This year, Remembrance Day marks 101 years since the end of the First World War. As well as commemorating those who made unparalleled sacrifices to protect our way of life, this international day of remembrance puts our current political turmoil into context. As Brexit – and now election – chaos rages on, Armistice Day reminds us to maintain a historical perspective with respect to current national anxieties, to put nation over self, and the “we”, as a community, over “I”.
Remembrance Sunday is not just a day to commemorate the tragedy and heroism of the two world wars. It also reminds us of the sacrifices still made today by veterans of our armed services, many of whom have suffered life-changing mental and physical trauma.
For the past 10 years, Patron Capital has maintained a partnership with the Royal Marines Charity and forged relationships with numerous military-related charities, such as Rock2Recovery and the Jewish Military Association UK. Our aims include helping veterans to transition into new, fulfilling careers, while also supporting those suffering from mental health issues. Each year we also lead sponsor the Royal Marines Charity’s annual London dinner, which is coming up on 20 November and last year raised over £1m.
After retiring from the Armed Forces, many veterans struggle to access the business community. But the property industry is uniquely placed to help. There are numerous parallels between the project management, coordination and tenacity required for military service and the skills required to manage a team or bring a development or deal to fruition.
At Patron, we organise mentorship programmes, work experience placements, internships and bespoke careers workshops to help veterans who are looking at property or investment as their next step.
The success of these initiatives has been significant: following a 10-week internship with us, a single-leg amputee was invited by a big four accounting firm to join its graduate analyst training. Meanwhile, another former Patron intern – a veteran who suffered combat wounds – is now a project manager at Jaguar Land Rover.
Untapped resource
But there is still so much more that the property industry can do. While I am sure Patron is not alone in its ambitions to help veterans recuperate and re-enter civilian life, it is a shame that more businesses are not using their specialist knowledge to help those in need in a more significant way than just buying and wearing poppies.
The industry’s unique skillset is an untapped resource that could be used to make a real difference. All too often, veterans rely on non-profits for practical support. But the volume of ex-servicemen and women who struggle to rehabilitate after sustaining injuries or mental illnesses means there is a real opportunity to come together and help this often-forgotten demographic.
This could mean providing resources to help organise events, as we did with the Veteran Games earlier this year, which saw 57 disabled veterans and 90 family members flown out to Israel to bond and share experiences with their Israeli counterparts through sport. Or supplying advice, materials, introductions, expertise or labour to help provide suitable accommodation for those adjusting to life with prosthetics. Or offering mentoring, experience and contacts for those looking to build a new career.
Our specialist knowledge need not necessarily translate into large-scale projects; efforts can be made at an individual level. Indeed, not long ago we helped to transform a dismal outdoor space into a low-maintenance garden for WO Jason Burns, who relies on mobility aids following a mortar attack in Afghanistan, and his family.
Similarly, property businesses can offer up space to support military veterans. Through a former Patron-owned business, we were able to provide more than 50 military families free respite breaks in luxury hotels, giving them a chance to reconnect and take a much-needed break on the often-gruelling path to rehabilitation.
It is a sad truth that, despite their sacrifices, many military veterans struggle to find fulfilling work and appropriate housing after retiring or being discharged from service.
By moving beyond financial donations and putting our industry knowledge to use, the property sector can provide military veterans with the kind of practical support that truly changes lives.
Keith Breslauer is managing director of Patron Capital
