Douglas Intake in the Community again

Recruits and staff from Douglas Intake have taken part in a team building activity in the community supporting two mental health charities, Lindengate in Wendover and TherapBee in Westcott.

Due to deploy on their final consolidation exercise, Exercise Blue Warrior, this team building activity allowed for important cohesion prior to such a crucial and challenging stage in training.

Half of the Recruits spent their time helping to develop the tree nursery at Lindengate, filling raised beds and creating staging for new trees. The other group went to Westcott Venture Park where TherapBee are based. The centre invites HM Forces, Emergency Services personnel, and Veterans, to learn about bumble bees, honey, bee habitats and hive maintenance. Douglas personnel helped to construct a new poly-tunnel where flowers, tomatoes, and fruits will be grown to encourage the bees.

Jim Webster, creator of TherapBee, said: “We had 20 basic trainees visit today at TherapBee, to assist in dismantling and re-erecting a poly-tunnel and vegetable bed. As ever, all were a credit to the Royal Air Force and another excellent stream of enthusiastic youngsters coming through.”

Douglas Flight Commander, Flight Lieutenant Rowlands, said: “Both groups thoroughly enjoyed being out in nature and developing themselves away from the regime of basic training. It also offered the opportunity to expose them to the important issue of maintaining good mental health and educate them about the invaluable work that many mental health charities do to support those in need.”

More information about TherapBee can be found on their Instagram page: hmf999therapbee or at www.pollinationforthenation.co.uk