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From Service to the Sidelines: Why Veterans Struggle After Leaving the Forces,
Veteran John Stephenson, along with Gemma Holgate, publisher of Making of a Hunter (Maddison House Press), at Leigh Library. Image Credit: Wigan Libraries. At Leigh Library’s Writing to Remember event, veteran John Stephenson introduced his new book, The Making of a Hunter, aimed at helping ex-service personnel navigate life after leaving the forces. Too many veterans leave the military unprepared, struggling to find meaningful work. Stephenson’s book tackles that gap head-on.
After leaving the military, Stephenson discovered just how tough civilian life could be. Seeing the gaps in official support, he founded the Forces Transition Group (FTG) to guide veterans with mentoring, practical advice, and career support. FTG helps them turn military experience into meaningful employment and a sense of purpose in the civilian world. As Stephenson told the audience, “A lot of veterans are struggling not because of war, but because they can’t fit in.”
John Stephenson and Gemma Holgate are discussing his book in front of an audience. Image credit: Wigan Libraries. While the military provides official support through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), offering workshops, one-to-one guidance, and job-finding assistance, it has significant limitations. CTP support lasts only the first two years after leaving service and is often considered only at the very end of a veteran’s career. Participation isn’t mandatory, which means many veterans slip through the net and miss out entirely. A strong believer that a military career is a finite chapter in a veteran’s life, Stephenson emphasises that transition planning should begin from the moment of recruitment, not just at the point of leaving.
The scale of the challenge is clear. In the year ending 31 March 2025, 14,590 people left the UK Regular Armed Forces, with Voluntary Outflow (VO) the most common reason, accounting for 67.7% of departures. These figures show that most veterans leave the forces by choice. The UK Regular Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey found that 64% cited the impact of service life on family and personal life as their main reason for leaving. Long deployments take a significant toll: 67% of respondents reported spending up to six months away from home, highlighting the personal sacrifices made and the strain on relationships with loved ones.
Stevenson’s new book, The Making of a Hunter, aims to fill these gaps. Co-written with a ghostwriter, it combines practical advice with the insights from Stevenson’s own military journey. The book helps veterans translate their military skills into value in civilian life, where such experience is often overlooked by employers. Beyond building confidence and guiding career paths, it goes further than the standard CTP programme, offering more than generic advice and instead providing a vital roadmap to success in civilian life. To date, the Forces Transition Group has supported over 45,000 veterans and service personnel.
Even with official schemes like the CTP, many veterans still struggle to find meaningful work. When they do find employment, it is often below their skill or experience level. The 2022 Veterans Survey found that 52.5% of working veterans had taken roles beneath their previous military responsibilities, largely because employers didn’t recognise their skills or because suitable roles were unavailable. This underemployment highlights that leaving the forces isn’t just about landing a job; it’s about finding the right role that values the experience veterans bring.
Leaving the military is a leap into the unknown. Short-term programmes like the CTP can help, but veterans need practical, long-term support. John Stephenson’s The Making of a Hunter and the Forces Transition Group prove that with the right guidance, veterans can move from the sidelines to real success.
The Off the Page series continues at Leigh Library, the next talk features author Maura Jackson: Writing with Many Hats – Next Talk.
Learn More / Connect with John Stevenson
For more on how John Stevenson and the Forces Transition Group (FTG) support veterans transitioning to civilian life, visit FTG Website.
Stay updated with John Stevenson’s work and insights: Instagram | Facebook.
Explore practical guidance for veterans in his new book, The Making of a Hunter: Buy the Book.
Read more: From Service to the Sidelines: Why Veterans Struggle After Leaving the Forces, -
Remembering Dr Kamal Gupta, MB, BS.
A loving tribute to Dr. Kamal Gupta, surrounded by heartfelt sympathy cards and flowers from family, friends, and the community. For those living in Leigh and the surrounding areas, Dr Kamal Gupta was a familiar and respected figure. A dedicated GP, he served the community with compassion and professionalism until his passing in 2021. His medical career spanned several decades, leaving a legacy of commitment, care, and community spirit.
Born and educated in India, Dr Gupta qualified from MGM College in Indore in the early 1970s. After gaining valuable experience in India, he moved to England in 1974, settling in Birmingham. His wife, Usha, joined him the following year. Although he initially hoped to specialise in orthopaedics, the lack of a consultancy post led him to pursue general practice in 1984, a decision that allowed for meaningful, long-term relationships with patients and ultimately defined his professional life.
Dr Gupta’s life was marked by dedication to both his patients and his family. During a brief return to India, his son Abhay (affectionately known as Monu) was born in October 1972 with cerebral palsy. This personal challenge, faced early in his career, shaped his approach to medicine, instilling in him deep empathy and attentiveness that his patients came to rely on.
Returning to England, which he had come to call home, Dr Gupta continued his career with renewed purpose. In 1991, encouraged by his close friend Dr Tomar, he joined a partnership at College Street in Leigh. There, he became a well-known and trusted figure, valued not just for his medical knowledge but for the genuine compassion he showed.
Kaz Shuttleworth, a former colleague at College Street, shared her memories:
“I remember joining the team of Dr Tomar and Dr Gupta at College Street many years ago. He was a true gentleman, kind-hearted, with a fantastic bedside manner and deep empathy for his patients. He never let personal struggles affect his work, despite family health issues. In a time when doctors could truly listen and care, he stood out. A great man, a good friend, and sadly missed.”
