WOMEN whose husbands are in the Armed Forces are proud beyond words.

However, they can also feel lonely, isolated, and, in some cases, unstable.

It is a similar feeling for some when they leave the Army and lose the structure to their lives.

But the Forces Wives Challenge offers an opportunity for the band of sisters to give each other support and purpose.

The national initiative, which has a Colchester branch, inspires a network of wives to come together to seek adventure and create, organise and participate in their own challenges.

It unites communities and raises awareness of the sacrifices the wives make for their husbands.

Anna Bryant, 30, is one of seven Colchester members.

She herself is ex-military having served all over the world in the British Army Intelligence Corps for ten years.

She joined the group having felt she had lost a piece of herself after leaving the Army.

The mum-of-two said: “The group is open to anyone and it’s something we would like to continue doing.

“I have been part of the group since March when we had a taster weekend. We did some camping and a coastal walk in Wales.

“Most of the Forces Wives are based in Wales but there is a small contingent in Colchester.

“As a Forces Wife you cope with loneliness and isolation, you are moving around so much and it’s hard to settle in a community.

“We want to do something for ourselves and find something that unites us.

“It also aims to highlight the mental health issues we face.”

The group has already raised money for military charities such as Ripple Pond and the Royal British Legion.

The most recent challenge was the Three Peaks Challenge, which took place earlier this month.

The task was to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon.

Their ultimate challenge will be to climb Ojos del Salado, a volcano between Chile and Argentina.

The women are in training for this challenge, which will take place early next year.

The tasks test their physical and mental strength, something they are familiar with from their military days.

Mrs Bryant added: “Especially when your partner is away there is constant worry. You can go days or even weeks without speaking to them.

“There is so much moving around, there isn’t a chance to have much independence. You lose a bit of your identity.”

Anna and her family are on their fourth house in four years.

Each time their children, aged four and two, have had to get used to a new environment.

For the time being her husband, who is 37, is based in Colchester.

She added: “I have been in Colchester for a year and I don’t really feel like I have settled into the community or have made friends.

“This group has made me feel part of something again.

“We have been training in Wales, we all go down together in a minibus and we try to meet as and when we can. We are also looking to try to organise a challenge in Colchester.”

While serving, both women and their husbands had the opportunity to go on operations, exercises and lead expeditions.

They were able to embrace the adventure and excitement a military career offers.

After leaving the Army that sense of purpose can seem lost.

But for the Forces Wives, the message is ‘Together we can Achieve Anything.’ To find out more visit forceswiveschallenge.org.