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Make a difference and make a small donation to VIC.
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Our Art group was filmed by ITV on Friday 22nd November for their ITV's carol concert at St Elisabeth's Church in Reddish to be shown in December. The theme this year is around D-Day 80, we are one of three films being shown during the carol concert.
They had seen the Stories In Transition film co-produced by ourselves and Anglia Rushkin University prior to coming to film and they were impressed with both the mural and the art work being done by the art group. Thanks to Darren and the art group for allowing ITV to film their normal art group. |
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We are pleased to say that Speddy has raised £1499 for VIC on his Rossendale Walk of Remembrance, smashing his target of £1000. He was joined by members from VIC throughout the 6 days of walking, and one of our members Bob Brindley completed the full walk with Speddy.
This was an outstanding effort by all involved covering over 60 miles and laying over 60 crosses that were made by the 38th Rossendale Open Scout Group. Over the six days they stopped to talk to so many people who had heard of Speddy's walk, many donated and offered their best wishes. We would like to thank Speddy and Bob, and especially those who supported and donated to the Rossendale Walk of Remembrance. |
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We had a particularly busy with leading up to Remembrance.
Speddy and Bob completed a six day Rossendale Walk of Remembrance where they played Last Post and placed a cross on each of the War Memorials and places where there was a plaque remembering the fallen of WW1, he was joined and supported by some of our VIC members. Our members attended and laid wreaths at a number of services around Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Our standard was paraded by Jacko and our Administrator Amy was invited to the Festival of Remembrance in London as the Lancashire RBL Standard Bearer. Our Choir sang at two Remembrance Services. VIC members also joined the M60 Ring of Red on their motorbikes. We Will Remember |
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On Friday 18th October VIC were the beneficiaries of the Throttle Twisters MCC Charity night and we're pleased to say that £1000 was raised on the night through a raffle, donations, sales of VIC merchandise and the bottle table.
We value their continued support to our charity and in supporting the Armed Forces Community. So a big thanks to the club, the other bike clubs in supporting the night, others that who joined us on the night and those who donated to the Charity night. |
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RING RETURNED. It has taken me this long to think of the words to say but as most of you know my home was burgled a few weeks back and some irreplaceable items were stolen along with my late Fiancé's engagement ring which was sitting on top of her ashes in a cabinet. Never did I think there was people out there that was so low and disgusting, proper scum of the earth. My faith in human kindness was shattered until thousands of you shared a plea, went above and beyond what was expected, put the word about despite not knowing me personally and going on the front page of Rossendale free press. However, I still cannot believe I have the greatest of pleasure in letting you all know the ring was returned. On Tuesday 8th October a member of VIC found the ring posted in the letter box of Veterans in Communities, a place where I volunteer to help so many. There are no words that I can think of to say how honoured and overwhelmed I was that so many helped in securing the return of Tracey Vick’s engagement ring. Thank you is not enough. Without the help of friends and family, the staff, and members of Veterans in Communities I would have never seen the ring again. I choose my words carefully, but you can imagine how many people who have been burgled feel when some disgusting low life breaks into your home and riffles through your possessions. The police do a fantastic job, but our Judicial system fails us every time and so I just wished I was at home when they broke in so I know then that justice would have been served.
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Standing room only at the Clitheroe outreach on the 8th October, It was good to see so many join us again.
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We would like to congratulate Mini for completing the Manchester Half Marathon on Sunday 6th October, we'd also to thank him for raising £500 that will go to support veterans we help.
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On Sunday 29th September our Standard and Standard Bearer Jacko Pearce attended the Royal British Legion, Radcliffe to their Dedication Service for their new Standard. Also our Administrator Amy Thompson who is the Royal British Legion County Standard Bearer was at the Rededication of the War Memorial at Great Harwood's Memorial Park.
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Many thanks to Graham Limb for helping with hanging paintings from the VIC art group members past and present. Many thanks also goes to Jo Troughton from Trinity Church, Clitheroe where the paintings are on show. This is all in conjunction with the art walk and has already gained a lot of attention. If you have a painting up please take this opportunity to go see your work and get the chance to talk about it if you wish. If you have no work on exhibition go anyway as this weekend they have lots going on including a MOD bike rally and some stalls in the park at the rear of the church.
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Darren is a volunteer who has worked tirelessly for the last 14+ years to support veterans who have/ are struggling on leaving the Armed Forces in Rossendale, he is also well known around the community. To say this has devastated Darren is an understatement.
