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A story world in development

Six ways forward

Meet the
Steady Ground Six.

Same light, different strengths. Weathered on the outside and brighter within, the light is already there, and Steady Ground creates the conditions to use it. Each role carries one of the six strengths the programme is designed to develop, and each has a blind spot, like the rest of us.

Running through all six is how people treat one another, with good judgement, integrity and effort directed beyond themselves.

The Steady Ground Six

Point at a file to open it, or click to keep it open.Tap a file to open it.Swipe through all six, and tap a file to open it.

  • Harbour, Belonging

    Harbour, one of the Steady Ground Six, broad and sturdy with a glowing amber core, in a forest green knit, holding a mug and opening a hand in welcome.

    “I have somewhere I belong.”

    Harbour is the warm social centre of the group, big, perceptive and usually the first to notice who’s standing alone, who hasn’t eaten or who feels out of place. He makes people feel included without making a performance of it, and his humour relaxes a room.

    Blind spot. He’s so good at making space for everyone else that he can quietly drop off his own list of people worth looking after.

  • Pathfinder, Agency

    Pathfinder, one of the Steady Ground Six, tall and lean with a glowing amber core, wearing a rucksack and holding a folded map.

    “I can choose my direction.”

    Pathfinder is curious, mobile and always looking for another route. She sees choices where other people see dead ends, and rather than telling someone what to do, she shows them the options they actually have.

    Blind spot. Possibility excites her, so she can find the next path before she’s properly finished walking this one.

  • Forge, Capability

    Forge, one of the Steady Ground Six, broad and blocky with a glowing amber core, in a rust red jumper, holding out a spanner with a tool roll under one arm.

    “I can learn to do difficult and useful things.”

    Forge is practical, hands-on and technically minded. He likes to understand how things work and takes real satisfaction in a job done properly. He teaches by getting alongside people rather than lecturing them, and has little patience for shortcuts that make more work later.

    Blind spot. Competence can turn into control. When someone is struggling, his instinct is to take the tool and finish the job himself instead of letting them learn.

  • Ascent, Resilience

    Ascent, one of the Steady Ground Six, the tallest, with a pointed head and a glowing amber core, in a long camel coat, checking the watch on her wrist.

    “I can meet challenge and keep going.”

    Ascent is disciplined, composed and extremely persistent. She knows most difficult things are achieved through repetition, patience and turning up again once the excitement has worn off. She isn’t a motivational speaker. She simply keeps going.

    Blind spot. Determination can become stubbornness, and she can keep pushing long after changing direction would have been the wiser move.

  • Beacon, Purpose

    Beacon, one of the Steady Ground Six, with a glowing amber core, in a brown leather flying jacket, writing in a small notebook.

    “I know what I am moving towards.”

    Beacon notices what actually matters when everyone else is distracted by noise, urgency or ego. He’s calm, observant and dependable, with a dry sense of humour and a habit of quietly keeping promises.

    Blind spot. Because he’s good at priorities, he can start deciding what should matter to other people, and forget that fun, friendship and doing nothing useful at all are worthwhile too.

  • Steward, Contribution

    Steward, one of the Steady Ground Six, long-armed with a glowing amber core, in a patched denim jacket, carrying a canvas bag and holding out a pencil.

    “I have something useful to give other people.”

    Steward spots the useful job before anyone has asked for a volunteer. He carries, prepares, fixes, organises, reaches the awkward shelf and somehow has the exact small thing someone needs in a pocket. He doesn’t need recognition to contribute.

    Blind spot. He’s so used to being useful that receiving help can feel far more uncomfortable than giving it.

Inspire

Everybody has something valuable inside them.

This isn’t a story about war. It’s a story about what comes next.

A story world in development.

Reality will always be the hero. As Steady Ground grows, real veterans, real activities and the flagship itself will become the main pictures. The Steady Ground Six carry the philosophy.

They let us talk about strength, change and contribution in a way anyone can step into, without asking a single person to put their own story on display. They’re for veterans, service leavers and their families, and for everyone who meets them.

  • 01

    Illustrated stories

    Picture stories that follow The Six through ordinary firsts, a first visit, a first repair and a first time helping someone else.

  • 02

    Short films and animation

    Short, quiet animated pieces in the spirit of the artwork, for the website, events and campaigns.

  • 03

    Family content

    Stories veterans can share at home, about one chapter ending and the next one beginning.

  • 04

    Learning and campaigns

    Simple ways to explain the six strengths to newcomers, partners and the public.

Nothing has been commissioned yet. The Six come first, and the stories will grow with the community. If you write, illustrate, animate or produce and this speaks to you, we’d like to hear from you.

Be part of it

The real story starts with people.

The Six carry the idea. The community makes it real. Join the founding group, or tell us what you could bring.

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