Every war leaves people behind — not only the battlefield, but at home, in the silence after. Veterans who came back but haven't quite returned. Who can't explain what happened, and have stopped trying. The impact is immense — for their families, for their children, for the society.

Hopeful Future works with Ukrainian combat veterans helping to bring them back to themselves. They run small peer-led groups, three days, led by people who've been through the same thing. Many describe it as the first time since leaving service they felt genuinely understood.

Out of 200+ who've been through the programme, six have gone on to become facilitators, leading groups for others. Months of training, hours of travel, all while rebuilding their own lives. They do it because it works — and because other veterans trust them in a way no one else can.

I'm fundraising to support that — to make sure these men can keep going, and that more can follow.