MANY people have benefited from the Peace Centre since it opened. 

Below we hear from two case studies who do not know where they would be now without the charity's help. 

Graham Matthews: A soldier's tale. 

Nothing is more difficult than speaking of things that are neither demonstrable nor verifiable but the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation offers a safe environment where it is possible to speak out. The Sharing Experiences Residential that I attended helped me to take a step closer to making real the incidents and the memories that are caused by my self-inflicted guilt.
My story can be traced to events over thirty years ago and over this time my “wound” has festered making me unable to fulfil my responsibilities to myself and others. It took a work colleague to point out my abnormal behaviour before I admitted to having a problem: previously noticed and commented on over a couple of years by my wife but dismissed by me.
With help from a variety of sources I started to speak about the events of the past and was told of the Foundation. An invitation to take part in “Sharing Experiences” was made and I was keen to take part. However as I was, and to a large extent still am, unable to tell my story to my wife, (this is not abnormal, as the fear of telling one’s story may impact a sense of guilt, grief or misunderstanding on those who care for us) it took a little time before my wife would agree to come with me.
I believe that her presence at the residential was of great benefit to others as well as me; in some ways perhaps her presence enabled others, who were to speak openly for the first time, to address themselves to her as a substitute carer.
The carer’s story is significant in the healing process and they themselves, despite being removed from the event, take-on a role as a victim.
The need for total anonymity of each other’s story was especially significant in individuals telling their story: this sense of security must be without compromise.
Throughout the weekend all the participants have space to share their experience of conflict without fear and shame. There was no judgement by the other participants and by listening and sharing each other’s story, however humbling one’s own story is, the effect was one of individual and group strength.
For myself I gained self-respect and a tremendous rush of energy after attending; for my wife she was exhausted but welcomed the experience and understood a greater sense of speaking out to those in her role. Together we both felt great compassion and humility for everyone else and a rewarding sense of privilege to be a listener to others who are troubled as a result of conflict.
No-one’s story is less significant than anyone else’s and the effects of guilt, the feeling of uselessness or the debilitating illness that afflicts those of us who directly or indirectly experience conflict, need to be listened to.
Sharing Experiences by itself cannot mend an individual but the process and the respect gained by the individual’s account helps make concrete and balance what the memory might recall as unarguable.
I urge any who are similarly troubled by conflict to put their trust in the Foundation for Peace. Perhaps their care, compassion and discipline resulted in the bonding of those taking part and even though individuals may have represented opposite sides of the divide of conflict, the love or closeness among us was very evident.

Lisa French: London 7/7 bombing victim

After I was injured on July 7th 2005, in Tavistock Square, I had tried to find a charity working to prevent terrorism, but it took me until five years ago when I was lucky enough to see Colin Parry speaking on TV about the Foundation on the 15th Anniversary.
The Foundation is unique in so many ways – firstly it is the only UK charity which supports those impacted by terrorism.  Support services set up following the 7/7 attacks have now closed, leaving the Foundation as the only specialist organisation who are able to support us. Although a local Warrington Charity its network and the people who come through its doors come from all over the world.
The Peace Centre for me is the difference between becoming a victim or a survivor.  I am a survivor.
I have always seen myself as a survivor, but without the Foundations help I could easily have become a victim. As a survivor of 7/7 my greatest desire is that no-one else should ever have to endure what we did that day, or have to live with the effects as we do. Not only does the Foundation support and empower us, but it enables us to be able to take a direct role in preventing terrorism. For me, these are my most healing days. They are the days when what I went through is not only ok, but I actually feel at peace because of it. I cannot describe the feeling when I know I have been able to use my experience to help others as I am able to at the Foundation.
Because of the Foundation  I have had the opportunity to meet, and work for Peace with the most inspiring people. I have spoken with young people, former combatants, and other survivors; each one has inspired me and given me hope. From the other survivors I have learnt I am not alone, and from the former combatants I have met, I have learnt that I share more in common with them than most people could imagine. When listening to why they may have chosen violence in the past, I have heard and felt so many of the same emotions as I have felt myself since being injured. I have heard the reasons why eventually, they left violence and are now catalysts for peaceful change. We all share that common ground, we have felt the same things, we have experienced things that most people won’t and because of that we can work together for peace in the future.
The most inspiring people I have spoken with at the Foundation are the young people, to help them understand the personal impact of political violence; and I in turn would learn so much from them, and the questions they have for me. The groups of young people never fail to inspire me with the most interesting – and difficult questions, I ever get asked.
I’ve also had the opportunity to speak with police officers, politicians and academics, from whom I’ve been able to understand so much more about the causes and solutions to violent conflict; and I am able to take that learning back to my own local community.
I know my personal journey of recovery and growth since 7/7 would have been very different if the Peace Centre did not exist.
I feel great sadness that Tim and Johnathan are not here with us today, as they should be; but I am filled with gratitude to the boy’s parents for creating a legacy of Peace in their name.
Tim and Johnathan, you will never be forgotten. We will remember you this year 20 years on, and continue to remember you and build peace in your names.
I will carry your memory in my heart until I take my last breath