Page 61 - Mercian Eagle 2016

Unit Welfare Office
There has been plenty of activity centred around the Unit Welfare office this year. During this period the Battalion have deployed to Poland and most recently
Capt Mason has had to arrange plenty of activities for the children’s summer holidays.
In March the welfare office had a visit from the children of Dee Point Primary School. The children were well hosted by the UWO staff and were taken on a tour of Dale Barracks where they were given a brief overview of our Light Role Infantry Battalion and also had a chance to get hands on our kit and equipment which the soldiers use every day. After meeting the Commanding Officer, the children were taken to the Gymnasium where they had the opportunity to try out a mini assault course. At the end of an exhausting afternoon the children were each presented with a “goody bag”from the Unit Welfare Officer Capt Jason Peach.
In June Capt Peach handed over the reins of Welfare Officer to Captain Tony Mason. Summer soon arrived and with
the kids off from school, the focus now
for the welfare team was to supply an endless list of activities to keep all the children entertained. Activities included taking a group of thirty 8-16 year olds on
a camping experience to Poulton-le-Fylde (Blackpool). The trip was funded by the Royal British Legion Adventure Breaks and gave the young people a unique opportunity to participate in some fun activities and camp out for two nights. The welfare team worked hard to ensure the three days were a success. The participants were afforded the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities from Mountain Biking, Kayaking and Wakeboarding to Archery and a high ropes course and by all accounts a great time was had by all.
The new school year heralded the reopening of the Sunshine Nursery after a refurbishment which took place during the month of August. The newly configured space now gives the youngest members of our military community a bespoke space in which to learn during these vital formative years.
The welfare team are already planning this year’s Halloween Party and Bonfire Night. CSgt Burgess will be working tirelessly,
as he always does to deliver quality family events for the Dale community, culminating with the children’s Christmas Party in December.
Later on this year CSgt Burgess will start his preparation to transition into civilian
life, after completing his final two years in service as a lynchpin in the Unit Welfare Office. I would like to wish CSgt Burgess all the best for the future, we will all sorely miss him when he eventually moves onto pastures new.
Capt Jason Peach handing over to Capt Tony Mason UWO June 2016
Cpl CheshireThe Dale, ChesterMar 16 with the children from Dee Point Primary School
Col Nick Makin OBE/Col AWS/Blackpool/Aug 2016 visiting and participating with children from the Dale Community during our camping trip
AWS CDO Cheryl Parkinson/Blackpool/Aug 16 with children from The Dale community trying out their new skills in archery
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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