A tale of duty and giving back: How veteran and senior site manager Mike found his new calling.
Mike Blythe, Volunteer, Blind Veterans UK
“For some bizarre reason, I always wanted to jump out of aeroplanes.”
Even when he was a child, Mike had a strong sense of duty. That’s why he didn’t hesitate to enlist when he came of age, rising to the rank of Sergeant and jumping out of aeroplanes on more than a few occasions. After 14 years of service, Mike retired from the army, attended college, and stepped into the world of construction. It was a new journey, and one that would see Mike join ISG as senior site manager in 2018.
Today, Mike is working at HMP Manchester on ISG’s safer custody windows project. He’s been developing prisons for the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) since 2020, with ISG securing more than £1bn of work for the MOJ since 2004, and its biggest supplier by spend in 2023. Despite a busy schedule – Mike is a key member of ISG’s MOJ team – his sense of duty hasn’t diminished. This unfaltering attitude brought him into conversation with Yvonne, a worker for charity Blind Veterans UK, at a veterans’ event. The charity’s story captivated Mike, who wanted to support his fellow service men and women. In his own words: “I don’t do it for a pat on the back. I do it because I’m an ex-soldier.”
Since their first encounter, Mike and Blind Veterans UK haven’t stopped in their mission. From looking after an 82-year-old veteran at weekends, to delivering the occasional building job up and down the country, Mike continues to serve wherever he can. When queried, Mike realised he’d spent 38 weekends in the past year alone volunteering for the cause. That’s on top of many working days committed to giving back, with ISG keen to support Mike in his contributions to the charity.
Mike’s latest endeavour? Hosting a pop-up archery range day at Blind Veterans UK Llandudno, in addition to supporting the charity with long-term fundraising projects. For Mike, the story isn’t complete. His duty continues whenever and wherever it may take him.
Mike’s duty
When Mike left school aged 16, he had one aim. An aim of his since childhood. An aim to be a soldier and serve his country. “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a soldier. For some bizarre reason, I always wanted to jump out of aeroplanes,” Mike remarks. While he couldn’t start his military career straight away – working in a factory until he could enlist – Mike would eventually join the forces. Over the next 14 years, Mike would jump out of aeroplanes on more than one occasion. From 3rd Regiment in the Queen’s Battalion to 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, his was a decorated career which saw him rise to the rank of Sergeant.
But it was time for Mike to hang up his parachute. Venturing into civilian life, he found work in demolition for a time, although something just didn’t feel right. Determined to find a new path, Mike went to college and earned a degree, starting his new journey. A journey into construction, which would one day lead Mike to ISG, which he joined in 2018. His first project with the company was a state-of-the-art training facility for Cheshire Fire and Rescue.
Throughout his time in construction, Mike’s sense of duty has remained steadfast, volunteering for veteran initiatives and acting as an ambassador for ISG’s armed forces network. It was during a veterans’ event when Mike first met Yvonne, an employee for charity Blind Veterans UK. The charity’s story captivated Mike, and by the following day, he was finding out how he could help.
A thriving relationship: Mike and Blind Veterans UK
Today, Mike’s contributions are visible across the charity. When queried, Mike reflected on the past year, and realised he’d committed 38 weekends to volunteering for Blind Veterans UK. That’s on top of many working days committed to the cause, with ISG keen to support Mike in his contributions. ISG also provides accommodation and travel so Mike can help out at the charity’s national centres. That's in addition to the organisation's newly announced partnership with armed forces charity SSAFA to support future service leavers.
“I don’t do it for a pat on the back. I do it because I’m an ex-soldier, and I enjoy it.”
Mike Blythe, Senior Project Manager, ISG
Mike has a determination to get things done and make a tangible difference. For the charity, he’s a third party with specialised construction expertise, which is invaluable when a new project comes around. Look no further than the Llandudno centre’s members’ lounge, which needed a wall knocking down to enhance the social experience for the veterans. Mike, upon learning about the need, had the wall down by the next day.
He’s not just sharing his construction expertise with the charity. Recently, one of Mike’s many contributions saw him raise £6,000 for a blind veteran who had passed away. With no close family, the veteran had no gravestone or marker that signified his service in life. Mike wasn’t about to let this happen. Through fundraising, he was able to acquire a headstone for the veteran in Brighton. It’s a fitting place of rest, with local cadets committing to maintain the grounds through future generations.
Mike and a lady support one of the veterans as they climb onto a bus.
Every Saturday morning, Mike meets with 82-year-old blind veteran David. Whether David needs a lift, some company, or the odd repair job, Mike is there to help. He does this despite his busy work life, currently delivering HMP Manchester for the MOJ. Mike has been working on prisons since 2020, and he’s a key member of ISG’s MOJ team, a team which has secured or delivered more than £1bn of work for the MOJ since 2004. ISG was also the MOJ’s biggest supplier by spend in 2023.
It’s through his work on prisons that Mike also personally supports incarcerated veterans in rehabilitation. His efforts resulted in two individuals finding permanent roles following their release.
He isn’t looking for awards or recognition. Mike explains: “I don’t do it for a pat on the back. I do it because I’m an ex-soldier, and I enjoy it.” It’s this sense of duty, harking back to his childhood, which spurs Mike on at every turn.
“Mike facilitated building work in our members lounge at the Llandudno Centre. Removal of the wall opened up the room to create a brighter and more airy space for our blind veterans to socialise. This support was invaluable to the centre and meant a great cost saving for the charity and a much-appreciated update for everyone that visits.”
Rosina Heard, Community Engagement Lead, Blind Veterans UK Llandudno Centre
Bullseye in Llandudno
Mike’s most recent endeavour saw him managing a pop-up archery day in Llandudno for Blind Veterans UK – as seen in these photos. Mike explains the rationale behind the activity: “At the end of the day, these people were soldiers. Their job was to defend the country and, if necessary, fire their weapons. This means shooting is familiar. Essentially, it gives a valuable opportunity for blind veterans to do something that is familiar to them.”
Mike and an instructor support a group of veterans in readying their bows.
As for the bigger picture, Mike is working with Blind Veterans UK to look at new, long-term fundraising opportunities. For the charity, Mike’s work across the Blind Veterans UK’s Llandudno and Rustington centres has been invaluable. Rosina Hearn, community engagement lead at the Llandudno Centre of Wellbeing, comments: “Mike facilitated building work in our members lounge at the Llandudno Centre. Removal of the wall opened up the room to create a brighter and more airy space for our blind veterans to socialise. This support was invaluable to the centre and meant a great cost saving for the charity and a much-appreciated update for everyone that visits.”
Mike’s journey with Blind Veterans UK is far from complete. When asked what he wants in the future, Mike exclaimed: “Anything! Whatever comes through the door, I want to help. Any requests, any jobs at all.” For Mike, his relationship with the armed forces only grows stronger. His son recently followed in his footsteps and enlisted, showing that very same sense of duty as his father. A sense of duty that’s seen Mike give back time and time again.
Mike chats with one of the veterans outside the Llandudno centre.
Published on the 5th of September 2024.
