‘Whilst undergoing my rehabilitation programme at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), Headley Court, I have found the therapeutic interaction with plants, vegetables, and the smells of the greenhouse, a calming influence. They have created an atmosphere which has allowed me to think things through, in a stress-free environment ideal to enjoy and interact with my fellow patients.

My future plans, which are based upon the experience I have gained through my horticultural therapy at Headley Court, are to purchase a plot of land, where I can design my own garden with an eco-friendly house, using as much recycled material as I can find.’

Sgt Troy Reynolds – Royal Engineers – Chelsea Planting Team

Headley Court

‘Working in an environment that does not look back but keeps on pushing the boundaries of pressure, intensity, and workload a military working person is now a machine. For me, that fast pace of life came to a very abrupt stop when one evening, when I was out on patrol with the Royal Marines commandos, I was shot 6 times. It was only with the skills and medical knowledge that was around at that time that I’m here today.

After a number of operations and rehabilitations session at Headley Court, I came across HighGround. HighGround provides horticultural therapy to injured military personal giving us the chance to see into the land based industry. It helped me slow down to a pace of life that now worked for me because of the wheelchair and then crutches of course, which was difficult to deal with at first because I was still in that military pace of life. I asked about HighGround and the work they do at Headley court and I’m so glad I did because it has given me the ability to appreciate the outside environment. As time moved on my physical limitations started to get easier as horticultural allowed me to work at

I asked about HighGround and the work they do at Headley court and I’m so glad I did because it has given me the ability to appreciate the outside environment. As time moved on my physical limitations started to get easier as horticultural therapy allowed me to work at my own pace. It’s not only the physical side that benefits but psychological wellbeing seeing your work grow with time really motivated me to start growing my own vegetables at home, something for me and the family to enjoy.

I would definitely say “get out in your gardens and get dirty because it’s wonderfully relaxing and very rewarding for you and the kids”.’

Corporal James Hill – Royal Marines Commando – Chelsea Planting Team

Headley Court

HAPPY HIGHGROUNDERS – SUCCESS AT BICTON COLLEGE

This week has been a trove of all-round advice, guidance and support from agricultural experts at our Rural week at Bicton college. Laurence, one of our new HighGrounders, seemed to have enjoyed his five days in Devon.

‘I cannot thank you enough – Tony, Chris, especially Anna for providing me clear direction for my future. I have and will be supporting Bicton College who were very accommodating and proactive to suggestions (a big thanks to Andy). I don’t want to miss anybody out, so I’ll say a big thank you to all concerned and hope they get to read this; awesome course ladies and gents.’

Laurence – Rural week 11

Bicton College

Our other HighGrounders enjoyed themselves as well:

‘I truly believe the rural course is really “on point” for those of us looking to move into the land based sector. I thoroughly enjoyed much of the thought provoking content of the course. There were even a couple of areas that I had not realised that I enjoyed so much and have now become a focus for the future.’

‘The staff at Bicton went out of their way to help in any way possible. Nothing was too much trouble. I sincerely hope that this is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership between Bicton and HighGround, long may it continue.’

‘I also thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with the other members of the course, even our shy HighGrounder came out of his shell and joined in more and more.’

‘Last week was fantastic!! It really was, I shall do my best to give something back to high ground!’

 HighGrounders – Rural week 11

Bicton College

HIGHGROUNDERS ‘BROADEN HORIZONS’ AT BICTON COLLEGE

After our first Rural Week at Bicton College, we asked our HighGrounders what they thought about the past five days. We aim to give all our HighGrounders the knowledge and the best opportunities we can in order to give them an all-round, realistic view of the land-based sector. Here is what our HighGrounders said about their time with us:

“There are broader horizons beyond our own thinking and HighGround helped open that up.”

“It has been outstanding and I would recommend it to any service leaver.”

“There are massive opportunities out there.”

 “I’ve learnt how I can realistically enter the land-based sector at a managerial level.” 

HighGrounders – Rural Week 10

Bicton College

Thank you to all our HighGrounders thus far; we wish you all the success as we continue to provide life beyond the military – outdoors.

GRAHAM’S STORY: BIGNOR PARK ESTATE

Army Veteran Graham Ward left military service more than a decade ago and even after being diagnosed with PTSD, and managing with knee-related issues at the age of 56, he’s been unwavering in his attempts to secure himself new employment and fulfillment. He called and applied for funding and courses in the past all of which had the same outcome: nothing. Despite this, he got in contact with HighGround in April this year in the hope of getting better results.

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Graham has experience in vermin control, working on his friend’s farm, so HighGround worked on providing him with courses and information in those areas and any other fields that he was interested in.
In the meantime, he has started his first day of work experience at Bignor Park Estate on their shoots at the beginning of December, which he said he really enjoyed and will be returning this Saturday to participate again.
We are continuing to support Graham to find the courses he wishes to complete and we wish him all the best at Bignor Park Estate this Saturday.

Graham Ward (Left).

JOHN’S STORY: FOREST SCHOOLS

From The Kings Regiment to a supervisor at Tesco, John Haider has worked in a number of fields and after being discharged from the Army in 1999, he was in need of another role to put all his enthusiasm and determination to good use but didn’t know where to begin.

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MALCOLM’S STORY: CARE FARM

We received this email from Malcolm today and are overjoyed by his response. Lovely to know that we have supported him and hope to help even more people transition into the land-based sector. We hope to continue to support Malcolm in the future and wish him all the best, couldn’t be prouder:

Hi Sami and Anna,

I’d like to let you know how grateful I am for your help and would like to tell you my thoughts on what you do.

