Lived Experience and the Importance of Storytelling  

Storytelling, Soldiering On Awards, and Where the Personal Meets A Community

While storytelling is woven into the fabric of our personal lives and wider communities, it is particularly important in times of tribulations and triumphs when we need to remind ourselves, and each other, of its place in our society.

While statistics are often used to speak for themselves, it is not until stories are personalised that abstract thoughts become tangible experience. On the launch of the 2024 Soldiering On Awards nominations, we can reflect on the achievements of previous finalists who have wonderfully demonstrated the importance of storytelling.

The annual Soldiering On Awards has been unparalleled in affording members of the Armed Forces community a crucial space for reconnecting with likeminded, familiar faces, while also offering opportunities for new connections. By sharing stories and recognising achievement, the event reminds us every year of our common goals. To quote the touching words of Mark Harding, the winner of the 2023 Inspiration Award: “It’s never about the awards; it’s all about the people.” On his 2010 operation in Afghanistan, Mark was shot by a Taliban sniper, resulting in years of intensive treatment and rehabilitation. Since recovering from paralysis to mobility, Mark has not only been an inspiring ambassador, but also a fundraiser devoted to the Armed Forces and local communities – not least ABF The Soldiers’ Charity who nominated Mark for Soldiering On Awards recognition.

By sharing stories of struggle, recovery, and accomplishment, we can not only expand our understandings of how to handle adversity in our own lives, but also nurture empathy beyond our immediate personal experiences. This is valuable at both the personal and community levels: connection across communities can empower and give voice to those who feel their stories would otherwise go untold.

Enabling individuals and communities to support themselves through enterprise lies at the core of our values; stories shared by the Soldiering On Awards serve as a reminder of why our initiatives are so crucial. Crimsham Farm CIC, 2023 winners of the Business Community Impact Award, have exemplified the importance of giving voice to those who may feel marginalised by mainstream models of education – something extremely important to us.

We could go on forever with so many examples from finalists and winners, not only from 2023 but from years previous. Witnessing the success of those driven by inclusivity for all is nothing short of inspiring and reminds us why storytelling can continue to motivate others. Without these stories, and the nominators integral in giving them a voice, many would feel as though their lives are not recognised or represented in society.

The Soldiering On Awards has acted as a valuable platform in sharing the power of storytelling and offering insights into how lived experience can influence communities. We are extremely excited to see how our community will grow as we work with nominators and nominees alike to share more stories and recognise achievement ahead of this year’s awards.