Sovini Trade Supplies, part of the Sovini Group, has recruited two local ex-servicemen at its trade store in Aintree, Merseyside.
Both Peter Collins and Tony Smith, aged 55 and 57 respectively, originally held voluntary roles but according to Sovini Trade Supplies’ director, Anita Harrison-Carrol, they proved to be indispensable members of staff after just four weeks.
She 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 calls itself a ‘one stop shop’ for housing associations, house builders and repairs and maintenance firms in the North West. It says every element of its business, from sourcing and purchasing, to supplying and serving, is centred on the desire to do social good.
The company has been working in partnership with the Expect Sefton Veterans Project for over 12 months, helping to rehouse ex-service men and support their initiatives to help local veterans to integrate into the communities.
Peter Collins, who served from the age of 16 and left the Royal logistics Core in 2000 after 22 years of service, 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 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.”
Tony, who left the First Battalion Irish Guards in 1980 after seven years of service, said: “Acclimatising back into 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.”
