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ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Cars on the Quad?! We’re surprised the Bursar
allowed it. These audacious vehicles were driven
by Meriel Turner (
Duke ofYork’s Royal Military
School
), Lucy Kellock (
Cheam
), Emma Measey
(
Beachborough
), Harriet Miesegaes (
Tudor Hall
),
Kim Pushong (
Sotogrande International
) and
Storm Sunderland (
Winchester House
) on Disney
and Pixar dress up day in aid of Restore.
Martin Realey
Martin is Chief Executive at Restore. He told us about working at the charity, and his
own experiences of mental illness.
I was both surprised and encouraged by
the number of transferable skills the Army
had developed in me for my position as
Chief Executive of Restore. I had planned
a full career in the Parachute Regiment
but unfortunately the frequency and
intensity of operational tours became
no longer compatible with my life goals.
As a husband of nine years and father
of two, my priorities had to change.
Despite weekly therapy, antipsychotics,
antidepressants and rehabilitative leave,
I was becoming more and more distanced
from emotions and other people.
The role of a charity Chief Executive is
remarkably similar to the responsibilities
of a military commander. You are often
surrounded by experts in their respective
fields, under resourced for the scale of
the operation, yet the focal point of
decisions and accountability. In the army
I relied heavily upon the good will of
others, empowering my subordinates and
trusting my gut instinct. This has been my
approach to heading Restore. I am blessed
to be leading a group of individuals with
a collective education, knowledge and
experience greater than any book or
course could ever provide. I must listen
to every single piece of advice, walk in
the steps of members, clients, volunteers
and staff members, and once again trust
my instincts.
I have enormous pride in leading
Restore. Whilst far from a prerequisite,
I believe my personal ongoing trials with
mental illness add empathy to much of
my decision-making. Reliant on medication
and a weekly user of psychological
services, I can understand what some
of our members may be experiencing
daily. What is truer than any of this,
though, is the power there is in educating
others about mental illness. Whatever
someone’s diagnosis is, it shouldn’t drive
their existence. I am a father, a husband,
a CEO, a veteran, a PTA board member,
a rugby player, a rugby coach, an amateur
photographer and a lousy poet. I just
happen to also have a mental illness.
Martin on tour in Afghanistan
Heather:
Heather received support from
Restore to get back into work and to
rebuild her life after being in hospital.
I first found out about Restore during my time
as an inpatient at Warneford Mental Health
Hospital. I came on the recommendation of
the nursing staff on my ward, following my
discharge from their care. At the time, life was
quite frightening and bewildering. I wasn’t sure
how to piece back together my working life.
Staff at Restore are knowledgeable and
friendly, and are all very willing to try and help
you the best they can. The support I have
received, especially from my employment
coach, Shelley, has been truly wonderful helping
me to get back on my feet and back into work.
I learnt how the whole process of job
hunting works these days. It’s been a while
since I’ve been in this situation, and Shelley’s
knowledge and encouragement was the best
support I could have hoped for.
Restore is an absolutely wonderful service
and I have very much to thank the charity for.
It would have taken me a lot longer to rebuild
my life again without the help I received, and
I am extremely grateful and thankful. I benefit
every day from the charity’s input into my life.