Injured soldiers from Mansfield and Retford join Fire Service thanks to partnership with Help For Heroes

Two injured soldiers will be starting their new careers with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) this month, thanks to a partnership with Help for Heroes.
Fire and Rescue.Fire and Rescue.
Fire and Rescue.

Steven Kemp from Mansfield and James Dawson from Retford, will both be taking on the role of Team Leader and Team Support Officers for NRFS’ Prince’s Trust Teams.

Their roles will involve Steven and James helping young, unemployed people aged 16-25, by giving them the skills and confidence they need to find themselves a job. This includes team building activities and teaching them how to write CVS.

By working for NFRS, it is hoped that their roles will help them gain re-employment and allow them to settle back into civilian life.

Steven, who has previously volunteered with Mansfield Prince’s Trust Team is excited to be starting his new career.

He said: “Working for the fire service is great. I enjoy interacting with young people and this is something that I definitely want to do as a career.”

Having been in the Army for 12 years, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Steven sought help from Help for Heroes after injuring his leg and ankle in 2009.

He began his recovery at the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre, Tedworth House alongside James who returned from Afghanistan after injuring his back.

It was here, that both James and Steven were approached by a Prince’s Trust Team representative.

James, who previously served in the army for eight years, said: “I was immediately interested in working for the fire service and the Prince’s Trust Team in order to help young people.”

Both James and Steven, who have come from similar backgrounds to the young people on the Prince’s Trust Team, find they can use their experiences before and during their time in the army to talk to inspire and help the young people.

James added: “Before the Army, I was in the same shoes as them and I wanted to do something where I would be able to help them as well.”

Despite NFRS having a strong relationship with Help for Heroes for many years, this is the first time that the Service has employed anyone from the programme.

Pete Hales, Delivery Partner Manager for NFRS Prince’s Trust said: “It is great for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to be working in partnership with Help for Heroes and it is brilliant that we are helping James and Steven by bringing them back into civilian life.”

Bryn Parry, CEO and Co-Founder of Help for Heroes said: “Help for Heroes recognises that the transition into civilian life can be an incredibly daunting prospect, especially for those who are wounded, injured or sick. We are proud to be supporting The Prince’s Trust which is giving individuals like James and Steven a massive boost in skills and confidence. We hope our partnership supports heroes like James and Steven to find a fulfilling second career such as this exciting opportunity with the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.”