This is not just a ring, it has so many memories of his late partner Tracey who sadly passed away four years ago with Cancer. Tracey was a childhood friend when they lived in London, a soul mate and probably saved his life when he was diagnosed with PTSD. Please share this far and wide and make this ring to hot to handle. If anyone has any information, Darren has offered a reward on the safe return of the ring and other items that were stolen. Alternatively you can post the ring through the letter box of the VIC Centre on Bury Road in Haslingden. |
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Norton Disney Carp Social 20th - 22nd September
Well....a tough weekend fishing wise but thankfully a couple did manager to catch. But a fantastic weekend all in all, with the attendance of Julian Cundiff donating his time and knowledge to our anglers. Huge thank you once again to all our awesome anglers. We have the best bunch on every social we do! Thanks also to those that have donated prizes for our raffle also. Shaun Arstall Carpin cutz and Oz Baits LTD Still have spaces on Horcott Lakes social on Sept 5th 2025. If you'd like to get involved, please drop me a message. For more information on any of the VIC Carp Socials please contact Darren Horsnell on 01706 833180 https://fb.watch/vAtufX5wya/ |
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On the 18th September some of our members attended a short Standard Dedication Service at The Parish Church of Saint Peter Lane Side Haslingden. Stephen Brown is retiring from the Church this month and has been a supporter of VIC and the Royal British Legion, and he takes the Remembrance Service in Haslingden.
We would like to thank Stephen for managing to fit our Dedication Service in before he retires. Our Standard has been in attendance at many funerals and services since we got it last year and our Standard Bearer Jacko has done a great job. Only last week it was at Menin Gate in Belgium carried by Speddy. A full video will be put onto YouTube this week for those were unable to attend. |
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Members of Veterans In Communities undertook a First and Second World War Battlefield tour in September 2024. We took 11 VIC members on a four day tour covering some of the D-Day beaches and battle sites in Normandy. We finished off at the Last Post at Menin Gate in Belgium where we paraded our standard and laid a wreath. We also laid wreaths at the Normandy Memorial, Bayeux War Cemetery and at Thiepval. The highlight of the tour was the Last Post at Menin Gate. This was our first and hopefully it will be an annual event that our veteran members can get involved in. This short video is a selection of some of the pictures that our members took.
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Last year we were donated £1500 from the Rossendale Rotary Club, the money was used to get some art materials for our bi-weekly art group held at the VIC Centre in Haslingden and for the Veterans In Production project to put a remembrance bench into the Lumb Millennium Green.
We secured the bench overlooking the pond. |
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Thank you to all those who came to support the VIC choir at Haslingden Tesco on the 14th September - we raised £204.49! As usual they did a fantastic job entertaining the customers. Thanks to those who donated, Wendy Howarth the Community Champion and Derek and his daughter who did a fantastic job with the collection buckets!
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On Monday 2nd September our Operations Manager Bob Elliott received a £100 donation from Marie Grady who is an Independent Executive Leader with Tropic Skincare. In July Marie donated 20% of her sales from a special charity pamper event she held from the 15th to 22nd July to Veterans In Communities
We would also like to thank Angela from Professional Workwear by Stitchesrus who nominated our charity. #tropicskincareambassador |
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At the end of August we fitted the new signs to the outside of the VIC Centre in Haslingden. These will make a big difference and we'll be easier to find for veterans or people are coming for the first time.
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On the 11th August we had our stand and general merchandising out on display at the Trawden Agricultural Show. We have had a stall here now for a number of years, and we get to speak to so many people over the day and its great to raise the awareness of what we do.
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We took advantage of the three days of good weather at the end of July and managed to replace the old shed roof which had been battered by the storms over the last 8 months. Next steps is to get a skip to clear a lot of the unwanted wood and general tidy up before we have a BBQ for our members.
Thanks to Willie, Kev and Jacko for their hard work. |
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On the 31st July, our members enjoyed a First Class travel on Embsay Steam Train with Fish & Chips. They were also given a tour of the railway sheds.
The company was great and the scenery was beautiful |
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VIC Now have a wide range of commemorative decorative bottles. All are illuminated with battery operated lights and cost just £15 each. These are held at the VIC center in Haslingden so please feel free to pop in and have a closer look.
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Huge thanks to those who attended the monthly painting in the style of Bob Ross class on the 28th July. Our next class will be Sunday 25th August at 1030 am. If you would like to join us or need more information please contact Darren on 01706833180.
