The Resilience Sessions

In a remastered episode from series 1, Vick Hope, radio and television presenter, talks with Shaun Stocker BEM, who was serving with the British Army in Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED at the age of just 19.

Vick and Shaun discuss their upbringings, families and how both went abroad at the age of 19 to have experiences that would change their lives in very different ways. Vick speaks about growing up mixed-race in Newcastle, of getting into Cambridge University, and why she has been motivated to pursue humanitarian causes. Shaun shares the moments leading up to his injury, speaks of the long road to recovery afterwards, and how he now uses his experience to give back to others in multiple ways. Both agree on the importance of talking, of sharing problems openly, and using their platforms for good.

The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project. The Resilience Sessions are supported by Openreach and produced by The Drive Project.

For information on helplines please visit our website.
 Website: https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/
Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jack's story is filled with positivity and gratitude. He was just 22 and on his second tour of Afghanistan when he was flung 10ft into the air by a bomb. His injuries were extensive and was in a month-long coma as medics stabilised his wounds after amputating both legs above the knee.

Jack is passionate about using his experiences to inspire others to find ways of not spiralling downwards, but to look up and look forward in life.

The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project.

For more information on our Making Generation R speakers, to watch videos from our sessions, or to read more about project, head to The Resilience Sessions page on the Blesma website https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

This podcast was produced by Hannah Whittingham, and edited by Adam Wimpenny.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to former NASA astronaut and Commander of the ISS Steve Swanson, and veteran Jack Cummings, who lost his legs after an IED explosion in Afghanistan. With this extraordinary duo we chatted about hard work, the importance of failure, fitness for mental health, “striving for mediocrity”, and the shifts in perspective enormous life events can bring.

The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project.

For more information on our Making Generation R speakers, to watch videos from our sessions, or to read more about project, head to The Resilience Sessions page on the Blesma website https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

This podcast was produced by Hannah Whittingham.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a remastered episode from series 1, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former Paralympic athlete and crossbench Peer, talks with Nerys Pearce, who served with the British Army before becoming paralysed from the chest down while back in the UK.

Tanni and Nerys discuss their upbringings, shared Welsh roots, and their mutual love of and commitment to sport. They talk about the everyday prejudice they can experience as wheelchair users, as well as the humour and resilience they have employed to deal with this. Both talk about the need to reflect on one’s achievements, and share lessons on how anyone can make change happen.

The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project. The Resilience Sessions are supported by Openreach and produced by The Drive Project.

For information on helplines please visit our website.

Website: https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mat's story is one of defying all odds. Hear how he faced his incredible recovery journey after losing his leg in a motorbike accident. 

The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R - a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project.

For more information on our Making Generation R speakers, to watch videos from our sessions, or to read more about the project, head to The Resilience Sessions page on the Blesma website: https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to Kriss Akabusi, Olympian and owner of the best laugh in show biz, and to veteran and free-runner Mat Armitage, who lost his leg following a motorbike accident. We discussed childhood experiences, stealing dinghies, magical thinking, determination, squaddie humour, and the wider impact of the ability to emotionally disconnect.

The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project.

For more information on our Making Generation R speakers, to watch videos from our sessions, or to read more about project, head to The Resilience Sessions page on the Blesma website https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

This podcast was produced by Hannah Whittingham.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a remastered episode from series 1, Ray Winstone, legendary actor, talks with Ken Bellringer, who was serving with the British Army in Afghanistan when he sustained life-changing injuries in an IED blast.

Ray and Ken discuss the values and experiences that have shaped them and where they have found resilience and strength when they have needed it. They talk candidly about some of life's harder moments, and how they hope they can inspire others to open up and talk with those around them. Both men talk about the importance of family, the role their children have played in motivating and inspiring them, and the value of the little things in life – whether that's a conversation, or simply a cup of tea.

 The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project. The Resilience Sessions are supported by Openreach and produced by The Drive Project.

For information on helplines please visit our website

Website: https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Swifty's story will take you on a journey - from Northern Ireland in 1992 where he was injured by a coffee jar bomb and lost both his legs above the knee... to Colorado where just last year he was developing the world's first pair of 3D printed, suspended snowboard bindings for double above-knee amputees.

The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project.

For more information on our Making Generation R speakers, to watch videos from our sessions, or to read more about project, head to The Resilience Sessions page on the Blesma website https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

This podcast was produced by Hannah Whittingham.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to broadcaster and author Emily Dean, and veteran Darren Swift, who lost both his legs after a coffee jar bomb explosion serving in Northern Ireland. Together we discussed unconventional childhoods, forming a sense of self, dealing with grief, making people laugh, and the clarity of life that can be found around death.

The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project.

For more information on our Making Generation R speakers, to watch videos from our sessions, or to read more about project, head to The Resilience Sessions page on the Blesma website https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

This podcast was produced by Hannah Whittingham.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back! The Resilience Sessions is back for a second series, featuring a stellar line up of guests from Emily Dean and Kriss Akabusi to former NASA Astronaut Steve Swanson, and featuring 6 inspiring veterans. This series is presented by Alice Driver and Blesma veteran, Stewart Harris and drops from 9th December. 
The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project.

For more information on our Making Generation R speakers, to watch videos from our sessions, or to read more about project, head to The Resilience Sessions page on the Blesma website https://blesma.org/making-generation-r/the-resilience-sessions/

Twitter: @TheResilienceS
Facebook: @theresiliencesessions
Instagram: @theresiliencesessions
Contact us: [email protected]

This podcast was produced by Hannah Whittingham, and edited by Adam Wimpenny.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.