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Catch up on the latest edition of our newsletter, or have a browse though our past issues to see what The Ripple Pond Team have been busy with over the past few months.

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Latest Newsletter

D-Day Reflections

Today we are reflecting on #DDay80 with gratitude and hope that we can do better. Join Rodger in this reflection.

Reflections from our CEO

I recently attended the Forces in Mind and the Veterans Health Conferences in London. Organised by King's Centre for Military Health...

Spring Newsletter

Our latest newsletter is now out, find out more about what we've been up to here: https://tinyurl.com/5n6m98u5

18 1921 22

What a fantastic session at our Family SoulScape - Family Constellations workshop last week! Huge thank you to the amazing Eve @evebrightlight who led us so beautifully

It was a relaxed and creative event where the whole family could come together to imagine, make and create their own little universe, inspired by stars and constellations.

It was so lovely to see the wonderful things our Members and their families created together, each one completely unique.

Sometimes, taking just an hour out of a busy week to slow down, be creative and spend time together can make such a difference. It gives us a chance to pause, switch off from everything else and simply enjoy being present with the people around us.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it such a special space!

I wouldn't have got through the last 6 months without The Ripple Pond."

When you're supporting a loved one through injury, trauma or PTSD, it can feel isolating. Like no one truly understands. The Ripple Pond changes that.

For many of our members, this community isn't just helpful. It's life-changing. A place where families find hope, connection and strength they didn't know they had.

You don't have to carry this alone.

www.theripplepond.org

#TheRipplePond #MilitaryFamilies #LifeSavingSupport #VeteranFamilies #PeerSupport #ArmedForcesCommunity #MentalHealthMatters #FamilyWellbeing #UKMilitary #StrongerTogether

Huge thank you to friend of The Ripple Pond, Emma @moveintofreedom, who, in the middle of last week’s heatwave, hosted a brilliant dance and movement workshop for our Members, alongside some brilliant tunes! 💃🎶

It was a great opportunity to try something new, reconnect with something they loved, or simply make some space for gentle movement at the end of a busy day.

We loved seeing our Members get moving, having fun and taking some time for themselves. We can’t wait for the next instalment!

We loved this quote from our CEO, Rodger so much that we had to use it on social media!

Intrigued about what we do? Find out more at www.theripplepond.org.

Sometimes, understanding each other is the first step towards navigating life together.

This month we brought Members together for our Navigating Life Together workshop, creating a safe space for family members to explore the realities of living alongside a loved one with a service attributable injury.

Together with specialists from Op COURAGE, we explored topics including windows of tolerance, recognising when someone may be moving towards crisis, and the importance of thinking about crisis planning before it is ever needed. These conversations can feel daunting, but having the knowledge and language to understand what is happening can make a real difference for the whole family.

The workshop was just the beginning.

We know that the people who need to hear these conversations aren't always able to attend and may want to explore further with their loved ones. That's why we followed the workshop with a recorded conversation, giving families the opportunity to watch, pause, reflect and talk together, in their own time. We hope it becomes a resource that helps families better understand one another, start conversations that may have felt difficult before, and think together about the practical steps they can take if life becomes overwhelming.

We're so grateful to our partners at Op COURAGE for sharing their expertise so generously, and to every Member who contributed with openness, honesty and kindness.

At The Ripple Pond, we know that when one person lives with a service attributable injury, the whole family experiences its impact. By creating spaces to learn together, share experiences and build understanding, we hope families feel more connected, more prepared and, above all, less alone.

#TheRipplePond #OpCOURAGE #familytogether

Our Members say it best.

Want to find out more about what makes us a safe and supportive place for those caring for injured serving people and veterans?

Clink the link below.

www.theripplepond.org

Don't forget this summer holidays our Thinking Family free emagazine! Completely free, written with and for the #armedforcescommunity. Jam packed with low cost family activities, articles to help families communicate, navigate rainy days and keep teenagers engaged. Give this a go. Share with a friend or five. Let's together help families thrive.

www.theripplepond.org/thinkingfamily

Thank you to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for their help in funding resources like these.

What happens when someone is referred to The Ripple Pond?

