War veteran finds peace in ex-army home

John Hayman and his family had never had a garden before, but that was the least of their worries. The 43-year old former soldier is wheelchair bound, and living in a first floor flat in Farnborough meant his fiancée Steph had to carry him upstairs.

“I never like asking for anything,” says John, “but it was hard. We lost over £4,000 of our stuff because of mould, and there was no disabled parking nearby, so it was tough.”

Ironically, John, Steph and 4-year-old Mikael were finally set up in one of 40 former army homes in Aldershot, refurbished by Sentinel Housing Association.

The Gulf War veteran also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, and cherishes the peace and quiet of their two bedroom house. “I can’t cope with things like Farnborough Airshow, as it gives me flashbacks, so the peace is important for us.”

John continues: “I go fishing with a couple of other lads in the lake nearby, and can watch the army rugby team play just around the corner.”

The 40 empty homes at Dukes Park, Aldershot, were bought from the Ministry of Defence by Sentinel and upgraded for £6m in early 2009.

As the estate is all family-sized accommodation, Sentinel and Rushmoor Borough Council drew up a special letting system to prevent an influx of children, and make sure the new community is made up of a wider mix.

Aldershot and Farnborough have more than 5000 people on the waiting list, including many with military service or connections.