VIC 2020 News

We delivered our last two Xmas Hampers on Xmas Eve . One was a particularly special one as it was made especially for one of our WW2 veterans Jack Riley. We were contacted a couple of weeks by Gemma Hebden who asked if they could make one up for one of our members. They dropped off the hamper yesterday but unfortunately they couldn't pass it over to Jack personally as he's recently been unwell.
The hamper was a joint effort by the family, friends and members of her community. On Jack's behalf he's sent his best wishes, thanks and was very touched.
The other hamper was made up by the Shine Project and it included a Xmas dinner. We left it till today as she has only just got her new fridge freezer that was organised by
Rummage Rescuers
.

We had a request for help from East Lancashire CCG. The Rossendale Vaccination Site is opening between Xmas and New Year at the Hub in Rawtenstall and they needed some chairs collecting from the head quarters in Nelson and from the Irwell medical practice in Bacup. It was a pleasure to be able to help out.

We have a few volunteers also helping out as car park marshalls.

Last Friday was the last day of opening over the Xmas period for the Accrington Veterans Drop-in shop. One of the regular members John brought in his accordion and we held a raffle which raised £90. All winners have now been notified.
We aren't sure of the opening of the Accrington Veterans Drop-in and shop in the New Year until we get the get the new guidelines.
Great effort guys.

We would like to thank Will Burns for the donation of some food to go into our hampers for veterans just before we closed for Xmas. Thanks Will it's much appreciated. Will runs the Unlock Your You, a mental health helpline.

A busy two days at the VIC Centre. We took delivery of 240 Xmas gift hampers from the Compass Group on the 17th December. They donated these to the Royal British Legion and we were asked to coordinate their distribution.
Some went to Fylde FC, Blackpool FC, Burnley FC, Sale Sharks, Wigan HQ, First Light Trust, RBL beneficiaries, Haslingden branch of the RBL and VIC.
We added some other little goodies to our Xmas hampers and these will be delivered by our volunteer drivers. We had donations from Positive Start, ASDA, our members and supporters, Tesco, and the Shine Project.  Two of our staff went shopping to LIDL to get extra food from the ASDA grant . We have made up over 110 hampers.
"We would like to thank everyone involved in putting the hampers together over the last few days and will be dropping them off. It's been a massive team effort and it's been our busiest year."
We are delivering in Rossendale, Hyndburn, Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Barrowford, Darwen, Blackburn, Preston, Chorley, Bury, Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Salford, Swinton, and Worsley. Some of these hampers being delivered are for the RBL beneficiaries who had organised the donation or 240 Xmas gift hampers from the Compass Group.

We would like to thank MEG Training Solutions for promoting VIC on their training vehicles. Very much appreciated Mark. You'll be able to see his vehicles on the roads around Lancashire.
Meg Training Solutions is a local, family run, Driver Training Centre in Lancashire based across two sites, (Great Harwood and Nelson).
They are committed to delivering the highest standard of training whether that be for HGV Driver Training, Driver CPC, Transport Management Courses, Forklift training or FORS pre-auditing services.
With almost 30 years experience in the transport industry MD and lead trainer Mark Gaines a former Royal Engineer is fully qualified with OCR International in Transport Management. He has many years under his belt in varying roles from driver, transport planner, transport manager to running his own successful haulage company. He is also JAUPT approved Driver CPC trainer, RTITB recognised instructor and a FORS auditor.

​Veterans In Communities and Veterans Art Organisation launched their Art Competition on the 27th August. The competition was for members of the Veterans Art Organisation (VAO) and members of the Veterans In Communities Art Group.

The Competition was open to amateur and hobby artist only. Entries from Veterans, emergency services and family members . All works had to have been completed in the past six months and must be the artists original work. 

The pieces were judged by a panel and the winners were announced on the 17th December.[More info]

We had an urgent request  from Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CVS. They were asking for veterans who could support with marshalling the COVID Vaccine site in Hyndburn.
Two of our volunteers Phil and Shep stepped up to the mark and started on Tuesday 16th December. Well done guys great effort.
This is the start of the support we will give to the COVID Vaccine Sites in Hyndburn and Rossendale. 

Veterans in Communities would like to say a huge thank you to Tesco Burnley, and their Community Champion Billie Jean Horne, for the donations of children's presents and gift packages for us to distribute to our members. Billie Jean is pictured here with two of our Volunteer Outreach Workers for the Burnley area - Phil Chamberlain and Keith Shepherd. Thanks ever so much Tesco, I'm sure all recipients will be extremely pleased.

Our Crafty Chatters co-ordinator Ivy wants to say a huge thank you for the amazing donations of wool, after our appeal on social media. On of our volunteers crochets amazing blankets for us to sell at the Accrington Veterans Drop-in shop. She will also be over the moon. Thanks to everyone who donated! 

We would like to thank the patients and staff at the Priory Kemple View in Langho for raising £103 from the sales of our crafts on the 4th December at the Xmas fair . One of our members Adrian set a stall up as this year we were unable to go ourselves due to the current COVID restrictions.
Kemple View is a 90-bedded service catering to the treatment needs of male patients with a mental illness and/or personality disorder, maximising their opportunity for recovery, rehabilitation and independent living.
A great effort by all concerned.