If you've ever wondered what support really looks like after taking that first step, we hope Sophie's story helps answer that.

In this short, 3-minute video, Sophie shares her experience of being referred to The Ripple Pond through our partners at Op COURAGE Midlands, and how finding support alongside others who truly understood made such a difference to her and her family.

From that first referral to becoming part of a community that has become her "safe space", Sophie's story shows why no family should have to navigate the impact of service-related injury alone.

We're incredibly grateful to Sophie for sharing her experience so openly, and to our partners at Op COURAGE Midlands for helping connect families with the support they deserve.

🎥 Take three minutes to watch Sophie's story. It could help someone you know realise they don't have to face this journey alone.

If you're supporting a loved one with a service-attributable injury, or you're a professional working with military families, we'd love you to watch, share and help us reach more families who may not yet know support is available.

#TheRipplePond #MilitaryFamilies #VeteranFamilies #OpCOURAGE #PeerSupport #YouAreNotAlone #ArmedForcesCommunity #FamilySupport

We’re proud to work in partnership with Op COURAGE Midlands, providing family members and friends who are supporting a loved one with a psychological injury with a space of their own to connect with others in a similar position.

Through this support, people can access on-demand talks and resources, one-to-one support and navigation, workshops, and a range of social events. If you're Midlands based, visit: www.opcouragemidlands.nhs.uk/supporter to find out more about the services that Op COURAGE Midlands provides plus lots of other useful information.

When a loved one is injured during service, the whole family feels it.

The Ripple Pond is here for YOU, the adult family members of physically or psychologically injured serving personnel and veterans.

You don't have to navigate this alone.

We're here, and we get it.

Find out more: www.theripplepond.org

#TheRipplePond #MilitaryFamilies #VeteranSupport #ArmedForcesCommunity #FamilySupport #MilitaryLife #PeerSupport #Wellbeing #UKVeterans #SupportingFamilies

One of the things we do regularly at The Ripple Pond is reflective practice, a space to reflect together on what we do, the people we meet, and the services we produce. This month, one of our team, a qualified, IDSVA helped us explore what it means to be a safe person and a safe organisation.

For many people experiencing domestic abuse and / or sexual abuse / violence, telling someone what is happening doesn't begin with the whole story. It often starts with the part that feels safest to share. How we respond in those moments matters.

This time together challenged us to think about how we listen without judgement, recognise the signs, respond with compassion, and create environments where people feel believed, supported and in control of what happens next.

As a charity, we're committed to continually learning and improving so that the people who come to us know they're entering a space where they will be heard, respected and supported.

Creating safe spaces isn't a one-off achievement, it's something we build every day, through our actions, our words and our willingness to listen.

We know that behind every injured serving person or veteran is a family, supporting behind the scenes.

If you’re that family, The Ripple Pond exists to support you. With a peer support community that just “gets it”, on demand talks and resources for the whole family and lots of social events like wellbeing and art workshops, book clubs and member meet-ups, you might just find your new support network!

Find out more at www.theripplepond.org/get-support.

We recently had the privilege of recording a podcast with "Shelve Your Boots" podcast. Sarah, once Member, now staff team member spoke openly about their journey as a family, navigating support for her husband with a diagnosis of PTSD, and talks about the support The Ripple Pond now deliver.

If you've been curious about what we do, wanting to hear some stories and honest conversation we'd encourage you to take a listen.

Available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/5uogPpeYCl8?si=GXD3rR6NTtpjA0mX

Also available on🎧Spotify and Amazon Music

For more information about The Ripple Pond, make sure you check us out at www.theripplepond.org

@shelveyourboots

Here at The Ripple Pond we’re supporting #ArmedForcesDay to show our appreciation for the brave women and men who put their country before themselves to protect our way of life and the families who stand behind them.

As part of Armed Forces week, The Ripple Pond are proud to launch their Summer edition of the Thinking Family free emagazine. Jam packed with low cost family activities, articles to help families communicate, navigate rainy days and keep teenagers engaged. Give this a go. Share with a friend or five. Let's together help families thrive.

www.theripplepond.org/thinkingfamily

#heatwave #emagazine #armedforcescommunity

Today is #ReservesDay and at The Ripple Pond we want to show our appreciation for those who serve as Reservists and remind the families that The Ripple Pond’s support is for them too.

