How We Help

The Ripple Pond exists to ensure that everyone caring for a loved one who has a service attributable physical or psychological injury in the British Armed Forces Community is genuinely seen, heard, and supported.

We know supporting a loved one can be difficult at times and we know trying to navigate treatment pathways, addiction support and just normal life can be full on, even more so when you add in the complexities of a military injury.

Whether you are supporting someone with a physical injury or psychological injury, whether you have experience of military life or not, whether you are a parent, spouse, grandparent, sibling, adult child, chosen family or any “loved one” – we are here for you.

By becoming a Member of The Ripple Pond, you will be immersing yourself in a community of people who understand your situation. No more having to explain yourself, we all just get it.

We are here to provide you with the support you deserve.

At The Ripple Pond we offer several different services to help you.

Our Services

Initial Contact

When you first make contact with The Ripple Pond, our goal is to create a pathway where you feel genuinely “seen, heard and supported”. We will email you to book in a phone call where we can tell you about us, but most importantly we want to hear about you. It is your space to talk as much or as little as you want. During this call we will ask about your personal well-being and look to point you in the direction of the best support we can. Our staff team will continue to be available during office hours to help, advise, and support you.

Online Member Peer Support Forums

Our online Peer Support Forums exist to connect you with other people who have similar lived experience, genuinely understand and can be there for you. Our communities are committed to being warm, friendly and welcoming and are monitored during staff working hours.

Specialist Subject Talks, Workshops and Events

We know that information communicated clearly can help you support your loved one, build resilience and enhance your own well-being. We are committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive talks. These are recorded in advance and sent out to you to listen to at your convenience, which means we have a catalogue of support on hand to give our Members - including topics such as, understanding PTSD, managing chronic pain, sleep hygiene and managing anxiety. We are continuously expanding this catalogue and respond to Member's needs to shape the service.

Virtual Member Meet Ups

We love opportunities to get together online which is why we host regular Virtual Member 'Meet Ups', as well as Book Clubs, Quiz Nights and much more. These are a brilliant place to meet and connect with other people in a safe and friendly environment.

Onward Referrals and Navigation

Our staff team and peer support forums hold a wealth of wisdom and knowledge about what is available in terms of support for you. From counselling to local and practical support, we know we can’t do everything, but we can put you in touch with others who can help. If we don’t know something, we will research it, speak to the organisations, and find out the best options so you are equipped to make the best decisions you can.

Specialist Support

Our dedicated volunteer team offers short-term, specialist one-to-one support to help you through particularly difficult patches or navigate specific issues. There may be a waiting list for this support, but we strive to pair you with the best person to assist you. If you feel this service might benefit you and can commit to regular availability, it can be extremely effective in helping you overcome challenges.

Employment Support Partnership
with

Supporting a loved one with an injury can be difficult, navigating employment at the same time can add further pressure. Together with The Poppy Factory we want to make that a bit easier - from help in finding a new role, support in an existing role, to recognising your skills and overcoming barriers. This partnership will provide the joined up approach so vital for our members to empower and support them to succeed.

Mission - We Aim To:

Reduce your feelings of isolation

Work towards a more positive state of mental health

Build your resilience

Focus on wellbeing

Rebuild your confidence and self-esteem

Find practical solutions to day-to-day problems

Our Values

The Ripple Pond is a non-judgemental, confidential, peer-support community. Across all the services we offer, we hold our Members, Volunteers, Staff and Trustees tightly to these core values:

Inclusive

Confidential

Non Judgemental

Supportive & Respectful

We value welcoming, open, honest and inclusive interactions throughout our communities.

We seek to actively listen to and empower our Members, and to respond to each person’s individual needs; we place Members at the forefront of everything that we do.