Join us for a conversation with Andy Davies from Op COURAGE Midlands. Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, Armed Forces veterans and their families. In this conversation we explore how to access Op COURAGE support, how families can be involved in the process and their role. We also looked at what families can do if they are concerned. Join us for this conversation and find out more. For more information about Op COURAGE visit: www.nhs.uk/opcourage Remember if you need support or would value a conversation with one of the team, please do reach out at help@theripplepond.org

We are joined by Ros Townsend from PTSD Resolution, who talks about recognising what PTSD is, looking at the signs of secondary trauma, as well as introducing us to human givens therapy and the services available to our members. This is a really helpful resource for understanding the dynamics of PTSD in a family system and how to respond. The Ripple Pond supports adult family members caring for a loved one with service attributable injuries whether physical or psychological. We offer peer support, information talks and events, and a listening ear. If you need support, please do email us: help@theripplepond.org

We were joined by Georgie Adams, From Carers UK to discuss their online platform filled with resources to support Carers.

Join us for a conversation with The Poppy Factory Families Employment Service as we chat through how we can together support you, whether you are out of employment and looking for some help, or in employment and wanting to up skill.

Join us for a conversation with Tom Harrison House as Ash shares his story of recovery. For more information on Tom Harrison House and the work they do, visit: https://tomharrisonhouse.org.uk/ Please note: This conversation includes difficult subjects including drug addiction and suicide.

@ServicedogsukOrg is a charity that provides suitable rescue dogs that Veterans train to become their PTSD assistance dogs under our guidance. The charity has been running for 6 years and has grown organically, gradually increasing its ability to help more Veterans. The training is fun, enjoyable and rewarding. PTSD Assistance Dogs are trained to do general Assistance Dog tasks but also to assist Veterans with some of the symptoms of PTSD. The dogs are trained to do a variety of practical tasks such as wake the Veterans from nightmares, ‘ground’ them when dissociating, interrupt anxiety attacks, help with providing space by positioning, fetch medication and take the Veteran to the nearest exit when overwhelmed. "The dogs give our Veterans the confidence to go out and integrate with the community, the shared oxytocin relieves stress and lowers anxiety naturally. The Veterans train their own dogs, so they get an enormous amount of personal satisfaction, pride and a real sense of achievement when they become accredited Assistance Dog Partnerships." Find out more: servicedogsuk.org Email: getintouch@servicedogsuk.org Facebook: facebook.com/servicedogsuk Instagram: instagram.com/servicedogsuk/

We were joined by Elizabeth Burton-Phillips, Founder of DrugFAM, and Paul Rompani, CEO, who talked to us about supporting a loved one through their addiction to gambling, alcohol and/or substances; as well as how best to look after ourselves whilst doing so.

Adfam support the adult family members impacted by another person's substance misuse. In this short video, they detail what support is available and how it can help.