Helping Veterans Help Themselves

The Trades Brigade is delighted to announce another veteran who not only is finding a route back into work but has set up his own business with the launch in Warrington of "CRG Plumbing". Craig Greenaway is launching his new venture in partnership with the Trades Brigade and with the support from the team at The Poppy Factory, a charity that helps ex-Service people with health challenges into rewarding employment.

The recent Alex Polizzi “Hire our Heroes" programme highlighted the problem of veterans finding employment. The Trades Brigade believes that self-employment and running your own business is another great way for veterans to return to civvy street.

It was while serving in the Mercian Regiment and performing a peace keeping role in Iraq with 1 Kings that Craig first thought of starting his own business. "When I was out in Iraq I saw some of the problems that arise from poor water sanitation issues. I have family connections in the plumbing industry and when I had to leave the army in 2008 to look after my children (after serving for nearly 8 years) I needed to find a career which I enjoyed and also allowed me to balance looking after my partner and children and earning a living. I have retrained as a plumber by going to college as well as hands on practical work by helping my father in law in his business."

Craig also added “I couldn't have done this without the help of The Poppy Factory's Getting You Back to Work Team and the Armed Forces Hub at the Gateway Centre in Warrington. Without the employment & welfare support I received from both organisations, I would not be as far down the path as I am today. I also received grant funding for a website and marketing materials through the Golden Gates Housing Trust and Upturn Enterprise"

"Working together with the Trades Brigade, the team will help me build my own business but under the banner of a national ex-military brand. I get support with marketing, accounts and finance as well as knowing that if I need any technical help I can call on one of the mentors who will assist me in getting the job done right."

Will Garment one of the founders of the Trades Brigade said

“We are delighted to work with Craig and help him in his desire to run his own plumbing business. Since I first met Craig I have been impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication he has shown towards setting up his own business. Being self-employed and running your own business is very exciting yet quite scary in equal measure. We at the Trades Brigade support Craig with every part of his business and give him the confidence to 'work for himself, but not by himself'. Our registered trade mark is “heroes on the homefront" and we will support Craig all the way as he becomes a hero on the Warrington homefront!"

Craig covers the Warrington area and is available to come and quote for plumbing jobs large and small. Contact the Trades Brigade Office on 01995 642374. Also see www.tradesbrigade.co.uk/crg-plumbing for more details about Craig.

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NOTES

The Trades Brigade is a commercial organisation dedicated to helping Ex-military personnel to run their own businesses in the construction and allied sectors. It was formed 3 years ago by William Garment and Colonel Andrew Parry. William has run his own businesses for most of his working life. Andrew was a Colonel in the Pioneer Regiment. For more details call the office or see http://www.tradesbrigade.co.uk/5-2/meet-the-team/

The Poppy Factory provides ongoing employment support to wounded, injured and sick ex-Service men and women across the country, helping them out of unemployment and into rewarding and sustainable careers. The Poppy Factory believes that every disabled veteran should have the opportunity for meaningful work. More details are available here http://www.poppyfactory.org/

The Armed Forces Community Support Hub, based at The Gateway, Warrington, is where early service leavers, veterans, serving soldiers, and their families can access a wide variety of services that can support them in leading fulfilling and independent lives, with a particular focus on welfare, mental health, well-being, housing/homelessness, training and employment.

The hub is permanently staffed by St Loye's Foundation Transition specialists, they help military, early service leavers, and veterans transition into education, training and employment, as well as other partner service charities and support groups including; The Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Citizens Advice Bureau, NHS Military Veterans Service, and S.A.M.S.

The Golden Gate Housing Trust and Upturn Enterprise – The GGHT and Upturn Enterprise secured initial grant funding for Craig to get his website up and running and marketing materials printed.

Press Enquiries
The Trades Brigade – Will Garment on 01995 642374, email: will.garment@tradesbrigade.co.uk

The Poppy Factory - Gail McGuffie PR on 07885 10 33 53 or email MGailMcG@aol.com

The Armed Forces Hub – Gavin Jones on 07825 164618 or email gavin.jones@stloyes.ac.uk