Step Together- Elaine's story

Blesma Member Elaine Corner was medically discharged from the Army in 2012 after becoming a below knee amputee following a motorbike accident.

As she wasn’t working, she engaged with Step Together Volunteering, a charity which helps injured service personnel, veterans and their families among other groups to find volunteering opportunities in their local community.

They found Elaine placements with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue giving road safety talks in schools and with Operation Nightingale on an archaeological dig. When she heard that Step Together were looking to recruit someone to work with veterans and help find them volunteering placements she jumped at the chance! She has now been doing the job for six and a half years and during that time has helped hundreds of veterans into volunteering. She also continues with the same volunteering which started her on the path to her new career.

When asked what she likes best about the job Elaine said, “I love that every day is different. One day I can be working alongside a client cutting down scrub on a nature reserve, the next I could be visiting a charity that does furniture upcycling to check its suitability for a client. I have met such a variety of people and it’s very rewarding to see the difference volunteering can make to people’s live. Many are unsure of what they want to do with their lives or are stuck at home not having the confidence to try something new. With support from Step Together they discover new interests and sometimes that can lead to employment, but wherever it leads they are helping out in their local community and meeting new people.”

Step Together has staff just like Elaine across England and Wales ready to help veterans and their families start something new. They take referrals from forces charities and organisations who work with veterans, but anyone can self-refer as well if they feel they would benefit from their support.

Placements are bespoke to clients, fitting in around existing commitments like childcare, and could be anything from helping local sports clubs or wildlife hospitals, to assisting at art groups for the elderly or volunteering in a museum. During lockdown Step Together have been working with clients to find them volunteering they can do from home such as telephone befriending or painting models for museum displays.

If you are interested in finding out more visit www.step-together.org.uk or speak to your BSO.