Heroes Week: How military veterans impact communities at Foundation of Light

Foundation of Light, alongside Sunderland AFC, were proud to have won the Gold Award as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme earlier this year.

Sunderland AFC’s official charity has several armed forces experienced personnel working across various roles and inspiring the next generation.

Liam Oliver, a Youth Engagement Officer at the Foundation, served in the British Army for 12 years. On his time with the army, Liam said: “I initially joined in 2005 for the Cautionary Guards.

“I went to Bosnia for four months, came back from there and then went straight into pre-deployment for Afghanistan.

“I served six months in Afghanistan, then went back to Windsor and did public duties such as Trooping the Colour, at the time the Queen’s birthday parade.”

On how he uses skills learned in the armed forces to help with his new career in mentoring young people, Liam added: “I think it’s just life experience in general. The situations I’ve been through in the British Army, I built confidence and resilience.

“I like to show younger people that you can be resilient to different situations and ways you can overcome adversities.”

Foundation of Light Family Learning Officer, Charlotte Blake, was with the Royal Navy for eight years, first as a weapons engineer before retraining as a communications specialist.

“I was based down in Plymouth from 2015 where I served on various ships, maintaining all the weapons on board,” Charlotte explained.

“I retrained as a communications specialist up until leaving in 2023. I would say I’m definitely a people person, a good communicator, and I use those skills in my role now meeting and working with people from all different walks of life.

“As a female who was in a male-dominated role, I like to show, especially to the young girls that I work with now, that anything is possible.”

Game of II Halves Delivery Officer, Steve Brindley, spent 37 years with the Royal Air Force before leading on the Foundation’s male mental health project.

“I did various things [with the RAF] but mainly I was an air traffic controller at various bases around the country and overseas.

“In the back half of my career, I went on to do lots of different things, from running a safety centre to being a career manager.

“I think there are so many transferable skills for most people who come from the services. For me, I drew upon skills like communication, which is key, particularly in stressful situations.

“Most of my roles involved being responsible for people and taking care of people, and that translates perfectly into the general work of the Foundation, but more particularly the work of the Game of Two Halves project, which is all people focused.”

Veterans sessions with the Foundation of Light

Not only do the Foundation of Light offer opportunities to armed forces veterans as an employer, Sunderland AFC’s official charity also delivers several sessions aimed at those with military experience.

These programmes aim to keep veterans active, helping them to socialise, and feel some of the camaraderie associated with serving in the forces.

One of those sessions is our Veterans Football kickabouts, a casual and friendly game of football often followed by a  brew and chat every Thursday and Sunday. Contact David Bygate to find out more at: david.bygate@foundationoflight.co.uk

Our new Game Changer session features low impact physical activity which can be walking football, guided exercises, or walks aiming to provide veterans with balanced and accessible activity.

Exercises are followed by a 30-minute discussion session featuring tailored guidance and support from peers. 

Sessions are at the Beacon of Light on Tuesdays and Seaham Youth Centre on Wednesdays.

For the Seaham session, contact: liam.oliver@foundationoflight.co.uk

For the Beacon of Light session, contact: david.bygate@foundationoflight.co.uk