TWO former soldiers have launched an initiative for fellow veterans to help them with life after the Army.
Pull Up A Sandbag is a new group for veterans in the woodlands of the White Dragon Activity Centre in Bures, between Halstead and Colchester.
The free groups are aimed at serving and ex-serving members of the military or emergency services, as well as their family members.
Pull Up A Sandbag was set up by activity centre owner Mark Bloom alongside Fred Coughlin, volunteer caseworker for armed forces charity SSAFA.
Before starting his business, Mark served for ten years in the Royal Signals, while Fred is ex-Royal Marines Commandos, having served for 22 years.
The two met through the centre’s archery club, before Mark came up with the idea and Fred was keen to become involved.
Mark said: “If you’ve spent time in the armed forces or emergency services, you develop a particular sense of humour and way of looking at the world, and for a lot of people that’s very much missed when they come out.
“I’m ex-army and I wanted to give other people a space where they can come together, be understood and be around people who share the same kind of history.
“Whether you want to come along and get something off your chest or just have a laugh or enjoy some quiet time amongst the trees, that’s fine, you’re welcome here.”
The events see tea and toast provided, along with friendly chat and good company.
Fred added: “Many former, and current, service personnel and emergency service workers have relished their time in the job, enjoying the camaraderie of shared experience.
“They have accepted, too, that their professions have, and do, expose them to some appalling incidences of a traumatic nature.
“This meeting space is a place to enjoy the benefits highlighted by Mark and help ease the stresses caused by those traumas.”
The group meets on the third Wednesday of every month in the activity centre’s survival skills camp area, with people able to just turn up on the day.
The next is on Wednesday December 21, from 1pm to 4pm.
For more information visit meetup.com/pull-up-a-sandbag, or contact Mark at info@whitedragonactivitycentre.co.uk or 07739 672906.
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