Latest news with #PeteWhite
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
Shropshire RAF veteran urges people to seek early help for PTSD
An RAF veteran is urging people to seek help for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as early as White served in Afghanistan in 2011 as a communications engineer, and part of his role involved monitoring video and images of dead soldiers and 38-year-old said he was "effectively watching people lose their lives in horrific ways", and left the armed forces in 2017 after a diagnosis of PTSD and White, who lives in Newport in Shropshire, said it was "quite common" for people not to get help for the mental health condition until "decades" after. Originally from Billingham in Teesside, Mr White joined the RAF in returning to the UK following service in Afghanistan, he said he "was feeling incredibly low, I was angry, I was losing sleep, I was having horrific memories of what had happened"."It kind of ruined a lot of different aspects of my life." Mr White said when he became a father in 2021, he found it "really difficult.""When my son cried and screamed as kids will do, that would cause me to have flashbacks and see things from my past that were really troubling and upsetting," he said."There were times where I came quite close to not being here anymore." According to charity Combat Stress, which provides treatment and support for UK veterans, on average it takes people 13 years between leaving the armed forces and seeking their help for mental health issues. The mental health organisation said the majority of those they helped were veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr White is also keen to emphasise that it is not just an issue facing veterans, describing PTSD as "quite insidious.""When I talk about my symptoms, they sound obvious that something is wrong," he said."But actually, they're so sneaky and manage to weave themselves into the fabric of your life that by the time you get to the level of where I was, to you, it seems very normal." Now, he is urging people to get help and support - either from charities like Combat Stress and Samaritans, or by going to their GP."The sooner we can say 'hang on a second, I went through this, I don't know if it's causing issues, but I should talk to someone about this,' that would be great," he said."As brutal and as impossible as it can feel sometimes, please don't give up."If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line for support. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fordingbridge Twinning Association welcomes guests from France
The Fordingbridge Twinning Association hosted more than 40 visitors from Vimoutiers, Normandy, for a packed weekend of events. Arriving on Thursday, May 8, the French guests were welcomed with a civic reception, featuring speeches from the Mayor of Fordingbridge, Councillor Pete White and the twinning association leaders. They were treated to handbell ringing, a beacon lighting and a tribute of remembrance by the town crier. The Hyde Band concluded with the national anthems. The following day, the visitors enjoyed a guided tour of Breamore House, its museum, bluebell woods, and the renowned "miz-maze." The day ended with a ceilidh featuring local band Murphy's Lore. Everyone, including the French guests, joined in with the dancing. The VE Day festivities, organised by Fordingbridge Town Council and supported by local groups such as Avon Valley Shed and Fordingbridge Rotary, came to a close on Saturday, May 10, with a Picnic in the Park. READ MORE:Salisbury reflects on VE Day in Guildhall Square ceremony Fordingbridge welcomes French visitors for sun-soaked twinning weekend (Image: Supplied) The day began with a guided walk in the New Forest, followed by a fish and chips lunch. The afternoon was filled with music, stalls and various entertainments. The evening ended with a dinner accompanied by local dance music. The French visitors were seen off on Sunday morning with a brunch, music courtesy of New Forest Rhythmix, before catching their coach home via the Portsmouth Ferry. The weekend's sunny weather was an unexpected delight, with many returning to France sporting suntans. The next twinning event will be from Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19, when the Fordingbridge residents head to the "Foire de la Pomme" in Vimoutiers. Anyone interested in joining the twinning association or other local groups such as Avon Valley Shed or Fordingbridge Rotary can contact Derek Ayling for more information. The Fordingbridge Twinning Association said: "The French guests enjoyed these formal events and were pleased to join in. "Everyone joined in with the dancing, along with much laughter. "The weather was fantastic over the whole four-day visit, which caused much amusement with people returning to France with suntans. "They don't usually expect that when they visit the UK."
