Centre launched to help Britain’s wounded, injured and sick Service men and women
30 June 2011
The first injured Service personnel are
preparing to stay in Tedworth House, the newest of the Army's
Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centres (PRACs). Key facilities
such as temporary residential accommodation, classrooms, catering
facilities and a gymnasium are up and running, which will allow up
to 26 recovering Armed Forces personnel to move in during
July.
Tedworth House is just one centre in the network of five Personnel Recovery Centres that form part of the Army Recovery Capability, a Tri-Service MoD venture supported by The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, and involving other Service charities. These centres will, within a military environment, deliver co-ordinated support to recovering personnel from across the Armed Forces.
Tedworth House, set in the heart of Tidworth Garrison, Wiltshire, one of the Army's largest Garrison towns, will provide comprehensive support to wounded, injured and sick personnel and their families. Renovation work at Tedworth House is due to be completed in Spring next year and, when fully open, the centre will be able to provide comprehensive support and residential accommodation for up to 50 wounded, injured and sick personnel from all three Services in the south of England.
The Legion's Board of Trustees has committed £3.5 million over ten years towards the operating costs of the Centre and will also provide welfare support and advice to residents.
Chris Simpkins, Director General of The Royal British Legion, said: "The Royal British Legion stands shoulder to shoulder with all who serve, so the Legion's support for the Army Recovery Capability is central to our welfare strategy in this our 90th year, and well beyond.
"We are delighted that we will be contributing to the operating costs of this Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centre, as well as providing welfare support and advice to residents. We support the men and women who have given so much for our country - whether they return to duty or move into civilian life. That is what the Legion has been doing for 90 years.
"The support this Centre will provide is vitally needed, and the wounded, injured and sick deserve nothing less. The Royal British Legion will continue to support them, and their families, for the rest of their lives."
The Royal British Legion has committed £50 millon overall to support the Army Recovery Capability programme, the largest single donation in its history. The funding will be used to establish and run the Defence Adaptive Sport and Adventurous Training Centre, to be known as The Royal British Legion Battle Back Centre. The remainder will fund the operating costs of the Personnel Recovery Centres in Edinburgh and Colchester , the other Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centre which will be in Catterick and contribute to the operating costs of Tedworth House. The Legion will also fund a Personnel Recovery Facility in Germany in its totality at an additional cost of £500,000.
Private Josh Campbell, 21, from 23 Pioneer Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, was injured in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was travelling in struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He said: "It's been really tough since I was injured in 2009 but the treatment I received at Selly Oak and Headley Court has been brilliant and the support I get from the Personnel Recovery Unit has been fantastic. I'm really looking forward to taking advantage of all the great support facilities Tedworth House has to offer."
Brigadier Mike Griffiths, Director Personnel Services (Army), said: "This is a great achievement in the delivery of the Army Recovery Capability and one which pays tribute to the strong relationships that have been forged between the Ministry of Defence, Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion. The Army Recovery Capability represents a significant enhancement to the way we care for our wounded, injured and sick personnel from across the Armed Forces - it ensures that our personnel have access to the right care, support and resources at the right time to enable them to either return to duty or transition to an appropriately skilled and supported civilian life."
