Society of Remedial Gymnasts

The origins of the Society can be found in World War II when remedial exercises and group therapy were used to rehabilitate injured servicemen. Physical training instructors from the armed services were used also in civilian emergency hospitals.

Training courses in remedial gymnastics were offered to ex-service physical training instructors, the first course beginning in Autumn 1945 at Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield. The training school at Pinderfields became permanent in 1952 and the course was re-organised in 1961. A second training school at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, was opened in 1973. The joint services school established at Chessington moved to Woolwich in 1979.

The Association of Remedial Gymnasts was formed in Oct 1946, becoming the Society of Remedial Gymnasts in 1953. The Society was incorporated in 1962, became The Society of Remedial Gymnasts and Recreational Therapy in 1982, and The Society of Remedial Gymnastics and Recreational Therapy Ltd in 1984.

In 1953 men who had not been in the services and women were first accepted for training. Proposals to amalgamate with the CSP were made in the early 1970s. There was much opposition from both sides, and merger did not occur until 16 Nov 1985.