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DDR AND REHABILITATION
HQ DEFENCE REHABILITATION AND HEAD OF ERI CADRE
Maj (MAA) W Young RAPTC
Amixed year with fragmented areas of development sporadically spread across the face of Defence Rehabilitation and now with the complication of COVID-19. WO1 (SMI) Andy Balwah (now Capt (MAA) Balwah) provided a comprehensive handover to WO1 (SMI) Slade-Jones who arrived in July 2019 throwing himself into his new role from Defence Rehabilitation Planning to delivery.
My arrival as the SO2 Defence Rehabilitation soon followed, delivering frontline planning under the direction of SO1 Defence Rehabilitation Plans, Lt Col Sue Pope. HQ DPHC reshuffled footprint to support a more realistic population at risk (PAR) resulted in a drawdown or closing of all Rehabilitation Units in Germany leaving a single PCRF facility in the Sennelager region. RRU Aldergrove also downsized to an enhanced PCRF as part of a manning reduction of OR6/OR7 rank ranged posts across Rehabilitation Units.
However, not all negative news; growth within the Rehabilitation world continues – the introduction of RAF Aki PCRF Cyprus in the coming months, JSERI accreditation with Birmingham City University (BCU) (as a result of the excellent work by Maj (MAA) Hughes RAPTC and Flt Lt Evans (RAF)) and further, work
conducted by JSSERI team lead by Sqn Ldr Smailes RAF and WO1 (SMI) Matt Arthur RAPTC updating the Assessment Strategy to bring it into line with the academic requirements - BCU of a Level 6 course. On behalf of the team, I will take this opportunity to pass on many congratulations to WO1 (SMI) Matt Arthur on his commission in the RAPTC.
Future students will receive an Advanced Diploma in Defence Rehabilitation. If they already hold a Level 6 qualification, they will obtain a Post Graduate Certificate in Defence Rehabilitation. Unfortunately, this qualification will only be available to students who graduate from the current JSERI courses 2020 and onwards. Further collaboration between JSSERI, CIMSPA, FSEM and REPS to accredit the JSERIs qualification is ongoing.
The main effort this year will be affected by the continued battle to rid the UK from an awful epidemic and HQ DPHC Assistant Head of Rehabilitation and the Defence Consultant Advisor are driving Defence Rehabilitation in support of COVID-19.
Defence Rehabilitation Team wish you and your families good health during this challenging time.
BATTLE BACK AT DMRC STANFORD HALL
WO2 (QMSI) M Asher RAPTC
What is Battle Back? Battle Back (BB) is a Tri-Service initiative which uses adventure training and Sport to compliment and accelerate the Biopsychosocial rehabilitation of wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) Service personnel. The use of adventure training and sport has a proven track record to aid successful physical, psychological and social rehabilitation providing the foundation for the development of a positive self- image and outlook on life. BB lays the foundation for an injured service person to start to rebuild both physically and mentally. Physical development is a key component in recovery, and BB activities are designated to promote confidence and independence whilst accelerating physical, psychological and social recovery.
During my first six months as the Battle Back WO, I was split between DMRC Headley Court, and the newly opened Stanford Hall in Loughborough. The BB set up had been running smoothly for 10 years and had acquired an extensive network of sports coaches and enablers who assisted in the delivery of sport and adventure training. Due to the transition, this wealth of experience was unfortunately lost. It was important that a new network of coaches and providers were recruited to ensure that the same quality of delivery experienced at Headley Court would remain at Stanford Hall. After spending weeks in meetings and visiting
Capt O’Neil RA and WO2 (QMSI) Asher RAPTC instructing on Ex Snow Avatar 19
sports facilities, BB was firmly up and running once again. The daily programme at Stanford Hall sees the patients follow a specific timetable that includes a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. BB activities supplement this daily programme with activities such as wheelchair basketball, indoor climbing, fishing, paddle sports, clay pigeon shooting and archery.
To compliment daily BB activities there are several AT expeditions that run annually. All BB AT course are delivered out of the Drei Muhlen Multi Activity Lodge in Wertach, Bavaria. Exped’s such as Ex Snow Warrior, Timmy’s Paddle (kayaking) and Ex Spider Pig (rock climbing) have been successfully delivered for the past 10 years benefitting hundreds of beneficiaries. To ensure the programme continues to evolve, snowboarding and mountain biking were introduced in 2019.
Ex Dragons Ride 19 was the first adaptive mountain bike Exped delivered through the BB initiative. The primary aim of Ex Dragons Ride 19 was to conduct an adaptive cycling Exped which expose’s all students to a higher level of activity. This exposure is designed to inspire students to attend proficiency courses or take up cycling as a leisure activity and realise their new and heightened abilities. The secondary aim was to expose BB Staff to adaptive techniques required and practice the hard and soft skills needed when working with wounded, injured or sick (WIS) service personnel.
The End of an Era. Due to funding restriction’s, the future structure of BB at Stanford Hall is changing. For the past 10 years all BB activities have been funded by Help 4 Heroes, unfortunately, this funding line stopped in February 2020. Over the past ten years there has been an abundance of adventure training and sport delivered which has benefited hundreds of WIS personnel. A huge thank you must be passed on to BB Recreational Adventure Therapist (RAT), Mr Ash Clare, who has dedicated 10 years of his life to ensure that BB continued to evolve. A vote of thanks must also be passed to Help 4 Heroes who have kindly funded every activity for the past ten years.