Page 68 - Bugle Spring 2024

AARP
THE ALWAYS A RIFLEMAN PROGRAMME (AARP) OVERVIEW
The AARP continues to provide immediate and live saving support across the country and the Commonwealth.
Over the last six months we have delivered two Mental Health First Aid courses to our volunteers in the Hampshire and London Areas. These courses help the programme and reconnect veterans across the country, and the aim is to run another six in 2024 – so please look out for the dates on SWIFT.
In August we finally recruited a Programme Manager in Tommy Meggison, who with 31 years’ experience of working across all 5 pillars of the Regiment brings a breath of
much welcomed knowledge and support to the programme.
In December a number of our critical support volunteers, including John Barry, Danny McCreith, Sarah Anderson and Laura Weaver attended the RIFLES Biennial Award Dinner at Guildhall in the City of London.
Finally we would like to thank everyone of our 450 volunteers who at the drop of the phone have done various interventions from taking a veteran to A&E and saving his life or listening on the end of a phone to reconnecting veterans across the whole of the country. Your support keeps the AARP in
the vanguard of crisis management and we thank you all.
If you know anyone who is struggling and would benefit from our support or just a chat from an old mucker, please call the 0800 470 0941 number. You never know, it might just save a fellow Rifleman from spiralling out of control.
Footnote: Planning for the 2024 Silverstone Gala is in full swing, and we look forward
to seeing as many of there as possible on Saturday 11 May. Tickets and booking forms are available on SWIFT now!
AARP TRIP TO PORTUGAL
My role as a mentor on the AARP has been one of great privilege, and I have had many great experiences working with Riflemen and our wider family. At the AARP we have been very fortunate to know Mike and Kim Shaw, who are parents of veteran James
(4 RIFLES). Mike and Kim opened their beautiful home in Portugal and extended their kindness by offering support for our extended RIFLES family. They have welcomed individuals to visit for some much-needed time away, including those that suffer with complex PTSD, or to help individuals that have lost loved ones.
Being a mentor within the programme can be diverse, and the projects I am involved
in are varied, each with their own unique challenges. In July I organised a trip to Portugal for veteran Rifleman Lee Spence (1 RGJ/2 RIFLES). Those who travel regularly are unphased at being abroad, but for Lee, who hadn’t left the UK since his army days, the prospect of travelling left him with huge anxiety. In truth for many of the individuals I have worked with this is a common issue, for
some that means not travelling for up to 10 to 15 years post serving.
Dealing with these complexities and enabling an individual to travel is where I
see the gold come out in each person. I say gold because some individuals simply do not believe in themselves, or that they can do this, but the true spirit of a Rifleman does come out, and they push onwards and forwards. Lee’s Swift and Bold nature is what truly stood out, and his perseverance made me incredibly proud of him Lee even though the prospect of having to use apps, and paperless travel systems were out of his comfort zone. He fought all the feelings of anxiety and apprehension, and on a Thursday morning in July, Baz Melia picked up Lee and his friend Richard Sadler and took them to Manchester airport.
On arrival into Faro airport, Lee was greeted by Kim and then whisked off to her stunning home. For those that are dog lovers, Mike and Kim have a German Shepard called Luther, and this friendly dog became a very important part of Lee’s trip. We all know that a dog can help mental health and are great companion’s, well it’s safe to say that Luther followed Lee everywhere.
Over the coming days Lee enjoyed the glorious weather, swam in their pool and enjoyed the local sites, as well as eating great food. Lee said “I was dreading going to Portugal at first but having someone come with me helped. Kim and Mike are very open and loving people, and were there to support”.
In January 2023 Kim attended the AARP 2-day mental health course in Liverpool, this enabled her to gain knowledge and insight
To have people like the Shaws opening their home, is a blessing. It has and will be that one thing that gives people the hope they so richly deserve after going through many difficulties
into working with RIFLES families and those who are suffering with complex issues. As many will know, and having experienced it first hand, the training that’s delivered on these courses is first class and provides all future mentors with the ability to handle any given situation.
The trip was a huge success and makes me massively grateful to see how a change of view and location can bring so much to
an individual like Lee. To have people like
the Shaws opening their home, is a blessing. It has and will be that one thing that gives people the hope they so richly deserve after going through many difficulties. The success of this Programme is having mentors like Mike and Kim who are willing to go that
extra mile which is life changing for some. Over the coming year we hope to send many more families and individuals, so they too can benefit from the glorious sun in Portugal.
Sarah Anderson, AARP Volunteer
68 RIFLES The Bugle