WOODYS LODGE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Support Officer ( North Wales )
Originally, I was born in Chester and moved to North Wales in my teens.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Dream Team
- Admin Support Officer at Penlan Farm
As a certified BRAT, I grew up on military bases in both the UK and BAOR during my dad's service with the Royal Corps of Signals. After leaving home at 18, I studied at the University of Leeds where I completed my LLB Hons in Law and Japanese Studies. I then followed my parents and sister to West Wales where I have lived for the last 25 years. In my early career, I worked for the MOD/QinetiQ at their test and evaluation range in Aberporth. My roles included general administration, data management and HR support to project managers throughout the UK. After redundancy, I moved into
Using his experience volunteering at the Benefits Shop, working as a Support Officer here at Woody's, Tom was integral to supporting veterans and their families, in particular assisting with form-filling and helping veterans navigate their way through the DWP processes. From benefits to pensions and supporting veterans at tribunals for their Personal Independence Payments and Disability Living Allowance. Navigating the DWP systems and processes can be complicated and stressful, often when a veteran submits their application, there will be a rejection and it will have to go to an appeal process, which can be very stressful.
Tom tells us openly that Woody's Lodge has really given him a purpose and something to get up for in the morning. After just over a year in the role of Support Officer in North Wales, Woody's underwent a restructure as it had grown so much. Graham, who was the Project Officer at North Wales became CEO for Woody's Lodge. There was also the creation of two new roles: Operations Manager for each North and South Wales sites, and Tom was appointed Operations Manager for the North Wales site which supports veterans across North Wales from Eirias Park down to Llandysul, across to Haye on Wye and back up to Eirias Park.
As Operations Manager for North Wales, Tom's job is to signpost and help veterans find the right support that they need, although he is still very active in supporting with Benefits and Pensions. He knows that it is so daunting to come out of service, not knowing what to do! Woody's Lodge was greatly needed in North Wales as there's a large veteran population. In the future, Tom hopes Woody's Lodge will continue to grow and give even more support to veterans and their families, so their lives can be better.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Dream Team
Originally from North Wales, I was born and brought up in a small village called Coedpoeth, just outside Wrexham.
Job Titles:
- Support Officer, South Wales
I started my military career straight from school at 16. First joining the Royal Air Force Regiment, deploying on my first tour of Iraq in 2003, and again in 2006. Then seeing my first tour of Afghanistan in 2007. Returning from this tour I transferred to the Royal Welsh Regiment in 2008 where I stayed for a further 6 years, before getting medically discharged.
After leaving the army in 2014 I started work as a photographer and studied a BA in Photography at University.
I have now joined Woody's Lodge to give back to them the help that they have given myself with my own PTSD. I am also looking forward to supporting the veterans and armed forces community that gave me such an amazing time in my life.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Dream Team
- Support Officer ( South Wales )
I left school in 1963, which is when I began working for the Ministry of Defence in London.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Dream Team
- Activities Officer ( South Wales )
Having been brought up in Prescot, on the outskirts Liverpool. I joined the Army, arriving at Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Armoured Corps in September 1976 (at the age of 16 years and 3 days). Becoming a tank crew man in the Blues & Royals & posted to BAOR in January 1978.
My career saw me on a number of operations & postings such as: BAOR, Op Banner, Op Corporate, Windsor. Canada, UN Cyprus & the Guards Depot Pirbright. I left the army in June 1993.
After leaving I have worked in a variety of roles, initially as a paramedic in the Berkshire area, followed by a move to live near Family in North Wales where I then spent a number of years working in private sector health care, followed by 18 years managing health, safety & environmental functions until December 2017.
I began my Role with Woody's Lodge as an Energy advisor on the 1st March 2022 and am very much looking forward to working for such a well regarded organisation & team.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Dream Team
- Community Engagement Manager
Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, I spent most of my childhood living in the village of Brown Edge. I attended Endon High School which I left in July 1994 at the age of 16 before starting my Armed Forces career in August 1994 with the Parachute Regiment. After a few setbacks during training I passed out and joined "1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment" in June 1995.
During my career I have served several tours of NI, also on operations in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and numerous tours of Afghanistan. I spent time as a Parachute Regiment recruit instructor based at ITC Catterick, as a Divisional Training Team SM, for the Parachute Regiment and Household Division before finishing my 25 Career in September 2019 as a CSM within the Regiment.
While serving I have personally suffered with mental health. The first time I was very reluctant to tell anyone or ask for help, but when I did, I got the support of my friends, colleagues and unit without question and without judgement. The support I gained during that time meant when I began to suffer for a second time, I felt confident and comfortable talking about it and asking for the help and support I needed. I gained support from various organisations and charities during these difficult times and during my transition to civilian street.
