This weeks episode features Jonny Ball VR
‘Jonny’s civilian career has seen him run campaigns at every level of government, from local to National & European elections and as a consultant to military charities. He has worked for a number of MPs including the current Secretary of State for Defence. His experience from the time when he led a MOD’s employer relationship management team has meant that he has become a trusted networker within the armed forces community.
His lengthy Army service includes operational tours of Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. In 2013, following a tour of Afghanistan the previous year, he was awarded a Commander Land Forces’ Commendation for his work as a Pashto Linguist and Intelligence Analyst, working on the ground embedded within tribal communities in Helmand, as well as training the Afghan National Police.
This resume of political experience, veterans’ affairs knowledge and military service places Jonny in a unique position as one of the UK’s pioneers of transferable military skills to wider UK civil society. He has been the Reserve Forces Reserve Mentor on Reservist Mental Health at the MOD, work that helped extend the offer of NHS provision ‘Op Courage’ from solely veterans to now also looking after the Reservist community. This followed a traumatic RTA on his motorcycle in 2019, where it took 7 surgeries to save his leg.
He is host of the ‘Veterans In Politics’ podcast, interviewing over 70 interviewees to date from across the globe who have ‘stood up to serve again’ in public life.
This is linked to a not for profit he runs with that shared mission-CampaignForce CIC.
In September 2023, he competed in the Invictus Games as part of Team UK as part of his own recovery journey through sport, and walked away with a Bronze medal in powerlifting, as well as personal bests in Indoor Rowing (where he Captained the team) and track cycling.’
Go and check out Jonny’s content using the links below:
Veterans In Politics Podcast by CampaignForce-
Apple podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-in-politics-by-campaignforce/id1534495525?uo=4
Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/3bjq2Pk96oZxEB0LRA8CUl?si=586dd76e102e4c83
Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyball79/
CampaignForce: https://www.linkedin.com/company/campaignforce/
If you need to reach out for support please use the links below:
Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide
Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2ZzCu_vs_gIVKYBQBh0VKwzmEAAYASAAEgLy2vD_BwE
Home (veteranscrisisline.net)
Veteran Support (veteranscrisisline.net)
Air Force Wounded Warrior Program
