Sovini Trade Supplies has announced the recruitment of two local ex-servicemen at the company’s trade store in Aintree, Merseyside.
Peter Collins and Tony Smith both initially joined the branch on a voluntary basis, but after four weeks Sovini Trade Supplies’ director, Anita Harrison-Carrol, deemed the pair indispensable members of staff.
Ms Harrison-Carrol said: “Both Peter and Tony have a great work ethic; they’re reliable, organised and great to have around. We couldn’t be happier to have them on our team.”
Sovini Trade Supplies, part of the Sovini Group in Merseyside, is a ‘one stop shop’ for housing associations, house builders and repairs and maintenance firms in the North West. The business has been operating for 18 months and is centred on its ability to benefit the community as a social enterprise, from its sourcing and purchasing through to supply.
The Sovini Group has been working in partnership with the Expect Sefton Veterans Project for more than 12 months, helping to rehouse ex-service men and supporting initiatives to help local veterans integrate themselves within the community.
Mr Collins, who served from the age of 16, left the Royal logistics Core in 2000 after 22 years of service. He said: “Just last year I was in a very sad place after being made redundant from my job as a school bursar. Having a job is what keeps me and most ex-servicemen going, giving us a routine and helping us to reintegrate back into ‘the real world’. I’m extremely grateful to both Sefton Veterans Project and Sovini. I’m really enjoying working here.”
Mr Smith, who left the First Battalion Irish Guards in 1980 after seven years of service, said: “Acclimatising back to civilisation after years of regimental life is unbelievably hard, so it’s important that veterans take advantage of any support available to them. I would have never heard about this job if it hadn’t have been for the Sefton Veterans project.”
The Sovini Group follows the armed forces covenant, whereby they pledge to demonstrate their concrete support for the armed forces community. The covenant recognises that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the armed forces and their families, and it establishes how they should expect to be treated.
Sefton Veterans Project brings together a range of specialist organizations to provide personalised support under one roof at Expects Bowersdale Resource Centre in Seaforth. The project is funded by NHS South Sefton CCG, NHS Southport and Formby CCG and the Charity Expect Ltd, and run in partnership with Sefton CVS and Sefton Council.
As part of the Sovini Group, capacity generated by Sovini Trade Supplies will be reinvested in the group’s non-profit social housing partners, supporting their investment in new homes and developing local communities.
Sovini Group partners include One Vision Housing, Pine Court Housing Association, Sovini Property Services, Sovini Building and Maintenance and Sovini Homes.
Image: (l-r) Peter Collins and Tony Smith
