When returning to civilian life, some UK veterans may have difficulty finding work, but one ex-soldier wants to assist them get back in the driver's seat.
"Take your time, compose yourself, check your mirrors."
Darren Wright
Darren Wright is in the process of teaching a new HGV driver. Many of the folks seated next to him have one thing in common: they are all former military personnel. For the past 19 months, the 46-year-old has led Veterans into Logistics, a not-for-profit organisation in Greater Manchester.
"We get veterans who are struggling to find employment," he says. "We reach out to them, we put our [arms] around them and we support them into becoming HGV drivers."
Darren Wright
According to government statistics from 2017, 28,000 veterans of working age were unemployed.
According to Darren, those who leave the military without a trade or expertise face a lack of assistance. Many of the Army veteran he meets struggle with poor self-esteem or have mental health issues.
"They put a lot of trust in me," he says. "I can talk to them and go, 'Listen mate, I've been there, I know what it's like, but trust me, let's get you trained up, let's get you a job.'"
Darren Wright
Darren was raised on a council estate in north Manchester and graduated from high school with no qualifications or aspirations. He enlisted in the army at the age of 23 and spent five years as a gunner and paratrooper in 21 Battery, 47 Regiment, Royal Artillery. He served in Afghanistan and was dismissed from the military in 2004 with untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).