FINDING CONNECTION THROUGH SHARKS FORCES: RAY’S STORY
For Army veteran Ray, Sharks Forces has provided something simple but incredibly important: a place to talk, people who understand and a reason to get out of the house.
Ray joined the Army in the 1970s and, after leaving military life, found it difficult to settle. One of the biggest challenges was feeling that there were few people he could speak openly with about his experiences in service.
“People don’t understand what went on or what you’ve gone through. The only people I can talk to are the guys that come to the hub. A few hours chatting. It’s amazing how much better you feel afterwards.”
Through Sale Sharks Foundation’s Sharks Forces programme, Ray now attends the Veterans Hub and regular Wellbeing Walks, giving him the opportunity to spend time with other veterans, meet people and be part of a community.
For Ray, the Veterans Hub has helped break down one of the barriers he faced after leaving the Army. Being surrounded by people with shared experiences has created an environment where he feels comfortable talking, knowing there are others who understand.
“You feel free to speak and get it all off your chest, and they always say talking helps, and I suppose it does.”
That sense of connection continues through the programme’s Wellbeing Walks. Getting outdoors provides an opportunity to be active and enjoy the physical benefits of walking, but for Ray, just as important is the chance to talk, catch up and spend time with others.
“We’re out, we’re walking, and that’s something I wouldn’t be doing if I weren’t here. I’d be sat at home, probably reading a newspaper.”
Whether it is enjoying the scenery at Sale Water Park, stopping for a coffee or simply chatting as they walk, the sessions have become a regular opportunity for Ray to connect with people he might not otherwise see.
“It’s the scenery and the fresh air, chatting along. We’ve sat and had a coffee, chatting away. You get to see those that you don’t see from day to day. You get the exercise too. We cover this ground quite a bit, the pace is different from week to week, and we can change the routes as often as we want to.”
Ray’s experience embodies what Stronger Together and Healthy Futures, two of the pillars of Sale Sharks Foundation’s Levelling the Field strategy are all about. By creating spaces where people can connect, talk and feel that they belong, Sharks Forces is helping to reduce loneliness and isolation while supporting healthier lives and positive physical and mental wellbeing.
For another veteran who might be feeling isolated or unsure about taking that first step to joining Sharks Forces, Ray has a simple message:
“I would say, give it a go. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, it’s a motto I’ve always gone by. I’d say, ‘Look, come with me.’ I’d bring them along, introduce them, and I would guarantee within half an hour it would feel as if they’d been coming for weeks.”
Sharks Forces is proudly supported by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and the Veterans’ Foundation.
For further information about Sharks Forces, click here.
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