Stephen Sullivan, is a Probation Services Officer who works with veterans
Stephen joined probation after serving nine years with the First Queen’s Dragoon Guards so understands how easily an ex-soldier can go from ‘hero to zero.’
“With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder becoming more prevalent among men and women leaving the armed services, I believe my training and mindset has given me better skills for understanding offenders,” explains Stephen. He joined the probation service 24 years ago as a Community Payback Supervisor. He now works as a Probation Services Officer based at Westgate Street, Cardiff, with a caseload of more than 60 offenders.
“I joined the Dragoons at the age of 16 and when I left in 1982, I had served for nine years and carried out several tours of duty in Northern Ireland, so I understand the military mindset. As a Dragoon I understand how ex-armed services are not always understood by ‘civilians.”
“I see my role as one of signposting - working with partner agencies and being aware of the people and agencies who can help offenders and their families. I work closely with colleagues in offender management, offering to speak to offenders who have come out of the armed forces, and get them the support they need.”
“When I meet an offender for the first time, I always start by introducing myself by saying, ‘I’m A Dragoon. How can I help you?’ The hardest part is getting them to admit they are a veteran. They don’t want to be seen to be letting their regiment down.”
Outside of his day job, Stephen volunteers as a family liaison officer with the Royal British Legion. In his role as Single Point of Contact for Veterans he works closely with Dr Neil Kitchener, Principal Clinician for Veterans within NHS Wales who works with veterans with mental health problems and the Veteran’s Association at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff. He also works with SSAFA, the Forces’ charity for families, the Royal British Legion, Change Step and other support agencies and charities.
“When people leave the armed services they are lost. They are so used to either giving orders or taking orders that when they are demobbed they are on their own. They are given a list of names of people and places who can support them, but they don’t tend to engage well.
“They can find it frustrating being on their own. Even something as simple as being asked to fill out numerous forms for housing or benefits can be frustrating for them, when they are so used to having people to sort problems out for them.
“One offender had been given a Community Payback supervision order after he assaulted another man. He had been demobbed after two tours of Afghanistan and was displaying signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was becoming violent. He was drinking heavily and his family had turned their backs on him. So he had no-one and nowhere to live. I was able to speak to him and put him in touch with Dr Kitchener, who assessed him and found he was suffering from mental illness. I was also able to link him with the Royal British Legion, which gave him support to find accommodation. He is now living in a place of his own and no longer drinking.”
“I find it’s a common problem that a young boy will join the army straight from school. He’ll be sent to war in Afghanistan, or one of our other conflicts, come home with a medal and be treated like a hero by his family and friends. Then, when he gets into trouble, the families they find it hard to provide the right support and that is why our help is important. It’s so easy to go from hero to zero.”
“By the time we see ex-service people they are at rock bottom. Once we can get them to open up, veterans do tend to turn around quite quickly. ”