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 Mark Bowen, right, is put through his paces by British Military Fitness instructor Ian McClelland in Hyde Park |
West End | News | Hyde Park | Victoria | Homeless men | Boot camp | Army | British Military Fitness
Innovative scheme aiming to help those living on streets through military training regimes
FIVE homeless men from Victoria have been enrolled in military-style “boot camps” in a bid to help them get their lives back on track.
In a UK first, a swat team of army fitness specialists will put the men from the King George’s Hostel through their paces in Hyde Park, with gruelling circuit training and team-building exercises part of the drill.
The novel scheme, which aims to boost fitness, self-esteem and provide dietary advice, is the first of its kind for the homeless.
The classes are run by British Military Fitness – which was founded in 1999 and is made up of serving and former members of the armed forces – with support from the council’s drug and alcohol action team (DAAT) and the West End care service, the Hungerford Drug Project.
If the pilot scheme proves to be a success, the units could be deployed in homeless hostels across Westminster.
Recovering drug user Mark Bowen, 39, who slept rough in Westminster for three years, said: “It is not just the physical benefits that you can see – mentally, I never thought I could feel like this.”
The original five-week programme has been extended for another four months until September.
Brian Larkin, from British Military Fitness, said: “We wanted to get involved with this project because so many people that end up on the streets in London, or have addiction problems or both, are ex-armed forces people. Our sessions are a success because they involve teamwork and give people a real sense of achievement.”
Westminster City Council has three dedicated sites for rough sleepers across the borough.
Marian Harrington, director of adult social services at the council, said: “We are always looking for new ways to help Westminster’s ex-rough sleepers get their lives back on track and build their self-confidence.” |
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