In September one of our members Brian McEvoy started on his biggest project of the year. He had seen a picture of a coffee table that was made using reclaimed materials to look industrial. Brian is part of the pyrography group and this was something that took him out of his comfort zone. He completed this in the middle of October and the table looked amazing.
The process involved him getting an old beam which he battered and burned, the legs are made from steel pipes and a recycled glass coffee table top was fitted. It took him many hours to make and the results speak for themselves. He entered it into Veterans Arts Competition in the Special COVID Group.
Brian says:
“At night I spend a long time searching for ideas for my pyrography and other art ideas on the internet. One night I saw something that got me thinking.”
“There is a big difference to having an idea and getting the job done and this was my first real attempt at something like this.”
“Luckily I was being guided by Bernard (our Veterans in Production chief) and Bob (no explanation need). It was a nerve racking task for me and I couldn't have finished it without them.”
“Now I have made one of these tables I should be ok doing the next one (I have more glass).”
Brian’s tips if somebody wants to make their own.
“I would glue the legs into the end pieces because the grub screws knock the legs out of position.
Using yacht varnish on the battered wood (done with an axe, a hammer and a flame thrower) is an absolute must. I would use a proper primer on all of the metal work then use a suitable black spray (the tables can be kept on a patio if treated well).”
“During the time it took to make it, I felt quite anxious at times because I couldn't see the progress we were making. I was constantly reassured by the Guys and in the end everything did turn out well.”
“I now look forward to seeing this table in a living room, conservatory or patio.”
This is a bespoke handmade coffee table that he wants to sell and wants to donate the proceeds to VIC. Well done Brian an outstanding piece of work and if anybody is interested in buying this then please contact the office on 01706 833180, offers of around £350. I’m sure this will look very good in the right setting, and Brian being Brian I don’t think he realises just what he’s achieved by doing this.
This is a first for VIC as we have never been in the position of having something like this to sell and raise money for the charity. Once again outstanding effort Brian..

On Thursday the 3rd December, a zoom meeting was held with the founder and presenter of the Australian TV programme “Put some colour in your Life”, Graeme Stevenson and his UK representative Ian Walton. Colour in your Life can be seen on TV and many digital platforms globally and is currently airing its twenty second series of half hourly programmes. Each programme is dedicated to one particular artist, who will give a demonstration of their style of work and the preferred medium they like to work with, whilst giving a brief biography of themselves. Graeme came up with an idea about eleven years ago, where he could travel around Australia on his Harley motorcycle and bring art and its benefits of wellbeing and mindfulness, into the homes of everyday people.
As we know in March 2020, the world was put on standstill due to the Covid 19 pandemic, Graeme’s travels were obviously put on hold bringing his global message to a temporary halt however; this wasn’t an option for him and his team. They came up with the idea of virtual travels and sitting alongside their guest artists with the help of technology. This has proved invaluable, especially to those who have been isolated whilst shielding during the lockdown.
We had launched the Veterans Art Competition at the end of August where we invited artists to submit a painting of their choice in any medium in a portrait, landscape or wildlife painting which has been judged by Derek Blois a renowned aviation and maritime artist. Steve made contact with Graeme to see whether he would be interested in supporting this competition and possibly be able to share ideas moving forward to our own art group and members on the Veterans Art Organisation social media group. Graeme was only too happy to support this and the first International Zoom meeting was held on the 3rd December with Steve Butterworth and Darren Horsnell.
We would like to thank Graeme and his team for supporting VIC, veterans and members of the art group and the Veterans Art Organisation. We look forward to working with him in the future. 

Following on from the success of the WW1 soldier silhouettes our VIC Santa's Elves were at the start of December to make some Xmas decorations. They were sold at the Accrington Shop . 
All are handmade and painted; the tree decorations are £2.50 each, the Santa Stop Here are £5 each, Xmas boxes are also £5 and the Xmas blocks are also £5 each.
They will be on sale again in December next year.

VIC is one of the 5 of the ASDA nominated local groups and Charities to receive £300 each for their Community support during Covid-19.

Veterans in Communities are delighted to have just seen this. Thank you so much Asda and the Community Champion Laura Saxton

Well done to Trinity Baptist Church, Rossendale Hospital, Raft Foundation and Friends Reminisce. 

We heard the sad news on Wednesday 26th November that one of the members, Bob Graham who volunteered at the Accrington Veterans Drop-in passed away peacefully on the Tuesday.
Bob became one of our regular volunteers in the Summer of 2019 at the drop-in. He was the first to introduce himself to people coming into the drop-in, had a great sense of humour and was very much liked by the team.
Bob served in the Scots Guard from 1963 to 1977 and served on operation tours in Malaysia, Borneo and Northern Ireland.
His funeral is Thursday 3rd December at 1340 at Accrington Crematorium. Some of us who knew Bob will line up at the top of road going into the Crematorium.
RIP Bob and REspect

It was noticed at this year’s Remembrance service and Armistice Day at Greenfield Gardens in Haslingden that the Union Flag had seen better days and resembled some battle damage. We would like to thank
Rossendale Council for their prompt action in getting two new flags. Typical the day we put it up there was no wind.

At the end of November we had a request of help from the West Lancashire Integrated Neighbourhood Team. One of their elderly patients John, a veteran who had served in the Royal Artillery was now having difficulties using the stairs of his house to get up to his bedroom. He had an electric bed delivered that needed setting up in the front room. He was unable to set it up himself so two of the VIC team went over on Wednesday and set it up.
During our visit on the 3rd December we also explained about the ‘Veterans Should Not be Forgotten’ project where we were able to provide a tablet on loan so he could contact his family, and have access to the internet as he couldn’t get out much. We will be dropping off his tablet next week and once the Armed Forces Breakfast Clubs are able to start up again he’s interested in going along to meet other veterans.

