Flint House’s Valuable Support To Hampshire Officers

HAMPSHIRE Police officers should consider subscribing to Flint House Police Rehabilitation Centre in case the worst should happen, their Federation has urged.

Federation Chair Zoe Wakefield was speaking after a visit to the centre in Oxfordshire.

It offers a wide range of physical and mental wealth recovery programmes to help officers deal with injuries, stress, anxiety and the symptoms of PTSD.

Physiotherapists, mental health practitioners and registered nurses at the charity help over 3,300 officers get back to full operational health every year.

Zoe said: “I was there for a mental health training day for Reps and it was a chance to see all the facilities and programmes Flint House offers.

“We got an update on the physio treatment as well and how they’ve updated their programmes for officers because of COVID.

“It’s much more flexible, you used to have to go there for two weeks, but now they can do much of it virtually.

“You might not need to physically go there at all, or you might be in for a day here and there or a week.

“You can now go in and travel back each day – so many people have said they would love to go but couldn’t leave the children overnight, so they can go and get the treatment they need now.”

Maintaining good mental health is so vital for officers, especially these days, given the immense stresses and strains of the job.

“I know it sounds like an advert, but it really is such an amazing place,” Zoe said.

“I have been for treatment before, and with the beautiful building itself and the grounds it’s in, you can’t help but feel relaxed.

“Every officer really should contribute towards it; you never know when you might need it.”