Page 84 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

MORE STORIES
Always A Rifleman Programme (AARP)
One year after the Always A Rifleman Programme (AARP) was launched, we are quietly proud of its achievements. The programme has continued to save lives
on a scale that is profound. And whilst the programme has little interest in advertising its successes, alerting everyone to the remarkable achievement of the volunteer workforce, is essential.
Over 60 volunteers have been trained to deal with veterans in crisis and a further 100 are poised to undertake training in the next 12 months. It is this passion for the veteran community that is rescuing seriously ill Riflemen from succumbing to the effects of complex issues.
A year ago, it would have been hard to imagine the levels of success some of our volunteers would achieve whilst mentoring struggling Riflemen. One needs to look no further than the rise of socially prescribed charities that use sport or vocational skills as a route out of a crisis to see the art of the possible. For one of our volunteers, it has been this concept that has given rise to a developing business and fledgling charity born from the AARP. Not only has Danny McCrieth mentored his young charger out of a world of pain, but he has also helped him realise his own entrepreneurial skills whilst developing a veteran support network in the North West.
In total, sixteen mentors have been assigned to help Riflemen in need since the programme began. But it’s not only the retired Riflemen that have been trained
and assigned. Sarah Anderson, who is the wife of a retired Rifleman and qualified professional, has skilfully guided one of our programme participants on this year’s first ‘dive-therapy’ programme in Greece. Two weeks of learning how to manage complex stress syndrome whilst simultaneously SCUBA diving in the Mediterranean Sea is nothing short of phenomenal. Equally, we have been humbled by those desperately keen to raise money to help the programme function. WO2 (RQMS) Farrell (1 RIFLES) ran 100 miles in 24 hours whilst Alison Mitchell (RIFLES Cadet Senior Instructor) selected the AARP as the destination for her detachment’s annual fund raiser.
Notwithstanding these truly remarkable outcomes, there is still so much more to be done. Change is constant and this applies
to the dynamics of The Rifles veteran community. The AARP continues to educate itself. Understanding the route out of a crisis is equally as important as understanding why a crisis occurs. Uniquely for the programme, the core volunteer group have unparalleled experience that furnishes our decision-making with high quality solutions in our quest to defeat the principle causes of a crisis.
In year two, we will seek to refine our processes and build capacity through unifying our efforts with the emergence of The Rifleman’s Association. Simultaneously, the AARP will seek to export its knowledge to the wider veteran support community and set the conditions for those Riflemen leaving in the years ahead.
Regimental Head Quarters – Engagement
Occasionally we are involved in a project that produces a feel-good factor and recently, helping to launch the Tesco Voucher scheme for our Riflemen, was that moment. It’s an initiative only The Rifles could come up with, and all credit goes to the RIFLES Trustees for the idea and making it happen. In many ways it highlights ‘The Thinking Rifleman’ ethos we promote as a regiment and in the short-term we hope it goes some way
to supporting our serving and veteran troops.
A close second on the rush of euphoria was Sounding Retreat. There is no perfect solution as to when and where it should
be held, and we realise that many people couldn’t attend who would have liked to. We hope an edited video on SWIFT will make
up for that. It’s worth watching because the performance by all involved was exceptional and something to be proud of, as you can see from the photos on pages 6-7 of this Bugle.
‘Forward thinking’ isn’t a phrase we
use lightly as a regiment, and I want to highlight the importance of SWIFT once again because it is turning into the envy
of other regiments and corps. To be clear, it’s not a social media platform. It’s a digital asset that stores critical information about the regiment (such as drill and uniform manuals) as well as providing support across other areas including Beyond Service, welfare and events. SWIFT is available via an internet browser or an app that can be downloaded straight to your smart phone. Importantly the information on
SWIFT can help us better react to instances where our much envied, Always A Rifleman Programme, can step in to help people.
Our social media channels and SWIFT are constantly evolving, and we hope improving with time. If you have any decent photos or video footage you want to share please email it to engagementclerk@ the-rifles.co.uk, where possible we will
use across RIFLES channels and tag
you. In the coming months we want our communications to focus more on the RIFLES community, however we can’t do that without your help. Please alert us to opportunities that you think might make great stories to share with The Rifles family.
Swift and Bold.
Pete Corbin, Head of Engagement
A close second on the rush of euphoria was Sounding Retreat. There is no perfect solution as to when and where it should be held
84 RIFLES The Bugle