On Track is The Tank Museum’s wellbeing event in support of World Mental Health Day.
This event features talks, workshops and focus-groups designed to provide information of day-to-day techniques and useful contacts for individuals to help build their own mental resilience and for supporting those around them.
Featuring talks from Captain Pat Burgess MBE, Dom Gannon and Bernie Shrosbree – On Track is particularly tailored towards veterans, serving members of the armed forces, and emergency services workers, but is suitable for and open to all.
- 3 October 2024
- 09:00 – 17:00
- Tickets now available! Entry to the event is FREE for serving and ex-Blue Light and military personnel. Other visitors need an Annual Pass or membership to attend the event – talks are no additional charge on top of entry.
- On Track 2024 will be livestreamed – details coming soon!
- Watch the livestreams of the 2021 and 2023 events HERE
Speakers
Captain Pat Burgess joined the Army in September 1992 in a career that saw him from Trooper, through Tank Commander to Regimental Sergeant Major and Commission to officer. He has deployed on operations to Northern Ireland, the invasion of Iraq (and subsequent tours) and a further three tours of Afghanistan.
He has also created an innovative approach to bringing Mindfulness based coping strategies into the existing culture of physical training and runs weekly defence-wide online Mindfulness sessions. His course content and delivery is endorsed by the Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Central Awarding Body (CPCAB).
He has also delivered numerous presentations on Mindfulness and coping strategies across Defence, to Glasgow Caledonia University, UK Border Force, Primary and Secondary schools, Erlestoke and Guy’s Marsh Prisons, The Samaritans, MIND mental health charity and to those working in welfare and support roles (delivering training to over 15,000 personnel to date). He also taught Mindfulness at Glastonbury Festival in 2019 and Camp Bestival in 2021, 2022 and again in 2023!
Dom Gannon will be sharing an honest and open account of how his cancer diagnosis in 2012 changed his life. Focusing on resilience, setbacks, goal setting and how these needed to change and be reframed due to circumstance, environment and ill health, Dom will be drawing on the values & beliefs from his military career and how they and friends can support “or not”. Dom will be sharing where he is with mental health & mental wellness and what he has done to achieve, promote and offer the lessons he has learned.
Bernie Shrosbree served with a Specialist Military Unit before becoming a self-motivated athlete, high performance coach and mentor. Bernie operates at a World Class level, working with individuals & teams at the pinnacle of motorsport, Olympic athletics and extreme sports, such as Mark Webber, Pippa Middleton, James Cracknell, Ben Fogle and numerous others. Bernie is pleased to be invited to On Track 2024. He will be sharing his significant experience of management, development and motivation in the achievement of excellence. He offers first-class performance analysis and mentoring and is fully dedicated to maintaining and progressing high quality standards in this field.
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Resources
Ministry of Defence – HeadFIT for life
What is HeadFIT and who is it for?
- HeadFIT has been developed in partnership with The Royal Foundation’s Heads Together campaign, the Ministry of Defence and King’s College London.
- HeadFIT is a new online platform, which will provide the military with 24/7 access to self-help tools to help them manage the stresses of everyday life.
- The platform includes tools such as breathing exercises, body posture and relaxation techniques that have been designed for all defence personnel, whether they are new recruits, long-serving personnel, veterans, civilian staff or those in uniform. The techniques are designed so they can be easily integrated into their everyday lives.
Find out more here.
Public Health England have updated their Every Mind Matters campaign. Find out more here.
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust – Armed Forces Community Health and Welfare Team
We can help people in the Armed Forces Community access health and social care services across Dorset (including Bournemouth and Poole).
Our Armed Forces Community Health and Wellbeing Team (AFCT) can help to assess your needs and, if appropriate, liaise with local organisations to ensure you receive support with issues such as health, welfare, housing and employment. Find out more here.
The Armed Forces Community includes:
- Active Army, Navy and Air Force personnel
- Veterans
- Reservists
- Family members
- Bereaved family members.
Additionally, our clinical staff who are veterans themselves can provide treatment for complex PTSD and other mental health issues
Help for Heroes help wounded veterans and their families to recover and get on with their lives. They have collated a series of tools to help.
Find out more here.
SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity
SSAFA exist to relieve need, suffering and distress amongst the armed forces, veterans and their families in order to support their independence and dignity. Forceline, their free confidential helpline provides contacts for your local branch to organise virtual meetings.
Find out more here.
The Royal British Legion is at the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces community.
We’re here through thick and thin – ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten. We’ve been here since 1921 and we’ll be here as long as they need us.
We are the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, with 235,000 members, 110,000 volunteers and a network of partners and charities; helping us give support wherever and whenever it’s needed.
Find out more here.
Models for Heroes works nationwide, promoting and creating spaces where model making can be as therapy for mental health. Visit their website to take part in online model sessions and figure painting shows whilst in lockdown.
Find out more here.
One World Mindfulness – Captain Pat Burgess MBE
Member of the Defence Mindfulness Steering Group and a founder of Fitness Integrated Resilience Skills Training (FIRST). Patrick runs mindfulness classes for both the military and civilians and is currently offering free online workshops through his YouTube channel.
See his YouTube channel here.
Find out more here.
Heads Together
Heads Together is The Royal Foundation’s national mental health initiative lead by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Visit their website to view a selection of resources to help manage your wellbeing during this challenging time
Find out more here
Dorset Mental Health Forum
The Dorset Mental Health Forum is a local peer led charity that exists to improve the lives of everyone affected by mental illness by promoting wellbeing and recovery. Visit their website for recommended wellbeing resources.
Find out more here
LiveWell Dorset
LiveWell Dorset’s Five Ways Challenge has lots of tips and support for looking after your mental health and getting your Five Ways to Wellbeing at this time
Find out more here
Dorset Mind
A pioneering local charity that has been supporting local people with mental health challenges since 1946. We educate, challenge mental health stigma and inequality, and promote recovery by empowering individuals to develop resilience. Our support groups, counselling and accredited befriending service help people regain social skills. We also deliver educational wellbeing programmes for schools and workplaces and provide volunteer opportunities across all areas of our organisation.
Find out more here
The You Trust – You First Domestic Violence
The YOU Trust is a charity that has been supporting vulnerable people across Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset, the Isle of Wight, and West Sussex since 1985. We work across a wide range of specialist areas from Learning Disabilities to Mental Health and Stalking, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Services and everything we do is about ensuring the people we support can have the life they want.
Find out more here
Al-Anon – Family & Friends of Alcoholics
Al-Anon is a service for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking. Their helpline remains open and they are still hosting local meetings (virtually) during this time. Visit their website for more details or call their free confidential helpline on 0800 0086 811.
Find out more here
Citizens Advice
Free, independent and confidential advice and information whatever your question. We offer a full range of advice including help with:
- Benefits entitlement and claims
- Debt management and budgeting
- Employment advice including Statutory Sick Pay and rights when laid off work
- Advice for the self employed