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The VIC choir performed on Saturday 20th July at Tesco in Burnley. A huge thank you to Mukhtar, the Community Champion, and the staff and customers. Unfortunately we had no one to help with the bucket collections, but we still managed to raise £193.53.
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We heard the sad news on the 16th July that Mark Dilworth one of the founding members of the Sandbag Cafe Preston and formally of the Wings Centre in Preston passed away in St Catherine’s Hospice.
Col David Waters of the Lancashire Armed Forces Association said he had received superb care from the staff and volunteers and his last days were spent in an atmosphere and environment that suited his mild and gentle manner. The Sandbag Cafe in which he had been a leading light will be all the poorer for him not being there any longer. Whenever I took him home he would shake hands, thank me for the lift, open the door and say “Point me skyward and push me out.” Well, we did it for the last time today - reach for the stars as you go! RIP Mark. RIP Mark. On behalf of Veterans In Communities we thank you for all the support you've given to the Sandbag Cafe and our outreach worker Steve Butterworth. Mark's funeral was on the 7th August surrounded by those who knew him from the Preston area.. |
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Fabulous effort by two of our members who attended the RBL Standard Bearer training school in Haslingden on the 14th July.
Philip came along so we have someone to deputise for Jacko when he’s not available. SP ED will be carrying the VIC standard at The Menin Gate when a group go over for a Batlefields Tour in September. Both of them picked it up really well and are welcome back anytime! Hope you both enjoyed it! |
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On the 14th July our Hyndburn Project Worker Ray Sharkey and his outreach members had our VIC stand at Accrington Stanley FC Veterans Day. Our Choir were also invited to perform along with Steve Sumner who played the bag pipes to entertain those who attended.
It was well attended and there were a lot of stalls inside the main hall. |
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Had a great trip out to Liverpool on the Mersey Ferry on the 1st July. The weather was not the best but did not spoil the trip. Thanks for organizing it Pat McEvoy, Hope we see you up and about very soon. The best part of the trip I think was the KFC on the way home
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Thanks to those who attended the wet on wet, Bob Ross style painting group on the 30th June. Although there were only four attending it was still a great class. Huge thanks to all those who attended. Hope to see you all again.
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During this years Armed Forces week, our volunteers, staff and members attended a number of Armed Forces Flag Raising events in Rossendale, Rochdale, Preston, Clitheroe, Burnley, Blackburn Cathedral and many other towns around the North-West.
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Over the last few months our member Jack who runs our allotment in Helmshore has been working hard to get it ready for this years crop. There has also been an interest from other community groups who want to use it for their service users.
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Over the 26th and 27th June. We held another Carp Social angling event, this time it was at the Sandhurst Lakes in Surrey. Once again it was fully booked and we would to thank all those who take part and support us.
Thank you to all that donated prizes also for our raffle. You know who you all are. |
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Another great turnout at the Clitheroe outreach on the 25th June. This has become one of our most successful social outreaches and regularly gets a drop-in form the local PSCO's, they get to know the members and understand some of the difficulties experienced in their local area.
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On the 18th June the members of the Clitheroe group were treated to a presentation all about the Mulberry Harbours of 'Operation Overlord' delivered by Col (Rtd) John Hawley RE, who has extensive knowledge of 'Making Concrete Sink' and it was a very fascinating talk. We followed the talk with the weekly quiz delivered by our very own Quizmaster Ron Flowers at the usual place of Trinity Methodist Church in Clitheroe.
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Over the last few months the VIC art group started back at Jubilee Court on Wednesday afternoon. It is primarily for their residents but if you contact Darren Horsnell at the VIC office he'll be able to see we can include a few others.
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The D Day dioramas that were made by the Model Railway Club in Accrington were on display at Fulwood Barracks Infantry Museum as part of the D Day 80 anniversary in Preston over the weekend of the 6th and 9th June.
Local schools and members of the public were invited to visit the displays of the D Day landings that showed some of the events prior, during and after the landings. Models and displays were made by a number of individuals and organisations. Sadly one of the bigger displays that one of our members made of Pegasus Bridge was not on display, but it can be seen at the Accrington Veterans Drop-in. |
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Mark Bilsborough runs a small business called Carpin cutz and has very kindly donated a lead pouch and distance stock cord for every angler attending the next VIC Carp Social fishing event. He's also donating a £50 & £25 voucher to raffle off along with EIGHT other customised items.
