The Poppy Factory

6,352 poppies in less than three hours! *** Huge thanks to the team from @SurreyCouncil who volunteered at The Poppy Factory for a day. Showing their support for sick, wounded and injured veterans around the UK who need help getting back into work. Read more about here: http://bit.ly/2Mk5sOE

“I’d be a recluse without Cassie. Not only does she help me, but she helps my family too” #PTSD Assistance dogs can change their owners lives. Click on our partner Veterans' Gateway link http://ow.ly/oN1e30kEnlA to watch a heart warming story #Assistancedogsweek 06-10 August 18

Have you taken a challenge this year? Sign up to join TeamPoppyFactory and you’ll be helping us to support veterans with disabilities into meaningful, rewarding and sustainable employment.
#challenge #army #charity #richmond #veterans #disability #backtowork #teampoppyfactory

It's International Friendship Day - time to honour friends and cherish the special bond with the ones we walk together through life. If you want to help a veteran friend with disability looking for work, visit our website today: https://www.poppyfactory.org/
#veteran #backtowork

We had the team from @SCCdemocracy do some #corporatevolunteering today. Helping our veterans make poppies and also preparing crosses for the Field of Remembrance at @wabbey Thank you for spending the day with us!!

Have you visited our website today? If you would like to support veterans with disabilities into meaningful careers, visit our website now to see how you can help!
https://www.poppyfactory.org/
... #veterans #disabilities #charity #thepoppyfactory #support #donation #army #backtowork
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Great news!
GPs are signing up to become ‘veteran friendly’ under a new national scheme to improve medical care and treatment for former members of the armed services that has been backed by NHS England and the Royal College of GPs. NHS wants to improve the way in which veterans are registered at their GP practice and support GPs and practice teams to ensure veterans are fully aware of the dedicated help available to them. The expansion follows a successful pilot in the Wes...t Midlands – initiated by the RCGP Midlands faculty - where 90 GP practices have signed up so far. The nationwide rollout will be a phased approach and it is hoped that over the next few years every veteran will receive the best possible NHS care from their GP, regardless of where they live > http://bit.ly/2OxGiKs For more info, please contact your local GP.
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Gardening reduces stress, depression and the risk of dementia. So, what are you waiting for?
#mentalhealth #veterans #disabilities #health #gardening #charity #backtowork #stress #PTSD #dementia #army #community #employability #supportingveterans #helpinghand #challenge

We've had another cracking week! We are on target to help over 1000 veterans, with mental and physical health conditions, back into meaningful work, since our employability program began. If you're a veteran or know one, we can help. Get in touch now: http://bit.ly/2JF5pHC

Our corporate volunteers @cisco, their on-site #Early Years #Nursery, created this wonderful poppy artwork for their 'Better Together Week'. The things children do can be #amazing at times. It now hangs proudly in our office in Richmond, putting a #smile on our faces as we walk in! . . . #corporate #volunteering #nurserydecor #artwork_daily #canvas #poppy #handpaint #handprints #charity #teampoppyfactory

Arren was at the @PoppyLegion Provider day, in the Plymouth pop in center, talking to veterans about employment opportunities. If you are veteran struggling with the civilian world or you know a veteran that is in need of support, get in touch! https://www.poppyfactory.org/are-you-look ing-for-work/

Our Employability Consultants support veterans with disabilities back into meaningful work wherever they are! Jayne was in Belfast yesterday meeting some veterans who need our help. check out www.poppyfactory.org #employment #backtowork #charity #disability #mentalhealth

Anchors aweigh! The STS Lord Nelson is ready to embark on her Round Britain Challenge! Lord Dannatt gives a speech wishing our cadets and injured service personnel good luck on their journey. #LDRBC #sailing #teampoppyfactory @ArmyCadetsUK @RoyalNavy @aircadets @JubileeSailing

Stress can affect the way we feel, think, behave & how the body works. Being outdoors is one of many ways that can help reduce your stress levels, ask Steve & Wayne - some of our veterans. They have found being outdoors helps them daily. #TeamPoppyFactory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8HAicAyz e4

Everybody loves a good discount, but our armed forces deserve it! Whether you're a veteran or still serving (as well as other criteria) there is a scheme which gives you just that, it's called the Defence Discount Service. Check it out now: http://bit.ly/2uM3lJr

A huge well done to Darryl, Shaun & Luke, who completed the South Downs Ultra Trail 100K walk. Raising a total of £1215 so far, great effort guys! The #funds raised are vital to our #vision where every #workplace values #veterans with #disabilities. http://bit.ly/2EIo9DP

First World War Centenary - What do you know about the First World War nurse and diplomat Queen Marie of Romania? 'Queen Marie devoted all her indefatigable energy to the war effort. She tirelessly visited the camp hospitals, set up relief schemes, managed the medical support, attended military and civilian ceremonies, raised money for the wounded, the war prisoners and the widows, and kept the British and French allies closer.' Read more about Queen Marie - a great inspiration for all of us: http://bit.ly/2LJA5Jw
#queenmarie #war #England #veterans #ivm #worldwar #army #charity #richmond #disability #poppy #backtowork

What a good way to start your Monday morning. Our EC, Kirsty, is at Llanyrafon Manor ready to meet a #veteran in need of #support. #MondayMotivation

What a wonderful place. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Really did enjoy my visit. Thank you.

