Jack served for six years before being medically discharged, which affected him badly as he was a keen soldier and wished to remain in the Army. Estranged from his family and homeless, his future looked bleak. With funding support from the ABF, employment opportunities opened up and Jack now has his own flat and a job.

Jack grew up admiring soldiers on parade, and was 16 when he entered the Army Apprentice College in 2016. After graduating, he joined the Grenadier Guards. During his six years of service, he took part in two Trooping the Colour ceremonial events.

Sadly, Jack’s military career was cut short. Just as he was due to travel to Belize to undertake jungle training in 2022, Jack was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and medically discharged.

Leaving military service at short notice was incredibly difficult for Jack. He had no job, and couldn’t return to a family home.

Jack says, “There was nothing I could do about it and, having given all my adult life to the Army, I didn’t know what I would do. Suddenly, I had no job and nowhere to live.”

With the support of ABF funding, Jack was given the opportunity to join the Alabare Veterans Self Build Scheme to undertake construction trade training. He obtained work as a scaffolder and was able to qualify for one of the homes he helped to build in the scheme, with a low cost mortgage, which he moved into in early 2024.

Unfortunately, Jack then suffered another setback. He sustained a serious injury when he was knocked off his bike. As a result, he is no longer able to work as a scaffolder. Jack, however, is an incredibly resilient and resourceful person, and with the help of training funded by the ABF, has since found employment opportunities as a groundworker following his recovery.