The Rotary Club of Church Wilne welcomed Mark Schorah, Head of Employment and Events, for the On Course Foundation Charity, who gave an inspiring talk on golf for disabled military personnel.

Before joining the charity in 2015, Mark was a mechanic in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, leaving the Army in January 2012 to work for Recovery Career Services as a Specialist Employment Consultant for Wounded, Injured and Sick Service Leavers.

Sadly, many soldiers live with both physical and mental disabilities, not least Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The On Course Foundation Charity utilises golf as a way of helping them cope. Golf gives both physical and mental therapy to injured personnel who often go on to find employment in the golf industry, so helping to rebuild their lives.

The organisation became established as a national charity in 2010 and works with other charities, such as Help for Heroes. Mark said the game of golf helps the soldiers' rehabilitation by enabling them to focus on the game rather than their disability and furthermore, they meet people with similar challenges. There is a mutual benefit in making new friends and the social interaction that this generates helps to build confidence. The soldiers involve themselves with many aspects of golf, such as green-keeping, retail sales, caddying and events management and this often leads to part-time or full-time employment.

Clearly, the concept of rehabilitation through golf has been very successful and it continues to progress.

For more information visit www.oncoursefoundation.com

Church Wilne Rotary Club is attracting new members through various initiatives, associate membership, satellite clubs and Friends of Rotary, where people can assist with running some of our events. Volunteering helps to get a taste of what it would be like to join the club

For more information on Rotary, our speaker evenings, events and the main activities organised by our club please contact our Secretary, Mick White at: rccw1220@gmail.com

Rtn Derek Sheehy-Smith
For Church Wilne Rotary