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Band of Sisters

This project explores the 100-year history of families living with wounded veterans. It includes interviews with 30 individuals about their experiences and has produced a children’s book titled “One Hundred Jumping Beans” to support military families dealing with PTSD, injury, and relocation.

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An interview with

Dorothy Kelton

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An interview with

Lorna Hunter

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An interview with

Craig Kane

Craig is a former RAF Avionics Engineer who cares for his wife Michelle – a...
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An interview with

Jenni Worthington

Jenni’s Partner Dan served in the army as a Royal Engineer in Bosnia and Iraq...
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An interview with

Linda Rudkin

Linda Rudkin’s husband Colin served with the Royal Green Jackets in Northern Ireland during the...
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An interview with

Terrie Hemsley

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An interview with

Sophie Sinnott

In 2010 Sophie Sinnott’s partner Luke was badly injured when he stepped on an IED...
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An interview with

Teri Turner

Teri and her husband live in Devon and I was lucky to meet her. I’m...
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An interview with

Lisa Kirkpatrick

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An interview with

Sandra Bremner

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An interview with

Joanne Jukes

Joanne is petitioning for a National Memorial for Armed Forces Personnel who die as a...
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An interview with

Shani Hall

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About Band of Sisters

In 2019, Legasee Educational Trust partnered with Help for Heroes’ Band of Sisters to document the lived experiences of families supporting wounded veterans. Through 30 candid interviews with parents, partners, and children, the project uncovered the profound challenges faced by those living with veterans affected by both physical and emotional injuries, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Research Paper
The Progression of the Understanding of UK Military Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from WW1 to the Present Day, and The Role of Family in Veteran Mental Health Care, provides a vital contribution to the study of PTSD and its ripple effects on families. Combining historical analysis and first-hand accounts, it examines the evolution of PTSD understanding within the British military, highlighting the critical yet often unseen role of families in veteran care.

These unique perspectives shed light on the emotional toll of military service, offering insights that escape traditional clinical or veteran-centric studies. By amplifying these voices, the paper aims to influence future approaches to supporting both veterans and their families. To request a copy of the research paper, get in touch.

One Hundred Jumping Beans
As part of the Band of Sisters project, we created One Hundred Jumping Beans, a children’s book designed to support young readers in military families. This collection of stories addresses the unique challenges faced by children living with parents affected by PTSD, physical injuries, or frequent relocations due to military postings.

The idea for the book grew out of discussions with the Catterick Library Service, who highlighted the lack of resources for children coping with these experiences. To fill this gap, Legasee worked with Le Cateau Primary School, author Paula Rogers, and illustrator Geraldine Sierra to run workshops that gave children the opportunity to shape the book’s characters and stories. This collaborative approach ensured the content resonated directly with young readers, tackling sensitive topics in a way that is accessible and engaging.

One Hundred Jumping Beans aims to provide comfort, understanding, and hope to military families navigating the challenges of service life. To request a copy of the book, get in touch.

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Educational Resources - Longdendale
An interview with

Lorna Hunter

Lorna Hunter shares her family's journey through military life, PTSD, and the challenges of finding the right support for her husband, Tom.

Content Warning This interview contains discussions of suicide, PTSD, and substance abuse, which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   Lorna Hunter, the devoted wife of veteran Thomas Hunter, explains their shared experiences of military service, struggles with PTSD, and their journey to finding support and healing.  Tom served 22 years in the Army, enlisting at 17 and starting in 16 Air Defence, before transferring to 50 Missile in the Royal Artillery due to his boxing skills (which can be found on YouTube!). He later joined the Royal Logistics Corps in the Territorial Army while working as a postman for 21 years. His service took him across Germany and on tour in the Falklands before his 2003 deployment to Iraq, where he developed PTSD. Years of boxing also led to Dementia Pugilistica.  For Lorna, military life brought isolation, especially after 2003. Tom’s struggles after Iraq also proved difficult; diagnosed with PTSD as an army medic, he was denied military support as a reservist. As his mental health declined, job loss and isolation took their toll. Lorna fought tirelessly for answers, and after years of inconclusive treatments, Tom was finally diagnosed with dementia. Help came through Phoenix House, a veteran recovery centre. In the Band of Brothers, Tom rediscovered his love for sports, competing in the Warrior Games and carrying the GB team’s torch. Lorna, too, found solace in the Band of Sisters. She now urges others: “Make the call-Pheonix House saved my husband’s life.”
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Paula Rogers
An interview with

Jenni Worthington

Jenni’s Story: Navigating Love, PTSD, and the Fight for Support

Jenni’s Partner Dan served in the army as a Royal Engineer in Bosnia and Iraq before working in Afghanistan in a civilian role. He would later be diagnosed with complex PTSD and struggle to access the right support. Jenni explains how this has effected their relationship, and how Help for Heroes' Band of Sisters supported her when she needed it most.
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Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Linda Rudkin

Linda Rudkin’s Story: Supporting a Veteran with PTSD Amid New Battles

Content warning//

This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts which some viewers may find distressing.

If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.

  Linda Rudkin’s husband Colin served with the Royal Green Jackets in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. What happened to him there has stayed with him all his life. Watch as Linda describes how Colin's experiences there led to PTSD, and their fight to get the right treatment for him As if their situation wasn't difficult enough already, now the Government's legacy enquiries are adding unwanted stress.
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Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Terrie Hemsley

Terrie Hemsley's son Paul served with the Grenadier Guards.  A significant injury in Afghanistan followed by a serious medical mistake led to life changing injuries and Terrie's battle to care for her severely disabled son.
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Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Teri Turner

Teri Turner is married to Mark who served in the Army in Bosnia. His experiences led to PTSD, and he suffered 5 strokes. Mark now plays wheelchair rugby, and Teri plans to teach art therapy with Help for Heroes, but their struggle to have a normal home life has been a long one.
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Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Lisa Kirkpatrick

Lisa Kirkpatrick’s husband Gary had an accident on an army training exercise. Engaged at the time and with a new baby, Lisa struggled to cope and Gary's mental health was suffering. Watch as Lisa describes the support they received from Help for Heroes' Band of Sisters which led to her becoming an ambassador for the charity.
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Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Sandra Bremner

Sandra Bremner comes from Ballyclare a small town in County Antrim, where she met her husband Sammy. Having served army in the 1970's and then in the prison service, he struggles with depression and PTSD. Sammy and Sandra have been involved with Help for Heroes' Band of Brothers and Band of Sisters for a few years now, and Sandra describes how much it has helped them both.
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Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Joanne Jukes

When Joanne Jukes met her partner David he was already dealing with PTSD from his time in the Staffordshire Regiment, and work in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Help for Heroes and Combat Stress were involved with the Dave, but after struggling as a family to get the level of support they needed, Dave took his own life.
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Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Shani Hall

Shani Hall's husband Lee was in the Royal Military Police. Having been diagnosed with PTSD, and with their lives becoming increasingly difficult, investigations began into an accident during his time in Iraq, and whether this had left him with a brain injury. Watch as Shani describes the support they have had from Combat Stress, The Ripple Pond, Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, and how ultimately it may take a massive life change to give the Lee what he needs.
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Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker