After a lifetime spent in uniform, former Royal Marine and firefighter Andy faced retirement in the most isolating circumstances imaginable — lockdown, loss, and uncertainty about the future. With support from the Forces Employment Charity, Andy found a new direction, meaningful work, and a renewed sense of purpose, proving it’s never too late to rebuild life after service.
“I’ve been in uniform since the day I left school, I joined the Royal Marines at 17. I served for six and a half years, including Northern Ireland and the First Gulf War, then went straight into the Fire Service for 30 years. From uniform to uniform.”
Andy’s life had always followed a clear rhythm of structure and service. “Everything’s arranged for you: it’s organised, it’s scheduled. You just slip into it and work your way through.”
That rhythm came to a sudden halt in 2020. “My first day of retirement after 30 years was the first day of lockdown. I couldn’t say goodbye to the people I’d worked with for three decades. That was very, very hard.”
Soon after, Andy experienced a devastating personal loss when his partner, Tracy, passed away. “She was my rock. She supported me in everything. When she died, I decided to live my life for her as well.”
Struggling to cope, Andy returned to uniform once again, joining the ambulance service during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was very intense. I hadn’t finished my grieving process; I just focused on working.” After two years, Andy recognised he needed a change. “I needed to find a job for my own sanity, and that’s when I got involved with the Forces Employment Charity.”
Andy first heard about the charity through his local Royal Marines Association. “One of the lads mentioned it, so I looked it up. Within days, Kim Simons got in touch. She’s a veteran too, a former police officer, so we had that blue-light connection straight away.”
“Kim was absolutely incredible. She completely overhauled my CV, showed me how to write covering letters, and sent me job opportunities. I would never have achieved what I have without her. She went above and beyond.”
With that support, Andy secured a new role as a delivery driver with Asda in Llansamlet, Swansea, starting in October 2025. “I’m loving it. It’s an easy job, but a good one. You meet people, have a chat, brighten their day; it suits me perfectly.”
Alongside his new role, Andy is also setting up a property maintenance business with his son, Mikey. “We’ve already landed a contract maintaining houses for a local charity. Mikey does the hands-on work, and I manage the business side. Learning how to run a company is scary, but it’s given me a real sense of purpose again.”
Andy lights up when talking about his children. “My daughter Katie’s a paramedic now; she’s brilliant. My son’s working with me. Life’s busy again. I’ve gone from having too much time to not enough, but in a good way.”
His message to other veterans is clear:
“Talk to people. Don’t hold it in. Get involved with an organisation; you’ll find a safe place and people who understand. The Forces Employment Charity should be your first stop.
“I haven’t looked back since, I get up every morning with a smile now. There’s always something to do, somewhere to go. I’ve got good friends, good work, and a purpose again. That’s what matters.”
