Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle (aged 20) was born on 7th May 1990 in Faifley, Clydebank.

To keep himself out of trouble Christopher chose, at the age of 17, to join the Armed Forces. He joined the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 5SCOTS – Royal Regiment of Scotland. Later he found out that his father, who had been adopted and was finding out about his birth family, had a grandfather who was also in the Forces.

Leaving the Army with a Voluntary Discharge in 2009 despite having been diagnosed with PTSD Christopher returned to Faifley to live with his parents, both disabled. He found it difficult to adjust from the structured discipline of the military life to Civvy Street.

After getting in touch with Erskine, Christopher is now working 4 days a week, through the Supported Transition Project, with the house builders, McTaggart & Mickel, who are contracted to build new cottages within the Erskine Estate. As well as employment The STP project is attempting to secure Christopher and his partner new accommodation in Clydebank.

Christopher said: “I struggled to find a job and I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. But I am getting help here and it certainly beats being on the dole.”

He continued: “I want to make something of my life. I have a girlfriend and an 18 month old daughter and I’d like to get a full-time job as a plumber”.

“Erskine has really turned my life around. I didn’t want to get lazy and claim dole money and Erskine has given me a focus in my life. I enjoy working on the building site, the banter is good and hopefully it will lead to something permanent.”

In June 2011 Christopher successfully secured a permanent job with an external company.