Gregg currently works with the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance as the Regional Trainer for the North West of England.
In a powerful and reflective conversation, we spoke with Gregg Stevenson about the recent honour of receiving an MBE for Services to Rowing – a moment he describes as surreal, humbling, and deeply meaningful. Behind the accolade lies a journey defined by resilience, purpose, and a steadfast commitment to service. Now serving as the Regional Trainer for the North West of England with the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), Gregg continues to use his lived experience to shape more inclusive and understanding healthcare systems for the Armed Forces Community.
Gregg served for six years in the Royal Engineers with the 24 Engineer Commando Regiment before being medically discharged due to injuries sustained in Afghanistan. Since then, he has forged a remarkable path – working in the NHS as a rehabilitation gym manager, a mental health practitioner, and later as the lived experience lead for OpCOURAGE in the North of England. His efforts have consistently focused on ensuring veterans receive the care, dignity, and support they deserve.
Most recently, Gregg added Paralympic gold to his list of achievements, winning the PR2 mixed double event at the Paris 2024 Games. He also contributes to national healthcare strategy through his roles with the Armed Forces Public Patient Voice Group, the OpRESTORE programme board, and as a trustee for Walking with the Wounded.
Our chat offered an inspiring glimpse into a life dedicated to lifting others – from the frontlines of conflict to the heart of community health and elite sport. For all he’s achieved and all he continues to give, we give Gregg a ‘Salute!’
Congratulations on receiving an MBE, Gregg! Can you take us back to the moment you found out – how did it feel?
It was a surreal moment. I received the letter in the post and had to read it twice to make sure I had understood it correctly. I felt very proud with a great sense of gratitude and if honest a little disbelief. The honour isn’t just about me – it reflects the teams, communities, and causes I’ve been privileged to represent over the years.
What does being awarded an MBE mean to you, both personally and professionally?
Personally, its deeply humbling. Growing up and particularly during some of the more difficult chapters of my life, I could never have imagined receiving this kind of recognition. Professionally, it reaffirms that the work I’ve done – whether rowing, mental health, or supporting the Armed Forces Community – has made a meaningful impact. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
What aspects of your work do you think played the biggest part in earning this honour?
I believe it was a combination of performance and purpose. Winning Paralympic gold was a proud moment, but more than that, I’ve always tried to use sport as a platform to inspire others, particularly those facing adversity, My work in mental health and with the Armed Forces community – helping others find a sense of identity, belonging, and hope probably played a big part too.
You’ve had a rich and varied journey so far – what have been some of the standout moments or turning points in your career?
There have been a few defining moments. Being medically discharged from the military was a huge turning point – it forced me to rebuild. Discovering rowing gave me a new sense of purpose. Winning Paralympic gold was obviously a high but so was launching the crisis cards for the Armed Forces Community and becoming a mental health practitioner. Each chapter has brought its own challenged and lessons.
You’ve recently joined the training team at VCHA – what excites you most about this new role, and what do you hope to bring to it?
I’m excited by the chance to shape how healthcare services engage with our Armed Forces community. Having lived on both sides – as a patient and as a practitioner – I hope to bring authenticity, empathy, and a real-world insight to the training. Ultimately, I want to help create systems that genuinely understand and support the Armed Forces community.
How does VCHA’s mission resonate with your own values and experiences?
VCHA’s commitment to putting the Armed Forces community at the heart of healthcare completely aligns with my values. I know what it feels like to fall through the cracks and what it takes to rebuild. The mission to ensure no one is left behind speaks to my core – it’s about service, dignity and equity.
- Start by showing up – with honesty, humility, and consistency. You don’t need a title or platform to create impact. Listen deeply, serve others with integrity, and stay connected to your values. Progress may be slow and the challenges real, but if you lead with purpose and stay the course, the difference you make will ripple far beyond what you can see.
Throughout your career, who or what has been your greatest source of inspiration or support?
My late father is a huge inspiration – he was a headteacher and lived with incredible integrity. The military gave me structure and incredible role models, but my family has always been my anchor. I’ve also been inspired by the resilience of the people I’ve worked with, especially my rowing partner Lauren Rowles and many of the clients I supported in my practitioner days who faced immense hardships and still choose to rebuild. They remind me daily why I do what I do.
Achievements like this rarely come without challenges – what obstacles have you faced, and how have they shaped your journey?
I’ve faced both physical and emotional challenges – from being injured in Afghanistan and having to adapt to life as an amputee, to struggling with identity and mental health after leaving the military. There were times when I felt lost. But those moments shaped me. They taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of connection – values that now underpin everything I do, whether in elite sport or community health.
How do you hope your MBE recognition will inspire others in your field or community?
I hope it shows that your past doesn’t define your future. I wasn’t always on the right path, but with the right support, purpose, and determination, change is possible. Whether someone’s a veteran, an athlete, or a young person trying to find their way – I want them to see setbacks can be the start of something powerful. You can rebuild, and you can make a difference.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone hoping to make a real difference in their community or profession?
Start by showing up – with honesty, humility, and consistency. You don’t need a title or platform to create impact. Listen deeply, serve others with integrity, and stay connected to your values. Progress may be slow and the challenges real, but if you lead with purpose and stay the course, the difference you make will ripple far beyond what you can see.
To access information on support available to the Armed Forces community, click here.
If you have a story to share or any story suggestions, we’d love to hear from you – submit yours and be part of this growing collection of voices celebrating the Armed Forces community. Email us at rnoh.vcha@nhs.net.
