*****Corona virus update*****
As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to present challenges for everyone.
Following further advice we have had to make further changes on how the current Coronavirus crisis has affected VIC, the VIC Centre in Haslingden, the Hyndburn Veterans Drop-in, our activities and how the outreach team will be working for the foreseeable future.
Our main contact details are 01706 833180 or you can email amandawalton@vic.org.uk, bobelliott@vic.org.uk, amythompson@vic.org.uk or raysharkey@vic.org.uk
Our Outreach workers are working from home and contactable by phone.
Steve Butterworth is now covering East Lancashire and parts of the Rossendale areas 07741902188 or stevebutterworth@vic.org.uk
Bev Fowler is covering the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale and our members in the Greater Manchester areas 07741902343 or beverleyfowler@vic.org.uk
Gill Hughes Those who are on the BBO programme 07741902411 or gillhughes@vic.org.uk
Ray Sharkey is covering the Haslingden, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley areas raysharkey@vic.org.uk
Our website and Facebook page is regularly updated and there is more information on VIC services. https://www.facebook.com/VeteransInCommunities/
[Read more.....]
Further updates
We will continue to review the situation and Government guidance regularly and will update this page if circumstances change.
Following further advice we have had to make further changes on how the current Coronavirus crisis has affected VIC, the VIC Centre in Haslingden, the Hyndburn Veterans Drop-in, our activities and how the outreach team will be working for the foreseeable future.
Our main contact details are 01706 833180 or you can email amandawalton@vic.org.uk, bobelliott@vic.org.uk, amythompson@vic.org.uk or raysharkey@vic.org.uk
Our Outreach workers are working from home and contactable by phone.
Steve Butterworth is now covering East Lancashire and parts of the Rossendale areas 07741902188 or stevebutterworth@vic.org.uk
Bev Fowler is covering the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale and our members in the Greater Manchester areas 07741902343 or beverleyfowler@vic.org.uk
Gill Hughes Those who are on the BBO programme 07741902411 or gillhughes@vic.org.uk
Ray Sharkey is covering the Haslingden, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley areas raysharkey@vic.org.uk
Our website and Facebook page is regularly updated and there is more information on VIC services. https://www.facebook.com/VeteransInCommunities/
[Read more.....]
Further updates
We will continue to review the situation and Government guidance regularly and will update this page if circumstances change.
Veterans in Communities (VIC) is an East Lancashire based Armed Forces charity that 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.
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 to veterans, and many of our Peer Support activities include those who haven't served. Our members are an integral element of 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.
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 to veterans, and many of our Peer Support activities include those who haven't served. Our members are an integral element of VIC.
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The MOD have released the 'Armed Forces Covenant in action' short films and they are now on the Veterans Gateway website. These films showcase the positive impact the Armed Forces Covenant is having.
VIC were given special permission by the MOD last year to show ours before their official release to a conference organised by ASDIC (Association of ex-Service Drop-In Centres) and to the East Lancs CCG Governing Body in November last year. |
Community Projects and Veterans In Production |
Arts and Crafts |
Volunteering |
The Veterans In Production was developed from the projects we have completed and builds a range of garden planters and furniture using recycled pallets.
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The Art and Craft groups meet weekly and members are able to learn new skills and mediums
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We are a volunteer led organisation and all our activities are run by our members.
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Allotment and Dig for VIC |
Social Inclusion
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VIC Shop |
The ‘Dig for VIC’ was a project funded in 2014 through a Social Prescribing grant.
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Trips have included; canal boat trips, museums, National Arboretum, nature reserves, veteran breakfast clubs, and other places of interests.
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The VIC Shop sells a range of the products made by the art and craft groups
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VIC choir |
Outdoor activities
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Fundraising |
The Choir has performs at Festival of Remembrances, supermarkets, community events, residential homes and concerts.
Hallolujah 2017 |
The range of the VIC activities have included; walking, fishing, team building days, and water based activities.
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If you would like to make a difference by making a donation to help support us please donate through our donation page.
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Veterans information outreach services
Information and outreach services
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The VIC outreach service is primarily an information and referral service. We work with many of the ex-service charities, public, and third sector organisations in the North-west. It is through our working relationships and networks that we can refer onto the appropriate service or services.
The outreach provides free Information, advice and guidance on a number of issues; · Welfare · Health · Education & Training · Housing · Benefits · Social inclusion activities |
Want to make a difference?
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As with any other charity and third sector organisations VIC rely on our volunteers to support us. Our volunteers are not only recruited from the Armed Forces Community but the Wider Community as a whole. We are a volunteer led organisation and all our activities are run by our members. Our volunteers are encouraged to become active members of VIC and get involved in further activities that give them an opportunity to develop new skills and experiences with other members. These skills can then be passed onto members and the wider community.
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VIC latest news stories
We update our activities and news stories regularly and these can be read on the Latest News page. |
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 generally at no cost or already subsidised to those taking part 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. |
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
VIC Mission Statement
'To ensure that ex-service personnel and their families return, belong and prosper in the communities'
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This website is updated monthly.
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