This is some basic information regarding the HCPT Group 507 Pilgrimage to Lourdes in May 2025 along with an organisational structure. What makes the Veterans’ Group is that we are the only Group to travel at the same time as the International Military Pilgrimage more of which follows later.
This year, 2024, the cost charged by HCPT was £1,044.00 per person. This included flights (Bristol was the UK airport); airport transfers in France; 8 nights accommodation at Hosanna House including all meals – with a glass of wine at the evening meal; fully comprehensive travel insurance; the support of HCPT staff in the UK and France; Group coach journeys from Hosanna House into Lourdes and the use of two minibuses by the Group.
Everyone who travels with the Group is expected to meet their own costs for the Pilgrimage. Limited resources are available to assist those unable to meet the full cost and will be considered on an individual basis by the Group Management Team. Military Veterans may be able to obtain support from Regimental or Corps Trust or other Service Associations.
The Group funds the provision of 2 Group 507 polo shirts and a Group 507 Waterproof Jacket for those who have not travelled in 2023 or 2024. Additionally, the ancillary charges raised during the Pilgrimage including coach excursions beyond Lourdes; candles; the BBQ etc will be funded by the Group. The funds to meet these costs generally come from Parish Collections along with Charitable and Individual Donations.
HCPT operate a Fares by Instalment scheme whereby individuals can pay an amount each month and draw from the scheme when their fare is due. Anyone paying into the scheme can also ask for their money to be repaid in full or part at any time. Other options available to individuals unable to pay the full fare are to use a Crowd Funding Scheme such as GoFundMe.
Group 507
Group 507, founded in 1995, operates under the auspices of HCPT (Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust – Registered Charity 281074 Life Changing Pilgrimage Holidays – HCPT) through whom the Group’s Pilgrimage is booked and managed. It follows HCPT’s requirements for the registration of Members of the Group. Group 507 is one of many Groups managed by HCPT throughout the UK. HCPT is divided into geographical Regions with the exception of the Armed Forces Region. This Region includes Groups mainly consisting of children with an Armed Forces connection, who travel over the Easter period, as well as Group 507. The Armed Forces Region is led by the Regional Chair with the Groups in the Region meeting for a Training Weekend each year as well as occasional meetings of the various Group Leaders along with other Regional Officers.
Group 507 is under the leadership of the Group Leader supported by Deputy Group Leaders, a Group Chaplain, a Group Nurse and a Group Treasurer.
Group 507’s Pilgrimage takes place to include the weekend of the International Military Pilgrimage. The membership of the Group includes Veterans or dependents; who were injured or wounded during their Military service or have subsequently become disabled or unwell; along with Helpers often with Military service or a Military background to assist and support the Veterans. The Group engages with several events over the weekend of the IMP.
The International Military Pilgrimage
The International Military Pilgrimage (IMP) to Lourdes, begun in 1958 as an act of reconciliation between the French and German nations after the Second World War. Traditionally sailors, soldiers and aviators gather in the foothills of the Pyrenees every May to celebrate what unites men and women of faith, and to engage in breaking down the barriers of nationalism and language that can divide us. The United Kingdom has supported this activity for many years, responding to the invitation by the French Minister of Defence to our own, through the chain of command via both national Chiefs of Defence Staff.
Whilst the social and military elements are vital components of the time together, the opportunity presented to engage in matters of faith and justice are also crucial. For members of the British Contingent their focus is that they are part of an International Pilgrimage and make an effort to participate in as many of the events, both Anglophone and other, that they can. In addition, they have opportunities to spend time alone, or in small groups, exploring the place, the meaning and the hope that spiritual discovery can engender.
All Military pilgrims, together with those attaching themselves to the British are first and foremost on Pilgrimage. Every effort has been made to physically get pilgrims to Lourdes and this has not been without its own challenges. Pilgrims should be ready to adapt, with good grace, to any changes which are made to the outline programme in order to ensure the smooth running of the IMP. It should be borne in mind that the authorities have more than 40 nations’ requests, and tens of thousands of Military Pilgrims, to take into consideration when planning events.
Group 507 join in activities of the IMP over the weekend, particularly with the UK Contingent, and in the briefing to the UK Contingent is included the following:
Service Personnel who have been wounded on Operations will be attending as part of the UK Contingent, together with their helpers. It is anticipated that our fellowship and common identity contingent, are reminded that they as comrades-in-arms will enable us to engage with them as full members of the IMP.
Categories of members in Group 507
Groups are carefully structured around the needs of the Assisted Adults (those who were injured or wounded during their Military service or have subsequently become disabled or unwell) who are being invited on the Pilgrimage. Key to that is the decision as to the registration category of each individual in the Group, based on the following:
Helpers are screened according to HCPT’s Safer Recruitment Policy. The Helpers in the Group have the primary role to deliver the care of the Assisted Adults in the Group. The Safer Recruitment Policy requires 3 references for anyone who has not travelled in the past two years, or is a new Helper, and a valid Qualifying Certificate (A DBS clearance certificate.) issued following the request being processed through HCPT. No Qualifying Certificate (A DBS or similar check) issued following a request through any other agency/organisation is accepted.
All helpers will be expected to be capable of pushing a wheelchair with their assigned Assisted Adult in the wheelchair.
Annual and specialist training is organised through HCPT. All Helpers will be expected to attend the Regional Annual Training Weekend usually held in late January or early February of each year.
As we have the use of two minibus vehicles at Hosanna House it is hoped that helpers will be willing to take their place on a driving rota during our stay. This will not be an onerous responsibility and a full briefing will be provided during our first day at Hosanna House including how to secure a wheelchair in the vehicles. A full driving licence is required and a “licence summary” will be required to be generated from the DVLA website no more than 21 days before the pilgrimage. To produce this you will require; driving licence number; national insurance number; postcode on your driving licence.
https://www.viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk/
Autonomous Adults are also screened according to HCPT’s Safer Recruitment Policy. As the title suggests they are members of the Group in an autonomous capacity. They do not have a direct responsibility for an Assisted Adult but are able to support the Group by assisting in general situations such as in the dining room at meal times. Autonomous Adults are often former Helpers who do not themselves require assistance but may no longer be in a position to serve as Helpers.
Assisted Adults (those who were injured or wounded during their Military service or have subsequently become disabled or unwell) are not screened accordingly to HCPT’s Safer Recruitment Policy. These members of the Group require the care of the Group, mainly through having a Helper assigned to them, to participate in the Pilgrimage. Their needs are varied and can include mobility limitations, mild neurological conditions or a combination of needs.
In deciding on the registration category, it is very important that it is understood that individuals who live autonomously in their home environment in the UK may well require assistance elsewhere. The Group Leader and Group Nurse will make the final decision, after requesting medical advice and information, on the category to be applied to individuals. It may therefore be more appropriate for someone to be registered as an Assisted Adult for the pilgrimage rather than as an Autonomous Adult.
For further information please email: armedforces.treasurer@hcptmail.org.uk