Mark has served for QLR and The Duke of Lancashire Regt standing across 24 years so a charity like VIC is very close to home. Take a look at his Facebook page Thank you Mark |
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On Saturday 1st June we opened the Accrington Veterans Drop-in for Accrington Food Festival. We arranged the layout to Coincide with the anniversary of D-Day 80. We had on display the D-Day 80 Diorama's that was made by the members of the Model Railway Club and they were very well received by the members of the public who attended, with many engaging in enquiring conversation with the members of the Model Railway club who had made them in honour of all those who had the courage to undertake one of the largest amphibious contested assaults in history. The models will be going to Fulwood Barracks Lancashire Infantry Museum in Preston as part of an exhibition.
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The draw for Darren's Rhino painting was drawn the 7th May and Darren took great pleasure in delivering the painting to the lucky winner on the 29th May to the Clitheroe outreach.
She said 'Despite having no where to hang it, I am going to find room and enjoy looking at it' She also said that she had never won anything and that winning this oil painting on canvas made up for all the previous losses. Many Thanks to all those who purchased a ticket and supported VIC. We plan to do another raffle but this time we are going to offer the chance of winning a portrait of your pet. |
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A huge thank you to all who supported the VIC choir on Saturday 18th May at Tesco Rawtenstall.
We raised a fabulous £252.60 Many thanks to Emma Bailey (Community Champion), staff and customers and Jacko and Margaret for helping with the bucket collection. Your continued support means the world to us |
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We would to thank the Throttle Twisters MCC for organising a Camping Weekend at Sycamore Farm in Alderley Edge over the weekend of the 17th and 18th May . A grand total of £527.00 was raised and donated to VIC and this money will be used directly to help fund the activities for the veterans we support . Some of our members also joined the club for the weekend and it was enjoyed by everyone.
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Our Crafty Chatters group that made yellow poppies to commemorate the 80th year of the D Day Landings in Carentan, France were finally able to see their work on show during the D-Day anniversary.
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One of our members who was frequent visitor to the VIC Centre, our social trips, Clitheroe outreach, supported the choir when they performed at supermarkets and the Greggs RV and Quiz sadly passed away peacefully during May after a short illness at Blackburn Hospital. Ann Barnes, AKA 'Barnsy' a former RAF veteran who served in Aden. She didn't like to answer to Ann and would always correct 'It's Barnsy'...... and she did like a man in uniform, a real character was Barnsy and will be sadly missed by all those at the VIC that knew her, she said we were her family. As with other families we will give her the send off she told us she wanted.
Looking through the pictures there seems to be a common theme, food and being surrounded by men. We have a date for her funeral. It's on Thursday 30th May at 1020 at Accrington Crematorium. It's quite adapt really the funeral being on Thursday as she would normally have been at the Greggs RV and quiz on that day. She would've loved veterans and standards being present at her funeral. For more information please contact us on 01706 833180. Our thoughts are with the family and friends who know her. You may be gone but will never be forgotten that's for sure. RIP Barnsy. |
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On the 10th May the Accrington Veterans Drop-in had a visit from the team from Healthwatch Lancashire to learn about military hearing loss from the veterans who access Accrington each week, they said they did not have a clue about the hearing problems experienced by military veterans.
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On Saturday 4th May, the VIC Choir were asked to perform at the Haslingden 'VE Day Picnic in the Park' at Greenfield Gardens. This was the first time the Choir has made use of the gazebo, and we'll be using this again for some outdoor performances.
thanks to Bernard Tighe and Catherine Smyth for the pictures. |
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The VIC Sandbag Café has been relocated from Longridge now to Preston. It was launched on St Georges Day at St Georges Church on the 23rd April, this outreach differs from the other two Sandbag Cafe's we established as it is a joint venture with the Lancashire Armed Forces Association.
