Working With “The Forgotten Heroes”

I have recently met up with the inspiring team at Drummond Education and, after much discussion, it was decided that I write this short article to let everyone know about a very special client group that I now have the privilege of working with.  We are hoping that in doing so, there will be a number of you out there that having read this, might be interested in getting involved and in attending possible specialist training.

By way of introduction, I have recently started a job as Occupational Therapist and Activity Co-ordinator for the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, Combat Stress. This also involves setting up and running the new gym here and introducing the Healthy Lifestyles Programme across the Society’s three centres. Combat Stress is the only charity that cares for Ex- Service personnel who experience mental ill-health as a consequence of their time in the Services.

You cannot fail to have seen and heard at least some of the media attention focused on our returning troops and some of the ongoing stories behind those who return home, both physically and psychologically injured. Whilst this recent interest has raised the profile a little of our troops, it only really tells half the story. There are huge numbers of ex-service men and women who have found themselves back on “civvy street”, and who struggle to both readjust and survive.

There is not the scope here to expand fully, but just perhaps explain the need for a specialist approach to fitness. The clients I see have at one time been extremely fit. Service training isn’t your average walk in the park. As well as the needs for basic fitness, many have been in the service sports teams and the physical prowess that that brought was part of who they were. The clients we see range in age from their early 20s to our oldest client who is 93, and will have served in all campaigns from the Second World War until today. The traumas they have experienced have left ongoing scars both physiologically and psychologically.

To compound these issues, the transition for any serving personnel to being a civilian again is not an easy one. These clients present complex cases including, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression and anxiety, arthritis, back injuries, amputations, obesity, cardiopulmonary conditions, diabetes, to name but a few. The majority will also have extremely low self confidence, lack any self esteem and generally have a poor body image.

Having said all of this, one area that they are familiar with is fitness. They have a desire to be fit, healthy and mobile again, but lack both the skills and motivation to get things moving.

I will add that working with this client group is not about making extra money for your business, or another good marketing tool. I would personally like to see, and I know the team at Drummond will agree, a network of committed dedicated instructors who would be interested in caring for this unique client group.

If you’d like to find out more about working in this area of specialised fitness and would like more information on how to get started, call the Drummond Education offices on 0871 22 194 22 or email admin@drummondeducation.com