Veteran wants national charter

Inside Out meets Jason Rathbone who wants to give soldiers a fighting chance on Civvy Street

A Gulf War veteran from Mansfield wants the government to do more to help soldiers after they leave the forces.

In 2009, Mansfield signed up to the Veterans' Charter overseen by former soldier Jason Rathbone.

He now wants the Charter, which gives soldiers assistance to adjust to civilian life, rolled out across the country.

Mr Rathbone said: "It's soul destroying when you see some of the proud lads not knowing how to pay a bill."

We deserve a way of life befitting people that have stood up for the freedoms of this country Jason Rathbone, Gulf War Veteran

The Mansfield Service Veterans' Charter was set up to help former soldiers with housing and other basic needs.

In June 2009, a number of partners, Mansfield District Council, the Royal British Legion and National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, came together to sign it.

Mansfield has the highest rate of unemployment in the country and has a reputation for recruitment to the armed forces.

Soldiers on the streets

The Charter has helped soldiers like Derek Green who served with the Royal Corps of Transport in Northern Ireland.

He spent 12 years on the streets where he became addicted to heroin. In 2009 he collapsed and spent six months in hospital.

He said: "If I hadn't been found I would have been dead."

One in six of Britain's homeless are ex-armed forces and one in ten make up the prison population - Derek became part of both of those statistics.

Derek Green was commended for bravery during a bomb blast in Belfast

Jason Rathbone said: "We deserve a way of life befitting people that have stood up for the freedoms of this country, not to be tossed to one side, that just isn't the way."

Mr Rathbone has put the case for a national charter to Veterans Minister Kevan Jones.

He was told by Mr Jones that the Mansfield Charter is ahead of the game and they may use the town to pilot a future project.

Derek Green is the first success story of the Mansfield Veterans' Charter. After the BBC's Inside Out programme found him living in a hostel he has since moved into a permanent home.