A project to convert an abandoned airport terminal building into a hub to rehabilitate veterans has been named North-West Social Enterprise of the Year.
The aim of the Veteran’s Garage in Barton is to create a friendly place for veterans to go to help them with the transition out of the forces.
It is designed to be a place where they can relax, take their families, tinker with classic cars, have therapy and learn new skills.
The project is being led by Jay Redshaw, who left the military after losing his best friend Elijah on the front line.
Jay is leading the refurbishment of the airport, along with the help of his brother and dad, as well as fellow veterans and the wider community.
Jay vowed to help others to deal with the grief and anxieties he faced upon leaving active duty. His song ‘Transition’ was released on iTunes and struck a chord with other Army personnel who had faced similar experiences on the front line, and it was this feeling of unity and shared grief that inspired Jay to take on the Veterans’ Garage project.
Jay’s aim is not just to raise money and awareness, but to create a place where ex-servicemen can access help and advice channels, and share a sense of camaraderie and kinship.