We have been working with them for some time now as they have some exciting plans for the Armed Forces Community in Preston and it seemed an ideal opportunity to establish a town centre venue where two organisations can provide a similar veterans drop-in again after the Wings Centres had to close down . The Sandbag Café is being run by our outreach worker Steve Butterworth and Lancashire Armed Forces Association member Mark Dilworth (formally of the Wings Centre in Preston). Both Steve and Mark have years of experience of supporting veterans and will be able to deal with any welfare concerns and issues the members of the Sandbag Café may have. So this outreach will have two purposes: An informal social activity for veterans to enjoy each others company and a bit banter at the same time Secondary to deal with any issues veterans may be experiencing. Lancashire Armed Forces Association have over 400 members and that is just one of the Associations that operate across the area, and the drop-in is open to any veteran and their families from other Associations or veteran groups or you don't have to be in any of them and just want a meet with other like-minded people. It will start to grow in numbers as time goes by and it becomes more established. The Sandbag Café is open every Tuesday between 10am - 1230pm at St Georges Church. Please use the rear entrance in Georges Road (Lune Street) PR1 2NP. For more information you can contact Mark Dilworth or Steve Butterworth on 01706 833180. You'll be guaranteed a welcome with a brew and bit of banter every week. |
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Massive thanks goes to those who attended the Bob Ross style painting class on the weekend of the 27th & 28th April. It wasn't an easy painting but the knocked it out the park as the pictures will show. The two ladies never painted before and as you can see did very well. See you all at the end of May
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On Friday 26th April, Project worker Ray Sharkey was invited by the Mayor of Hyndburn Councillor Terry Hurn to the 'A Mayoral Thank You' evening at Oswaldtwistle Social Club.
The evening was to say a big thank you to organisations that work across Hyndburn and each organisation was presented with a certificate. |
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Last week one of our veteran's, Duncan Phillips from the Ribble Valley, gave a talk at our Clitheroe site and our head office in Rossendale about a photographic trip he and his wife made to the Pantonal in the Amazon Basin for National Geographic Magazine. The couple own Knowle Top Studios in Clitheroe which is a prestigious art and photography gallery located very close to the entrance to Clitheroe Castle.
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On Thursday 25th April our CEO Amanda Walton and Operations Manager Bob Elliott attended the Lancashire and South Cumbria Armed Forces Conference organised by
the University of Central Lancashire at Westleigh Conference Centre in Preston. Our short film Return, Belong Prosper was again screened and Amanda and Dr Nick Caddick from Anglia Ruskin University sumarised the research and findings from the Stories In Trransition project. The conference was spread over four sessions; The Armed Forces Covenant, Education, Health and Housing. A full day but a very good conference with a lot of information given. There were some great presentations, and the food wasn't too bad either. |
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On Wednesday 24th April VIC members enjoyed a social trip and delicious lunch at the Heritage café at Samlesbury Hall. It was a lovely sunny spring day when we took our new bus out for a trip. Afterwards they walked around the Tudor Hall. The first of our VIC trips this season.
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On Wednesday 24th April our outreach worker Steve Butterworth and Operations Manager Bob Elliott were invited by the Probation services to a resettlement market at HMP Preston alongside a range of health, substance misuse agencies and some community groups in Lancashire.
The prison, which houses remand prisoners some of whom are veterans, were invited to meet the different agencies and services. This was the first and it is hoped this can replicated to other prisons in Lancashire. |
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On Wednesday 24th April Return, Belong Prosper – the VIC documentary short film
co-created by Anglia Ruskin University and Darren Horsnell, Steve Butterworth and David Joddrell was premiered at Alder Grange AG6 in Rossendale. VIC was one of three charities chosen for the Stories In Transition project that researched how veteran organisations help ex-service personnel transition to civvy street. All three films Return Belong Prosper (VIC), 'Turn to the Wind' (Turn to Starboard) and 'Leave No One Behind' (Waterloo Uncovered) were launched at the National Army Museum in London last year and VIC’s film was selected out of 7,000 entries to be screened at an International Film Festival in Germany. The film was tells the story of veterans Darren, Steven and Dave and how creativity has helped them to transition from military to civilian life. They faced a variety of difficulties when they left the military world and speak frankly about the issues they faced. Present at the screening were the Mayors from Rossendale, Accrington and Burnley along with Armed Forces Champions, Military veterans, police officers and civilians. The attendees were entertained by the VIC Choir and refreshments were provided by the school. The film was shown in the lecture theatre and a question-and-answer session followed with Steve, Darren and Dave, members of the VIC team and Dr Nick Caddick, the Principal Investigator from Anglia Ruskin University. Dr Nick Caddick sumarised the research findings on how VIC offer a community based service and why our approach is different to so many other charities and Third Sector groups. VIC were scrutinised independently by the Universities involved. |
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On the 23rd April the VIC Choir entertained the Residents of Jubilee Court, Haslingden to celebrate St. George’s Day
Thank you for your support and donations . 'We’ll meet again' |
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On the 23rd April, one of our veteran's, Duncan Phillips from the Ribble Valley, gave a talk at our Clitheroe outreach about a photographic trip he and his wife made to the Pantonal in the Amazon Basin for National Geographic Magazine.
