Terry Morley named as finalist in prestigious English Veterans Awards

Rochdale veteran Terry Morley has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Community Award category at this year's English Veterans Awards.

A former Veterans In Communities Transformational Coach who served eight years with The 1st Battalion Kings Regiment, Terry began working at Groundwork in Greater Manchester in 2017 as Veterans Employment Programme Manager.

Groundwork, a not-for-profit organisation, improves people's prospects and develops employment initiatives that support care leavers, people with a criminal record and now, military veterans with the help of Terry.

He said: “We shared the opinion that no one should be disadvantaged because of where they live or because of their background.

“My work involves supporting all veterans with training, education, employment, housing, medical support and referrals, benefit claims and supporting them in tribunals. In some cases, it’s just about getting them back into society and attending breakfast clubs or getting them involved in health and wellbeing activities.

“Groundwork also helps the local community to organise and work together to improve or create green spaces such as parks, play areas, allotments and nature reserves, as well as helping people and organisations to take action to combat climate change and sow the seeds of a more sustainable future. These are opportunities that are now shared with the veteran community thanks to my role.”

Speaking on his English Veterans Award nomination, Terry added: “I felt very humbled to be recognised for the work I do supporting veterans, which is a really rewarding job, but then to make the shortlist and to be up against some outstanding finalists made me feel honoured.

“When I heard the event was being held on the 25 September, this made it even more special because I was married on the 25 September 1999 and it was also my first day in 1985 when I joined the Army.

“After I had an accident I really didn’t know what I was going to do in my life, but I had met my wife Elaine who has been an inspiration in getting me to where I am today, as well as my three wonderful children David, Millie and Violet and my beautiful granddaughter Antonia.

"I have had the opportunity to re-educate myself and gain many high-level qualifications including a Masters, competed for BEWSA and won many medals in powerlifting and I also worked and taught at a FE College in Manchester where I become the Director of one of largest and most successful Sports and Uniformed Public Services departments in the North West.

“I guess looking back I have been really lucky, but my closest achievements to date has to be helping veterans who are not in a good place and helping them get back into society as a respectful pillar of both the civilian and military veterans communities where they deserve to be.”

The prestigious awards will be presented on Wednesday 25 September 2019 at the Mercure Bristol Holland House.

Three other veterans from Rochdale have also been shortlisted for the awards:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/129770/veterans-named-in-shortlist-for-awards