A RECOVERY centre run by Help for Heroes is appealing to alternative therapists to give up some time to help improve sleep patterns of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

An appeal in The Northern Echo in 2016 resulted in several practitioners volunteering to give regular sessions at Phoenix House in Catterick Garrison, and now they are keen to attract more.

Physical development coach Kelly Thistlethwaite said: “The more therapists who volunteer, the less frequently they will have to ‘do their bit'.

“Holistic therapies are really popular with our beneficiaries. Some are quite sceptical at first but, after trying it once, are back for more because they find that it really does help them.”

The centre has several volunteers who give Reiki but would love to offer a more varied selection of alternative therapies, especially reflexology, hot stone massage and head massage.

Improving their sleep pattern is often top of the list of requirements from beneficiaries supported by the recovery centre and alternative therapies can assist with this.

“Sleep deprivation, or lack of good quality sleep, is a very common complaint from those with either a physical injury or mental health illness,” said Ms Thistlethwaite, “We all know that, if we don’t get enough sleep, we don’t function properly the next day – but imagine feeling like that week in, week out.”

There will be an an open evening on Wednesday, March 1 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm for any holistic health providers interested in providing an occasional evening taster session at the Recovery Centre.

The evening will comprise a tour of the centre and a presentation about Help for Heroes and the support given at Phoenix House, as well as an explanation about how alternative therapies can play an important part of that.

“If, once they have been and learned more, they decide that volunteering here is not for them, then that is fine – that’s why we are running the information session,” said Ms Thistlethwaite.

“And those who would like to sign as a volunteer can decide themselves how regularly they visit. I am always very mindful that they are giving up their own time to share their skills and we are really grateful for that, however infrequently it might be.”

Anyone interested in attending the open evening in March, or requiring further information is asked to telephone Ms Thistlethwaite on 01748-834148 or email her at Kelly.Thistlethwaite@helpforheroes.org.uk.