Pictured from left: Dr Hugh Milroy, CEO of Veterans Aid and Mr Tony Ferrier, Chief Executive, Emmaus St Albans
Chief Executive of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy was a guest speaker at the Emmaus Strategic Leadership Peer Group conference in Birmingham on the 2nd September 2014.
He talked about leadership and veterans’ experiences of homelessness.
Both charities – Veterans Aid and Emmaus UK – are committed to intervening, addressing and providing long-term sustainable solutions to homelessness; both operate globally and have a ‘hand up’ rather than ‘handout’ philosophy.
Mr Simon Grainge, Chief Operating Officer at Emmaus UK, said “There is so much that our two charities have in common so it is important for us to share experience and knowledge. Hugh was very helpful in dispelling the myths that have grown up around veterans. This will develop our understanding and inform our work in the future. Emmaus makes no distinction based on a person’s background, we just see people in need and offer them help.”
Dr Milroy said “I have tremendous admiration for the work of Emmaus and its various communities worldwide. We have many shared goals including the belief that only by investing in individuals, to give back their confidence and self-esteem, can we break the cycle of poverty that leads to homelessness.
“I’m grateful, too, for the opportunity to explain that veterans are not a breed apart, but indeed are homeless or vulnerable for the same reasons as everyone else. It is life, not military service that brings people to seek our help at Veterans Aid. The battle to survive and thrive in 21st-century Britain is one fought against unemployment, poverty, relationship breakdown, physical and mental health issues and social isolation.”
