A Wirral veteran has become the latest cover star of Combat Stress magazine after the leading mental health charity helped regain her confidence.

Alison Williams, 41, served in the Royal Air Force for 13 years and overcame Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Combat Stress supported her and taught her invaluable skills to help her cope in day-to-day life.

Her first major personal challenge was when she was chosen to join Gareth Malone’s Invictus Choir last year and performed at the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida in May putting the skills she had learnt at the charity to practice.

Alison said: “I did a lot of singing in the past but when I became unwell, I stopped singing. I totally lost my confidence. I found out about the Invictus Choir just after I had finished my six-week residential PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme. Part of my recovery was to find a new focus and re-engage with something I’d enjoyed previously. The choir looked like the perfect opportunity for me.

“It was really challenging to be away from home – I found it very stressful but I managed thanks to the coping tools I’d learnt at Combat Stress.

“There was an awful lot to take in. I had to get used to wearing a special earpiece as I was singing solo and we had to rehearse the choreography for when we walked onto the stage. I had to park any anxiety and just get on with it.

“It wasn’t really until a few months later that I realised how much I had overcome. I can now travel on my own with reduced anxiety levels and I’ve just started a make-up artistry course at college, something I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do a few years ago. I’m even having singing lessons – just for pure enjoyment.

“I’m still part of the Invictus Choir – we have several performances planned for this year including one at Twickenham this April.

She added: “My recovery is a long-term project but thanks to the help of Combat Stress I’ve come an awful long way. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved. Mental ill health does not discriminate it affects men and women equally across society. I urge anyone who feels they are not coping to seek medical advice as support is out there if you and your family need it.”

Chief executive at Combat Stress, Sue Freeth said: “It’s fantastic to see Alison using the skills she learnt at Combat Stress in a way that has made such a positive impact on her life.

“Combat Stress makes a real difference to the lives of thousands of ex-servicemen and women across the UK with mental health problems. In the last five years we have seen a 71 per-cent increase in referrals, it’s vital that we raise awareness and support for the charity to enable us to continue to provide this life changing work to every veteran that needs our help.

“We wish Alison the best of luck with her make-up artistry course and singing in the future.”

For more information visit www.combatstress.org.uk