The Locksmith Journal Jul-Aug 2014 - Issue 33 | Page 31

PROUD SPONSORS OF THIS PAGE INDUSTRYNEWS Help for Heroes Help for Heroes offers comprehensive support to those who have suffered lifechanging injuries and illnesses while serving our country. This is provided through grants to individuals, other Service charities, capital build projects and our four Recovery Centres across the UK which will offer support for life. The money raised by the hugely generous public has been used to support our wounded, but there is still so much more to do. Soldiers, sailors and airmen who are injured today will still need our support tomorrow and in the days that follow, for the rest of their lives. They are still battling and we won’t let them battle alone. GREAT COMMUNITY SPIRIT, GREAT CAMARADERIE “I love coming to Phoenix House. There’s a great community spirit and I’ve made lots of new friends there. It’s about having a good laugh and recreating the camaraderie that I and all the other veterans miss so much after being discharged from the Services.” Craig has also generously decided to donate five per cent to Phoenix House of any job he arranges for himself – as opposed to a referral from the company that trained him. Mo Usman, Phoenix House Centre Manager, said Craig’s success was a prime example of the Centre’s key aims – to inspire, enable and support. “Craig was one of the Recovery Centre’s first visitors – back when we were running an interim facility while awaiting the completion of our purposebuilt Centre. At the same time as receiving medical help to reduce the pain he was suffering, he has been supported by Help for Heroes in many different ways and, as a result, we have seen him grow in strength and in confidence. “Our role is to help wounded, injured and sick veterans adapt to civilian life and regain their independence and Craig has more than achieved that. We are very proud of him.” To contact Craig, see his website at www. keycommander.co.uk or call 07955 689 418. Anyone who served in the Army, Navy or Royal Air Force who needs the help of Phoenix House Recovery Centre can self-refer by calling 01748 834148. www.helpforheroes.org.uk To read more, visit www.locksmithjournal.co.uk Phoenix House Help for Heroes’ Recovery Centre at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, officially opened in September 2013. The charity had previously operated an interim facility for 18 months. ‘Supporting the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel’ Known as Phoenix House Recovery Centre, it has 50 en-suite bedrooms, including four family rooms, a Support Hub enabling access to a wide range of welfare support, an arts and craft room and training, presentation and IT suites. A gymnasium with specialist equipment, a café and social areas also form part of the new Centre. Unique courses and tailored support are available to recovering serving personnel, veterans and families to help them achieve their long-term goals and aspirations. Activities include educational courses and vocational visits designed to facilitate a smooth transition to civilian life, as well as sporting activities to improve personal independence, raise morale, develop camaraderie with others who have been wounded, and show what can be achieved. DEFENCE RECOVERY CAPABILITY The Defence Recovery Capability is an MOD initiative in partnership with Help for Heroes and Phoenix House is one of several specialist centres supporting the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel to ensure they have access to the key services and resources needed to help them either return to duty or make a smooth transition into an appropriately skilled and supported civilian life. The Defence Recovery Capability is underpinned by substantial financial investment by both MOD and its principal partners Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion; this represents the largest single charitable contribution to the Armed Forces in British history. In addition to Catterick, Recovery Centres are located in Edinburgh, Germany, Tidworth, Colchester and Plymouth. The locations of the Centres have been selected to be at the heart of major areas of military presence and offer residential facilities to those wounded, injured and sick personnel from across the Armed Forces undergoing recovery as well as providing facilities for day attendees; they are not hospitals or rehabilitation centres. THE JUL/AUG 2014 ISSUE SPONSORED BY TRADELOCKS 31