After the partnership dissolved, Dr Gupta moved into Bridgewater Medical Centre, while Dr Tomar continued at College Street for a further year before relocating to Leigh Health Centre in 2010. In 2015, Dr Gupta welcomed Dr Weerasekara as a partner at Bridgewater. Following his retirement in 2020, the practice was renamed Pennington Park Surgery. A year later, Pennington Park merged with Lilford Park Surgery to become Lilford & Pennington Park Surgery.
Reflecting on their time together, Dr Weerasekara said:
“As a junior GP, I learned a great deal from Dr Tomar and Dr Gupta. It was truly a privilege to know them both and to receive training from them. Sadly, Dr Gupta did not get the chance to be with us longer and enjoy his retirement more.”
Dr Kamal Gupta passed away on 2nd February 2021 at Wigan Infirmary, following complications from COVID-19. Practice Manager Michelle Farrell noted that he truly “left his stamp on the patients”, a legacy that continues to shape the practice.
“Being a local GP and moving into a purpose-built medical centre, Dr Gupta naturally attracted many patients, and even today, people still speak very fondly of him. Over the years, some of our medical equipment had worn out, and his family kindly offered to make a donation in his memory. As we considered what would make a fitting tribute to Kamal, our TV media system happened to break down.
We contacted Mrs Gupta to let her know we were planning to replace it. She shared that, after discussing with their son Avinash, now a Consultant at The Christie Hospital, they had decided to fund the full cost of the new system, in memory of Dr Kamal Gupta, husband to Usha and proud father of Abhay (Monu) and Avinash.”
In appreciation of this generous gesture, Dr Weerasekara arranged for a gold-plated memorial plaque to be installed beside the new media system at Bridgewater Medical Centre.
Dr Kamal Gupta will be remembered as a GP who always made time for his patients, listening, caring, and giving his best. His legacy endures in the lives he touched, the surgeries he helped shape, and the community he so faithfully served.
Read more: Remembering Dr Kamal Gupta, MB, BS. -
French Culture Takes Center Stage at Angers Twinning Association’s Wine and Cheese Tasting
Setting the scene for a French-themed event in Leigh. Flags, waiting for the festivity to begin. 
A taste of France in Leigh! Featuring Languedoc, Côtes du Rhône Villages, and Bordeaux Supérieur wines, showcasing the diversity of French vineyards. 
French cheeses on display: Le Rustique Brie and President Camembert, ready for tasting. The rich tapestry of French flavours and culture took centre stage at the Angers Twinning Association’s annual Wine and Cheese Tasting, a highlight of French Week. Now in its fourth year, this event celebrates Wigan twinning with the French town of Angers, fostering community spirit and cultural appreciation. The evening offered an insightful exploration into the deep-rooted connection between wine and cheese in French culture, culminating in a delightful tasting session where attendees savoured exquisite cheeses, fine wines, and engaging conversation.
Christine Doublet-Stewart, Chair of the Angers Twinning Association, led this year’s event, building upon the success of previous gatherings to create a collaborative space for cultural exchange. With France boasting over 1,200 varieties of cheese and a storied winemaking tradition, Christine’s presentation focused on the art of perfect pairing, incorporating an interactive quiz. This engaging approach encouraged attendees to share their knowledge while learning new insights into French culinary heritage.
While the Romans likely introduced winemaking to France, regions like Burgundy and Bordeaux rose to prominence during the Middle Ages. However, the iconic pairing of wine and cheese gained widespread recognition during the First World War, when both became staples in soldiers’ diets.
Camembert cheese traditional Normandy French, a dairy product. Camembert, a soft, creamy cheese from Normandy, was first produced by Marie Harel, who refined a recipe from the Pays d’Auge region following advice from Abbot Charles-Jean Bonvoust. Its popularity led to industrial production, including in Denmark, prompting the Syndicat des Fabricants de Camembert de Normandie to seek appellation status in 1910 to protect its authenticity, though this request was denied.
As Christine explained, the Syndicate later struck a deal with the French Ministry of War to supply Camembert and wine to over two million soldiers during the First World War. This act cemented the iconic pairing that remains popular today. Each soldier received one Camembert cheese and 25ml of wine.
Christine’s expertise in wine and cheese stems from a lifetime immersed in the industry, informed by her winery background and her father’s culinary experience. This unique perspective allowed her to offer insights that transcended mere textbook knowledge, emphasizing personal preferences over rigid rules.
She debunked the marketing-driven “rules” of wine and cheese pairing, explaining the science behind the interplay of tannins and creamy textures. While the classic guideline of pairing light wines with light cheeses and bold wines with bold cheeses exists, Christine encouraged a more flexible approach, citing the increasingly popular pairing of champagne or prosecco with cheese as a bold example of breaking traditional boundaries.
Commonly recommended pairings include:
- Goat Cheese: Sauvignon Blanc
- Mozzarella: Pinot Noir
- Gruyère, mild cheddar: Chardonnay, Merlot
- Other Cheddar: Rosé, Riesling
- Gorgonzola: Cabernet, Syrah
- Brie: Sparkling wine
French flags strung up, creating a festive atmosphere. 
Exploring French flavours with a “Haute Fromagerie” cheese selection, alongside baguettes, olives, grapes, and TUC crackers. 
Baguettes, a staple of French cuisine, ready to be enjoyed. The evening provided a rich education in the history, heritage, and science of wine and cheese, and, more importantly, a celebration of cultural exchange. Engaging with fellow enthusiasts who share a love for French culture and the connection between Wigan Borough and Angers was deeply rewarding. The tasting inspired a renewed desire to further explore the language, art, fashion, and overall allure of France.
Read more: French Culture Takes Center Stage at Angers Twinning Association’s Wine and Cheese Tasting
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