Now back on track and looking to the future, with the love and support of my partner Vicky, our families and friends I wanted to give back. With the struggles I have been through I felt the need and want to use my experience, skills and knowledge to support others. Woody's Lodge is my local charity and I echo all that the charity stands for, so I was thrilled to be offered the appointment of Project Officer South Wales and could not be happier. I look forward to working with and building new relationships with colleagues, veterans, their families and other organisations in the hope I can provide support where needed and make a difference to Woody's Lodge and our Patrons.
Job Titles:
- Activities Officer ( West Wales )
Born in Bedfordshire, my early years saw me develop a love for the outdoors and sport so as soon as I came of age, I left home and joined the Army, specifically the Corps of Royal Engineers. Not satisfied with that I opted early on to become a member of their Airborne unit and off I went to become an Airborne Engineer. These were great years and I spent my 10 years with them travelling to many countries and served on operations in Ireland, Falklands conflict, Belize, Kenya and more.
I left in 1986 and became a detective with Bedfordshire Police when I was successful to be selected by the Home Office to go to Bosnia in the 90's to look into the Human rights violations / war crimes for a year. On my return the cracks appeared and in 1999 I had a breakdown and was diagnosed with Complex PTSD. The Police couldn't help me and I was discharged out.
Since then, I rebuilt my life through a career as a carpenter and then onto Management in Construction and went abroad to work on projects in Russia and Azerbaijan. It was during this time my long suffering albeit wonderful wife decided we were going to live in Wales as the majority of her immediate and extended family were here. Another one of her smart decisions and since my return from abroad in 2015, we have lived in near Newcastle Emlyn, West Wales. Here I have taken up the mantle of caseworker for SSAFA and it is through this that I became involved in Woody's at Penlan Farm. As the Activities Officer I am looking at a wide spectrum of activities that veterans can get involved in and the list is borne out of your suggestions. If it is possible, we'll have a go.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Dream Team
- Support Officer ( South Wales )
Originally from the east side of Cardiff, I enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1983 aged 17. I served for 12 years as an Avionic Technician. I worked on Tornado, Hercules, Chinook and Puma aircraft as well as sidewinder missiles. I was stationed at various locations in the UK and West Germany during the Cold War, before Germany was reunified.
I left the RAF in 1998 and moved into civil aviation and worked all over the country on both civil and military aircraft. I also enlisted in the TA as a vehicle electrician serving with the REME at Ty Coch Way, Cwmbran for 3 years.
In 2004 I joined South Wales Police as a Police Constable, where I served mainly in Cardiff in roles such as CID, Response and Neighbourhood Policing, before retiring in February 2021.
In 2014, I also enlisted in The Royal Auxiliary Air Force as a ground Electrician with 614 Sqn based at Ty Llewellyn in Cardiff. I am still serving as a reservist alongside my current role as a Support Officer at Woody's Lodge which I began in April 2021.
Outside of work, I am close to my family. My daughter is a Learning Difficulties Nurse with the NHS and my son is currently serving in the RAF. My wife is a support worker for women with learning difficulties.
Originally from the east side of Cardiff, I enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1983 aged 17, where I served for twelve years.
Job Titles:
- Caretaker, Groundsman ( West Wales )
Born 1965 in Hampshire but predominantly brought up in the Midlands, Derby, Nottingham, and Sheffield.
Job Titles:
- Deputy CEO
- Member of the Dream Team
I started my career in the Royal Navy in 2001. I travelled around the world and did one tour of the Gulf region.
I was born and raised in Cardigan, West Wales. After completing my schooling, I joined the First Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 2006.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Support Officer
Brought up in Prestatyn North Wales, I joined the Royal Marines and served in the Falklands and Northern Ireland. I really enjoyed the travel, the outdoor life, and the camaraderie.
On leaving in 1984, I joined Pilkington Glass in St Asaph in the production department of vacuum coating before transferring to the Quality Engineering department in 1993.
I spent the last 20 years of my time there as Quality Manager for the Space glass division supplying to all the major aerospace companies including Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed, and Aerospatiale for satellite applications.
I left there in 2021 and took a role with Denbighshire Library service. I really enjoyed contributing to the local service having worked in the private sector for so long in my previous role.
When the opportunity to work at Woody's in the third sector to support Veterans and blue light services came up, I jumped at the chance to be involved in such an interesting and rewarding field.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Dream Team
- Operations Manager ( North Wales )
After leaving the Army many moons ago, I now live close to Holywell, North Wales.