A former aircraft engineer in the Royal Navy who was discharged with multiple sclerosis in 2005, is the first person to gain a City & Guilds bookbinding qualification.

Woodborough based Bound by Veterans offers bookbinding tuition to wounded, injured and sick veterans of the services to aid their recovery and to help them transition from military to civilian life.

“When I first saw the course advertised it appealed to me because I had been wanting to repair an old book of my Gran’s for some time," said Wendy. "What I didn’t expect was from that moment I would be completely hooked. Learning this fascinating trade and, in particular, achieving the City & Guilds Level 3, has inspired me to continue bookbinding and given me a new purpose in life.

“Adjusting from a busy, active, and rewarding job in the military to civilian life can be challenging. Coming to terms with what I can now no longer do is a battle I face each day. With bookbinding I can be creative, work with my hands and at a pace to suit me. Without bookbinding in my life, this battle would be so much harder.”