 

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My Rural Week was a life changing experience. I was not sure what to expect, but the support I got from the both you (Anna and Sami) was excellent. When I got to the college, Plumpton staff were great – could not do enough for me. When meeting the other HighGrounders at the Rural Week, they were all from different walks of life, but the banter and support was just like being back in army life.

I thought the week’s programme was both very entertaining and informative at the same time. All the speakers were extremely knowledgeable and able to present and pass on practical and great advice and guidance. I feel that the Rural Week will be extremely beneficial to all who are interested in working within the land-based sector.

As you know I am very interested in running a smallholding and a Care Farm with the advice and guidance from HighGround and those I met during the Rural Week. I decided I needed to know more so applied for a BSc (Hons) Animal Management course at Hadlow College and, to my surprise, I received a place and started last September. It’s very hard but also worthwhile.

I now have goals for when I finish and, if I can find some land, I hope I’ll be able to open or work on a Care Farm/smallholding, to help other Veterans, their families, and possibly children in the care system.

HighGround has made me happier, confident, and feeling more positive regarding the future.

Thank you so much,

Malcolm

Malcolm attending a HighGround Rural Week in April 2016

LEE’S STORY: FOREST SCHOOL LEADER

We are delighted to get this email from Lee and wish him every success in his new venture as a qualified Forest School Leader. We hope our Rural Weeks continue to help more and more people gain the experience they need to enter the Land-based sector.

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JAMIE’S STORY: THANK YOU, CAROL

Everyone at HighGround is delighted that Jamie has had such a great experience with our service at Headley Court. We look forward to hearing more Good News in the future and wish Jamie the best of luck.

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MARK’S STORY: COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT

Mark served in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Green Jackets before he attended HighGround’s Rural Week, which has helped him decide on his future.

Mark had this to say about the Rural Week:

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WESLEY’S STORY: TREE SURGERY?

Wesley served in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers as a Rifleman, progressing to be a Machine Gun Specialist, and then being a part of the Intelligence Cell. Wesley had struggled to find a job or a hobby he was passionate about after completing his tours in Kosovo and Northern Ireland until he attended a HighGround Rural Week and found an interest in tree surgery.

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MAJOR ROBIN’S STORY: WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Robin (Major) Army: Armoured Corps (4TH/7TH RDG) and army legal services based in Swindon. He wanted to attend a HighGround Rural Week to gain a better understanding of the options available to him once his military career came to an end. Working in the land-based sector is his goal, but in a role that would give him autonomy and independence. Robin very much enjoyed being in the countryside and working outdoors. He was on a 3-year FTRS contract but wanted to plan ahead.

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REBECCA’S STORY: SMALLHOLDING

Rebecca was a former Captain with the Army Royal Logistics Corps but left the military in July 2015. Now based in York and serving as a Reservist, She was keen to explore opportunities available in the land-based sector with organizations who were looking to recruit Reservists. Rebecca had a number of transferable skills and qualifications in the adventure training sector. However, she did not want to build a career in this sector, she wanted to gain ideas about what she could do in the future.

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ROBIN’S STORY: WHAT TO DO WITH 2 ACRES OF LAND

Robin, Army, Commissioned Officer, now serving as a Reservist. Robin had left the military and based himself in Somerset, gaining employment within a procurement company. However, Robin had found himself facing redundancy and decided; that he wanted to pursue a career he was passionate about. He had long-term interest in rural matters; particularly land management and was interested in finding out more regarding the relationship between conservation, habitat preservation and land management/land use. Robin was keen to learn about the rural sector as a whole and find out more about the vocational and employment opportunities within it. Robin also had aspirations to seek an overview of aspects of countryside/environmental management, conservation and woodlands/forestry.

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MALCOLM’S STORY: BSc ANIMAL MANAGEMENT 

Malcolm, ex-Army Crew Commander, Household Cavalry, attended one of our Rural Week’s earlier this year. Since attending and getting further support from HighGround, Malcolm has now been able to identify the career path he wishes to go down. Congratulations on accepting a place on a BSc Animal Management course with Hadlow College, Malcolm.  This is a big step towards your career aspirations and we hope you continue on this path.

ALEX’S STORY: OXBURGH HALL

Alex joined us via the Officers Association and attended one of our Rural Weeks in 2015. We are delighted to see Alex doing so well and the progression he is making towards his career aspirations.

Alex is currently at the Britannia Royal Naval College, starting his new career with the National Trust running Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk. HighGround congratulates him once again on his successes; we wish him all the best and hope to hear from him soon.

CHIT’S STORY: HORTICULTURE TO NEPAL

Chit served with the Army (Queen’s Gurkha Signals) and has been a Veteran since 1998. He came to HighGround and attended our Rural Week in June 2016. Chit was particularly keen on land management, conservation, and horticulture. Here is what Chit had to say about his Rural Week experience:

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MARK’S STORY: ALL THINGS GOLF

Mark came for support from HighGround in February 2016 after leaving the Royal Navy ten months earlier, having spent six years with them. He wanted to find out more about what the land based sector could offer him in regards to employment and was particularly keen on turf management roles within a Golf Club. He was a keen golfer and felt that this passion could be combined with his practical skills to create a fulfilling career.

HighGround were able to use industry contacts to secure advice, guidance and set up an interview with one of Mark’s local Golf Clubs. He gained employment as a Green Manager less than six weeks after making contact with HighGround.

Congratulations to you, Mark; we wish you all the best.