New support service for veterans’ families

Outreach and community development worker Suzanne Preston

Family support services will now being offered by charity Veterans In Communities (VIC) throughout Rochdale and Rossendale from October.

The service will operate in two venues in both locations with sessions run by staff and volunteers from the charity that works with veterans and their families.

Outreach and community development worker Suzanne Preston said: “Thank you everyone for your support in getting this set up the service will start on October 6.

“VIC offers support to the families of serving and ex-service personnel, which include partners and their parents.

“We also work with members of the other uniformed emergency services as they can experience similar difficulties.

“Many armed services families suffer from marital and family breakdown and one of the services the family support group provides is information and advice on single parenting issues.

“Another is support for parents of veterans who find themselves having to return to the parental home or having to rely on their family to support them during some difficult times.”

On the first Monday of the month meetings will be held at the High Level, Drake Street, Rochdale, from10.30am-noon.

Every second Monday meetings are at Heywood Crimble Croft Community Centre from 10.30am-noon.

On the third Monday the meeting is as the Maden Centre in Bacup from 10am-noon and sessions are also held every Wednesday at the VIC Centre in Haslingden from 10am-1pm.

Suzanne added: “There are regular meetings throughout our outreach areas, regular events and activities and we have set up a separate closed Facebook group for those who use social media.

“We will be looking to develop this further into other areas in the future.”

For more information contact VIC on 01706 833180.