Helping members back to health

One of our special partnerships is with the North West Police Benevolent Fund and their outstanding therapy centre, St Michael’s Lodge. The centre offers first class treatment for both mental and physical wellbeing, with a whole range of treatments, including physiotherapy, counselling and holistic therapies.

Residential Physiotherapy through the Benevolent Fund

We offer residential treatment to promote the physical and psychological wellbeing of our members. The physio team at St Michael’s have extensive experience in offering individual treatment, including exercise classes and complimentary therapies.

There is a strong emphasis on self-management with home exercise programs designed to further aid recovery. Specific treatments may include; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Exercise Prescription / Strength and Conditioning Programs and Acupuncture.

As a member of West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund, you can apply for physiotherapy at the state-of-the-art holistic treatment centre, St Michael’s Lodge.
Set in the picturesque Ribble Valley, Lancashire, it’s the perfect place for our members to visit if they need time away to recover from injury or illness.

The centre offers a diverse programme, completely tailored to meet the individual needs of each guest.

The Lodge has 30 bedrooms, with two of the rooms adapted for wheelchair users. All the rooms have TV, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, hairdryer and en-suite shower rooms.

There is a fully equipped gym for guests to improve their cardiovascular fitness and physical strength.

Relaxation is promoted with the beautiful orangery room overlooking open countryside, as well as, a comfortable TV lounge where internet access is available. There is also a quiet reading area to sit and unwind.

There is also a heated swimming pool.

Outside guests can enjoy the landscaped garden, complete with patio area and hot tub.

Arranging your stay

As long as you have been a Benevolent Fund member for at least 6 months you can apply to stay for a short break. Your stay will include your physiotherapy/treatment sessions, meals and accommodation.

PLEASE NOTE: Changes to St Micheal’s Lodge terms and conditions mean that members are not permitted to bring another adult with them unless they are registered as a fulltime carer. This is now included on the new application forms available via the links below.

We ask that your stay be arranged within three months of booking to ensure the maximum benefit of your convalescence.

Your mid-week stay can be taken Monday-Thursday, returning on Friday. Serving officers and police staff can apply to the Force for special leave to attend St Michael’s. Please speak to your supervisor about how to claim.

As the Fund is paying for your stay and treatment, we do not pay towards your travel costs.

To apply for physiotherapy, simply download and complete the St Michael’s Lodge physiotherapy application form , print, complete and scan back to us.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to process forms that have been converted to a word document or similar and edited. 

If you unable to scan your completed form please return by post. We are unable to process forms that have been completed and then photographed and emailed.

If you are unable to print the form, we can post you an application for your completion which you can post back to us, however this may delay your application being processed by around two weeks.

The application form needs to be signed by a Health Professional, such as a occupational health nurse, or nurse practitioner or your G.P and emailed or sent to the Benevolent Fund office.

A referral will then be made to the North West Benevolent Fund and they will contact you directly to arrange your visit.

Email completed form to info@wmpben.co.uk or post to Steve Newbury, West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund Guardians House, 2111 Coventry Road, Sheldon, B26 3EA.

Our FAQs will provide you with additional information that may assist your application. Go to the main FAQ section on our homepage.

What our members thought

“I applied to St Michael’s Lodge for treatment for the three slipped discs in my back following a fall at work.

 I was greeted by the friendly staff and shown around the treatment centre which has top notch facilities. I received a tailored programme to aid my recovery with one-to-one physiotherapy and a range of supplementary classes which catered for my injury.

 The site is set in a peaceful village with nearby amenities and the accommodation is of a high standard with ensuite facilities. The onsite gym and swimming pool helped burn off any calories from the fabulous food provided.

 I’ve recommended St Michael’s Lodge to colleagues who were unaware of the treatment centre. Well worth the £2 per month paid to the Benevolent Fund” Serving WMP officer.

“I attended having had a knee operation. An amazing place, run by amazing people, everyone was so caring and helpful. I came back feeling so refreshed and rested. The whole stay was 10/10, great facilities, top food and amazing people. Thank you Ben Fund!” Darren Rymer, serving officer

“I stayed at St Michael’s Lodge for treatment for my MS. I received physiotherapy, including hydrotherapy as well as a range of holistic treatments. I found all of these very helpful. The water therapy made me feel that I can walk again without any assistance which made me feel emotional, that I can do it all by myself again. ” Jaz Kaur, WMP staff

“I visited St Michael’s Lodge following a serious leg injury that I sustained at work, that later resulted in surgery. I was greeted by the treatment centre staff and welcomed like an old friend, which immediately put me at ease. They are incredibly genuine, helpful, and empathetic to your circumstances, just the nicest of people.

On arrival I was shown around the facilities which are excellent, a bit like a country hotel but with a full sized swimming pool and fully kitted out gym, and provided a detailed schedule of treatments and therapy. I received intensive physio everyday, along with a smattering of other therapies and classes, including massage, Pilates, Yoga, and Ai Chi, none of which I had ever done before.

It goes without saying that an hour long massage is very pleasant, but I was most surprised by the other activities. They helped my recovery enormously and it was very beneficial to try them in this environment as I definitely wasn’t the sort of person that goes to yoga class, but this has certainly changed now. Ai Chi deserves a special mention, it’s basically Tai Chi but underwater which supported me in regaining movement in my body having been immobile for such a long time, and was a great introduction to this form of exercise.

Over the years I have had physiotherapy multiple times in response to various sporting injuries, but I have never worked with a physiotherapist quite as good as those at St Michael’s. They identified where my recovery was stalling and then worked with me each day to improve this. They took the time to understand what my recovery goals were, and drew up a personalised plan that I took home with me. In the space of a week I was able to walk properly without a limp for the first time in months. This did wonders for my general wellbeing.

A special mention needs to go to the kitchen staff though as the food there is incredible. I can be a fussy eater but the choice and quality of the cooking really did take me aback. 

Since my return I have sung the praises of St Michael’s to everyone who will listen to me, in my opinion every police officer and staff should be in the Benevolent Fund, the good work that they do is for all to see, and I am incredibly grateful to them for the support that they showed me when I needed it most. ” Serving WMP officer.

“It has been a long year for me, having both knees replaced, particularly as I live on my own. I had two visits to my local NHS physio (my nearest private physiotherapist is 19 miles away, not of use if you cannot drive following an operation!) and I was given a print out of exercises to do at home.

Then I applied to the Benevolent Fund to stay at St Michael’s Lodge. It was just what was required and has done me the world of good, both physically and mentally.

Please keep up the good work helping serving and retired officer’s, particularly as in my case, when they need you most.

Nine weeks after my second total knee replacement and this morning I have already walked five miles with my dogs. My neighbour was astonished to see me walking without a limp!

 All thanks to the Benevolent Fund and the fantastic team at St Michael’s Lodge. Please pass on my gratitude.” Tina, retired WMP officer.