Our CEO, Rodger Cartwright says: “Almost 20% of the UK Armed Forces are reservists. The Armed Forces would not function without them. They are critical to the safety of our nation.

They are people you might pass while shopping, working, or going about your everyday life, often without ever knowing they serve. Alongside their civilian roles, they carry another responsibility, one that helps keep us safe.

That role also comes with risks and disruption, not just for them, but for those around them. Without the love, understanding, and support of their families, many of these reservists simply would not be able to serve.

Families are not separate from this contribution, they are an integral part of our nation’s defence.”

Funding announcement

We’re happy to announce that we have received funding from the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund to continue the work that we are doing in supporting RAF families that are looking after a physically or psychologically injured serving person or veteran.

@rafbf We really appreciate their support and look forward to working more closely together over the coming months.

On the 14 June 1982, the Falklands War ended. Today we want to remember those still affected by both this war and other conflicts; those who lost their life, those who were injured and the families who continue to support and live with these memories.

This photo from 1982 was taken by Soldier Staff Photographer, Paul Haley who tabbed and hitched lifts in in helicopters following 5 Brigade across East Falkland arriving in Stanley ahead of the CO of 22 SAS to negotiate the Argentinian surrender on 14th June 1982.

For Imagery only “Paul Haley© Crown copyright 1982” UK Ministry of Defence © Crown copyright 2022 Licence: https://ow.ly/oWB450Z9Orp

Building Carer Friendly Communities starts with us in our friendships and wider families. If someone you know is caring for a loved one with service-attributable injuries, you might wonder what to say or do.

The truth? It’s often the simple things.
Here’s some things you could try :

✔ Stay present – Don’t disappear because you’re unsure what to say.
✔ Offer specific help – “I’m free Thursday, can I drop off dinner?” works better than “Let me know if you need anything.”
✔ Understand cancellations – Plans may change last minute. It’s not personal, it’s not because they don’t value you, sometimes caring comes first.
✔ Check in – Not just during crises, but on ordinary days too. Ask specific questions and take time to really listen.
✔ Listen without trying to fix – Sometimes carers need to be heard, not advised.
✔ Include them – Even if they can’t always attend, being invited matters.

Caring can be isolating. A ten-minute coffee, a message saying “I’m thinking of you,” or sitting quietly together can mean more than you realise.

You don’t have to solve everything. Just don’t step away.

Together, we can build communities where carers feel seen, supported and never alone. 💛
#CarerSupport #MilitaryCarers #BuildingCarerFriendlyCommunities #TheRipplePond

This #CarersWeek we’re proud to launch our new Understanding Injury Family Resources for our Members

These age-differentiated, interactive conversation guides and prompts are designed to help families explore and understand injury together, creating safe spaces for honest conversations, connection and support.

If these resources could help your family, why not become a Member?

Membership gives you access to:
- Family support resources
- Peer support communities
- Wellbeing workshops
- Interactive support designed to strengthen the whole family

Because no family should navigate recovery alone.

Find out more about becoming a Member today. www.theripplepond.org

#CarersWeek #FamilySupport #VeteransFamilies #Wellbeing #PeerSupport #Community

With grateful thanks to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for funding this project.

It's great to work in partnership with Midlands Op COURAGE, who recognise that behind every injured serving person or veteran is a family, on the recovery journey with their loved one.

This carers week, whether you consider yourself a carer, a supporter or a concerned family member, we want you to know that there is support out there. If you're supporting a veteran or serving person who is navigating injury, trauma or having a tough time, family support matters. Not only that, it exists. So find out more today: www.theripplepond.org

“It’s Carers Week 2026. We’d love to invite you to help us celebrate carers in military families and across the UK who give their all for those they love.

Families play a crucial role in a loved one's recovery. Recovery from service attributable injury is complex and it takes time. Families need our support, as they give theirs.

