PWS has hosted its 5th vocational training visit in conjunction with the Help For Heroes Phoenix House Recovery Centre at Catterick. Part of PWS’ long-term support program for the charity, the visits focus on supporting wounded, injured and sick personnel in their transition to civilian employment.

The vocational visits for Recovery Centre personnel are very much at the centre of PWS' involvement with Help For Heroes, offering opportunities for those in the Armed Services to appreciate not only the types of employment available but also to gain a wider understanding of both the differences and similarities between military and civilian employment.

The vocational visits are a key part of the long-term rehabilitation of the Armed Forces Personnel who are supported by Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick. The recent vocational visit of 11 soldiers was tailored to suit their requirements, with a varied program of workshops and tours of the site, with the offer of following the visit up with work placements for course members to gain specific job-related experience.

Comments Jill Lundberg, Press Officer at PWS, “Our work with Help For Heroes has the full support of everyone at PWS and we involve all departments in the vocational visits to enable the soldiers to gain insight into the wide variety of job roles that are available in a company such as PWS. It is most inspiring to see how motivated and positive the course members are. They find the sessions when they talk to our employees with military backgrounds particularly useful, as they can learn first hand about their transition to civilian life. It helps build confidence as they experience that their personal skills and qualities from their military roles are very much valued by civilian employers. We are very much looking forward to the next visit in the new year.”

Phoenix House, in Catterick, officially opened in September 2013 and is one of four Help For Heroes Recovery Centres across the country. PWS designed, manufactured and donated four self-help kitchens to Phoenix House and a further three kitchens to the Endeavour Recovery Centre in Plymouth.

For more information on the work of Help For Heroes please contact the communication office at 01748 873276, email jill.grainge@helpforheroes.org.uk or visit the website.