As part of the regular welfare calls we make to our members we had a request of help on Tuesday. The daughter of one of elderly members called us back and asked whether we could power wash the back patio area as she was concerned that the growth could cause them slip if they went out of the back door.
On the 25th November when we went around to do the back we noticed that we should do all the driveway and paths as it could be just as dangerous over the winter period. One of our members Brian spend a few hours powerwashing and now they are all cleaned. The family is happy with the results.

Gill Currie donated £40 to VIC as a result of sales of her products sold via her Facebook group - Serendipity throughout the month of October. Thank you Gill ​

(photo taken pre-Covid

We would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all the staff and members of the Co-op in Hyndburn.
You have raised a fantastic £2,765.43 for us whilst we have been a Co-Op local Community Fund cause. This funding will enable activities at VIC Hyndburn to continue (when we're allowed to re-open fully)

​We would like to thank Sam Smith for dropping off some hand made Xmas cards for our members. This year we will handing out food hampers again for our vulnerable members and these cards will be added to each food hamper.

Although many of the Remembrance services this year couldn't go ahead as planned VIC members met at the Haslingden Greenfield Gardens Memorial on Wednesday 11th November. We would like to thank those who attended at 11am for the last post and lowering the flag.
We have decided to donate two of the WW1 Soldier Silhouettes we made this year to Greenfield Gardens Memorial.
Our members attended the many services across the the North-West on both Remembrance Sunday and on Armistice day. Two members Bill and Mick put a wreath at Bacup Cemetery where we laid a number of headstones to remember those who didn't return after WW1. 

We donated two of the WW1 silhouettes that Veterans In Production made for Remembrance to Greenfield Gardens Memorial. .

On the 3rd November we held our last Sandbag Cafe due the latest COVID Lockdown on the 5th November and we hope to re-open again on the 8th December. We took the opportunity to give out some tablets for the members so they could keep in contact with each other. The tablets are part of the Veterans Should Not Be Forgotten project.
​We were able to give out some of the WW1 Soldier silhouette window hangers so some the members could display them in the windows as many of the Remembrance Services had to cancelled due to the Lockdown.

A very memorable birthday celebration for 98-years-young D-Day veteran Lewis Banham on the 3rd November. Thank you William Ogden
for organising and the Veterans Living History Museum
for attending!
Lewis said: "It has been fantastic; a birthday I will long remember. You are all welcome to my 100th!"

Veterans In Production and members of the Pyrography group produced a number of Remembrance silhouettes and windows hangers for this Remembrance. Many of the Remembrance services and events were cancelled due the COVID restrictions and lockdown.
We made a range of silhouettes that could be placed in the windows or gardens. There were a great success and we sold 40 window silhouettes, 55 window hangers and a few garden silhouettes.
We will produce a greater range year.

VIC members had a had short walk around Clough Head on the 15th October with a new member who is on our BBQ programme.

VIC would like to congratulate Pendle Council, on their Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. Thank you to everyone on the Pendle Armed Forces Covenant Group for all their support and all the valuable work they do to support our serving and ex-service personnel and their families. Photo shows the Cllr Neil Butterworth, the Council's Armed Forces Champion with Audrey Drinkwater, Vice-Chair of the Pendle Armed Forces Covenant Group.
​VIC is one of the members of the Pendle Armed Forces Group.

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We learnt at the beginning of October of the passing of one of member from Rochdale.
Derek Cullen was an active member of VIC in 2015 - 2017 on our outdoor type activities before he return to work. Derek was real gent and was liked and well respected by all those he came into contact with. I've gone through some of our past pictures and this is a selection.
RIP Derek.

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At the beginning of August we received the Silver Award of the MOD Employers Recognition Scheme. VIC is very proud to be recognised for the work we do for the Armed Forces Community and the award has taken pride of place in the reception area of the VIC Centre in Haslingden.
Without the support of the Trustees, staff, volunteers, members and supporters this wouldn't have been possible, well done 

At the end of September we heard the very sad news that one of founding members Tracey Vick had passed away at home. Tracey was one of the first members of VIC, it was whilst we were with Veterans In Action in 2011. She brought along her partner Darren to meet us as he was veteran and wanted to get involved.
Although Tracey worked she helped with organising some of our first fund raising events including; the first Fun Day at St Mary’s Football Club, the launch day of the VIC at Alder Grange School, and at the opening of the VIC centre. Tracey was involved when we changed from being a part of Veterans In Action in Rossendale to what we are now Veterans In Communities.
I think I can speak on behalf of all our members by sending our sincere condolences to Darren and the family. Tracey had a strong personality with a very caring and supporting nature. They both used to play as youngsters together in London before going their separate ways. They met again years later when Darren was struggling after leaving the military and they were together ever since, they weren’t just partners but soul mates. We can never replace Tracey in Darren’s life but we are and always will be here for him.
RIP Tracey you will be missed by all those who knew you. You were taken away far too early

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Over the first two weeks of September two of the members of our model railway club have been going through some of the models, track, buildings and other miscellaneous pieces that were donated before the COVID lockdown.
We are hoping the model railway club will be able to meet up at the Accrington Veterans Drop-in in the next four weeks. A big thank you to Vinny from the Heywood Sandbag and others who have donated their unwanted models.

On the 27th August the VIC Centre had a visit from 
Sara Britcliffe MP the local MP for Haslingden, Helmshore and Hyndburn. It was great to see her and talk about the work VIC do in her Constituency. She's planning another visit where we can have more time to show her around, meet some of members and other staff.
Sara has offered to support us where she can and we look forward to working her.

