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West End Extra - by MICHAEL BOWDEN
Published:6 June 2008
 
Mark Bowen, right, is put through his paces by British Military Fitness instructor Ian McClelland in Hyde Park 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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