26 June 2026
Barry Pratt, right. Fred, volunteer, left.
Ahead of Armed Forces Day this Saturday, Barry Pratt, 59, armed forces lead and recovery worker for local drug, alcohol and mental health charity, is reaching out to the armed forces community to say help is available and they do not need to struggle in silence.
“The primary challenge is often the stigma associated with seeking help,” says Barry, a veteran himself. “After being trained to adapt and overcome any obstacle, admitting to a personal struggle can be incredibly difficult. My message to my brothers and sisters is: Come and stand beside us. We’ve got your back.”
In his role at WithYou in North Somerset, Barry oversees support for veterans, serving members, and their families, ensuring that the support they receive is tailored to their specific needs. By forging links with local organisations including the NHS, local councils, social housing providers, and other forces’ charities, Barry is building a streamlined, structured referral system to help veterans access everything - from mental health counselling to housing support.
“We ensure our support provides that same sense of reliability and order that veterans and serving members are used to,” Barry explains. “WithYou is so far ahead of other providers in this space, and that gives me the enthusiasm to know that this goal is truly achievable.”
Many members of the armed forces community who come to WithYou in North Somerset for help are struggling with alcohol. “Alcohol, in particular, is deeply embedded in the social fabric of the armed forces,” Barry describes. “You celebrate, commiserate, and ‘play hard’ together - making it harder to recognise when use has become problematic. Sadly, it is also frequently used to mask trauma.”
He smiles as he thinks of the clients he’s met. “We recently supported a veteran who was alcohol dependent. Through our veterans' group and the support of a veteran lead who served as his recovery worker, he achieved sobriety. He has since been accepted into the Royal Navy. It's incredible to see him return to service after turning his treatment into a positive life change. I've also worked with a Royal Marine who was able to maintain his career by becoming abstinent. As an ex-RAF man, it's hard to admit, but the Royal Navy really seems to be leading the way here!”
WithYou’s award-winning Armed Forces Programme is funded by The Army Benevolent Fund, the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity, and Greenwich Hospital. WithYou is the first drug and alcohol provider to hold the Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). This recognition reflects our commitment to providing specialist, confidential support to veterans, serving personnel, and their families.
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