On the 27th August we ran our second IT Tablet course at the VIC Centre; Jack, Mick, Joe, Ann and Elaine were taught to use Zoom and Emails through a tablet. Thanks to Peter who is delivering the training and today he was assisted by our Project Worker Ray Sharkey.
Other training and refresher courses will continue to be run at the VIC Centre.

Steve Butterworth and Joe Davis spent a few hours at the the allotment on the 19th August with a strimmer. They got a bit carried away and ended doing at the verges on each allotment. Outstanding effort and I'm sure the other owners will thank them personally.

There is always a good community spirit at the allotment and everyone helps each other out.

On the 19th August members of our Sandbag Cafe in Heywood celebrated VJ Day. Unfortunately due to the COVID restrictions we had to restrict the number of members so we could keep to social distancing.

We are pleased to announce we received funding from the Veterans Should Not Be Forgotten Programme (VSNBF).
There should be no surprise that during Covid 19 crisis, the subsequent lockdown and restrictions have affected our; mental health, issues around social isolation, not seeing family and friends and just not being able to do what we did before. 
This funding has meant we have been able to purchase a number of tablets and sim cards with internet access for those members who can't access the internet.
On the 17th August we started training some of our members in the use of tablets. 
These tablets will give more opportunity for some other members to join these Zoom groups, video calls to friends and family, social media and better access to our outreach team.

Picture by Catherine Smyth

On the 15th August VJ Day VIC members formed up outside of the VIC Centre in Haslingden for the last post. Thank you to the Royal British Legion Haslingden Branch for attending with their Standard.
Unfortunately due to the COVID Crisis we were unable to hold a planned celebration BBQ at the VIC Centre.

VIC members Ray, Steve and Gary dressed the front of the VIC Centre in Haslingden in preparation for the VJ Day celebrations.

On the 14th of August VIC members were able to spend some time at the allotment. They managed to cut back the trees and hedges so it will allow more light into the allotment. The allotment has been transformed over the last few weeks and we have started to plant a variety of vegetables for this season.
Thanks Steve, Jacko and Joe for their hard work.

Thanks to Roy Kendall from Top of the Range who has kindly donated some sewing and some personal hygiene kits to us. These will be put into the food bags and welfare packs for our members.

Before the Covid 19 Lockdown we ran monthly 'painting in the style of Bob Ross classes' Now thanks to the marvels of knowledgeably we now run these classes via zoom. Here are some wonderful works of art that some of the guys and girls have completed. Remember these are done via zoom and not in our normal class group. 

We are delighted to announce at the start of August we received confirmation that we have achieved the Silver award of the Ministry of Defence Employers Recognition Scheme! This demonstrates our continued support for the Armed Forces community.

At the end of July some of our members spent another day at the allotment and due to the lifting of some of the COVID restrictions we have been able to start up the allotment day every Wednesday. The allotment is being run by one of our outreach workers Steve Butterworth.

The funeral of Peter Maffret took place on the 26th June at Burnley Crematorium, He wanted to return to Gibraltar and one of our members Andy Holder had agreed to take him however he sadly passed away before this possible, however Andy is keeping his promise and plans to take some of his ashes where a small memorial service will take place. 
​
​PETER MAFFETT. 11th JULY 1925 - 14th JUNE 2020.

After the recent death of Peter Maffett, his family and friends had a collection in his honour. A huge £260 has been raised and handed over to Veterans in Communities by Ben Robinson and members of the Burnley veterans on the 20th July at the VIC Centre. Thanks ever so much to those that have contributed and 

In the middle of July we had a visit by Samantha and Caitlin from the Rossendale Sewing Bees who are part of Helmshore recycling - terracycle, Rossendale. They dropped off to drop off some washable face coverings for our members and have made over 150, and donated them all to four groups in Rossendale. During the initial COVID 19 crisis they made these for the NHS. 
Thank you very much to all the Sewing Bees. We're very grateful.

The government lifted some of the COVID restrictions which meant our members could once again get down onto the allotment with some of the members. There was a lot of weeding needed to get the beds ready for growing. Work started on the 8th July and the beds and weeding was finished ready for planting.

Having visited us on the 9th July to pick up a bug house that was made by Veterans In Production, staff from Mulberry Roots Nursery came back to collect this fabulous, newly renovated bench seat which has been sanded down, painted and decorated by one of our members. He is being supported by VIC through the Building Better Opportunities, Changing Futures project.

This summer Anthony McCormack is walking the coast to coast walk from Cumbria to Yorkshire - approximately 190 miles. And he’s doing it all in aid of Veterans in Communities.

Machine operator Anthony McCormack has done the coast-to-coast walk to raise money for Veterans In Communities.
Although not a veteran, Anthony, 59, from Stacksteads, wanted to raise money for a charity that worked with armed forces personnel which is when he came across VIC. “I have been training by walking from home to work at Flexipol in Haslingden, completing my 12 hour shift and then walking home again.
“It takes me an hour and 50 minutes to do the 5 mile distance and the company has been open throughout the pandemic.”
Anthony will left St Bees in Cumbria, taking a pebble from the beach, and then walk the 190 mile route to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire carrying a pack and wild camping along the way.
Anthony said: “I have previously walked the Mary Towneley Loop twice to practice for another long-distance walk I was planning.
“Once I have completed the coast-to-coast, I hope to do the Whitby to Hull walk, again raising money for charity.”