Visited the Poppy Factory a couple of weeks ago. Had a lovely lunch followed by a very interesting tour. We subsequently purchased 2 Somme Poppy wreaths and last weekend we laid one at Varennes Cemetery and one at the Thiepval Monument in France. There were many other wreaths there that weekend from UK. What a wonderful job done by you all. Thank you.

Thank you kindly for looking after us- the RAF contingency loved winning the Poppy race.



And an even bigger thank you for the fantastic work you do! Meeting a fellow Welshman and chatting about the history or Welsh rugby topped my day. Thank you

Thank you for providing the BRB wreath for our Remembrance Day in Melbourne

Really enjoyed my visit today, was lovely to talk to some of the staff making the Poppy's. The tour guides are lovely. I would recommend people to visit.

On behalf of myself and my colleagues from The Ford and District RBL and Market Drayton Branch RBL, Shropshire, would like to thank the poppy Factory for enlightening us on the history of the making of the Poppy. Minna certainly knows her history, a huge thanks to her and Jyoti for showing us around.

Keep up the good work that you all do.



William Dawber, Poppy Appeal Organiser, Ford and District Branch RBL.

Living alone with PTSD.



As I walked through the forest,

My senses alive,

My whole mind is buzzing,

Like the bee’s in a hive.



I smell the whiff of sour tobacco,

I crouch so aware,

I can smell the enemy soldier,

And he doesn’t know I’m there.



Slowly, slowly on the edge of my feet,

My panic subsides for my need,

I’m going to kill this soldier,

But not for want or greed.



He will die because he is there,

No more reason than that,

He holds his rifle in his hands,

His job to lay me flat.



The trenching tool feels heavy,

I balance it in hand,

I raise it to strike at his skull,

Death in a foreign land.



Through the haze of another killing,

A strange not fitting sound,

I feel a presence next to me,

And throw it o the ground.



And then I hear my lover scream,

As the walls close in on me,

Reality comes in waves,

Of the nightmare I am free.



I look down into her eyes,

Her fear and sorrow felt,

I feel the love I have for her,

And feel the nightmare melt.



Many nights like this,

A soldier returns to his past,

To haunt his every hour,

A life time it will last.



She is living in fear,

Of me going to sleep,

Is sit in the corner,

And try not too weep.



No one will understand,

Why I am always alone,

Everyone thinks;

I have feelings like stone.



This is PTSD,

A revolving door of screams,

Flashbacks blackouts and horrors,

Seeping from your seams.



Loneliness a constant companion,

Who would want to live with me?

A man by day a horror by night,

And monsters breaking free.

Jsa.

Just had an interview to become a volunteer case worker, can't wait

I’ve taken guests for tours on 3 or 4 occasions. It is so imformative. I am so pleased how well the UK supports the veterans and keeps the spirit of the poopy meaning alive. I wish we could do the same in America. I love poppies!

It was a very interesting talk and video presentation, also being able to talk to some of the people who work in the factory.

Helpful staff. They were great with my 7 year old so a visit for all ages.

Had a visit today (19th June) and it was simply amazing to hear the story of what you guys do.



Will never look at a Poppy again in the same way, without fully appreciating the work you do.

Great hearing about your work today at the AGM. Inspiring to hear the stories of resilience and recovery that you helped.

Emotional tour on Thursday afternoon, as my Grandfather worked at the Poppy Factory until he died in 1936.

Informative & fascinating!

Also lovely to see the Poppy Estate where he & my GrandMother lived.

Can't thank them enough as they help me get funding to do a course. Jayne came over to Northern Ireland to meet me and other fella. They are there to help you. Thank you for all the help and support.

Anything that produces assistance to our whole military units is first class .

A very informative experience with engaging hosts. Would recommend a group booking to include lunch which was homemade and wholesome. Was enlightening to watch the skilled and loyal factory workers who were also friendly and took the time to share their stories with us.

A small group of ladies from South London Military Wives Choir visited yesterday and we had a lovely time. We thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the gentlemen on the factory floor, and hearing their reminiscences of Royal visits and times gone by. In addition to this, a very informative presentation by Bob meant we all came away knowing far more than when we arrived. An experience to be recommended, many thanks.

A really great morning. The talk first was so informative. Made our own poppy to take home. Staff were so friendly.