1 minute read
CALL OF DUTY
Steph Harper walked out of school and into the army. At 17 she joined the Royal Medical Corps. As a combat medic technician – a military paramedic, she was often first on the scene when soldiers suffered traumatic injuries.
Steph as a raw recruit
Now 35 and a mental health nurse, Steph says it was great preparation for her new role, supporting people as they go through the criminal justice system.
“Being in the army has made me a better nurse. You build resilience and use the same skills. But first you have to adapt to civilian life – and it’s not easy.”
She works with Reconnect, a unique service that supports people who have served a custodial sentence to re-integrate into society. It starts before they leave prison and continues as long as needed.
Among her clients are ex-military men and women who have, like her, experienced the horrors of war.
“It’s not easy for anyone to adapt to life after prison. You may have lost your job, your home, family and friends. You may not know where to go for help.
If you’ve been in the military, asking for help is often seen as a character flaw, which makes rehabilitation so much harder.
Once they know I’m a veteran they’re more likely to let me help them with the things that can get them back on track, from housing to benefits and employment.
I feel my coming into this role happened for a reason. I’m exactly where I should be. The best part of my job is when I’m standing in front of a judge appealing for an ex forces offender to be referred for community support rather than a custodial sentence.
I’d say to veterans, ‘there are services that can help you develop – go and find them. Don’t see it as a weakness, you have so many skills, you’re a valuable asset – you have a purpose outside the military, let’s discover it’.”
• Reconnect is a pilot programme led by Mersey Care’s Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion service. Mersey Care also has a dedicated Veteran Support programme. Find out more at: merseycare.nhs.uk
