Colchester’s recovery base set to open next month (From Essex County Standard)

Colchester’s recovery base set to open next month

6:00pm Saturday 14th April 2012 in News By Caroline Tilley

The rehab centre for injured troops in Berechurch Road, Colchester

A recovery centre for injured troops will open in Colchester next month, it has been confirmed.

The £6.5million centre, in Berechurch Road, will help troops to return to active duty or adapt to civilian life.

It will be called Chavasse VC House – named after Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, who was a medical doctor and Army officer and is one of only three people to be awarded a Victoria Cross twice.

The announcement comes as a survey suggests Britons do not believe injured troops are given enough support.

The survey, carried out by Nissan, which is raising money for the Afghanistan Trust, found only 21 per cent of people felt help for wounded servicemen and women in the UK was adequate.

The centre will open on Tuesday, May 8.

Terry Sutton, president of the Colchester branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “I’m delighted it’s opening and will give the extra support military personnel will need.

“Help for Heroes has paid for the premises and the Royal British Legion will pay for the running of it for the next ten years.

“It will help servicemen who have been in Afghanistan, but it could also help veterans in the future too, not just those post 9/11.

“The centre won’t give medical help, but it will help them recover by preparing them for a return to the military or civilian life.”

The Personnel Recovery Centre will offer residential accommodation for up to 29 service personnel with day facilities for a further 30.

Chavasse VC House is only the second recovery centre to open in Britain, the first being in Edinburgh. It will pave the way for others in Catterick, Tidworth and Plymouth.