Newbury man on course to help support injured veterans

A Newbury man hoping to connect military veterans with their ideal careers arranged a day for injured personnel at Deanwood Park Golf Club to aid with their mental and physical recovery.

Former Speenhamland and Park House pupil Andy Howe, who set up social enterprise CareerForces in 2019, organised the event in support of the On Course Foundation – a veterans’ charity championing the recovery of injured and sick service personnel through golf and employment in the golf industry.

Around 10 ex-servicemen affiliated to the On Course Foundation turned out for the event, including double and single amputees, and others suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

Deanwood Park Golf Club, in Stockcross, gave the use of its course, driving range and buggies for free, while two of its pros - Nigel Hart and Mat Johnson - gave up their time to make the event possible.

Mr Howe, who spent 30 years in the Royal Engineers and now works as a civil servant for the Ministry of Defence, said: “We’re blessed with the golf club, which has been wonderful in supporting it, and the weather has been great.

“The vets are a real mix of golf abilities but it’s not the point.

“Bish [double amputee Ian Bishop] has a handicap of seven but for some of them, the fact that they’re out and meeting other veterans is really important.

“Some of the people here wake up in the night or aren’t able to sleep, so to get out and concentrate on something which focuses their mind is really helpful.”

Instead of focusing on the golfing industry, Mr Howe’s CareerForces helps connect veterans and key workers with jobs around the country where their skillset would be most suited, hoping to find them long term positions.

He said the average time for veterans from leaving the forces to getting help is around 10 years, a time which he’s determined to reduce.

He added: “Not everybody is lucky enough to have a place they actually really enjoy going to but we try.

“The aim is to not see these people ever again.”

The general manager of Deanwood Park, John Bowness, said: “It’s just a very deserving cause.

"When we’ve got people who’ve put their lives on the line for all of us it’s a small gesture really and if it helps then we’re very pleased to do it.”

To find out more, visit www.careerforces.co.uk