​
Funeral of one of members Carl Rivers took place at Burnley Crematorium on Monday 13th July. Carl's family requested a Guard of Honour & Standard Bearers.
Carl served in the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment.   R.I.P. Carl rest easy brother. Certa Cito

A few weeks ago Mulberry Roots Nursery asked us if we could build a bug house for their nursery children to fill. It's part of their new project to watch and learn about insects and critters.
Our Veterans in Production team made a large scale house and Lisa from Mulberry Roots came to collect it on the 9th July. They gave us a fabulous donation.
VIC want to say thank you for the kind donation and we can't wait to hear about the children learn. ​

Some of our members managed to get down to our allotment on the 8th July following some lifting of the COVID restrictions. The allotment was very overgrown due to the wet weather and not being able to maintain it for a number of weeks. However a small team spent a full day and made a very noticable change by clearing all the old weeds. Outstanding amount of work, well done Jacko, Joe and Steve.

​[More pictures on the 2020 galley]

On the 5th July the VIC Choir performed 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the NHS. This is only the second performance our choir has done via Zoom. 

The choir continues to practice weekly using Zoom, unfortunately not all the members have access to Zoom and we are addressing this by giving them tablets from the 'Veterans shall not forgotten' project.

Veterans In Production had a special request from one of our members in June.
Tracey and I would like to thank VIC, Bob Elliott, Bernard Tighe, for saving my father in law garden bench from certain demise. Many years ago when Tracey's dad passed away then one thing that Tracey wanted to keep was her dad's bench. She had fond memories of us all sitting and chatting to him before he lost his battle with cancer. The bench meant the world to Tracey and believe me when i say it meant so much to her as is evident by the expression on her face, It brought her to tears of joy. It may not look much but it meant so much to her. It was a huge shock to Tracey when Bob Elliott returned the bench to where it stood since her dad's passing.
Bernard the project lead on VIP spent hours restoring this bench for Tracey and this was one project we felt we needed to do.

One of members Brian spent a couple of hours tidying up a garden of one members Tracey who asked us to restore her fathers bench. She wanted to be able to sit outside and unfortunately she wasn't able to do it herself.

During Armed Forces Week, the old IT suite went through a transformation. We had a partition wall built so the main admin office could move downstairs. It was built by one of our members, and painted by another.

This change meant we could have more room to move the photocopier from the reception.

The normal celebrations for the National Armed Forces week starting the 22nd June unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the COVID 19 crisis. However VIC as we have for the last 7 years been the custodian for the flagpole at Greenfield Gardens in Haslingden raised the Armed Forces Week flag.

On the 17th June we launched a new project 'Developing Veterans. We received a grant from the Lancashire - COVID-19 Community Support Fund at the end of April to run an online Photography course.

The sessions are free to all who take part and although the tutor will run these sessions over 12 weeks, we will continue to use the Zoom platform for the foreseeable future for a number of other groups; art, Bob Ross and crafts.

Each session is recorded for those members who missed some of the sessions. The course is being delivered by Emma Holt of Emotive Capture. [More]

Veterans in Community artists took up the plea after hearing of it and kindly donated some.of their works along with other creative items to help while the hours away and adorn their walls.

Stainton Way Care Home Is a place for Convalescent Care , Day Care ,Palliative Care & Respite Care.
Jessica leigh Snowden is the activites & mental health well being co-ordinator who put out a plea for artworks on social media to brighten up the rooms of residents

VIC member Sally Anne is Jessica's mum and member of the Bob Ross and VIC art group. Sally said 'I felt immensely proud to bring the paintings to the care home. On behalf of Stainton Way Care Home I would like to thank VIC and the Artists, Darren Horsnell, Liz Taylor and Steve Butterworth for their generous donations'

​National Volunteers week was 1st June to 7th June and we have a few of our volunteers that need a 'mention in dispatches'.
​
At the start of the Lockdown many of our members came forward after a ‘call to arms’ and offered their support with helping our members who were shielding, self-isolating and those who were unable to work. It was unfortunate we couldn’t give everyone the opportunity of help but with the likelihood that this crisis will go on for some time to come, we’ll get around to you.
There are some volunteers that helped with the food deliveries; William Ogden, Jacko Pearce and Brian McEvoy delivered to those in isolation in Rossendale with some help from Baz Thorpe and Gary Horrocks. In Burnley our volunteer outreach workers Andy Robert Holder and Philip Chamberlain also delivered food parcels. These food deliveries from Positive Start and other local organisations have meant that those in shielding, in self-isolation and unable to leave their homes have had some food to eat. A special thanks to Jo Shakeel and her team for getting these out week after week with a good selection of different food.
The volunteer outreach workers: Andy Holder and Phil Chamberlain supported the members in Burnley. In Heywood Ian Rosalles and Bob Fallon supported some of the older members from the Sandbag Café
One of our members Julie Claire Davis baked some cakes which were took down to MOD Testing stations in Rawtenstall and Cissy Greens provided the cakes for Clitheroe.
The art, Bob Ross and craft groups had to adapt by learning to use Zoom; an online platform for meetings, to take part in online activities and where groups to socialise.
Darren Horsnell has been holding regular art and Bob Ross classes online and Ivy Limbrick has recently started the craft group. The future will see us developing further activities through Zoom where we can’t meet at the VIC Centre. Thanks to some recent funding we will be running a photography group and other social meetings instead of the Sandbag Café or breakfast clubs.
Brian McEvoy has been able to help with tidying gardens, paint fencing and refurbished benches out in the community.
Our trustees who are all volunteers have supported the charity during the Crisis by regular online meetings.
VIC can’t operate like we do without the commitment, enthusiasm, hardworking, flexibility, and volunteer time our volunteers give. So on behalf of the trustees, staff and members we would like to thank you for all your efforts.

