When Megan Lloyd was medically discharged from the army after 20 years of service, she faced the daunting challenge of transitioning to civilian life.
From finding housing, accessing NHS services or navigating her benefits entitlements, every aspect of her new reality presented obstacles.
However, Megan has since turned her experience into a driving force to support her fellow veterans.
On Friday, January 24, the Festival Hall in Petersfield will host East Hampshire's first-ever veterans festival, an initiative designed to support former military personnel.
The festival is the brainchild of Megan, of Selborne, who left the armed forces in January 2023 following a serious training accident.
The army was her entire world, it was where she met her partner, raised her son, travelled the globe, and built lifelong friendships. After leaving the military, she found herself struggling with the complexities of civilian life.
She said, "It really doesn’t matter if you’re being suddenly discharged or if you’re on a two-year resettlement programme, the ground rush is huge."
Her fortunes changed when she secured a position as a caseworker in the office of East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, who, she says, "took a chance on me and gave me a second go at a career."
In this role, she attended the East Hampshire Armed Forces Stakeholder Group meeting, where she met Hannah Robbins and Joanne Utting from East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), who both have military ties, as well as Chris Paige from the Petersfield branch of the Royal British Legion.
Their conversations about local veteran support sparked the idea of the festival.
"I didn’t want veterans to feel the same way that I did," said Megan, who retired from the army with the rank of captain.
"When you're in the military, it is your life. And when you're not, you feel bereft. It can be very isolating and overwhelming.
“I wanted to create something that would help former military personnel navigate life on the outside and show them that help is available."
With the backing of Mr Hinds, the British Legion and the district council, Megan and the team reached out to local and national charities, the NHS, and armed forces champions to bring the festival to life.
"The festival quickly gained momentum," Megan explained. "Many of the people we’ve spoken to have a military background, whether they’ve served themselves or have a family member who has, so they’ve been really keen to offer their support."
The festival will feature more than 35 exhibitors, all offering a diverse range of support services. This includes the Forces Pension Society, SSAFA (the forces charity), Blind Veterans UK, Walking with the Wounded and the Forces Employment Society.
The Bordon Belles Women's Institute will be serving cakes and refreshments, while the Strange Old Things Museum will showcase a fascinating collection of military paraphernalia.
The East Hampshire Veterans Festival promises to be an invaluable resource for the region’s ex-military community.
Taking place at the Festival Hall in Petersfield from 10am to 3pm, the event is free to attend and no pre-booking is needed.
Visit here for more information.
