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Veteran finds purpose creating safe space for peers
3 Jul
Summary
- Former soldier created a safe space for Iraq/Afghanistan veterans.
- The initiative offers social activities, exercise, and peer support.
- It addresses struggles with civilian life, addiction, and mental health.
Richy Thrower, a former soldier who faced significant challenges reintegrating into civilian life, has launched Operation Reset. This initiative provides a safe and supportive environment for veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Operation Reset is based at Thrower's video production company in Nantwich, Cheshire. It offers a relaxed setting for veterans of his generation to meet, share coffee, and engage in social activities and exercise. Thrower noted that many existing veteran groups consist of much older individuals, prompting his desire to create a space specifically for peers.
After leaving the army in his early twenties, Thrower experienced addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness, taking nearly eight years to recover. He believes that having a support system like Operation Reset earlier in his life could have altered his path. The program aims to give veterans a sense of purpose and connection, helping them navigate feelings of being lost.
One veteran, who had been housebound for two months, found renewed engagement through Operation Reset's weekly walks and is now a regular participant. The director of Armed Forces Community HQ, Laura Ingham, highlighted the importance of such safe spaces where individuals can connect with someone who understands their experiences, thereby helping them lower their defenses.
