Afghan Heroes' military retreat near Glastonbury searches for mentor

Military charity Afghan Heroes is on the look-out for mentors to run its post-services facility at The Retreat in Ashcott near Glastonbury.

The Retreat was launched at the end of last year to aid former service personnel  in the sometimes difficult transition back civilian life.

Afghan Heroes was founded by Denise and Andy Harris after their son Corporal Lee Scott, lost his life in 2009 while serving with the Second Royal Tank Regiment in Afghanistan.

With renovation work at the centre nearing completion Denise and Andy are searching for a mentor who will take charge of up to half a dozen former service personnel.

Denise says it is vital Afghan Heroes made the right appointment.

"This is without a doubt the most important role within the charity since we launched in 2009," she said.

"It is essential we find the correct person, preferably with some military experience, who can interact with these young people and understand something of what they have been through."

She added: "Although the Retreat is a massive new venture for us it is clear we need a very special person to help reshape our young people's lives and help them re-integrate with the  wider community.

"They will need to demonstrate compassion, understanding and maturity as well as a great deal of patience."

"Our mentors will need to demonstrate they are capable of dealing with young men and women who may well be having trouble adjusting to life away from the military family," she explained.

"They will need to be mum and dad and favourite uncle rolled into one."

The Retreat is a converted pub in Ashcott near Glastonbury which can accommodate up to half a dozen former services personnel in the guest rooms upstairs.

Denise has further plans to start-up at least twelve similar centres across the UK with individual mentors appointed to each one.

Afghan Heroes is also looking for more co-ordinators to help with events all over the UK as well as  in the South West. Email Afghan Heroes at info@afgh.org or   through Facebook.  

Anyone interested in the role should email info@afgh.org.