Gurkha recruits are away from home, family and friends, and they're likely to need support in the early stages of their Army life. There are many people on hand to provide this at ITC Catterick.

Many get homesick - but it usually doesn't last for long, because they are kept so busy. Also, they are able to phone family and friends in the evenings, and there are also periods when family and friends can come to visit.  

Fellow soldiers under training (SUTs) can also be a big source of support. Talking through problems can often provide all the help that's needed. But if the problem isn't something that can be dealt with that way, the following are available to help:

Platoon Training Staff and Company or Battalion Personnel

Platoon Staff are the first points of contact for an SUT with a problem.

They're encouraged not to feel shy or afraid about going to them, because it is not seen as weakness. The staff would far rather know about a problem, however small it may seem, rather than see it affect it a SUT's performance.

The staff are experienced in dealing with many issues that might arise and there won't be much that they haven't encountered before.

WRVS

In the absence of a parent of guardian, WRVS members can be a good substitute. They are non-military, completely independent of the Army, and are trained in giving advice and support to SUTs.

Pandit, Acharya, Padre

Pandit, Acharya and Padres are the Army's religious representatives. Whatever an SUTs beliefs - even if they don't have any - they can talk to these people about any problem.

Pandit - Hindu Religious Teacher

A Gurkha Mandir (Temple) exists at ITC Catterick.

Every religious activity, including daily puja (prayer), festive ceremonies and a weekly Sunday service is conducted in the Mandir.

The Mandir has a Hindu Religious Teacher with vast and extensive experience, who welcomes anyone who wishes to talk about any difficulty they may have which they don't feel able to discuss with their chain of command.

He is happy to help using religious methods, provide spiritual advice and is willing to chat openly in a friendly and non-military manner - all in confidence.

Acharya - Buddhist Religious Teacher

Acharya Chewang Gurung is the Buddhist Spiritual Teacher in the Brigade of Gurkhas.

He is responsible for providing spiritual care to service personnel, for counselling them to improve and maintain their morale, and also for assisting them to fulfil the core values of the British Army.

He also assists with personal issues, protecting their beliefs and ensuring that there is no actual or perceived discrimination. He is also available for their families and relatives in the wider community across the UK and the wider Brigade of Gurkhas, and provides ritual ceremonies as required.

In an Emergency

Compassionate leave may be allowed if a family members falls ill or there is an emergency. 

SUTs experiencing an emergency are expected to explain the matter to a member of training staff as soon as possible.