Lifelong learning and personal development for veterans

Moving from military to civilian life is a big lifestyle shift, filled with new opportunities and challenges. You might feel a lot of different emotions throughout this process, including worry, relief, sadness or excitement.  

Perhaps you are wondering how your skills might transfer into a civilian job, or how you can adopt new hobbies and interests away from your military base. Help for Heroes can help.  

We encourage veterans to take part in lifelong learning and personal development, so that everyone can live fulfilling lives after service.  

The importance of lifelong learning for veterans 

Lifelong learning is about more than just education - it’s about growth, adaptability, and empowerment. For veterans, you can look forward to learning something new while also contributing meaningfully to your community. Here’s how continuous learning can help you.  

Adapting to Civilian Life 

Many people report not feeling ready for the move from service to civilian life. It can be a big adjustment. You may need to find a new job, a new social network, and adapt to a whole new routine and lifestyle. But there are steps you can take to help.  

Lifelong learning equips you with skills and knowledge that’s valued by communities and employers. Whether it’s exploring courses for veterans in the UK, starting your own small business venture, or trying out a new hobby or sport, there are many opportunities to ease this period in your life.  

Adapting to civilian life can also be challenging socially. Learning new hobbies, skills and passions can help you to connect with others and adapt to life after service.  

You can read stories of success, such as how Chris became a mountain bike coach after leaving the military. 

Chris' Story

After being medically discharged from service following an injury to his legs, Chris pursued his passion for mountain biking. 

He said, "I’ve always loved cycling. Help for Heroes used this passion to kick-start my career in the mountain bike industry. The Charity contributed towards funding for courses to help me become a mountain biking coach, tutor and mechanic.

“The Charity's Sports Recovery team have also helped me regain my confidence and self-belief. Without them, I’d never have competed in 2016. Both at the Invictus Games and representing the GB adaptive sports team at the World Championships in California."

Building New Skills 

Developing new skills is key to professional and personal growth. As a veteran, you bring a wealth of experience, discipline, and leadership to the table. By participating in veteran skill development programs or free online courses for veterans, you can build on existing abilities or branch out into entirely new fields.  

Free courses and certifications are readily available, offering a chance to stay competitive in today’s job market. It isn’t just practical skills you can learn, our Recovery College can help you build your emotional, social and resilience skills too. 

Personal growth and fulfillment 

Personal growth is often more than building a career. Exploring hobbies, learning a new language, or diving into creative activities can give you a strong sense of accomplishment. You will find yourself on an upward spiral of good emotional, physical and social health by taking part in personal growth activities.  

A great place to begin is to reach out to your nearest community builder who can assist in linking you with activities and hobbies in your local area. They will focus on your strengths and abilities, and help you to become more skilled, resourceful and knowledgeable. To find out more, go to your nearest coffee morning or Help for Heroes hub.  

Giving back

As a veteran, you already have a fantastic set of skills that can make a difference in your community. Lifelong learning enables you to give back by mentoring others, volunteering, or even starting your own group, sports team, or business.  

When you attend a one of our events or coffee mornings, we will take the time to get to know your strengths, accomplishments and aspirations, to help you find the right activity or hobby for you. 

Educational opportunities for veterans  

There are numerous educational opportunities for veterans and their families, including -

• Free Courses for Veterans - We offer courses, guides and opportunities for development. Find out what help is available on our website, including details on our Recovery College. 

• Online Learning Platforms -  Learn at your own pace, no matter where you are. Our online resources help you with many different areas of development, from practical skills to emotional wellness.  

• Local Community Events - Coffee mornings and support groups provide a chance to network and explore opportunities. You can learn from others, help other veterans on their journeys, form clubs or sports teams, and find lifelong friends.  

• Veteran Spouse Career Development - We not only support veterans with education and skills, but spouses too. It can be a big adjustment when Armed Forces families transition to civilian life, so we ensure the whole family feels comfortable and prepared for this process.

To get more information about our services, fill in a form and we'll get back to you. 

Career development and skill building 

There are many ways you can develop your career, even if you are no longer in service. These include: 

Veteran specific training programs 

We partner with professionals who can use your skills as ex-service personnel. We help you to build on your strengths, find the right opportunities and encourage you along the way.  

Networking and mentorship 

When you become part of our community, you meet other veterans who are successfully building careers. You can find someone who can mentor you, or become a mentor yourself, and help build a community around yourself for ongoing support.  

Entrepreneurial opportunities 

If a nine to five job isn’t interesting to you, there’s ways to use your skills and knowledge to form your own business and leverage your entrepreneurial flare. Speak to us today about your aspirations so that we can help point you towards resources, people and places that can help.  

Volunteering 

If you are a veteran or family member, you can develop skills by volunteering with us. This can help you to build additional skills into your CV, prepare you for the civilian workforce, or simply meet new people. Read more about Jane’s volunteering after losing her husband and what this meant for her.  

Support resources for veteran learning and development 

Veterans have access to a range of benefits, support organisations and resources. We can signpost you to various opportunities, including grants, learning opportunities, financial support, and career advice.  

There might be benefits you are entitled to and don’t know about. Or, you may want some support getting back into education, such as having a career coach. Speak to us about ways the government, non-profit organisations and the Charity can assist you with your personal development.  

How we can help 

We offer access to veteran professional development resources, career advice, and opportunities to connect with your community. Whether you’re looking to take advantage of free courses or join a local event, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

Join us for a coffee morning in your community to explore how we can support you in achieving your goals. Alternatively, submit a form and we’ll be in touch.