Veterans in Communities (VIC) is an East Lancashire based Armed Forces charity that’s works across Rossendale, Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn, Ribble, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. VIC supports those who have served in any of the branches of the armed forces, emergency services and their families who have or are having difficulties with returning to ‘Civvy Street’.
We offer a range of activities which are run by veterans or retired members of the emergency services; the range of activities include walking, horticulture, allotments, social trips, helping the local community with small projects, training opportunities, outreach in local areas, art groups, craft groups, and a Singing Group.
VIC is well established and works with a range of services and organisations that can provide welfare and wellbeing needs; Royal British Legion, SSAFA the Armed Force Charity, local veteran Associations, local housing providers, Combat Stress, Military Veterans Service, Citizens Advice, Lancashire Wellbeing Service, Accrington and Rossendale College, local Armed Forces Community Covenant Groups, Remploy, Shelter, Inspire, local Drug and Alcohol Services, Community Groups, Lancashire Adult Learning, NHS Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, GP Surgeries, Food Banks, Fare Share, Job Centre Plus, Link for Life, and Veterans Breakfast Clubs.
We recognise that being in the armed forces or any of the emergency services is a very different culture from many other jobs and that they can find it hard to re-adjust once they have left. Many can feel they are unable to ‘Fit’ into civilian life after their experiences and being away for so long from families, friends and the communities they grew up in. They have a range of experiences and skills that the general population don’t have; they leave as very highly skilled men and women with training that isn’t always needed in civilian life. VIC believes that the shared experiences of veterans helping veterans can achieve much to bring about a successful return to civilian life.
Our Peer Support activities and projects are being delivered by veterans for veterans. Our community projects, outdoor activities and outreach services have been designed and developed by VIC members who understand the needs of veterans. Although many of our members have served in the Armed Forces or Emergency Services or have an association with the Armed Forces through family, VIC is not exclusive, and many of our Peer Support activities include those who haven't served. Our members are an integral element of VIC. They are the backbone of what we do here at VIC.
We offer a range of activities which are run by veterans or retired members of the emergency services; the range of activities include walking, horticulture, allotments, social trips, helping the local community with small projects, training opportunities, outreach in local areas, art groups, craft groups, and a Singing Group.
VIC is well established and works with a range of services and organisations that can provide welfare and wellbeing needs; Royal British Legion, SSAFA the Armed Force Charity, local veteran Associations, local housing providers, Combat Stress, Military Veterans Service, Citizens Advice, Lancashire Wellbeing Service, Accrington and Rossendale College, local Armed Forces Community Covenant Groups, Remploy, Shelter, Inspire, local Drug and Alcohol Services, Community Groups, Lancashire Adult Learning, NHS Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, GP Surgeries, Food Banks, Fare Share, Job Centre Plus, Link for Life, and Veterans Breakfast Clubs.
We recognise that being in the armed forces or any of the emergency services is a very different culture from many other jobs and that they can find it hard to re-adjust once they have left. Many can feel they are unable to ‘Fit’ into civilian life after their experiences and being away for so long from families, friends and the communities they grew up in. They have a range of experiences and skills that the general population don’t have; they leave as very highly skilled men and women with training that isn’t always needed in civilian life. VIC believes that the shared experiences of veterans helping veterans can achieve much to bring about a successful return to civilian life.
Our Peer Support activities and projects are being delivered by veterans for veterans. Our community projects, outdoor activities and outreach services have been designed and developed by VIC members who understand the needs of veterans. Although many of our members have served in the Armed Forces or Emergency Services or have an association with the Armed Forces through family, VIC is not exclusive, and many of our Peer Support activities include those who haven't served. Our members are an integral element of VIC. They are the backbone of what we do here at VIC.
Veterans In Communities is one of the many brilliant grass roots organisations that we work with. What sets it apart is its commitment to community and the reintegration of veterans into civilian society. VIC offers a wide range of programmes that bring people together, develop skills and provide support. And their staff and volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and have a real belief in their work. When you visit VIC you can feel the family environment and the sense of positivity from everyone there and that can only be a good thing for veterans who feel that they need help taking the next step.
RBL Citation from the Royal British Legion Greater Manchester & Lancashire Area Awards in the Third Sector Award category 2017
RBL Citation from the Royal British Legion Greater Manchester & Lancashire Area Awards in the Third Sector Award category 2017
Forthcoming events
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Annual General Meeting Wednesday 20th September
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COMING SHORTLY VIC ART GROUP XMAS CARDS
Pale Maiden - a song written to raise money for VIC and South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 (SAMA82)
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A POEM written by Falklands Islands’ veteran and VIC member Steve Butterworth has been transformed into a song that has been recorded by a choir from Port Stanley.
Steve returned to the islands for the first time in 32 years in 2014. He served in the Royal Navy from 1976 until 1983 and was a catering accountant on HMS Intrepid, but during the day he was a medic patching up the wounded, mainly Welsh Guards from the Sir Galahad. On his return to the Falklands, Steve was moved by the islands’ national flower Pale Maiden and its strong scent, small white bloom with a yellow centre and red veins. Steve said “That little flower turned a negative experience in 1982 into a positive in 2014. Returning again in 2015 he approached the Port Stanley Cathedral Choir with a view to them recording my song.” The song is a sentimental dialogue of how the Pale Maiden grows and protects the islands from land, sea and air and acts as a ‘Guardian Angel’ to the fallen. A second female section, co-written and sung by acclaimed folk singer Corrie Shelly, portrays the flower singing to herself. On the CD Port Stanley Cathedral Choir and Infant and Youth Choir sing one version, the male part of the song, with music composed and lyrics arranged by VIC member Alan Willetts and Veteran’s sweetheart Sarah Dennis. VIC member Nina Birley composed the second female version of the song and Steve provided backing vocals. It has been played on the Falkland Islands radio station and is available to buy from VIC on 01706 833180 or email info@vic.org.uk Pale Maiden is now being sold for £5 with all profits benefiting VIC and the South Atlantic Medal Association. |
To hear a sample of the song visit YouTube and search Pale Maiden.
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NEWS
Latest Newsletter
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VIC Projects & activities
 COMMUNITY PROJECTS
WW1 COMMEMORATION PROJECTS
DIG for VIC GARDEN
ROSSENDALE ALLOTMENT
VETERANS OUTREACH
SINGING GROUP
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
ARTS & CRAFTS
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 VIC recognise that without your support we would not be able to deliver the range of services to ex-service personnel and their families.
The range of activities we provide are at no cost to those undertaking them and the social inclusion activities are funded through donations only. If you would like to make a difference by making a donation to help support us please donate through our donation page. 
FUNDRAISING
Graham's and Darren's stories
In March 2014 VIC were asked to produce some videos for the East Lancs Clinical Commissioning Group (ELCCG) to show their personal experiences of suffering from PTSD, how it affected their lives and what they have gained from VIC. These videos were presented at a ELCCG meeting by the two members who produced them.
Graham Limb (previously known as Gilsenan) produced a video version called 'History of a Broken Man' and Darren Horsnell produced an animated version 'VIC and Me'. Combat PTSD Angels are a community of carers committed to supporting and educating carers and family members of UK veterans with Combat related PTSD.
VIC team building day at Hollingworth Lake in Rochdale with Alternate Forces.
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VIC Mission Statement
'To ensure that ex-service personnel and their families return, belong and prosper in the communities'
This website is updated monthly.
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