Military families may not call themselves carers, but they are a vital support network. Help us do more and make more of a difference for the families that need it: Share our post, donate to our work or get involved

#CarersWeek #CarerFriendlyCommunities”

At The Ripple Pond, we know community matters, that’s why we create spaces for connection, whether through peer support, wellbeing workshops, creative events, or online peer connections. Being connected with others is transformative.

Carer’s Week next week talks about the importance of Carer Friendly Communities… if you are supporting a loved one who was injured or experienced trauma in the British military or is struggling to adapt to civvy street… we are here for you. A community that understands your needs. Why not reach out today?

Find out more: www.theripplepond.org

Members say it best:

“I feel supported, listened to and seen. There’s not enough help for the spouse or family of veterans; The Ripple Pond is filling that gap.”

This is why we do what we do.

Supporting a loved one navigating injury and trauma in the #armedforcescommunity can sometimes be lonely, but there’s a community ready to support.

Want to find out more?

Drop a comment, send us a message, or visit www.theripplepond.org to find out more.

You don’t have to face things alone.

#FindOutMore #CommunitySupport #YouAreNotAlone

Supporting a loved one isn’t a quick journey.

It takes time, patience and it might be up and down.

It doesn’t stop after 6 weeks, 6 months, or even 6 years.

That’s why we’re here, not for a moment, not with a deadline, but for the whole journey.

No matter where you are on the path, you’ll find community, understanding, connection, and support with us.

Because you don’t have to do this alone.

To find out more visit https://www.theripplepond.org/how-we-help.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a powerful reminder that mental health matters, for every one of us, and especially for those in the military community and the families who stand beside them every day.

This week, we’re encouraging you to take three simple but meaningful steps:

1️⃣ For yourself
Do one thing that boosts your mental health. It could be taking a pause, singing in the rain, giving yourself a moment of self-care, or picking up a creative hobby you’ve forgotten about. Looking after yourself is not a luxury, it’s essential.

2️⃣ For someone else
What is one thing you could do to support someone else’s positive mental health? Reach out for a coffee, go for a walk together, or take the time to truly listen. Small acts of connection can make a lasting difference, especially for those caring for loved ones in the military community.

3️⃣ For all of us
Individual actions matter, but they’re only part of the story. Use your influence, whatever that might be, to make a difference. You could give your time, share your skills, raise awareness, or support charities working to ensure military carers and families receive the mental health support they deserve.

Together, we can build a community that’s better. Our mission: That those supporting a loved one who’s recovering from injury feel: seen, heard and supported.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MilitaryCarers #MentalHealthMatters

Members say it best:

“The Ripple Pond and its Members have been a lifeline when I have been in crisis, but also on a day-to-day basis. I feel part of a community where I will always have a voice and there are people to listen.”

This is why we do what we do.

Supporting a loved one navigating injury and trauma in the #armedforcescommunity can sometimes be lonely, but there’s a community ready to support.

Want to find out more?

Drop a comment, send us a message, or visit www.theripplepond.org to find out more.

You don’t have to face things alone.

#FindOutMore #CommunitySupport #YouAreNotAlone

Honoured to have attended the Celebrating Forces Families Awards evening as finalists this year.
It was a privilege to be recognised alongside so many incredible individuals and organisations doing such meaningful work in support of forces families. A huge congratulations to all of the winners and finalists, your dedication, compassion and impact are inspirational. We’re proud to be part of a community so committed to championing those who serve and the families who stand beside them.

#CelebratingForcesFamilies #ForcesFamilies #AwardsFinalist #Congratulations

“The Ripple Pond have been a huge support for me. Knowing they were there when times were bad and letting me know what other support was out there if I needed gave me a feeling of hope. When times aren't bad, they are still always there. I could talk to them, and they understood the situation their support is and was invaluable. These situations that we live in are a roller coaster and we never know when a good day is going to turn into a bad day. Knowing The Ripple Pond are there at the end of the phone or a message away stops the feeling of isolation and knowing someone is there for you.”

This is one Member’s story of how our support helped them, we are here for all adult family members, for the journey. Our team are here for you, but more than that there’s a community of support and workshops, information and events to access.

To find out more visit https://www.theripplepond.org/how-we-help.

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D-Day Reflections

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