TOM HARRISON HOUSE

Some of our Ambassadors and mentors flying the flag for Tom Harrison House yesterday at "Thrive Together" event yesterday in Wigan. Thrive Together is the flagship programme of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust supported by Office for Veterans' Affairs which is designed to empower veterans and families, create connections and build futures. It was great to meet so many new faces and strengthen Veteran services in the North West. If you would like to learn more about the life saving work we do at Tom Harrison House why not come along to our open mornings. Third Wednesday of each month throughout 2025. Book your place here now. https://lnkd.in/eys6E4Gk

KILIMANJARO CHALLENGE UPDATE PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN!! We are delighted to confirm that a member of the Kili team summitted Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa, at approx 0705hrs this morning, 21st Feb. Everyone is well, but this morning it was decided between the team that one of them who has battled an upset stomach and has been unable to eat all week would wait at base camp. The 2nd team member set out for the summit and got to 5,000 metres before taking the decision to return to base camp on safety grounds and in the interests of the 3rd team member being able to summit. The 2 team members waited at Base Camp and all have now descended as a team to their final camp. Once the get off the mountain we will be able to communicate far more easily with them and they will be able to fill us in on the details of their adventure.

We are delighted to welcome aboard legal and financial experts Irwin Mitchell as official partners for our Bala Triathlon 2025 campaign. Irwin Mitchell are a multi award winning full service law firm with an open and honest approach to law and a department specialising in military matters. Thank you for your support Irwin Mitchell

Last change to book your place for February's Open Morning this Wednesday at Tom Harrison House. https://lnkd.in/eys6E4Gk You will get a tour of our facilities and have a QA session with a member of the team as well as meeting some our graduate community followed by a brew and some sandwiches. Limited places so don't hang about book yours now!

Are you a family member of a Veteran who is suffering with addiction? Tom Harrison House Family experiential therapeutic retreat 4-6th April 2025. Places are limited and will go fast so to find out more or book your place email events@tomharrisonhouse.org.uk Funded by Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

Ally' fundraiser for Tom Harrison House We encourage everyone to get a brew and sit down before reading this. It’s raw, it’s honest, but most of all it’s incredibly courageous. “Before I leave tomorrow to take on the epic challenge of summitting Mount Kilimanjaro I thought I would give you an insight of what it feels like to live with Chronic Pain!! Every day, I wake up in pain. Not the kind of pain you can just shake off or stretch out, but a deep, relentless ache in both knees that reminds me I’m not the person I used to be. It’s exhausting. It’s infuriating. And yet, every single morning, I plaster on a fake smile, grit my teeth, and pretend I’m fine. The truth? I’m not fine. I’m tired. My body is tired. My mind is tired. The weight of pretending to be okay is just as crushing as the physical pain itself. But what’s the alternative? Breaking down in front of people? Admitting that I struggle to do the simplest things while everyone else moves effortlessly through life? No. I won’t do that. So I push through, like I always do. And the nights? They’re just as bad. Insomnia keeps me up, my mind racing with thoughts I can’t shut off. Then morning comes, and I can barely summon the energy to move. The idea of getting out of bed feels impossible, and I run through a list of excuses in my head, trying to convince myself I don’t need to go to work today. But eventually, I force myself up, because that’s what’s expected. But let me tell you—this mask? It’s heavy as hell. And some days, I wonder how much longer I can keep it on. The emotional and physical toll of living with chronic pain is intense and raw. It is a constant battle that many people don't fully understand—managing chronic pain while maintaining the appearance of being “normal”. The mask I mention is incredibly relatable for so many who suffer in silence, especially when society places such high expectations on individuals to perform, be productive, and act "fine". My internal conflict—the desire to push through, even when every part of me is screaming to rest—is poignant. There’s this social pressure to look like you have it together, even when your body and mind are breaking down behind the scenes. The act of forcing yourself out of bed every day, despite your exhaustion, reflects that deep sense of responsibility and fear of being judged or seen as weak. It’s so exhausting, in some ways, I’m adding fuel to the fire, feeding into that cycle of feeling inadequate and isolated. But in sharing this, I hope to give voice to something so many people are going through. By acknowledging the difficulty of my experiences—the pain, the mental health struggles, and the weight of pretending to be okay. There’s strength in being able to express this vulnerability, even when it’s painful to face.” https://lnkd.in/dqMTfvQg

We kick of our Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Veterans Experiential retreats AFCFT for 2025, on Friday 14th March - Sunday 16th March. Taking place at Brathay Hall Ambleside, Lake District these retreats are specially designed to support Veterans in their recovery from addiction and mental health. Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Brathay Trust Brathay Trust For more information send an email to Activities@tomharrisonhouse.org.uk

Our amazing team of Ambassadors in the sky box at Goodison Park this week Everton in the Community

Thanks to everyone who attended our Veterans Recovery Roadshows launch this week. There was some great personal testimonies from Tom Harrison House Ambassadors along with group discussions about barriers for Veterans accessing support for mental health and addiction. Dates and venue for the next Roadshow will follow soon but we are aiming for early/mid March so Watch this space! Huge thanks to Everton in the Community and Maxine for your support and use of the venue at Goodison Park. Everton in the Community

You can support us by purchasing something from our new range of branded products on our website. https://lnkd.in/eEqsh8qE Use code THHSUPPORT to bag a 10% discount across the whole range. Every penny of every sale will go directly to supporting our veteran beneficiary's, so with payday coming up grab yourself a great deal. All purchases totaling over £40 will receive 25% of your next order.