Last week we were delighted to welcome Nigel Goodband, from British Transport Police Federation as our newest Co-Opted Trustee for both PTC and St George's Police Children Trust.
Below, Nigel gives a heartfelt and poignant, firsthand account of his experience of the Police Treatment Centres and how it has influenced his career since his first encounter with our team at Harrogate.
Giving back: Nigel Goodband becomes trustee of the charity that helped save his career
A decade after visiting the Police Treatment Centres as a patient, BTP Federation Chair Nigel Goodband, is returning to the charity as a trustee.
Nigel has been appointed to the Boards of the Police Treatment Centres and the St George’s Police Children Trust charities.
The Police Treatment Centres provides intensive treatment to thousands of injured and ill police officers every year at facilities in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and Auchterarder in Perthshire. St George’s Police Children Trust helps ease the financial pressures of bringing up children in the face of life-changing circumstances.
Ten years ago, after suffering several cardiac in quick succession, Nigel was referred to the Police Treatment Centre (PTC) in Harrogate. He credits his time there with enabling him to stay in the police service. He said:
“Looking back, I was on the edge of a breakdown. I had been gravely ill and went to the PTC for cardiac rehab and a gentle return to exercise. When I arrived there, the enormity of what I had been through hit me and I broke down.
“The nurse at the Centre was very kind and listened to me as I told her everything that had happened. She suggested I spend a further week at the centre to take part in their wellbeing programme, which I did.”
Nigel added: “I would pay in for another twenty years to get those two weeks again. The PTC probably saved my police career.”
Trustees of a charity ensure the organisation has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals are in line with its vision. They are ‘guardians of purpose’ and make sure all decisions put the needs of beneficiaries first.
Having had first-hand experience of the life-changing support the charities offer, Nigel is keen to raise awareness of the help available to all officers, including his BTP colleagues, and ensure those who need support can access it readily.
Suffice to say, everyone at the Police Treatment Centres is very much looking forward to working alongside Nigel.
<<Back