Before I started with Simon and his organisation I was homeless and had nothing. I had lost everything, my nice big home, with my wife to be and 3 beautiful kids. I suffer from mental health problems and I wasn't coping at all. I was angry with everyone and everything. I drank a lot and took drugs to deal with the stuff that was going through my head. I wasn't in control. It's been almost a year now and I'm in a flat which is coming on to being a very nice place. With the help from Simon and other agencies and being on the right meds I'm back in control. I'm not saying that Simon and I didn't butt heads, we did. But he stayed with me and put the time and effort and understood wot I was and still am going through. I'm back at work now after being off for almost 2 years and my life and attitude has totally changed. I'm not angry at the world anymore and I’m happy. Truly happy. I couldn't have done this without the help and kindness and support of Simon and the other organizations. So I say thank you for everything it means a lot to me. Stay strong and believe in yourself, if I can do it then bloody hell so can everyone else.

I just want to say a few words to you to let you know how much your help and advice has had a positive effect on my life and well-being.  When I first met you David, I was in a poor state mind and had my head buried in the ground worrying about everything.  I was getting no help from the RBL, or any other Charities etc and was thinking of ending it all? But after meeting you and getting your help and support put me back on track in a positive way.  Thanks to you I am now getting the support from others that I need to carry on.  If anyone out there feels down and out please listen to David.  It’s so nice to have people like him around I also feel that I've made a good friend too, who is always welcome to my home.

My journey to recovery I am writing this email to tell a little about my journey this last 10 months. I am a recovering alcoholic and been dry now for seven month and to the addiction has caused me severe damage to areas of my brain and affected my walking I also now suffer seizures. In this time, I have met many people and organisations Simon Hallam of VSSCIC one of them. As part of my recover, support and mental health Simon Hallam has been an absolutely vital part of the network he is kind, understanding and extremely supportive and a part of my life that I will be forever grateful. It has been absolutely wonderful to see lots of organisations working together to help my recovery from both alcohol and my illness, thanks Simon for a massive part that's been for me.

It has to be said that there does appear to be quite a number of charities out there that purport to support and help Veterans when they leave the services but that does not mean that they are all effective, supportive and reliable. Speaking as someone who has finally had to reach out for help, I have experienced both and what a difference there is between them, naming no names but one of them was a large charity who I mistakenly thought would help support me. As my mind degraded to a point where I needed help and support because my mind had fallen to a position through both medication and a degrading of mental health, I was no longer functional, I would fall asleep during meetings or just pass out or sometimes just sit there and sob not knowing why other than it was embarrassing and made me feel weak. The large charity that said they would help me did not and left me to my own devices, which sadly went fast downhill. Veterans Support Service did not however, they contacted me constantly, they wrote and filled in the documentation that I was supposed to do but could no longer do because I had neither the motivation or ability to do so, they guided me had every step of the way and would visit me regularly especially when I was in a very low mood which led me towards the path of wanting to end the misery, I felt I was now living in. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending David Poultney and the services of the Veterans Support Service; with them there is no waffle nor false promises or bull, just action when you need it and I am still here today because of their actions and the continued hope and support, which they continue to give me this day and every day.

Testimonial from Pilot Project working in collaboration with the NHS! Before your visits, I was very introvert and did not wish to speak to anyone about my problems i.e. PTSD, agoraphobia etc, but just by chatting, you got me outside round our village, just saying good morning to people was a big step forward for me. I hope you realise that I am sending you email on my computer (another one of your great ideas). All in all I would just like to say a very big thank you for taking the time you did helping me re-join the human race.