Armed Forces Day 2025: Jonathan’s story of service, strength and support for veterans

As we mark Armed Forces Day, we’re proud to recognise and celebrate the service of our Armed Forces community. At Housing Plus Group, we’re committed to supporting current and former Armed Forces personnel and their families.

Jonathan Smith is a Maintenance Supervisor here at Housing Plus Group. He served for over 13 years in the British Army as part of the Mercian Regiment. His military career took him across the globe – from frontline tours in Afghanistan to training missions in Ukraine and Saudi Arabia. Today, he’s using the values, skills and experiences gained in service to support colleagues, lead with integrity, and give back to the veteran community.

“I always wanted to be a soldier and serve my country,” Jonathan said.

“Joining the Mercian Regiment felt right – it was my local unit, and I had a strong family connection to it. The bond we shared was like a brotherhood.”

Jonathan joined the Army at 21, having worked as a carpenter since the age of 16. His strong work ethic helped him adjust quickly to the demands of military life. Among his most challenging deployments was his time in Afghanistan, where he served as part of a frontline infantry unit.

“We were the people on the ground day in, day out,” he said.

“We would do four patrols a day, make sure the locals were ok and that the area was secure. We would come into contact and fight the Taliban and other insurgent groups. It was an eye-opening experience.”

After leaving the Army in 2022 to focus on family life, Jonathan brought his skills and leadership to Housing Plus Group, where he now oversees daily operations in our gas maintenance team. In addition to supervising safety and compliance, he leads by example, applying the Army’s six core values – Courage, Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Loyalty, and Selfless Commitment – to his role every day.

Jonathan also continues to serve in the Territorial Army, supported by our leave policy for reservists, and plays an active role in our internal veterans’ working group. He regularly takes part in careers events aimed at helping service leavers transition into civilian employment.

“There’s still more we can do,” Jonathan added.

“Veterans bring unique experiences to the workplace. Being part of the conversation means we can help shape meaningful support for others.”

To Jonathan and everyone else who has served – we thank you for your dedication and continued contribution.