Steven Shields the new Veterans Support Officer commenced employment with ONE today.  This is a further development of ONE’s Veterans Welfare Policy and the position is jointly funded by ONE and Leopardstown Park Hospital Trust.  Steven can be contacted at 086 1380825.  The following is a short introduction to Steven.

“Hello, my name is Steven Shields. I have been appointed the new ONE Veteran Support Officer, the second counsellor working for the organisation.  My military career started in 1987 and I served until 2014. I served 25 years with the 4th Cav Sqn in Longford and I held various appointments including as an instructor, a PTI and a Barrack Personnel Support Service Officer (BPSSO). I then served with the 6 Inf Bn after Longford Barracks closed and the disbandment of the 4th Cav Sqn. I have held BPSSO appointments in Columb Bks, O’Neill Bks and Custume Bks.

I have served overseas as a trooper and a Troop Sgt. I have carried out stress debriefs in Lebanon, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Chad. On retirement, I began my counselling career in Cavan working in a treatment centre and progressed on to working in the prison system, both in a closed and open prison.

I have graduated from numerous universities and specialise in addiction issues, couple counselling mediation and stress and anxiety issues. I have worked for the HSE and also various homeless and addiction services. I have also worked with people that have suffered, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

I look forward to my new role and will bring energy and commitment to supporting veterans. I will endeavour to bring my knowledge and experience from both the military and the civilian perspective to give a standard of service worthy of what ONE stands for “Comradery”.

Thank you and I look forward to meeting you sometime down the road.”

Steven Shields, Veterans Support Officer