Former soldier benefits from Help for Heroes business scheme

A former soldier has become the first man to benefit from a brand new Help for Heroes scheme that sets ex-military personnel up with business mentors.

Paul Wakeham, 49, has knee and back injuries as well as post-traumatic stress disorder following three tours of Bosnia, reports the Northern Echo.

But he has been successfully matched with a mentor at the charity's Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison.

Craig Pease, a project manager, has been assigned to look after Mr Wakeham for the next year and support him as he completes the Pathfinder course.

"It's uplifted me and made me more positive. I want to find a job. Before the army, I did roof tiling, painting and decorating. It's uplifted me and made me more positive," Mr Wakeham explained.

He added that he felt angry for a while after leaving the army, but thanks to Phoenix House he now has structure in his life once again and has regained a sense of belonging.