A RECOVERY centre for wounded, injured and sick veterans and military personnel has today opened a children’s playground to put more emphasis on supporting the whole family.

Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison opened the children's playground alongside a family Easter egg hunt with members of Band of Sisters – a group set up to support family members of personnel and veterans going through difficult times.

Annamarie Hurst, 34, from Darlington, said her husband Lee struggled with the loss of military life when he was medically discharged from the army with severe Crohn’s disease in 2010.

She said their 16-year-old daughter Brogan also found it difficult to adjust to civilian life after growing up as an army child – but once the family found out about Band of Sisters and Band of Brothers at Phoenix House things started to look up.

She said: “We started coming to Phoenix House about 18 months ago and haven’t looked back.

“Band of Brothers has helped my husband because it made him realise he can do things after the army, and can take part in events with others like him.”

Mr Hurst got a job straight after leaving the army as a BT Openreach engineer, and was quickly promoted to a manager – but it proved difficult for him and the family to adjust to the lifestyle change.

She added: “What he really missed was the banter and camaraderie and this has given it to him.”

Mrs Hurst said she and her five children – Brogan, 16, Maizie, 14, Tyreny 11, Crecie, six, and Stapes, two - also loved coming to the centre.

She said: “The new playground is fantastic. There are lots of families that come to Phoenix House so it is nice for them to mix.

“I love being part of Band of Sisters – I’ve met other wives in a similar situation to me and it has helped us all cope as a family.”

Phoenix House manager Mo Usman said: “We are delighted to open the new playground.

“We have families that come and stay with us, and we needed something for children to do when they are here.

“We do run activities for families but the new playground is here all the time – and especially now the weather is improving it will be ideal.”

Mr Usman said the centre had played a role in helping support children making the transition from military to civilian life.

He added: “Children can sometimes struggle when a parent is suffering – so we can show them what we do and they go away with a different mindset.”