From the RAF to the Heart of Her Community: How One Veteran Used Her Experience to Uplift Others

Originally published in Pathfinder International magazine, April 2021.

When you turn on the news, it can often feel like everything is doom and gloom. But, I want to share something more uplifting, a story of resilience, connection, and community spirit.

I live in a small neighbourhood in Manchester, around 100 houses or so. And when COVID-19 turned life upside down in March 2020, something beautiful emerged among us. Our local Facebook group lit up with offers of help: “Does anyone need shopping?” “I'm here to talk if anyone feels lonely.” “Can I collect anyone’s prescriptions?”

It reminded me of something I hadn’t felt since my time in the military, a deep sense of belonging.

As someone who works in both mental and physical health, I understand just how vital connection and giving are for our well-being. I began asking myself: What can I do to help my neighbours?

Instinctively, my military training kicked in.

I set up a gentle boot camp on the field behind our houses, free for anyone in the community. When restrictions meant we couldn’t meet in person, I moved it online via Zoom. It wasn’t just about fitness, it was about keeping connected. For those less inclined to break a sweat, I hosted a weekly Sunday night quiz on Facebook Live. Laughter, banter, and friendly competition brought us together in a whole new way.

In time, we started raising funds for causes close to our hearts. One of my neighbours, Mo, painted beautiful portraits of our homes and offered them for donations. Together, we raised £400 for the Creative Living Centre, a mental health charity where I worked.

I also offered free HIIT sessions to my colleagues to help them stay active while working from home. And our little network of support kept growing. My neighbour, Barney, went on to start a community walking group.

“In the military, we’re taught to adapt, improvise, and overcome.”

And that’s exactly what we did. We looked out for each other, just like I was taught in service, because you never know when you’ll need someone to do the same for you.

In January 2021, I took that spirit further by launching a ‘Walk & Talk’ fundraiser for Creative Living Centre. I walked every day with a different person, creating space to connect and reflect while staying physically active. Julie from the Beacon Service even joined in. We raised £750 for the cause.

The experience was so powerful, I kept walking into February. That month, I launched ‘Feet First February’ to raise funds for the Bury Cancer Support Centre, again encouraging people to get out, connect, and walk for a worthy cause.

The RAF funded my Personal Training qualification through the ELCAS scheme, and it’s a skill I now use daily to support others through my community work, and in my roles as a Mental Health Professional, Personal Trainer, and Life Coach.

My journey hasn’t been an easy one. I lost both my parents during Trade Training at RAF Halton. I’ve walked through dark times, including battling suicidal thoughts, but I found a way forward by doing the inner work, leaning on those around me, and choosing to help others as I healed.

The military was my family when I needed it most. Now, my community is my family. Here, I feel truly at home, supported, accepted, and inspired by the people around me.

And if there's one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: no act of support is too small. Whether it’s a walk, a quiz night, or a message saying “I’m here,” it all adds up to something extraordinary.