On the 6th June 1944 76 years ago, over 150,000 British, Canadian and American troops landed on the Normandy Coast on 5 beaches; Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Over the next five days 326,000 troops, 50,000 vehicles and over 100,000 tons were landed in Normandy.
According to some estimates, more than 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives in the D-Day invasion, with thousands more wounded or missing.
In among them were some of our WW2 serving veteran members; Lewis Banham, Jack Riley, Jack Cunnane and Harvey (Paddy) O'Hara.
The world owes people like you and of your generation a great sense of gratitude as it was your sacrifices that freed Europe from the Nazi tyranny.
REspect gentlemen

Friday 5th June saw the last of the large door step deliveries from Positive Start. Our volunteers; Bill, Jacko, Brian, Baz and Ray have done an outstanding job over the last 11 weeks.
This was a very worthwhile and humbling experience for those involved. A very big thank you must go to Jo Shakeel and her team at Positive Start in Rawtenstall for getting in excess of 140 bags made up and delivered each week. With some of the extra bags we were given VIC managed to hand out another 10 per week to our members in isolation.

At the beginning of May one of our Heywood members Vinny asked for a cassette player so he could listen to his music during the lockdown. We were able to get one and on Friday we picked up boxes of model railway kit which included track way, locomotives, buildings, and a large board kindly donated to VIC by Vinny.
This will allow the Model Railway Club to start to build their model once the restrictions are lifted sufficiently for them to meet. The club will meet at the Accrington Drop-in unit where they will utilise the downstairs area to build their model.
Thanks Vinny, and hope you'll be able to join the group soon and help to get it up and running.

On Friday 22nd May VIC members Bill, Jacko and Brian delivered 31 food bags from Positive Start to homes around Haslingden and Helmshore. Baz delivered three food bags to members in Burnley.
​Good effort guys.

The Zoom Bob Ross group has started another picture, it was initially thought the group would meet two days a week but this has now been extended to four days.

This is the start of their paintings on the 21st May, this group is building in numbers and confidence. 

During the Coronavirus lockdown and the VIC Centre being closed to our members and volunteers, our outreach and key workers keep in touch using the Zoom platform.

Rossendale's mobile testing station moved location to Clitheroe for three days.on Tuesday, both were manned by the 2 Sigs 214 Sqn Royal Signals. We received some positive feedback and their Officer In Charge sent this message; Please pass on our team’s thanks for the amazing selection of cakes and the coffee, a great morale boost! We look forward to seeing you and your team again soon.
When Ray Sharkey confirmed the day with the Officer In Charge for Clitheroe, they made a special request. In addition to the cakes they would love some savories as well. Ray contacted Barry at Cissy Greens Bakery stepped up to mark and provided them a good selection of cakes and pies. They also donated some additional cakes which will be added to the food parcels from Positive Start food bags.
This was great team effort and we are glad we could provide a morale boost to the guys who are testing. It is only with the support of members like Julie, Baz, Ray and Cissy Greens we could make this happen.

On Monday 18th May the Royal Signals had a small detachment at the Coronavirus testing station at Marl Pitts in Rossendale over the weekend and Monday was their final final day before moving up to Clitheroe for the next three days.We posted on our Facebook group if somebody could bake some cakes for the guys who are on site. One of our members Julie stepped up to the mark and has baked some great looking cakes. We dropped off the cakes and coffee first thing in the morning and after speaking to their officer in charge if they would some dropping off on Wednesday at Clitheroe.
This is a small gesture but it shows the support that we as veterans have for the outstanding work they are doing around East Lancashire and the UK. We hope you enjoy the cakes.

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Another successful Friday delivering food around Haslingden and Helmshore for Positive Start. Over 40 food bags delivered and thanks to Jo and her team we have managed to restock our food supplies so we can send out some food bags to our isolated members next week. Also thanks to Birtwistles catering Supplies for their donation of some cooked meats.
Thanks to Bill, Jacko, Ray and Baz from VIC and all the team at Positive Start as you're doing a great job around Rossendale. 

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On the 14th May we picked up a donation of biscuits and cakes from Laura the Community Champion at Asda. We would like to thank them for this donation and we will be distributing them to our members in isolation.

We had planned a much bigger event in Haslingden to celebrate VE Day which involved other community groups until the world as we knew changed due to the Coronavirus Crisis.
We dressed the VIC Centre and the VIC minibus in preparation for VE Day. Many of our members were also able to dress the outside of their own homes.
On VE Day a small number of our members were joined by local people at 1100 to remember the sacrifices that were made by that generation with the last Post. Social distancing was observed. It was followed by playing some 1940's music.
The Choir produced a short video of We'll Meet Again, that they had been practicing through Zoom meetings and then mixed all the clips so it all came together in one video. This was a first for the Choir and great effort all round.
We hand delivered four special VE Day bags for some of members in Haslingden; Lewis Banham, Jack Riley, Irene Peel (aged 11 on VE Day) and a special birthday bag containing a cake for Vera Ellis who had her 14th birthday on VE Day.
We had a number of our WW2 veterans and one member who was a child on VE Day interviewed by the BBC. Radio Lancashire interviewed Jack Riley, Harvey (Paddy) O'Hara and Paul Worswick. Lewis Banham was interviewed for BBC North-West.

On VE Day VIC members delivered over 45 food bags around Haslingden and Helmshore for Positive Start. We need to thank them for giving extra bags so we could hand deliver three special VE Day bags for some of members in Haslingden; Lewis Banham, Jack Riley, Irene Peel (aged 11 on VE Day) and a special birthday bag containing a cake for Vera Ellis who had her 14th birthday on VE Day.

