Hostage International launches bespoke Family Reintegration Service

Hostage International is launching a bespoke family integration service to offer extra help for families and former hostages as they readjust to life together after release.

This innovative intervention follows a successful pilot project conducted last year.  It offers a unique opportunity for couples or families – including close loved-ones – to share and talk about their individual experiences stemming from the trauma of the hostage situation and to work towards planning for the future together.

The project is being led by Dr Nicola Lester, a mental health nurse trained in mediation, who specialises in working with people affected by crisis and psychological trauma in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, including hostage crises.

This niche service is intended to offer former hostages and their families a time-limited, family-focused therapeutic intervention to support reintegration post-release.

Dr Lester explains: “We see extreme challenges for returning hostages and their families as they try to navigate their way through this incredibly difficult time when tensions and differences inevitably arise.

“We hope that through this service we can help family members navigate and resolve any areas of difference and tension to then enable them to plan for the future together.”

This new service seeks to support family members to share their experiences and create a shared dialogue as a family.

Dr Lester added: “What we know is that strong family relationships can be incredibly protective in the aftermath of any trauma.

“This project aims to strengthen relationships and to be proactive in addressing and negotiating areas of difference so that a shared story of what has happened can emerge.”

This family integration service has been developed in response to the fact that in over 20 years of Hostage International’s existence – and supporting more than 500 people – we have seen that one of the most complex times is after release.

Lara Symons, CEO of Hostage International, said: “We regularly witness that one of the most challenging times for people is after release as families try to rekindle some sense of ‘normality’.

“However, when individuals in families have been through the same trauma but from very differing perspectives, it can lead to difficulties in readjusting to life and their relationships.

“We hope that this project will help alleviate some of these difficulties to help build a more positive future.”

Hostage International is seeking funding to support this project. If you are interested, please contact [email protected].

The charity is always grateful for any gifts to help our work with families and former hostages, find out more and find out how you can support us here.

Read more about Dr Lester: www.nicolalester.co.uk

January 2026