Mackay veterans Joel, Charlotte Ford open Diggers Landscape Supplies

As discussion around veteran mental health intensifies at a national level, two Diggers are launching a new business and they want to help other vets get back to work with them.

Joel and Charlotte Ford set up a new landscaping supplies business to cater to the northern suburbs, but for them, the enterprise has a higher purpose.

The husband and wife team hope to employ veterans and make their shed a welcoming space for servicemen and women who want some social connection, all part of a larger conversation around veteran mental health.

“That’s part of the thing we’d really like to do is help get ex-vets back into work,” Mrs Ford said.

The Fords served in the Transport Corp and they have close experience with the trauma and mental health struggles that can come with service.

Mr Ford, while on deployment to Afghanistan in 2019, suffered brutal injuries when a 20-tonne armoured vehicle manned by Portuguese soldiers crashed into his car.

The incident left the Lance Corporal with damage to his brain and spine.

“Short-term memory is just like, gone, pretty much,” Mr Ford said.

He also listed loss of concentration, fatigue, headaches and motion sickness as lasting effects.

Occupational therapist Kerry Hooper, a veteran herself, has been helping Mr Ford.

Mr Ford suffered serious injuries while on deployment in Afghanistan, including damage to his brain and spine. In this photo you can see the scar where he underwent surgery. Picture: Duncan Evans

“She’s been fantastic to me,” he said.

“She’s helping me with memory games, different strategies to help.”

Mrs Ford said mental health continued to be the biggest struggle for her husband, just as it was for so many other vets.

“We’ve recognised just having something to get up for in the morning, having a place to be needed and just having those five-minute chats with a customer is amazing,” she said.

“Social interaction is really important.”

With almost 4000 veterans in the Mackay region, there are growing calls for a new Hub for Heroes following the closure of the Mackay RSL.

Mrs Ford, a Private when on duty, said the simple act of reaching out to veterans was crucial to maintaining connection.

“Just make sure you check in on them and stay connected with them, even if they try and push you away, keep checking,” she said.

“Veterans are very quick to pretend they’re OK and shut everyone else out and try and do everything themselves.”

Mr Ford said something as simple as going for a walk or a cup of coffee with a vet was enough to get conversation flowing.

The business opened up a week ago and already, two veterans have expressed interest in becoming employees.