our story

Heather, FWC Founder shares:

I served 10 years in the Regular Army before the pressures of bringing up a young family with both my husband and I serving meant that we had to make the difficult decision for me to leave.  In the military, I thought I appreciated how tough it was for forces families but it wasn’t until I immersed myself in the community that I truly understood.

While serving I had the opportunity to go on operations, exercises, lead expeditions – I took full advantage of all the opportunities for adventure and excitement that a military career offers.  I had a sense of purpose, identity, I was part of a team and felt that incredible sense of belonging that being a member of the military generates.

When I left and entered this community I didn’t know what to expect.  I’m ashamed to say that I was completely blinkered to all of this and staggeringly I believed that I was somehow different.  I wondered if I would have anything in common with these women or if I would make any friends? I was to be very pleasantly surprised.  Every pre-conceived idea was shattered and on posting after posting I found a diverse, dynamic and resilient group of women who had all made incredible sacrifices to support their partner’s careers in the Armed Forces.

This was the ‘Secret Life of A Forces Wife’, each with their unique story to tell and own mix of skills and experiences.  It got me thinking …. imagine what you could achieve if you harnessed these skills and united this community through adventure and challenge.  A challenge that had been chosen, organised and delivered by them to celebrate their drive, ambition, strength and, above all, support for each other.  And so the Forces Wives Challenge was conceived. 

Together we can Achieve Anything

Steph, FWC Operations Manager shares:

Having always been an independent person with a career, friends, hobbies and a settled life, I imagined myself and my Husband would continue to live ‘unaccompanied’ until he eventually retired from the Army. It suited our family, our young son was settled at nursery and my Husband spent as much time at home with us as he could. However in 2019 our lives dramatically changed when I became suddenly very unwell and went on to subsequently be diagnosed with a neurological condition. I became fully dependant on a wheelchair and due to a whole host of other symptoms, required care to help me with all daily tasks. This gave our family the push to make a change. We realised we needed to be properly together, and just 4 months later myself and our son moved 180 miles away into our first quarter to join Jon at his posting.

As I found a way to negotiate life as a disabled person, whilst focusing on my new role of stay-at-home Mum and housewife, I also realised how isolating life can be for a military spouse when living in a new area, without friends or family. This was when I stumbled across Forces Wives Challenge and felt this overwhelming pull to be involved. As a disabled person, I knew my place was never going to be signing up to walk a mountain with other members, but instead offered my help in a different capacity. From there, my role quickly developed and I finally felt that I had found my new ‘place’ in life.

Although my role mostly keeps me in front of a computer screen managing the day to day running of FWC, you will also find me joining in with various challenges. Working with FWC has also ignited my passion and hunger for adventure once again, and our members’ inspiring journeys has given me the drive to push my limits, despite my disability.

Anna, FWC Adventure Academy Manager & Event Coordinator shares:

I have spent 19 years so far as a military wife, across 12 postings with 2 children and 1 career lost along the way - my story may sound familiar to many other military spouses. I joined FWC to climb Ben Nevis in 2021, and haven’t looked back since! I have taken part in many adventures since, as well as gaining Outdoor First Aid and Lowland Leader qualifications with FWC. 

I have always enjoyed being outdoors and the first thing I do once we’re settled in a new posting is buy the local OS map and get out and explore. I’m planning to use my Lowland Leader qualification to lead walks for FWC around my local area, to encourage and enable other FWC members to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

The opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone on FWC events has really helped me to gain confidence and be open to new challenges. I have now become part of the FWC team working part time as FWC’s new Adventure Academy Manager and helping coordinate challenges. 

OUR VISION

Our leaping lady inspires a global community of women to believe that ‘TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING’

JOIN US

We'd love it if you joined us - whether it's to take part in a challenge, support an event, spread the word or simply join our network of talented, experienced and skilled women through our Facebook group.