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On the 22rd April we picked up our new VIC minibus from David Fishwick Minibus and Van Sales in Colne. They supplied our last one and so it was it was no brainer for us to go back again. As with the last one it has had some similar modifications; an awning, tow hook, rear seats removed for an enclosed rear storage section and fittings to put the flags up for shows and events.
Since we took delivery of the old one in 2014, we've been putting some money away each year for when we had to replace it. Although it's been reliable and a good old workhorse, it was time to replace it for something newer and more comfortable for the social trips we make for our members and to go out to events. Our old one was sold to one our members to be converted into a motorhome. |
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On Friday 19th April VIC were invited to the official launch of the BAY VETERANS ASSOCIATION veterans hub and drop-in centre . It was a great turnout and it's good to see their hard work has come to fruition.
Bay Veterans Association is one of the organisations in Lancashire we have been supporting and Gary has done some amazing work over there. They also have a weekly breakfast club on Wednesdays at the York Hotel in Morcambe and have set up another in Carnforth. their model is very similar to the VIC model. For more information on what they offer you can find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551807855021 |
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Last week our CEO Amanda Walton and Operations Manager Bob Elliott went on a road trip to Warrington and Liverpool to visit three three great charities: Veterans Support Centre Warrington Tom Harrison House and Veterans HQ. Although we have all been involved in 'Veterans Places Pathways and People programme (VPPP) it was great to visit their hubs and see the outstanding work they do to support veterans and their families.
All of us offer something different but also very similar and operate within their local community. |
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We would like to congratulate one of our members Mini Michael Anthony Leather for completing the Manchester Marathon on Sunday 14th April. Mini is joining the VIC as a volunteer and is going to be a great asset to our outreach team. He is ex-Kingo and Duke of Lancashire Regt. Welcome to the team Mini
He completed it around 4 hours 15 minutes, and was running in the memory of his mum. Great effort mate |
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After a visit to the VIC Centre in Haslingden and seeing the mural on the back wall of the VIC art room, Tesco community champion Emma Bailey from the Tesco's in Rawtenstall asked VIC if it was possible to paint a scene of Musbury Torr Hill looking from Bury Golf Course in their Community Room.
Darren started the outline on the 27th March and put the finishing touches on the 9th April, less than 2 weeks to complete. It took 26 hours to complete and spending just a couple of hours a day on it. a stunning piece of wall art. We hope your happy with the finished painting Emma. If anyone is shopping at Tesco why not pop in and have a look, and leave us some feedback. Would love to know what you all think. |
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What have we been up at the railway club, not a lot if the noise in the background is true, we have been very busy as a group, a lot of the stuff we are doing is hidden eg, the wiring its taken a long time, and its not a job that can be rushed, and not a job for 5 people
The diorama below is part of a series we hope to display at Fullwood barracks, about D-day this one has been built by the diorama master, Lawrence and is in the basement of the shop, so come and have a look and see what we have been doing.For those who have no clue this is Pegasus Bridge. |
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A huge thank you to all who supported the VIC choir on Saturday 6th April at Asda Rawtenstall.
We raised a fabulous £359.18 Many thanks to Laura Saxton (Community Champion), staff and customers and Barnsey, Jacko and Amanda for helping with the bucket collection. Your continued support means the world to us. |
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Thanks to all those who attended the Bob Ross classes on the 6th and 7th April. This was a particularly hard painting but all pulled it off without to much trouble. Thanks to Ian Loughlin for providing our next painting subject of a local scene which I am looking forward to sharing and painting.
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Great turnout of the veterans from the Ribble Valley 0n the 26th march, and the craic was as fierce as the inter unit ribbing that was going on during the weekly quiz held at Trinity Methodist Church in Clitheroe. For more info contact raysharkey@vic.org.uk or call 01706 833 180 or 07741 902 188.
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On the 25th March our outreach worker for East Lancashire and the the Armed Forces Support Group had an Information Stand at the Colne Health Centre
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On Saturday 23rd March our VIC Choir performed at the Tesco's in Burnley, this is the first time we have performed there and would like to thank our VIC Choir Members, our volunteers, Tesco staff and customers.
