Veterans In Communities reports progress at AGM

Veterans In Communities Chief Executive Liz Hamilton

Veterans In Communities is based in Haslingden and works extensively across East Lancashire and Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

A busy year at a veterans’ charity saw more than 200 outreach sessions held and more than 120 new members join the organisation.

At the charity’s annual general meeting at the VIC Centre, a breakdown of the year’s activities was presented by Chief Executive Liz Hamilton on behalf of the Chairman Ronnie Barker.

She explained how the organisation has a representation on, and is a key participant in, the Armed Forces Covenant Groups for Pendle, Burnley and Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

The charity was represented at 10 Remembrance and Armistice Day events across the areas where it operates and organised a flag raising ceremony in Haslingden for Armed Forces Week.

Ms Hamilton said: “VIC is part of an innovative new partnership delivering the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams contract in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale with a specific role to raise awareness of ex-services personnel and support identified individuals.”

A plethora of walks, activities and social inclusion trips have been held including a visit to Leeds Armouries, a kayaking day and trip to Crosby beach.

Weekly arts and crafts groups are held at the centre and in sheltered accommodation and the charity has two allotments in Helmshore and Middleton.

As well as major grants from key organisations including the National Lottery, NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups in East Lancashire and Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, the Armed Forces Covenant and the European Social Fund, VIC also raised funds and received donations.

The popular Singing Group raised £3,260 through collections at public performances and VIC received further donations totalling more than £4,000.

Ms Hamilton added said: “We have to say a huge thank you to our volunteers and also to our trustees.

“Our volunteers are part of the fabric of VIC and they are on every activity and every service that we offer and we are really grateful to them.”

The charity was honoured to be a national finalist in the prestigious Soldiering On Awards in the Working Together category and Arts and Crafts Co-ordinator Darren Horsnell was regional finalist in Britain Has Spirit, which earned him a place in the national final.