Publish date: 9 May 2024
An open day was held for local Veterans to try out the facilities at Hengrove Park Leisure Centre in Bristol.
Organised by the Op Courage service which locally is run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP), it was an opportunity for local Veterans to try out a number of the facilities and take part in bootcamp sessions and aqua rehabilitation classes.
Casey Davey, Army Veteran said “Using the gym and swimming facilities at Hengrove has really helped me mentally and physically.
It has put me back in to a routine after leaving the army due to an accident.
Going in the swimming pool means I can physically move better than when I am out of water. Using the facilities here have really helped me and it is great to be back out in the community”.
Joanna Lawson, Occupational Therapist for Op Courage said “Hengrove Park Leisure Centre have gone out of their way to be supportive for Veterans. Having the open days for Veterans has been fantastic and they have felt much better for getting out of the house and building up a routine. This has been a trial and we are looking to replicate this more across the South West.”
Phill Steadman, Hengrove Park Leisure Centre Manager said “For us at the centre working with the community is a way of life and working with Veterans has been a prime example. It is our way of giving back”.
“The partnership came through Andrew Sheldrake, OpCourage Senior Practitioner who is a regular gym goer at Hengrove Leisure Park, he started to see the positive effects a gym environment can have.”
Andrew said “the staff at Hengrove have been brilliant for me personally with my disability, providing me with positive support throughout my gym journey, I knew they would offer the same positive support to our Veterans”.
OpCourage can help with common problems like anxiety, depression and substance misuse, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma. It can also help address other issues that may be affecting someone’s wellbeing, such as housing, finances and relationships.
Self-referral to the service can be made, or a family member, friend or GP can contact OpCourage on your behalf.
To find out more about OpCourage, click here.
