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We are tremendously pleased that our first project of 2009 has now officially opened. We've asked Lt. Col. Frazer Lawrence,
the Commanding Officer, to tell you how it came about with SSAFA's help...
The Somme Barracks Great ‘ESCAPE’
By The 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment
Having returned from a busy operational tour in Iraq last summer, the Battalion was straight into an arms plot move from Osnabruck to Catterick. Eventually, we arrived in Somme Barracks - our base for the foreseeable future.
Quickly settling into our new environment, we set about plans to make the Camp our home. The Battalion has always believed that the welfare of its soldiers, and their families, is a key constituent of the Moral Component of Fighting Power. As such, delivering first rate welfare support is always a high priority.
The first welfare project was to improve the building that housed the Padre - a greatly underused facility, but with potential. It required an upgrade which we set about doing - a lick of paint, some laminate flooring, a coffee machine and a new name - ‘The Chill Zone’ - gave it the right feel. We also co-located within it a Welfare Sub-Office - manned by the Welfare Sergeant – to provide an easily accessible welfare point of contact for the single soldiers (the main welfare office is located some 2 miles away from Camp). This was a great start, and popular with the soldiers, but much too small to meet all of the welfare requirements of the 400 plus single soldiers living in the Barracks – especially given the general paucity of recreational facilities within the Garrison area.
Gail, and some of her "boys"
Having secured a bid for a WRVS Services Welfare Worker, it was important that our new arrival, Gail, had somewhere appropriate from where to work – a place where she could add real value and engage with the soldiers in a relaxed environment. The ‘Chill Zone’ was far too small for this purpose.
'Escape' gives the soldiers a chance to relax...
With a bit of thought, we identified a potential building. And, we had a vision. We wanted a welfare set up within Camp that would attract the soldiers in the evenings – not just in their ‘ones and twos’, but a place where relatively large numbers could relax and bond together. A place that had snooker and pool tables, table tennis facilities, internet access, PS 3 zones, a large screen TV, leather sofas and, of course, free ‘brews’. Vision confirmed, the Quartermaster, the Welfare Officer and Gail set about delivery.
'Escape' - a vision brought to life
A business plan was drawn up and multiple cost estimates worked up. After much discussion and negotiation, the Quartermaster and Gail took the plan to face the SSAFA Forces Help In-Service Committee. Why? Because on top of what the Battalion could provide, we needed an additional £7,500 to make it happen, and SSAFA were ready and willing to support us. |
The SSAFA In-Service Committee gave the Quartermaster a grilling - and rightly so. No stone was left unturned in the questioning. But, sound planning paid off. The need was there and the Committee recognised the requirement. It was something they thought they could and should support - a fantastic opportunity to provide up to 400 single soldiers with a ‘first rate’, non-alcoholic recreational and relaxation facility that also delivered access to Welfare Services both during and after working hours. The funding was granted.
Internet access allows the soldiers to send an email home and to keep in touch with relatives
With the Battalion about to deploy to Canada for 6 weeks, it was left to the Unit Welfare Officer and Gail to make the vision a reality. The intent was to have the facility completed by the time the Battalion returned from Canada.
Cutting the ribbon to open 'Escape'
The facility was opened by Mia Felton, Chair of the SSAFA Forces Help In-Service Committee, on 09 July 2009. The facility was aptly named ‘ESCAPE’ by the soldiers as it is a place they can escape to on a daily basis.
A welcoming and supportive environment for all the soldiers and their families
The results speak for themselves - hopefully the photographs do ‘ESCAPE’ justice. It is a superb, open plan facility and it is used widely by all members of the Battalion - in particular on an evening.
Time for a break after a hard day
If you are passing, please do call in and see what can be achieved with the support of the SSAFA Forces Help In-Service Committee, a WRVS Services Welfare Worker and a bit of engagement and hard work by the chain of command.
Lt. Col. Frazer Lawrence
Commanding Officer
The 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
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