This week Hannah Whittingham, the producer of The Resilience Sessions speaks to presenters Alice Driver, founder of the Making Generation R programme, and Stewart Harris, veteran and Making Generation R speaker. As well as picking out their most poignant and memorable moments from the series, they chat about the Making Generation R programme behind The Resilience Sessions, the impact telling his story has had on Stewart, and about the work of Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity who fund the po...
Jan 20, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In a remastered episode from series 1, Carol Vorderman , television personality and businesswoman, talks with Si Harmer , a former combat medical technician in the British Army, who lost both legs in Afghanistan. Carol and Si discuss their struggles, motivations and how they have cultivated resilience in their own lives. They talk about the importance of gratitude and positivity, how to navigate the complex world of social media, and reflect on how their children bring richness to their lives. T...
Jan 14, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Josh's story will have you gripped - with acceptance and determination to adapt and overcome at its heart, he takes you through his journey of being blown up by an IED aged just 24. 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...
Jan 12, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 6
We talk to Chief Fire Officer and psychologist Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, and veteran and cyclist Josh Boggi, who lost both his legs and an arm in an IED explosion serving in Afghanistan. We discuss identity, refusing to be pigeon-holed, experiencing homelessness, human error, dark humour, and Invictus Games medals. 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,...
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In a remastered episode from series 1, Jonny Benjamin , mental health campaigner and author, talks with Stewart Harris , who was serving with 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb left him with brain damage, partial sight loss and partial hearing loss. Jonny and Stewart share their stories and experiences of mental health challenges up to and beyond the moments that both men tried to end their own lives. They share the many things they are grateful for, celebrate eac...
Jan 07, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Al's story is one of pure grit and determination. Following a motorbike accident, Al was left paralysed from the waist down, he then contracted septicaemia and had to spend a year in a hospital bed. Even his doctor told him - "you're going to have to dig deep to get through this." 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,...
Jan 06, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 5
We talk to former SAS leader and SAS: Who Dares Wins man, Billy Billingham MBE , and veteran and pilot Al Krol, who was left paralysed from the waist down following a motorbike accident. With this dynamic duo we talked about endurance, self-belief, determination, family, and the importance of always going 'a little bit further'. 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...
Jan 06, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In a remastered episode from series 1, Michael Caines , celebrity chef and hotelier, talks with Mark Ormrod , who was serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan when he sustained life-changing injuries and became the UK’s first triple-amputee to survive that conflict. Mark and Michael, who lost an arm in a road traffic accident early in his career, discuss the immediate impact of their injuries and the journey towards recovery and rehabilitation. Both men reflect on the importance of resilien...
Dec 31, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Stephan lost his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. A father to 4 children, he is determined to live life to the fullest! Here is his story. 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 w...
Dec 29, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 4
We talk to singer and comedienne Judith Owen, and veteran Stephan Van Niekerk, who lost his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Together we chatted about childhood instability, the power of music, laughing, mental health, and the importance of asking for help. 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...
Dec 29, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 moti...
Dec 24, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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 –...
Dec 22, 2020•17 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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...
Dec 22, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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...
Dec 17, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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...
Dec 15, 2020•17 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 ...
Dec 15, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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. Bot...
Dec 10, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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 l...
Dec 09, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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 t...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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 Bl...
Dec 05, 2020•1 min
Ken was serving as an Ammunition Technician in the British Army when a fellow soldier became trapped on an IED. In trying to save his friend, Ken sustained life-changing injuries in the blast. Here he tells his story. 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 ...
May 07, 2019•19 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 famil...
May 07, 2019•39 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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. Sha...
Apr 30, 2019•50 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Shaun was aged just 19 and was 6 days from ending a tour of Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED. He lost both his legs above the knee, his left eye, the vision in his right eye and suffered various other injuries. Here, he tells his story. 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 Sim...
Apr 30, 2019•13 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Mark Ormrod was serving with the Royal Marines when on Christmas Eve 2007 he sustained life-changing injuries that led to him becoming the first triple-amputee from the UK to survive the Afghanistan conflict. Here, he tells his story. 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 Harm...
Apr 23, 2019•19 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Michael Caines, celebrity chef and hotelier,talks with Mark Ormrod , who was serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan when he sustained life-changing injuries and became the UK’s first triple-amputee to survive that conflict. Mark and Michael, who lost an arm in a road traffic accident early in his career, discuss the immediate impact of their injuries and the journey towards recovery and rehabilitation. Both men reflect on the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of advers...
Apr 23, 2019•51 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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 ...
Apr 16, 2019•43 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Nerys Pearce served in the British Army for four years, but it was while back in the UK that she was left paralysed from the chest down when a car reversed over her. Here, she tells her story. 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 S...
Apr 16, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Stewart Harris was serving with 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb left him with brain damage, partial sight loss and partial hearing loss. Here, he tells his story. Please note that this episode features discussion of suicide and other subjects that some listeners may find upsetting. For information on useful helplines please follow this link: https://blesma.org/media/444283/resources.pdf The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campai...
Apr 09, 2019•9 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Carol Vorderman, television personality and businesswoman, talks with Si Harmer , a former combat medical technician in the British Army, who lost both legs in Afghanistan. Carol and Si discuss their struggles, motivations and how they have cultivated resilience in their own lives. They talk about the importance of gratitude and positivity, how to navigate the complex world of social media, and reflect on how their children bring richness to their lives. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired...
Apr 09, 2019•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1