The VIC Centre was dressed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe. Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus Crisis the planned the Haslingden Street Party was cancelled so members decided to mark this occasion by meeting at the VIC Centre for the 1100 hrs 2 minute silence.
It was good to see that others in Haslingden came and joined us in this mark of respect.
We are hoping the situation may change into and we can celebrate VJ Day in August.

The Choir was unable to rehearse at the VIC Centre as it went into lockdown in March due to Coronavirus Crisis, however they joined the art group by using the Zoom platform to continue to rehearse in their own homes.
​The VE Day celebrations were cancelled and they were due to perform in Haslingden, so they put together 'We'll meet again'. 

We completed the last of the gates at the VIC Centre . Another great use of recycled pallets and what Veterans In Production (VIP) can do. Good job Bernard.

At the beginning of May during one of our Outreach Workers welfare calls, one of our members Vinnie who regularly attends the Sandbag Cafe said his cassette player had broken and he couldn't listen to his tapes. We asked on our Facebook Group and within the hour another one of our members Jane called in and donated a spare. We took this opportunity to drop off a food box as he lives on his own and is self-isolating.

​Friday 1st May was another busy day at the VIC Centre; over thirty food bags were delivered for Positive Start around Haslingden and Helmshore.
Jo and her team did a great job with getting the food out around Rossendale.
Veterans In Production were given a Scroll saw and pointer planner from Danny Myers and Jo dropped off some extra food that will be made up into food bags for our members.
Thanks Danny, Jo, Brian, Jacko, Bill, and Ray. 

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Brian who runs the Pyrography classes has been busy experimenting during the VIC Centre lockdown. He called it Reverse sublimation!
The cup is from Canada and the art work is from the people who are First Nation (we are used to calling them Indians or indigenous)
To try this yourself you need to take three photos and, using a program like Photoshop (or Gimp, which is free) copy/paste the three images next to each other (obviously you will have made the 'canvas' to fit three images).
Once you have all three images together then print it out and use them as a reference. You will have to do some crafty editing but the Tracedown can be erased easily.
This piece was a gift for his Mum and will be framed.

The Bob Ross art classes had to be suspended at the end of March due to the VIC Centre going into lockdown. Along with many other groups Darren is making use of the Zoom platform to continue with his Bob Ross classes. 
The first results of their painting are outstanding.

​VIC staff and Volunteers observing the 1 minute silence during our Zoom coffee meeting on the 28th April.
Thank You for your service . ​

​We had some fantastic news at the end of April; thanks to the customers of Co-Op. We have just received £1,680.38 👏👏 THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
When you shop at Co-Op, please continue to support us by nominating us as your chosen charity with this link.
https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/38275

On Friday 24th April we delivered 38 food bags around Haslingden and Helmshore, we also picked up food from the Rossendale Hub this week for Positive Start. Many thanks to Bill, Jacko and Ray for delivering today. Positive Start are doing a fantastic job in getting the food to those vulnerable people around Rossendale, outstanding effort guys. See you next week.
Ray has also dropped off some much needed food bags for some of the members living opposite the Centre. A busy and productive morning.

Brian McEvoy has started another pyrography project during the lockdown. He has already completed a world map that is to be donated to a local school once the Coronavirus crisis restrictions allow. These other two will also go to local schools. 

​This bench was refurbished for a neighbour of one our members who helps on the Veterans In Production project, the lady in her 80s lives in Clayton-le-Moors and she can now sit outside during the good weather.

One of our members Brian McEvoy cleaned up and painted some benches for a community garden used by residents in Oswaldtwistle this week. He was able to give the fences a coat of paint. He followed all the government guidelines to protect himself and those living in the complex and now the residents have the opportunity to sit outside during the good weather.
Norman asked us before the Coronavirus crisis to do this small job for them but unfortunately the weather wasn't suitable. He dropped into the Accrington shop after hearing about us earlier in the year and is becoming a regular visitor, he has also asked us to refurbish a bench so we are going to sell him the bench we have in the Accrington shop and will deliver when we can.

Just like other organisations during this coronavirus crisis VIC is having to adapt with how we keep in touch with our staff and core volunteers, on the 17th April we held our team meeting on Zoom.

On the regular members of the VIC Pyrography group Jason Clements continued with his piece he started at the group at the VIC Centre with Brian McEvoy. This was a personal piece and great effort especially as Jason had no prior experience of using Pyrography. 

On Friday 17th April VIC members Bill, Jacko, and Brian delivered another batch of food parcels from Positive Start. This week it was 27 houses around Haslingden and Helmshore.

The 10th April we started dropping food for Positive Start in Rawtenstall. VIC members Bill, Jacko, Brian and Ray delivered to 37 families around Whitworth, Bacup, Stacksteads and Rawtenstall.

Brian McEvoy has continued with his Pyrography during the lockdown of the VIC Centre. These two pieces are for a commission.

As we start to adapt to a new way of working during the Coronavirus Crisis lockdown, our outreach team are working remotely and have to contact to our members by telephone. We received this letter from Jack Riley on the 9th April, Jack is a WW2 veteran in isolation.

As we start week 3 of the lockdown and the run up to Easter, it's getting tougher to keep ourselves busy. Darren and Steve launched the first virtual art group, a few teething problems but in the main it went well and will continue to grow as the weeks goes by. Zoom allows restricted time limits per session and as so many other groups are using this way to communicate then we may have to look at breaking the sessions up throughout the day .