Special thanks to Ann Barnes and Phil Chamberlain for braving the elements to man the collection buckets and to Mukhtar the Tesco Community Champion for hosting us. |
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Outreach worker Steve Butterworth is now attending the monthly veterans coffee afternoon at the Newhey and Milnrow medical centre.
The practice has set this up for its veteran patients, the first session was on the 21st March. Veterans were joined by Junior Soldiers from the Army Foundation College at Harrogate. Our oldest WW2 veteran Bernard Munton had a great day talking to the soldiers. |
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We are delighted to announce that we heard that we have been awarded £97,142 from Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. This will fund our three-year programme, Reach, Support Belong and Prosper.
The funding will help us to identify, reach and support those from the Armed Forces communities, supporting them to overcome individual barriers to lead fulfilling lives. The project will help to cultivate a sense of belonging and help those supported to prosper within their own localities. |
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During March some of the paintings from the VIC art group members proudly saw some of their work on exhibition at the The Whitaker - Rossendale Museum and Art Gallery. Thanks to all those who attended the small opening.
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Our Crafty Chatters group have been making yellow poppies to commemorate the 80th year of the D Day Landings in Carentan, France. These will be used by the local ladies of Carentan who are making the modern equivalent of the Bayeaux Tapestry. This will consist of 80 panels depicting scenes from the landings. The poppies will be incorporated into the 101st Airborne Divisions flag aka The Screaming Eagles who liberated the town.
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On Friday 1st March one of our members Jacko Pearce attended the Re-launch of the Veterans Hub @agneshopkinscentre in Swinton. Jacko who is our Standard bearer paraded the VIC Standard at the launch.
We only got our Standard in November last year and in only a short period of time he has paraded the Standard at a number of funerals and Armed Forces events. We hope the Vererans Hub continues to grow and support the veterans and families in the area. |
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On Thursday 29th February Duncan Phillips one of our members from Clitheroe and the owner of Knowle Top Gallery in Clitheroe gave a short talk at the Haslingden Centre on his most recent visit to the Arctic. He was very knowledgeable on the environment and animals he saw there. He's doing the same talk to the members of the Clitheroe outreach next week.
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On Tuesday 27th February our CEO Amanda Walton and Ops Manager Bob Elliott paid a visit the Veterans Support Centre in Warrington. Their Centre is in the middle of a park and offers so much for the local veteran and the wider community. To say we were impressed is an understatement, and even though we talk with Veterans Support Centre Warrington at lot we had no idea of the resources they have on their door step.
There is a Veterans NAFFI, Counselling Suite, a Community Hall that can be used for some many occasions including wedding, Tai Chi classes, different functions and even Regt Association meetings. The outside park area can be used for fundays, themed events, bowling and even a café that is open to the public who use the park. They also have a fleet of vans that go out into the community and will repair and maintain bikes for those in the wider community. If you live around the Warrington area then it is worth a visit and speak to the guys, it is totally volunteer led and it works. One of their current projects is to refurbish a trailer donated to them from 75 Engr Regt, once it's been finished it will be made available for other veteran groups to borrow for their outdoor events. Well done to the Sappers for once again bailing out the other Army Units...... |
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On Tuesday 20th February our CEO Amanda Walton and Operations Manager Bob Elliott attended the Veterans' Places, Pathways & People (VPPP) showcase event in Wigan. It was launched in 2022 and was a two year programme across the UK.
The programme aims were to give veterans a safe and welcoming place to go in their local community, supporting veterans to access mental health support and treatment, and access to good quality training for staff and volunteers. Each of the delivery partners Armed Forces Community HQ CIC Advocacy Focus Burnley FC in the Community Fighting with Pride Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Tom Harrison House Broughton House - Home of Salford and Greater Manchester's Veterans Veterans HQ Walking With The Wounded and VIC were funded under one of Places, Pathways and People groups. There were a number of presentations to showcase the tool kits which will be a legacy of the programme where any organisation working with veterans and the Armed Forces Community can access. We are waiting to hear about the legacy of the VPPP programme and how it will continue into the future. The North-West Portfolio was one of the stronger ones in the UK. Forces Wellbeing Collective |
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On Monday 19th February we had a talk from Capt Peter (Red) Riley, ex Royal Signals, Army Air Corps, SAS and Mi6 about his book 'Kisses from Nimbus' at the VIC Centre in Haslingden. It was an audience of our members who sat in and listened to Peter.
