Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Hollywood A list actor Michael Sheen has fulfilled a long-standing promise to Healing The Wounds, the Welsh charity which helps treat PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The actor pledged to get first-hand experience of the charity’s work when he agreed to become a patron of Healing The Wounds. Today, he attended one of the charity’s treatment courses held at the Parc y Scarlets rugby stadium in Llanelli. Healing the Wounds founder and executive director Kevin Richards said: “We have been very fortunate to have Michael as a patron of the charity and feel privileged that a Welsh actor, whose roots are in Port Talbot, has taken such a genuine interest in the charity and the plight of our veterans suffering post traumatic stress disorder. “Michael has requested that he be kept up to date on the charity’s progress toward its quest to acquire a short-term residential treatment facility in Wales to enable the continued support of our veterans and their families.” Mr Richards added: “...

BBC News - Post-traumatic stress disorder: Ex-forces review call by Welsh Conservatives A review of improvements in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among ex-service personnel is being urged by Welsh Conservatives. During a debate in the assembly, Tory AM Darren Millar highlighted the case of L/Sgt Dan Collins, 29, from Pembrokeshire, who was found hanged. Mr Millar called for progress after a cross-party report identified problems. The Welsh government said Wales was the only UK country with a dedicated service.

Darren Millar, Shadow health minister in the Assembly, will be referring to the work of the Healing The Wounds PTSD charity in The Senedd on Wednesday.

Healing The Wounds, the Welsh charity which helps treat PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), has just completed its first ‘treatment mission’ in North Wales. The charity’s treatment practitioners went on the road to treat two veterans of the 1 Royal Welsh and 1 Rifles regiments. “It’s the first time we’ve been able to extend our ground-breaking treatment programme into North Wales,” said charity founder and executive director Kevin Richards. “In recent weeks, there has been a huge amount of publicity about PTSD and the need for successful treatment programmes such as the ones we run. “We have a waiting list of people queuing up for treatment and we were glad of the opportunity to take our programme into North Wales. “It’s the first time we’ve been able to run a treatment course in North Wales, but it won’t be the last. We are a Welsh charity providing treatment services in Wales and that means delivering our services to all four corners of Wales whenever possible. “In an ideal wor...

The tragic death of Lance Sergeant Dan Collins has put the work of the Welsh charity which treats victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) into even sharper focus. The Healing The Wounds charity was already struggling to cope with demands for its treatment programmes. “Since the tragic death of L/Sgt Dan Collins on New Year’s Day, we have been inundated with yet more requests for help. Dan’s death is obviously a huge tragedy, but it has left a massive legacy in raising awareness of PTSD.” said charity founder and executive director Kevin Richards. “The case of L/Dan Collins highlights that PTSD treatment is a life or death issue. If the legacy of Dan Collins is saving one life, then that is a start. We are convinced, however, that his legacy will save many lives as PTSD sufferers come forward to receive treatment. “We have a waiting list for treatment and that cannot be right for the brave men and women who have served our country. “We are trying our best to cope with deman...

Healing The Wounds, the Welsh charity which helps treat sufferers of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), has moved into a new HQ. The charity, which recently announced actor Michael Sheen as a new patron, now has an office and treatment rooms at The Enterprise centre in Bryn Road, Tondu, Bridgend. “The move to new offices takes the charity to a new level,” said charity founder and Executive Director Kevin Richards. “Previously, we were working from home. Now, we have a professional office which will help us raise the charity’s profile in the community. “The new office also has treatment rooms which will allow our trained practitioners to treat PTSD sufferers. “This work is crucially important to us as a charity as we have a waiting list of people who need to receive PTSD treatment. “We have members of the armed forces waiting for PTSD treatment and we also have people from the civilian sector of the emergency services. “At the outset, we always said that we would spread our wings an...

The Healing The Wounds charity has held its first treatment course for sufferers of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). And the course has been hailed as a resounding success by charity officials. The leader of the Lib-Dems in Wales, Kirsty Williams AM, was on hand for the ‘passing out parade’ for four PTSD sufferers who spent four days attending a treatment course in Bridgend. “It’s great to get the chance to find out more about the work of Healing The Wounds and to see at first hand the service that they offer and how people suffering from PTSD can benefit from their help,” she said. The Healing The Wounds treatment course was held at the Heronston Hotel in Bridgend, while the charity continues its search for more permanent premises. “The first people to benefit from our treatment course were a serving TA soldier and three former soldiers who have all suffered through PTSD,” said Healing The Wounds executive director Kevin Richards. The course was staged by Mick Stott, of Quantum ...

Ammanford’s Ioan Anthony is one of the first veterans to feel the benefit of the fundraising work of the Healing The Wounds charity. The 26-year-old has just returned home after a PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) course sponsored by Healing The Wounds. And he is overjoyed at the way it has changed his life. “After I left the army, I had many of the symptoms of PTSD – depression, mood swings, an inability to sleep properly, and nightmares when I could get to sleep. “Today, now that I have completed the PTSD course, it is like the curtain has been lifted on a new world. It’s made a massive difference to my outlook on life and I really feel amazing. “For the first time in ages, I have been able to sleep without being disturbed by nightmares.” Ioan served as a plant operator and mechanic with the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan. “Everyone has stories to tell about their time in Afghanistan and I dare say my story isn’t that different to other soldiers who have completed tours of duty o...