The VIC team

Amanda Walton - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Amanda Walton

amandawalton@vic.org.uk

Amanda was previously an administrative assistant with a medical legal organisation and, before taking time out to bring up her three children she was a civil engineering technician with Lancashire County Council.
She said: “For me, this job offered and exciting challenge. My father used to be in the police and my husband is ex-forces and grew up in South Africa.
“The needs of veterans is something new to me, but I am very eager to learn and keen to help.”
In her spare time Amanda has been a volunteer Guider and Brownie leader for the past 15 years and also leads the Senior Section in Haslingden.

Bob Elliott - Operational Manager

Bob Elliott

bobelliott@vic.org.uk
Bob joined the Royal Engineers in 1976 as a boy soldier and left the army in 1985 and became a 'civvy' after serving nine years. He did a variety of different jobs before he started working with ex-service personnel; LGV driving, warehousing, forklift truck instructor, NVQ assessor, careers adviser, trainer and working on a number of DWP programmes for the unemployed and those on sickness benefits.

In 2009 Bob got involved with another ex-service charity and started working in Rossendale and areas across the North-West supporting ex-service personnel who had difficulty making the transition back into civilian life; some had mental health and psychological issues relating to the service career. After being made redundant in 2010 the opportunity presented itself to work full-time with ex-service personnel on veterans outreach programme in Rossendale.

Bob is the Operational Manager for VIC, and has seen the benefits first hand of the range of services and activities VIC now offer to ex-service personnel, their families and uniformed services. Although VIC is still viewed as new charity by some of the larger and well established veterans charities, it has developed a range of services and activities to meet the needs of the group.

Phone/Text - 07961 554006

Amy Thompson - Administrator

Amy Thompson

amythompson@vic.org.uk
Prior to joining VIC as Administrator, Amy has spent the last 17 years raising her 2 children and carrying out all the administration of the local business she runs with her husband.
“With the children now grown, I thought it was the ideal time for me to get back into an external workplace, and this role looked like it would suit me down to the ground. No day is ever the same and I’m loving the unpredictability of it!”
Amy’s only veteran links come from her voluntary role of Secretary of the Haslingden Branch of The Royal British Legion. She is also the branch Standard Bearer and Deputy County Standard Bearer for Lancashire.
“I’m hoping the skills and knowledge I have learnt through my time with the RBL, will enhance what I can bring to my role with VIC.”

Project Worker Ribble Valley & Hyndburn - Ray Sharkey

Ray Sharkey

raysharkey@vic.org.uk
I have served for a number of years during the 1980’s and 1990’s, in the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards and have toured in Canada, Belize and Northern Ireland twice during my time under the ‘colours. After leaving the guards in the early nineties I went on to build electricity pylons in Germany and the UK as a linesman Erector working for companies such as Balfour Beattie and Eves Transmission. In the early 2000’s I went on to build communications masts nationally for a company based in Cheltenham where I had sole site responsibility for the construction and commissioning of NTL installations.
In 2005 I decided to go to University to further my passion for History by undertaking an Honours degree whilst driving HGV vehicles for agencies, which allowed for the flexibility in working practice. In 2009 I earned a First Class BA. Hons, after taking on the challenge of producing a Double Dissertation after which I continued driving HGV’s for the next ten years. In June 2019 I had a serious fall from which I sustained serious life altering injuries and after a period of convalescence found myself seeking alternative less physical work. By good fortune and grace my wife was looking in to partnership working with other charities and told me that Veterans In Communities happened to be recruiting. The rest as they say is history, I am honoured to now be representing veterans in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley as the new Project Worker.

Steve Butterworth - Outreach worker

Steve Butterworth

stevebutterworth@vic.org.uk
Steve joined the Royal Navy in 1976 as a Catering accountant and after initial training served for three years on board HMS Hermes traveling extensively. In 1982 Steve was based at HMS Dolphin in Gosport and recalled to sea service on HMS Intrepid to serve in the Falklands Campaign as a medic. He joined VIC in early 2013 after a referral from the Military Veterans Services, with a view to joining the art group, after a period of illness and redundancy. Steve is a part time employee that started with VIC through the Royal British Legion Industries (The Poppy Factory).

Steve runs two of the VIC Outreach groups; Rochdale and Pendle. He is still involved with the art group and assists with the organisation of exhibitions and crafts fairs.
Steve also runs the Allotment in Rossendale and works on the 'Veterans In Production' project.

Darren Horsnell - Arts and Crafts Co-ordinator

Darren Horsnell

darrenhorsnell@vic.org.uk
Darren is a Veteran who has served in the Army for over 9 years. He has toured many Countries around the world including Northern Ireland and the Falkland Islands.

Darren found his talent for painting during his 10-year attendance at Combat Stress in Leatherhead. Some of Darren's work has been displayed (and sold) in the Mall and Tate Galleries, London. Since joining VIC in 2011 he has coordinated arts and crafts projects for veterans and their families and has undergone training for personal and professional development. He is now a case worker for the RBL and is coming to the end of his PTLLS course.

The art group is growing strong with many veterans coming forward wanting to 'give it a go'! Darren loves teaching painting and hopes that other veterans will find peace of mind in the comfort of arts and crafts, as he does.

Darren is a keen fisherman and gets involved with as many of the VIC's outdoor activities as he can.,

Ivy Limbrick - Outdoor activities

Ivy Limbrick

ivylimbrick@vic.org.uk
Former Police Constable Ivy Limbrick volunteers as the Outdoor Activities Co-ordinator at VIC and also runs the Chatty Crafters.
Ivy served 21 years in the police until retiring due to ill health.
Ivy also volunteers for the Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team .
In 2016 Ivy became Outdoor Activities Co-ordinator and has arranged a series of different social inclusion activities and walks

Phil Chamberlain - Volunteer outreach worker Burnley

Phil Chamberlain

philchamberlain@vic.org.uk
Phil joined the Army at 16 in 1987 as an Apprentice RTG in the Royal Signals. He Re-badged to the Adjutant General Corp (AGC) as a Military Clerk. Phil spent almost 10 years in Germany in Lippstadt, Soest, Berlin, Osnabruck, and Gutersloh .
This was interrupted with a 6 month posting to 3Div, Bulford from Soest and 6 months in Croatia during my final posting . Since leaving the forces after 11 years service in 1998 I have done a variety of jobs from Clerical, sales, delivery driver and security work. I am currently a carer for my beautiful wife Jayne. I play darts (badly nowadays) for a local pub team and I am very active politically locally. I love quizzes and love walking

Keith (Shep) Shepherd - Volunteer Burnley

Keith (SHEP) Shepherd

Ron Flowers - Volunteer

ronflowers@vic.org.uk