Resilience is a quality that we all need to protect ourselves from harm and suffering – a toughness almost. For some, these skills are an instinct, already embedded in the wiring of the brain; some individuals can experience difficult emotions like grief, anger and pain, and are able to keep functioning. But for many of us, resilience is something we must learn the hard way; by falling into the bottom of a deep, dark hole before developing the skills we need to climb back into the light.

Last month, FIRE published my article on thriving after trauma, a subject which has inspired me to find stories of personal resilience within the Fire and Rescue Service, in the hope of reassuring our readers that all is never lost, however hard life gets. There is no shame in falling down; there is only inner strength to be gained from building the bridge back to full health.

In partnership with The Fire Fighters Charity, FIRE will be publishing a series of stories from beneficiaries of the charity; stories of courage from people who have had to rebuild their lives after difficult situations have knocked them out of their usual rhythm. The charity is a vital resource for all Fire and Rescue Service personnel – including their spouses, partners and dependants – which provides a range of services suited specifically to the needs of the individual, from a kind word and a gentle recommendation to a full rehabilitation programme and support for the whole family.

Read the full article on our digital issue, pages 79-82.

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