Supporting armed forces in the community

Saturday was Armed Forces Day at The Valley, with supporters observing a period of silence prior to kick-off to remember those killed in conflict.

Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) has been working in conjunction with the Woolwich Barracks for the past year to improve the health and wellbeing of the service personnel based there and their families.

The collaboration started when CACT’s Health Improvement team were invited to a health and wellbeing event at the Barracks. It was recognised then that further support to the service personnel would be possible.

CACT held a four week healthy eating cookery club this summer, aiming to provide military personnel with the cookery skills to help them prepare healthy meals and integrate back into civilian life.

CACT has also held focus groups for soldiers and their partners to see how they can best utilise the services that the Health Improvement team offer.

Since then, CACT has worked with and supported Brookhill Children’s Centre with a Baby Bounce class and fitness sessions for military partners. Some soldiers have made use of CACT’s Kick the Habit smoking cessation service and Men’s Health Social Evenings, and have taken part in mentoring and basic life skills sessions.

A number of soldiers also undertook some volunteering for CACT, promoting the Low Emission Neighbourhood scheme and Blood Pressure Roadshow. This saw them get to know the local area and meet other residents.

CACT’s Health Improvement team were delighted to be invited to take part in the Minden Day celebrations on 1 August as a ‘Thank You’ for their work.

Unit Welfare Senior Non-Commissioned Officer CSgt Borgenvik said:

“CACT’s Health Improvement team have had a very positive impact on serving soldiers and their families in Woolwich this last year. 

“They have provided us with many opportunities and support, with more lined up over the coming months. We thank them for their tireless efforts and foresee our relationship growing from strength to strength”.

CACT is very pleased to work with Woolwich Barracks to provide support to soldiers and their families going forward. More information about CACT’s work and programmes at the heart of the community can be found at www.cact.org.uk.

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