On the 3rd April we started our first food drops around Haslingden for Haslingden Community Link. We’ve had a fantastic response for volunteers and in the process of collating them. Thanks to Jacko and Bill for going out in the van. Gary and Brian for cleaning the van in preparation for future food drops.

Just after we locked down the VIC Centre we received a donation from TK MAXX, they were themselves going into lockdown and had to close all their stores for the foreseeable future. 
These items included; tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits. As many of our members were having to isolate due to varying health conditions, we were providing emergency food hampers. These items were added to these food hampers.

Brian McEvoy has completed his biggest and most difficult Pyrography piece to-date. This world map will be donated to a local school once the Coronavirus Crisis restrictions have been lifted.

On the 20th March VIC members enjoyed their last walk up to Hog Low Pike until the current Coronavirus restrictions are relaxed.

VIC outreach workers Phil and dropped off a few vital food parcels for vulnerable Armed forces Veterans courtesy of the Burnley community Cafe. 

Following Government advice VIC had to make the difficult decision to make changes on the services we could deliver. 
The VIC Centre in Haslingden, the Hyndburn Veterans Drop-in, our activities and how the outreach team will be suspended for the foreseeable future.
As the 20th March;
The Accrington Veterans Drop-in will be suspended until further notice.
The art groups at Haslingden and Hyndburn will be suspended until further notice.
The decision on the Monday craft group will be suspended until further notice.
The VIC Choir is suspended until further notice
The Sandbag Café in Heywood, the Mess Tin in Middleton and the RV Veterans Breakfast Club in Billington will be suspended until further notice.
The VIC Centre in Haslingden will remain open as long as possible with the minimum of staff who will deal with any drop-ins and queries, answering the phones, supporting our members by telephone. 

We received a bit of happier news in March. VIC has been awarded the Bronze Award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.
The Bronze Award is given to Employers who pledge to support the armed forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community.
For those who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
For those who promote being armed forces-friendly and are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
We are now working towards the Silver Award.

VIC members although small in numbers enjoyed a walk from Littleborough which included Blackstone Edge on the 5th March

VIC were invited to the Pendle INT development event on the 3rd March at the Walshaw House in Nelson. We were one of many organisations who are involved in tackling social isolation. We had an information stand in their ‘Market Place’.
It was a very good and organised event, and was great to meet so many organisations. Steve Butterworth our Pendle outreach worker made many new contacts and a potential outreach venue at a local Health Centre.

VIC ran our monthly 'painting in the style of Bob Ross' class on the 29th February. It was a long hard day but those who attended produced some fantastic work. 

Over January and February the VIC Centre had a visit from storms Ciara and Dennis. Unfortunately they won and our gates didn’t. Our VIP have changed the gates using old pallets and these are much stronger.

The Pyrography group led by Brian McEvoy is continuing to produce some excellent pieces to go on sale in the Accrington Veterans Drop-in.

On the 14th February the Accrington Veterans Drop-in had a visit today at the  from a 97 year old veteran Paddy (Harvey) O'Hara, he was brought in by his grand son who also served.
Paddy was awarded the Legion d’honneur medal in 2016 for recognition of the outstanding contribution that he made in 1944 in the efforts to liberate France. This medal was originally introduced by Napolean and remains the highest award that the Republic of France can give for outstanding military service.
Paddy is a real character and has already shared some of his experiences to our staff, good news is he is coming back when the weather warms up.

Lancashire Adult Learning has delivered a Lancashire Lifesavers course at the VIC Centre on Thursday 13th February. The course consisted of basic lifesaving skills and how to use a defibrillator. 

On the 6th February VIC members hada walk around Grane in Haslingden. The walk was split into two groups of different abilities. 
It was a great opportunity to take some photographs.

On the 5th February we held the first Bob Ross art class of 2020. Although it was a difficult class the results were spectacular. Looking forward to the next class which will be held on Saturday 29th February.

At the end of January VIC were presented with a cheque for £1334.00 from Haslingden, Whitworth and Waterfoot COOP stores. We were nominated last year to be a beneficiary of money raised by staff and customers.  A very thank you to the stores and and customers for this generous donation.

We had a great meeting at the start of February with Angela and Nigel from Professional Workwear by Stitchesrus. We are pleased to say that they have chosen VIC as the veterans charity they want to support.
They are MOD licensed as well as supplying work wear. We look forward to working with them.
I've seen a sample of their embroidery and it's very good. If you want any shirts embroidering with any cap badges, work wear, etc then its worth contacting them.

On the 23rd January VIC members enjoyed their first walk of the year around the Jumbles Reservoir followed by refreshments in the cafe.
​We had two groups walking two routes one of 4 mile and the other at 8 mile which took in Turton Tower.

VIC members from Rossendale and Burnley had a road trip on the 22nd January to the Wings Centre in Preston. Great to meet the team at the Wings Centre, other veterans from Skelmersdale Veterans Association and the team from the Lancashire Hub.
Great hospitality and as Arnie said ‘We will be back’....

One of our members Douggie Hocken sadly passed away at the start of the year. Douggie served in the RAF towards the end of WW2 and then posted to India where he saw the Partition of India. He was a football talent scout and referee.
He was regular to the VIC Centre on Fridays and the Rossendale Armed Forces Breakfast Club until he became too ill. He joined some of social inclusion trips and also collected at the VIC Singing Group supermarket performances.
One of his proudest moments when he joined VIC was when he was presented with his blazer, tie and beret.
His funeral was held Wednesday 15th January at Accrington Crematorium.
RIP Douggie