The factory that ‘fixes’ veterans broken by horrors of war
Heroes taught vital skills
ARMY veterans bearing the physical and mental scars of war often struggle to find work in the civilian world.
But a newly established Scottish factory is on a mission to help ex-servicemen and women rebuild their lives.
The veterans are offered 18 months of training in a range of manufacturing skills by Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, producing road and rail signs.
The fledgling company based in Erskine, Renfrewshire, employs ten veterans but hopes to grow the team to 150.
Last week it secured part of a £5 million contract to manufacture signage for local authorities up and down the country.
High-quality skills training is crucial but just as important is restoring confidence and pride, said Andrew Baird, the firm’s administrator who served three tours in Northern Ireland.
He said: ‘Being in the forces installs a sense of pride and worth and when you are not able to earn a living, that sense of pride is seriously affected.
‘Getting back into work, knowing that you are putting back into communities and not just taking out, restores that.’
On leaving the forces, Mr Baird found himself homeless because he could not find work. Today he still struggles to contemplate what could have happened to him had he not found help.
He said: ‘This place is priceless, knowing that people have felt the same as me – that they have felt like they were monsters or social outcasts and have had the same experiences.
‘Anxiety and the feelings of remoteness are taken away by being with other service personnel and it doesn’t matter if they are in their eighties or twenties because we have all lived through a similar destructive violence.
‘They accepted me as I am – although nobody asks me to make coffee any more, because they know they’ll only get a third of a cup by the time I’ve shaken it all over the floor.’
William Murray, a former Royal Corps of Signals infantryman for 13 years before having to leave due to injury in 2004, became a security officer, but after a few years his injuries caught up with him. ‘I went into a downward spiral,’ he said. ‘I had problems with my knees, lower back and hips and was diagnosed with a depressive disorder and anxiety.
‘I wouldn’t leave the house. I’d make my wife’s dinner for when she got home at 6pm and then I would just disappear into the bedroom to do nothing, and I would be asleep by 8pm.’
It was when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago that reality set in. He said: ‘From that day, she was my inspiration to get back to work. If she could do it I could do it.
‘I didn’t realise I was so far gone, that I was neglecting my wife and kids. But now my wife has never seen me so happy. I come to work with a smile and I leave with a smile.’
Triple-amputee Gary Jamieson said: ‘I can show other veterans that if I can succeed here then anyone can and hopefully inspire them to give working in factories like this a try. Coming here has given me structure in my life and it has given me a purpose.’
The firm is supported by Royal British Legion Industries and by Erskine Hospital.
As well as making signs for roads, railways and businesses, it produces business cards, leaflets, greetings cards, brochures, magazines and banners.
Director Michelle Ferguson said: ‘We compete in a very business-like way. We’re not begging for business, we are trading.’