Sarah Newman served for 26 years in the Royal Military Police, 12 years of which was spent within the Forensic Department, dealing with repatriations and many other distressing scenes. She was medically discharged in December 2017 with PTSD. 

''When I was first diagnosed with PTSD I had been stationed in Newquay Cornwall, I had pretty much been left to deal with my situation on my own, I became very isolated. This was probably the lowest point in my life''. 

In 2016 Sarah found Help for Heroes and began undertaking several courses, she says, ''It became my home from home. I believe after all this time that I can still return to the comfort and safety of Help for Heroes should I need to''. 

While at Tedworth House Sarah was introduced to art, through art teacher Jenny Arthy. ''Through the encouragement of Jenny and several visits to the art room, I believe I had found my niche, it helped me to relax, and to disappear into my own little world where nothing could ''get at me'', the intrusive thoughts and stresses would simply not be there. It became my safe zone''. 

To anyone buying from the Help for Heroes shop Sarah says, ''I believe that purchasing anything from Help for Heroes is helping towards the much-needed rehabilitation of others that are not so fortunate. Everybody deserves a second chance at life and Help for Heroes can provide that through the continued support and assistance of others''. 

We caught up with Sarah in the art room at Tedworth House to unveil her Helping Hands wire sculpture design, transformed into a wonderful new T-Shirt. 

Artwork created by Sarah, including her Helping Hands sculpture. 

'' I found that Help for Heroes gave me back my sense of purpose and belonging, and that I was somebody that mattered. Being amongst like-minded people and the wonderful staff who honestly cared about what you were going through made the healing process a lot easier. It became my home from home''.  Sarah Newman