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TEDWORTH HOUSE RECOVERY CENTRE –
“INSPIRE, ENABLE AND SUPPORT”
By WO2 (QMSI) Dean Williams RAPTC
T
edworth House is one of four staff (OC (FTRS), Education Oficer, Welfare
Recovery Centres run by Help for Oficer (FTRS), CSM and RAPTC Battle
Heroes, which forms part of the Back WO (FTRS)) who are responsible for
Defence Recovery Capability. Tedworth delivering the various recovery courses. The
House aims to inspire the wounded, injured Core Recovery Events (CREs) are one and
and sick and returning veterans to lead two week courses run by the Education
active, independent and fulilling lives, which Oficer and are designed to prepare the WIS
will enable them to reach their full potential (Wounded,Injured,Sick) for life outside of
and to support them and their families for the Forces. Whereas the Recovery Support
life. It is a place of opportunities providing Programme is a continuous programme
education, training, sport and adventure of meaningful activities to help develop an
in a relaxed, understanding and caring individual’s social skills, conidence and
environment. State of the art facilities and morale whilst also providing a healthy mix of Phoenix Centre
dedicated staff aid the road to recovery.
itness, education and taster sessions. The
programming, organisation and delivery of
the Recovery Support Programme is the Facilities include 52 en-suite bedrooms
responsibility of the Battle Back WO. A and 4 family rooms, IT suites, classrooms,
typical week on the Recovery Support presentation rooms, Café, games rooms
Programme will include swimming and gym and a state of the art gymnasium (The
sessions, sport and low level AT activities, Phoenix Centre) which houses a main hall
art, cooking, Tai Chi and Yoga, Maths or with a permanent sitting volleyball court,
English and cultural visits to museums. one of the best adaptive strength and
Other Battle Back activities that take place conditioning suites in the country, a SwimEx,
monthly include Ice Sledge Hockey, Rowing, sauna and steam room and a Ski Plex; not
climbing, shooting (clay target, air rile, target to mention the wellbeing cottage where
pistol, full bore and black powder) Fishing residents can receive alternative therapies
WO2 (QMSI) Williams fending off
(ly, course and sea) sailing and other water
such as Indian head massages and hot
Tedworth House residents
stone treatments. Along with the vast array of support staff from sports. Since its opening in Jul 11 Tedworth House has Inspired,
Help for Heroes and the other service charities who now employ Enabled and Supported 530 battle wounded, severely injured and
a number of ex-soldiers including the RAPTC’s very own Martin terminally ill serving and veteran service men and women through
Colclough, Ian McClune and JP Nevin, there are a total of 5 military
some of their darkest moments.
DEFENCE ADAPTIVE SPORT & ADVENTUROUS TRAINING CENTRE (DASATC)
Sgt (SI) C Williams RAPTC
W
hen I irst arrived at the National by ex-RAPTC member, now Mr Dave All of this is made inancially possible by
Sports Centre (NSC) in Lilleshall Bunting MBE.
the Royal British Legion.
and I approached the Battle As part of their Individual Recovery Plans On the back of the success of the MAC
Back building, I was instantly inspired (IRP) Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS) the team have developed a number of 5
by the positive feel to the environment. service men and women come to DASATC day level 2 courses which offer WIS the
Within the irst week I had the chance to to take part in Multi Activity Course (MAC). opportunity to gain civilian recognised
meet the variety of personalities that make This is a ive day course where regardless qualiications in Mountain Biking,
the project function so well.
of condition the coaching team do their Climbing, Archery and Wheel Chair
The four MOD members of staff work upmost to ensure maximum inclusion of Basketball coaching. As an ever evolving
in unison with the Royal British Legion all the WIS. The activities include:
project still in its infancy DASATC looks
(RBL) and a vastly experienced group 1 Wheel Chair Basketball to go from strength to strength, aiding
of outdoor pursuits and adaptive sports 2 Indoor Climbing
service men and women and the road to
coaches from Carnegie Great Outdoors 3 Carpet Bowls
recovery.
(CGO)). The CGO coaches are managed
4 Kayaking
5 Clay Pigeon Shooting
6 Archery
7 Sitting Volleyball
The aim at DASATC is to provide all
WIS personnel with the best possible
experience. The accommodation is
top class which consists of 24 en-suite
bedrooms equipped with lat screen
televisions and free WI-FI. The NSC
restaurant provides a fantstic variety of
food where it is common to “rub shoulders”
with elite athletes such as Beth Tweddle
or Daniel Pervis (GB Gymnastics Squad).
Battle Backers enjoying a pool session
A game of Wheelchair Basketball at DASATC