Soldier Offers Rent-Free Accommodation To Veterans

A soldier has opened up his home to offer military veterans rent-free accommodation for three months so they can get their feet back on the ground and look for ex-forces jobs.

The Daily Mail reported Sergeant Paul Whibley has received a huge number of applications from ex-military personnel to live in his four-bedroom home in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, since he decided to let it out.

Having served in the Royal Engineers for 20 years, 37-year-old Sgt Whibley and his wife Sarah, 35, together with their five children, chose to help those who have “sacrificed everything to serve their country”.

Speaking to the news provider, he said: “Many of our troops sign up when they are 17 and risk their lives, then when they return to civilian life they have mental health issues and no-one to support them.”

Sgt Whibley, who has done tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia, is currently based in Tidworth, Wiltshire, where he lives with his family. This means his Grimsby house is available for former servicemen.

As well as rent-free accommodation for three months, they will receive help from counsellors and hypnotherapists who can support those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The sergeant revealed he has “suffered some bad times” himself in the past, and got through it with the support of his family.

Sgt Whibley’s help will mean ex-servicemen have a base to live, after which they can start looking for a job through organisations like Force Select. This group, run by recruitment experts and former military personnel, gives professional advice to veterans and helps them find employment opportunities outside of the forces.