Page 157 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

Another eventful year at RRU Bulford. I started the year continuing with the dual role of Regional Trade Specialist Advisor (RSTA) whilst still supporting DPHC (CWX) with the vaccination programme. With the government’s push to have everyone double/triple vaccinated and the RRU running fewer rehab courses, due to COVID restrictions, we were able to support the drive by converting the gym hall to a vaccination centre for local units deploying.
Now that COVID measures are slowly reducing, the RRU is back into full swing and running 4, 3 week courses each month. Luckily our staffing has allowed this rehab output, but luckier still, with full staffing, I am fortunate enough to have 3 great RAPTCIs working with me.
Sgt (SI) Jay Shaw is an ERI with a wealth of knowledge in rehab. He has joined the RRU on a second tour from PCRF Blandford. As well as delivering excellent rehab on the RRU courses, you will often find Jay out and about at Unit health fairs, educating service personnel about the importance of injury prevention; or delivering In-service training (IST) to local unit AAPTIs in the region.
Sgt (SI) Rich Edwards is also on his second ERI tour. His knowledge from his time at RRU Cosford has been so refreshing and ensured we have remained current in our delivery methods. Rich has unknowingly become the IT expert for the RRU, partly because his IT knowledge is far greater than mine, but mainly because he is much more patient.
The newest RAPTCI ERI posted into the RRU is Sgt (SI) Josh Exton. Although Josh is fresh off the JSSERI course, he has embedded into the RRU team like a breath of fresh air. Being the most supple and flexible person, I’ve met, Josh has become our warrior/yoga guru. His infamous sessions have seen him high in demand with local brigades and units, to deliver warrior/yoga sessions on their PT lessons.
RRU Vaccination Centre
WO2 (QMSI) D Gledhill RAPTC
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REGIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT (RRU) BULFORD
This year, as part of the RTSA role, I’ve been able to get out and about and visit the RAPTCI ERIs in my region, which has been great. A big thing I have wanted to get back online was Regional ERI In-Service Training. Recently we held the first training session of 2022. It was a great chance for all to share best practice and have a catch up. SSgt Liam (Beachy) Beach and Sgts Andrew (Plummy) Plumridge, Seb John, James Bambury, Conor Holmes and Chris Scott were all in attendance, giving a great RAPTC representation and setting the example to all the civilian ERIs from the region.
This year will see me move on once again from rehab and back into the mainstream way of life. The RRU will be in good hands though, as my old RAPTC Football centre midfield partner, WO2 (QMSI) Neil Craven is coming in as the new RTSA to take the helm.
INFANTRY TRAINING CENTRE PRIMARY CARE REHABILITATION FACILITY
SSgt (SSI) K Richardson RAPTC
Rehabilitation within ITC PCRF remains a pivotal part of this training establishment during these uncertain times, ensuring that recruits pass out and commence
with a military career injury free. Fully fit remains our focus; on an average week 50+ recruits will attend sessions set out to ensure that the exercises specific to their injury and core components of fitness are worked on, pushing the recruits to a level of fitness above that of what they started training at and are returned injury free to training teams.
Following on from an established Rehab program that had been designed to be adaptable to all injury types with a realistic timeframe for recovery, ensuring that the team remains up-to- date with the latest guidelines is required. This is imperative to ensuring what is delivered is constantly reviewed, updated and relevant to the Rehab world.
Recognition of this was highlighted in the previous year with a Departmental Commendation and now with the continual drive to better the department WO2 McGregor (newly promoted to WO1) was given an ARITC GOC Commendation. With a
movement of staff coming later in the year, the drive to maintain this standard has already begun.
The saying ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’ is something that is driven within the department, and from that saying, both the ‘old boys’ WO2 McGregor and SSgt Richardson trained hard throughout the year to go head-to-head and compete against each other in Ironman Mallorca 21, only coming in 10-mins apart, the expectations of the incoming and current staff to match or compete in such arduous activities is always welcomed with open arms; this has proven to help produce and keep the team’s morale, positivity and productivity at a high level.
Teamwork and socialisation are driven hard within the department which has helped the staff build an environment that ensures all that come through the PCRF have a positive and memorable experience that will remain with them for a long time. The support provided from the staff also enables all PS and Recruits to return to a good level of fitness and sometimes a higher-level injury free. With everything that happened in the world in the last few years this will continue to be our focus.