Esther Richards | Erskine Veterans Charity

Esther was born on the small Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Other than the obvious
difference - the warm weather - it was a very different life. Her family was poverty stricken and sadly she lost her father when she was eight.

When the Army was recruiting in the Commonwealth countries and visited Saint Lucia Esther saw it as a lifeline. A way out of poverty.

Having joined the Army Cadets in secondary school and she was always interested in the military. War movies fascinated her! The action was gripping but even more so the sense of camaraderie was what she yearned for.

After passing second phase training, Esther was posted to Oxford where she spent five years. In 2005 she was sent to Iraq with the Royal Logistic Corps.

"I have mixed feelings about it. It was scary but it's a weird feeling. I think the only people that can really understand are military people. When I got there in my head I had programmed myself to die. I cannot explain it. I just knew there was a possibility that I would not make it. I was really good at my job but in terms of the fighting aspect I think that I struggled.”

Since leaving the army, Esther had a few difficult years, in between jobs and sleeping on friends couches. When Covid hit, Esther was made redundant from her job as a nanny. After applying to many housing agencies, Housing Scotland put Esther on to Erskine, where she was offered a place in the Erskine Transitional Supported Accommodation.

Erskine has given me a place of stability, a place I can focus on my life and get back on track again. I can’t thank the charity enough for giving me a home when I need it most. Not only a home but help and support too.