Armed Forces Week 2025: Honouring Service, Supporting Recovery

As we mark both Armed Forces Day and Reserves Day this week, we honour the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community.

Armed Forces Week encompasses both Armed Forces Day (28th June) and Reserves Day (25th June), opportunities to celebrate the full breadth of our military community.

We acknowledge the serving personnel who defend the UK and its interests worldwide, promoting peace and providing security; the Veterans who have served at any time, including National Servicemen, Regulars and Reserves; the Reservists who balance civilian careers with military readiness; the over 135,000 cadets developing life skills across 3,000 locations; and the families whose support enables our Armed Forces to do their vital work.

While public tributes and events are important expressions of our gratitude, many service men and women need our support long after their active service has ended—sometimes decades later.

Simon’s Story

Take Simon, a Welsh Guards Veteran who served in the Falklands and Northern Ireland. For forty years, he carried the trauma from an explosion aboard the Sir Galahad that took the lives of his platoon.

“For forty years I have suffered with physical burns and trauma from the explosion. A recent trigger brought it all back in force, together with the nightmares and the guilt of my survival.”

That's when Simon made the call to PTSD Resolution.

Registered charity PTSD Resolution was founded in 2009, and is dedicated to assisting UK Veterans, Reservists and family members struggling to reintegrate into everyday life. The charity is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services (QNVMHS). With 4,500 referrals to date, it provides free, prompt and effective therapy, available in-person, online or by phone—through a network of 200 therapists across the UK.

“I am back to being me again…”

Using a technique called the Human Givens ‘Rewind,’ Simon's therapist helped him process trauma that had haunted him for decades.

“PTSD Resolution—in one hour, using this technique—have sorted it all out! Everything was explained to me, I was very relaxed. My therapist said it isn't even necessary to relay the details to her, she just cracked on with getting the thing processed.”

The results speak for themselves:

“I am back to being me again, sleeping well and I'm moving forward. I'm really well! I wouldn't have believed it, if I hadn't experienced it myself. I am eternally grateful.”

Simon’s story reminds us that supporting our forces is a long-term commitment. It means ensuring that support is always available—even decades after service has concluded.

Recognising Our Reserves

This year's Armed Forces Week also includes Reserves Day, on Wednesday 25th June, highlighting a group whose contribution often goes unrecognised. Reservists balance civilian careers with military service, giving up their spare time to ensure they're ready when their country needs them. They make up approximately one-sixth of our Armed Forces personnel and are currently supporting operations worldwide, particularly in specialist areas like medical and cyber capabilities.

The dual nature of Reserve service—maintaining civilian employment whilst being ready for military deployment—can create unique pressures. PTSD Resolution recognises this, extending free treatment to Reservists and their families.