Fascinating to listen to some of his stories, or at least what he could talk about. |
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Our CEO Amanda Walton and Ops Manager Bob Elliott attended a briefing on the Greater Manchester Police Forcer Protocol pilot in Manchester on the 6th February. There were representatives from a number of services and organisations working with veterans, the pilot was only launched in November and they have already had a good success rate in finding veterans that have been reported as missing.
The Forcer Protocol is a tool used by the police to ensure key information is available to them when they are searching for service veterans who are lost or have gone missing when they return home. the Police can access much needed information from the Safe and Found Online platform. The Safe and Found Online is a free Digital Information Bank committed to Safeguarding Vulnerable People. The Safe and Found Online is part of their Missing Persons strategies, UK Police Forces are encouraging carers of vulnerable people who are a risk of going missing to compile useful information about them. This data is recorded on a form provided by the Police and can save vital time in putting together a search and rescue plan in a missing persons event. They already use this on the Herbert Protocol which is a nationwide scheme adopted by all UK police forces with the aim of reducing the risk of harm to someone living with dementia who goes missing by enabling swift access to key information that can help the police find the person more quickly. Although it is only in Greater Manchester at the moment there is a lot of interest by other Police Forces across the Country. Since November they have found 42 veterans using the Forcer Protocol. We would encourage veterans, carers of veterans, the family of anyone who are at risk of harm, a chance of going missing or likely to be in a crisis situation to be registered with the Safe and Found Online Scheme. This information could aid the Police in finding that person with a good safe outcome. https://safeandfoundonline.co.uk/index.html |
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We opened the VIC Centre on Sunday 4th February to welcome Netty and Mandy from the Ring Of Red (Manchester)team. They donated a cheque for £5,000 to VIC to support projects and activities for veterans across the different service areas including the art group, the allotment and the model railway club.
And, going forward, VIC has been selected as the Ring of Red's chosen charity. We can't thank the organisers and bikers enough for raising this fantastic amount of money. |
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The Model Railway Club in Accrington has been spending, You don't get much for your money these days, just shy of £ 300.00 on the table, which prompted the famous Yorkshire battle cry "HOW MUCH" but it will sort our a good chunk of the electrical work needed to get things running by March, note they didn't say which March.
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On the 1st Feb 2024 Duncan one of our members from Clitheroe and the owner of Knowle Top Gallery in Clitheroe gave a short talk at the VIC Centre in Haslingden, the talk was of his most recent visit to Southern Africa where he photographed many beautiful wild life scenes. Duncan and his wife regularly get commissioned by the National Geographical Magazine.
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Great day running another painting in the style of Bob Ross class on the 27th January. Thanks to all those who attended. They were all great paintings and good to see that although they were the same project how different each one was from the other. So much more was learnt today. Hope you all enjoyed it and thanks again for your continued support.
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We had some news from Heywood, sadly Andy Daly passed away on Sunday 14th January. Andy was 62 and served as a Royal Engineers in the Mid 70s in Germany.
For the last 6 years he suffered from Dementia and spent his last years in various care homes in Ramsbottom and Heywood. |
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We heard some sad news on Friday 12th January that Vinny Haughton, one of the members of the Sandbag Café in Heywood passed away on Friday 12th January.
Vinny joined the Sandbag Café in 2018 and was a regular at the Café. He joined the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) during National Service in 1952 and was a discharged in 1954. Our condolences are with the family and his friends at this difficult time. RIP Vinny |
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Rona joined Crafty Chatters October 2023 not being able crochet. She has excelled herself, now has a crochet widower at home . She has made a beautiful bag and is now hooked. Her first project was a blanket for the home
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On Thursday 11th January VIC members and serving soldiers of the REME paid their respects on the final journey to WW2 veteran Jack Riley at Accrington Crematorium. One of the original members of the REME when they were formed in 1942.
RIP Jack you can stand down now your duty is done. Pictures by Catherine Smyth and Bernard Tighe. |
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A huge thank you to James Mcauley for the stand for our new VIC standard. Proudly on display in the entrance to the VIC centre in Haslingden.
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First Rochdale outreach of 2024 at the Riverside in Rochdale.
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The Model Railway Club hit the ground running in January and built this at Accrington Veterans Drop-in. The harbour wall at Fort William, it was made by hand from plaster and then carved and painted, again it takes time and its all one piece.
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Stunning model made by the Railway Club in Accrington. Fort William Station, hand built from photographs it may not look much but there is a lot of work and time spent on this one building.
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