Help for Heroes Sports Recovery sessions
A Falklands veteran has praised the support he has had from charity Help for Heroes and has urged other ex-service people to seek out its aid.
Mark Hiscutt, 57, has described how his mental health and wellbeing has improved since the charity began helping him two years ago.
Mark served on board HMS Sheffield, which was struck on May 4, 1982 and sank six days later.
Mark lost a number of his friends on board.
His experience left him with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder causing panic attacks and leaving him reliant on his wife Kirsty, without whom he struggles to leave the house.
But Mark, who lives in Penpedairheol, regularly takes part in Help for Heroes Sports Recovery sessions in Newport and Bridgend.
“On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, just for that brief time, I can go by myself. I’ve got other veterans who understand me, who know me, and the Help for Heroes team who support me.”
Although he’s not a wheelchair user, Mark enjoys taking part in the challenge of wheelchair tennis with other veterans. He also swims and is part of the Help for Heroes cricket team.
For Mark, Sports Recovery isn’t about the Invictus Games, gaining medals or titles. It’s about getting out of the house, improving his own physical and mental wellbeing, and giving Kirsty some respite from the responsibility of being his carer for a few hours a week.
He said: “I come for the fitness, it’s camaraderie with the lads, they’re all tri-services, we all get on and have a laugh. It’s about meeting people, because otherwise I don’t socialise.”
Mark has become an Ambassador for Help for Heroes and talks about the many ways he’s been supported, including the donation of wood turning equipment which he uses to make bowls and pens and is a therapeutic part of his recovery journey.
He encourages others who have hidden wounds to find out about the many ways Help for Heroes can support and help improve their lives.
He explained: “You could think it’s not for you; but come along and give it a go.
“I haven’t looked back since I became involved. My physical and mental health have improved. I’ve lost weight and it gives my wife a break too.”