A DEDICATED UNITED KINGDOM ARMED FORCES AND BLUE LIGHT SERVICES CHARITY
Who Dares Cares' mission is to support our Armed Forces and Blue Light Services personnel, including their families, who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Richard Nelson Joins the WDC Board of Trustees
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Who Dares Cares are delighted to welcome Richard Nelson to the Board of Trustees.
Richard has a wealth of knowledge and experience that can only prove valuable to support our Veterans - Welcome Richard
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Richard is a dedicated Rehabilitation Instructor with the NHS, boasting over 20 years of experience in forensic mental health. Throughout his career,
he has held a variety of roles within ward settings and in therapeutic activities, and working closely with patients to support their rehabilitation journey.
In addition to his healthcare work, Richard is a passionate trade union activist and currently serves as a representative for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). He plays an active role in advocacy, sitting on various high level committees, which included attending Gold Command during COVID, and frequently participating in decision-making meetings. Richard also provides crucial support to nurses, representing them in disciplinary hearings, grievances, and offering guidance on workplace matters. Outside of healthcare, Richard is a local Councillor for South Lanarkshire, representing Ward 20, Larkhall. He is also the Deputy Leader and Business Manager of the Conservative Group in South Lanarkshrie.
His leadership extends to his role as Chair of the Planning Committee for South Lanarkshire, in addition to his membership in other key council committees such as Social Work, Finance, and the Executive Committee.
Richard's interests also extend into the realm of magic and hypnosis, which he enjoys both as entertainment and as a therapeutic tool. He has recently trained as a Bowen Therapy practitioner and offers sessions to those suffering from acute pain.
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Married with two sons, Richard enjoys spending his downtime with his family, including his three dogs, while going on holidays and socialising with friends. Although he has never served in the armed forces, Richard is a strong supporter of veterans and serving personnel,
making him a valuable asset to Who Dares Cares.
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Please click on the link below to hear Richard address South Lanarkshire Council in his role as Councillor, presenting an amendment to South Lanarkshire Council’s Armed Forces Community Covenant
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https://www.facebook.com/share/VB5R1vYUVRAtatXa/?mibextid=WC7FNe
REMEMBER THE FALLEN
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TO USE OUR SERVICES
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Service User Contact Information Form - Who Dares Cares - By submitting this form: You agree to the processing of your submitted personal data to Who Dares Cares. Your personal data will be used for internal use by Who Dares Cares volunteers. Your personal data will not be shared with any third parties unless we have your permission.
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To download our user contact please follow this link or scan the QR Code:
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https://forms.wix.com/r/7139009483212063439
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Although the majority of the people we help come from some form of military background, we are also here to help anyone from the Blue Light Services, including their families, who suffer signs and symptoms of PTSD. This can be anything from trauma to a bereavement. While we don’t have any full time staff, our volunteers come from a range of military, health and social care backgrounds, with many having completed courses in counselling.
We also recognise the importance of exercise as part of recovery and we work to encourage this and make this accessible for those who are struggling with PTSD and anxiety related issues. We now have monthly Walk Talk and Brew groups set up across the United Kingdom. These are supported by volunteers or people living with PTSD. The idea is to participate in some gentle exercise, spend time with people who have had similar experiences and have some food and a brew at the end. It is not about suffering from PTSD, it is about learning to live with PTSD!
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WHAT IS PTSD?
PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. Commonly affecting members of the Armed Forces and the Emergency Services, those who have PTSD may suffer from flashbacks, nightmares and feelings of guilt or isolation. According to the NHS, 1 in 3 people who have a traumatic experience will go on to experience PTSD as a result. Who Dares Cares is an Armed Forces and Blue Light Services charity here to provide support for you and your family whenever you need us.
WE'RE ALWAYS HERE
You don’t have to have served in the military to be struggling or to have experienced a trauma. Too many people we come across have found it difficult to access help because they experienced their trauma in the wrong place at the wrong time, had delays in accessing help or do not have the right paperwork. Who Dares Cares aims to support our Armed Forces, Emergency Services and Veterans, including their families, experiencing the effects of trauma through practical support, activities and Buddy Buddy systems so that they should never feel alone.
BUDDY BUDDY PEER SUPPORT
This is a secure and private Facebook group with administration provided by volunteers. It’s a safe space to get peer support or to message administration volunteers privately if you want to have an offline chat. It can be a place to say you are having a bad day but can also be a place to celebrate the good days and success that you experience. You should never feel alone with nowhere to turn.
'WHO DARES CARES'
- WHAT DOES OUR MOTTO MEAN?
The meaning of our motto and charity name is that we dare you to care, to become active in our charity work, to support our activities and to take part and raise funds to help our future activities.
HOW CAN YOU HELP US?
MAKING A DIFFERENCE SINCE 2016
If you’d like to talk to one of our volunteers for friendly, non-judgmental support, call us now on 07341 872805.
Our lines are always open and you can also email us via the form below. We monitor our inbox daily for those in need of support.